Top Things to do in Sacred Valley
Top Hotels in Sacred Valley
- 1. Pakaritampu Hotel
- 2. Inti Punku MachuPicchu Hotel & Suites
- 3. Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness
- 4. El Albergue Ollantaytambo
- 5. Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
- 6. Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Valle Sagrado
- 7. Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel & Villas
- 8. Life Hotel Valle Sagrado
- 9. Tierra Viva Valle Sagrado Urubamba
- 10. SuperTramp Eco Hostel
Top 10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Sacred Valley, Cusco Region
Discover the best top things to do in Sacred Valley, Peru including Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo, Choquequirao, Winay Wayna, Huayna Picchu, Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu, Lares Trek, Huchuy Qosco, Hacienda del Chalan, Hacienda Sarapampa, Temple of the Sun.
Restaurants in Sacred Valley
1. Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,507 reviews
Reviewed By Lufdoc
Great site for exploring and getting a feel for Incan beliefs, skills, etc. before heading to Machu Picchu or hiking the Inca Trail. Climb to higher levels to get full sense.
2. Choquequirao
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 279 reviews
Considered to be the "sister" to Machu Picchu, this ancient ruin complex consists of palaces and temples on two levels, canals, aqueducts and systems of fountains.
Reviewed By pikbeai - Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Searching the web, you’ll find yourself inundated with articles professing to tell you about the top ‘must-see’ destinations in the whole world; the places that you just have to go to if you’re travelling; or the top ten south american destinations that you need to fit into a three-week holiday. But I wanted to do something a little differently. I wanted to travel more profoundly, more consciously and off the beaten path and adventurous experiences from unusual hotels, alternative routes to a popular destination, trekking trails, offbeat attractions, street food tours, and other uncommon experiences. If you like to travel a bit differently and are willing to put in the effort for incredible experiences fewer people are having so let me tell you Thaqqinaqqa T.O. worth it! so that you can stop being a mute outsider and can start to learn more about the country from those who know it best and not from "swindlers" who think they are experts when they are not. For me, travel is best when it’s off the grind( peering beneath the manicured lawns of the tourist trail and see the raw, pumping veins of the life flowing beneath.) and meaningful; taking us away from the tourist hot spots and plunge us deep into the heart of this wonderful country. It’s about heading to a small town where no other tourists go or finding barely-known adventures a stone’s throw from the cities where everyone goes. We (9 of us: five 55-60yo + four 27-34yo )opted in total for one tour and two trekking tours with him : Millpu 2D; Huancacalle to Choquequirao 9D and from Cusco to Colca Canyon 6D; which gave us memorable(and often much more unique)experiences than merely following the hordes of other tourists as it brings you into closer proximity with the local people and their real common lives; rather we have not enough words for recommend him and in no way we are disappointed.
3. Winay Wayna
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 345 reviews
Reviewed By Annerbananers - Cambridge, United States
This was easily my favorite Inka site out of the 4-5 sites that we visited during the 4-day Inca Trail hike. Not half as crowded as Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains and waterfalls are simply stunning. Not sure if you can get to this place easily on your own. I was glad I did it with Alpaca Expeditions. The site closes at 5:45pm in March (and I would guess all off-season) so if you were planning on seeing the sunset here you should probably check that the sunset happens before 5:45 on the day you’re going.
4. Huayna Picchu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,238 reviews
The Wayna Picchu mountain, Wayna Pikchu in Quechua, (with an altitude of 2667 meters above sea level) is part of the eastern foothills of the Salcantay massif, in Cusco, Peru. It is part of a large orographic formation known as Batolito de Vilcabamba, in the Central Cordillera of the Peruvian Andes and is known mainly as the backdrop of most photographs
Reviewed By sunnyore - Cerritos, United States
I knew I wanted to do this hike on my trip, but I was a bit scared. The mountain looked huge in photos, and it was even more massive in person. I was already feeling winded at the beginning of circuit 1 just to get to the Classic MP view. But I knew I had to try because who knows when I’ll ever get a chance again. So I lined up for my 7am entrance time and signed in. The beginning wasn’t bad until you get to the base of HP, and then it felt like you were taking neverending stairs. I don’t exercise on a regular basis, so I found the constant uphill hike pretty difficult especially at such a high altitude. But I allowed myself a ton of breaks and slowly made my way to the top. And when you see the view on top, you realized all your effort was worth it. Going down was not as easy as I thought it would be and I’m glad they have staggered entry times since we’re basically going down the same path we came up in. Once again I took a lot of breaks and I believe I signed out around 9:30am. The 10am group have already lined up outside the gates and all I could think was how glad I went in the first group since it was getting really warm. I know the risk with the 7am entry is there might be fog, but weather is so unpredictable and we ended up having a really clear morning so I was thankful for that and the cooler temperature. My suggestion is if you think you might struggle a bit, do the 7am entry time and then you can really go at your own pace like I did. They have park employees hiking the trail as well and the one I interacted with was super nice and even offered to take a bunch of photos for me. It was a hard hike for me, but I’m 100% glad I did it. Just look at the view!
