Things to Do in Sacred Valley, Peru
THINGS TO DO OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
(Other than Cusco & Machu Picchu)
Written by Jen Rogers in collaboration with Laura Santana, Ph.D., CWMF
Is trip planning overwhelming? Don’t let that stop you. Get my 12-Day Sacred Valley, Peru Itinerary
I feel like my journey to Peru did not truly begin until I was high above the Andes Mountains flying from Lima to Cusco. I think that was the pivotal moment when it really sank in just how far away from home I had traveled, and the sense of adventure awakened inside me. High above the clouds looking down at the continuous stretch of snow-covered jagged peaks, it felt as though I could reach out and touch them, the mysteries of the Incas right below me waiting to be explored.
There are a million travel sites and recommendations for traveling to the Sacred Valley (Valle Sagrado), Peru almost all of which center around Cusco and Machu Picchu. Cusco is incredible and Machu Picchu is definitely the biggest must see - do NOT skip them! However, if you are wondering what else you should do while there, you’ve come to the right place.
GETTING THERE
The Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima is Peru’s busiest airport and you can easily catch a flight there from most major cities.
From there, you will find daily flights, almost hourly, to Cusco - one of the most beautiful flights I’ve ever been on. Be sure to request a window seat. You won’t want to miss the views as you fly over the Andes.
AVOIDING ALTITUDE SICKNESS
One of the biggest concerns travelers headed to Cusco/Machu Picchu always seem to have is altitude sickness, and no wonder given Cusco sits at an elevation of over 11,000 feet. You can Google all kinds of tips and tricks to combat this ranging from Oxishot, Diamonx and Chlorophyll drops to chewing coca leaves. In fact, every hotel has coca tea to cater to the tourists which I definitely enjoyed. However, here is my number one tip (thanks to my amazing sister who collaborated on this blog and who has spent a lot of extended time in Peru) and it’s so easy! Simply start your trip at lower elevation then work your way up.
When we flew into Cusco, we immediately headed to Urubamba, near Ollantaytambo, about 1-1/2 hours away and almost 2,000 feet down. We started the trip at this lower elevation and worked our way up to all the sites we wanted to see, including Machu Picchu, ending the trip in Cusco instead of starting there. It worked like a charm. I had no issues with altitude doing it this way.
Another tip for elevation, drink lots of water! Hydration is always important at high altitude, and go easy on the alcohol and heavy foods at first (i.e. mayonnaise or meats with high fat content). One guide recommends eating a light chicken and rice soup or broth, having a nap, and then venturing out slowly.
PHOTOGRAPHING LOCALS
Before I get into all the amazing things you’ll want to see in Sacred Valley, I want to touch on the subject of photographing locals.
The people of Peru are truly warm and welcoming, proud and strong. Peruvian culture is a beautiful mix of Hispanic and native traditions. The Aymara and Quechua are indigenous people of Incan descent who have successfully preserved their traditions despite globalization all around them. It is an extremely vibrant and rich culture.
However, not all Peruvians appreciate having their photo taken. I recommend taking photos in large settings like markets or on the streets discreetly, knowing many do NOT want to be the subject of your images and respecting their wishes.
Some people will also expect a tip if you choose to photograph them. This is especially common in Cusco. You will find locals donning the traditional style and dressing llamas in vibrant colors which is often an invitation for tourists to take photos, but they will expect remuneration for you photographing them. It is always best to ask first before you poise your camera at them.
URUBAMBA
Located in the heart of the Sacred Valley along the Urubamba River under the snow-capped mountain Chicon lies the village of Urubamba.
The town is full of cobblestone streets lined with little shops and moto-taxis which are nothing more than motorcycles with little cabs for passengers to ride pillion behind the driver.
I highly recommend an exhilarating ride in this common mode of transportation if for nothing more than a fun and exciting joy ride! My niece, her Madrina and I stopped a driver on the side of the road asking him to take us in circles around town then bring us right back to the same spot. He seriously must have thought we were crazy as we giggled and cried out at every crazy tight turn he took. It was so much fun!
Do not miss the opportunity to visit the colorful Urubamba municipal market where locals come to gather and proudly display endless varieties of fruits and vegetables, dried herbs and beans, flowers and meats.
This colorful indigenous market is housed in a 2-story building in the heart of town. Locals gather outside with live animals, plants and shrubs. As you enter the building, the aroma of exotic spices envelopes you and the buzz of activity fills the air creating indelible memories engrained in you forever.
I highly suggest staying in Urubamba your first night in Sacred Valley, picking up some fruit and nuts in the morning at the market, then heading to Ollantaytambo to explore the incredible ruins for the day.
Photo courtesy of Natura Vive
Another incredible lodging option between Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, just an hour from Cusco, is the incredible Skylodge Adventure Suites, sleeping pods hanging from the cliffs. A truly unique experience where visitors spend the night in completely transparent hanging bedrooms that are literally suspended off the side of the mountain. Just imagine staring up at the stars in dark skies as you drift off to sleep and awakening as the sun rises, its golden rays lighting up the Sacred Valley below.
Photo courtesy of Natura Vive
The only way up to Skylodge is to rock climb or hike the Via Ferrata, a path up the cliff with a permanent safety system installed to allow those with no real climbing experience to have the opportunity to visit. Climbers are tied to steel cables that run the entire route. You must be at least 8 years old, in good health and good physical shape to make the climb. The weight limit is 265 lbs. (120 kg).
To descend the mountain, you can either rappel or use the 6 thrilling zip lines down! What an incredible adventure!
Photo courtesy of Natura Vive
If you don’t have the time or desire to spend the night in a pod, you can now climb up and enjoy lunch at the Skylodge in their transparent dining capsule 400 feet above the valley floor. Maximum dining room capacity is 12 people.
For more information or to book a visit, contact Natura Vive.
OLLANTAYTAMBO
Located about 20 minutes from Urubamba is the village of Ollantaytambo known for its archaeological ruins where the Incas retreated after the Spanish took over much of Cusco.
The massive Incan ruins cover a mountainside towering over the town where Manco Inca Yupanqui fought Spanish colonizers centuries ago. Many of its buildings were damaged or destroyed but the site is still really well preserved. There are terraces to climb and structures with massive stones so perfectly wedged together that you will stop and ponder just how on Earth did they get there and how did they build them with such precision absent mortar and steel or iron tools.
The climb to the top is rigorous but worth it. The ceremonial center offers a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley that is quite incredible. Just stop for breaks and take it slow if you need to. Trust me, nobody is looking. They are all too busy standing there staring out at the view in awe to care or notice your snail pace.
Ollantaytambo is also where the Inca trail to the citadel of Machu Picchu begins. If you are adventurous and in good physical shape, I would definitely consider it.
It is a 20.5 mile hike and the trail is best used from May through September. Although we did not have time to make this trek, I absolutely want to return and hike it next time around. I imagine it’s an adventure of a lifetime.
PISAC
An hour drive from Cusco, Pisac is one of the most important archaeological sites in Peru. Many see it as a great place to shop with all its artisan handicrafts and the Sunday Pisac Market, but its true treasure is the archaeological complex stretched atop a hillside full of terraces, temples, plazas and the oldest pre-Hispanic cemetery in all of the Americas which is literally built into the side of the cliffs that grave robbers somehow managed to loot. It will boggle your mind thinking not only how did they possibly bury people there, but how did robbers get to them?
There is little known about the origins and history of Pisac and much remains a mystery. Is it an agricultural site or a fortress with agricultural terraces for self-sufficiency? Could it be a place of royal significance? To add to the conundrum, there is a stone structure there thought to be a sun-dial but nobody knows for sure what its true purpose was. There’s also a 16-meter tunnel wide enough for one person to pass through at a time which clearly took a lot of time and effort to build. Yet, the passage has no known meaning.
If anything, Pisac is worth a visit just to let yourself ponder in the enormity of the mysteries surrounding it while standing in the silence of the wind high above the city.
MORAY
Moray is one of the most incredible archaeological complexes dedicated to agriculture that you will find. Its circular terraces are a true testament to how technologically advanced the Incans were. The terraces are built in circular patterns where moisture levels vary depending on the altitude of the terrace. The depth, design and orientation with respect to wind and sun creates microclimates with temperatures varying up to 27 °F from top to bottom which is essential for growing wide ranges of crops from other regions and climates, much like a modern greenhouse. Soil samples have even shown that soils were brought from other regions to the area to facilitate crop growth.
Moray is a great day trip that can be combined with the salt mines known as Salineras de Maras.
The drive between the two is incredible, taking you through long stretches of road backed by the snow-capped Andes.
SALINERAS DE MARAS
Not only do the Salineras de Maras salt ponds offer unique photo opportunities, they are still used today. There are over 3,000 ponds wedged between mountainsides on a hilltop where salt accumulates in pools that date back to Incan times. The sun dries the water and through evaporation, the salt can easily be collected. The ponds vary in color depending on the level of moisture in them creating unique shades of silver, tan and white.
Again, it’s a great day trip to combine with Moray.
SACSAYHUAMAN
Sacsayhuaman is jokingly called “Sexy Woman” by many given its spelling but it actually means “Royal Eagle” or “place where the hawk is satiated” in Quechua. It’s a fortified complex built in the 15th Century that is still used today for Inca-inspired ceremonies and a fun place to explore. Archaeologists believe the earlist occupation may date back to 900 CE based off pottery that was collected, and research shows some of the boulders used as foundations were already there when the site was built. However, it is believed that most stones were carried by hand from quarries over 20 miles away by 20,000 men or more-- quite a feat given their massive size.
In 1983, Sacsayhuaman, together with Cusco, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for international recognition and protection. You will understand why when you visit.
Special thanks to my incredible, amazing, talented sister Laura Santana, Ph.D., CWMF who collaborated on and contributed to this blog, and to Natura Vive for allowing me to share their images of Skylodge.