5. Santuario Historico de Machu Picchu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19,577 reviews
Reviewed By JarmilaS428 - Vancouver, Canada
What an amazing place! The nature, view and of course the Inka ruins WOW!!! Peru was on my bucket list and I did it :D Lima, Cusco, train ride to Machu Picchu, Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, Puno, Lake Titicaca, Uros floating island, Amantani island one night stay with local family, Taquile island, Nazca - Nazca mysterious lines flight tour, Ica - Huacachina oasis, Winery El Catador tasting and buying :D, Paracas, and Ballestas island boat tour. Everything was amazingly excellent; hotels, our tour guide Franco from Peru Best Holidays, train rides, markets, food, Pisco Sour and Peruvian people. I will never forget! <3
6. Lares Trek
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By J1098YTrobinj
“I have no garden to play in so I go up the mountain and try to hunt for birds” says 6 year old Joel, brother of the horseman and cousin of the chef as he joins us and gives a running commentary in Quechua as we walk through the village towards the hot springs. It is the wildness of the landscape and the moments of insight into a vibrant indigenous culture that made this Lares treck the right one for me, along with the knowledge that the tour company gave blankets and school computers to the village. Happy Gringo had me listed as ‘one senior’ but possibly had not realised that at 78 I am 13 years above the age limit set by others. I sensed some unease about whether I could manage the Sicllakasa Pass at 4,830M and with Mauro the tour guide in charge I felt very safe and well protected. I had trained as for a half marathon, travelled to Cuzco slowly by bus and adapted to the thin air, having experienced similar altitudes in Yunnan and Uttar Pradesh. We learn on the way of disaster on the Inka trail, a landslide in which three people have died. I wonder why hundreds of people every day feel compelled to do the most dangerous and possibly least enjoyable route up and down steps so they can say they walked to Machu Pichu when they could be following an Inka trail anywhere in the Andes from Ecuador to Chile. I love mountains in the rainy season, and Mauro in the end answered all my questions, showed me the quarry and explained how they moved the stones. Best surprises were that they are Quechua people who follow an Andean religion, that the word Inka just meant king and that their language has a click sound which I thought was exclusive to African languages such as Zulu and Khosa. It is written as a ‘ as in Calle Q’apchikijllu.
7. Huchuy Qosco
8. Hacienda del Chalan
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 184 reviews
We organize Horseback riding tours with Peruvian Paso Horses along the Sacred Valley of the Inkas (mid day, 1D, 2-6D). Lakes, snow mountains, archaeological complexes (Moray, Salinas, Ollantaytambo) natural reserves, contact with native towns and civilizations, pleasure and good time are part of our tours.
Reviewed By Claudjjja - Bern, Switzerland
I went on the 3 days horse ride in the valle sagrado and it was one of the best tours i ever did. The horses are beautiful and well trained passo peruanos. We were riding every day arount 5-6 hours. The landscape is incredible and we visited Maras, Moray, Salineras, Chinchero and many other places. Yojan has a huge knowledge about the valle sagrado and it was very interesting to get more details about the life of the farmers and the Inca ruines. The first night we spent in a small comunity called Mizminay. The people are super friendly and welcoming. I recommend this ride to advanced riders who want to experience something unique. For beginners i recommend to do a shorter ride. Thank you for this awesome experience!
9. Hacienda Sarapampa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 69 reviews
Hacienda Sarapampa: Situated in a privileged location in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the property is just 45 minutes from the city of Cusco and 5 minutes from the town of Pisac. Hacienda Sarapampa offers visitors the opportunity to have a unique cultural experience around traditions associated with corn production practices in an authentic and natural environment. On a tour with the owner, the visitor will appreciate how the development of the haciendas in the Sacred Valley was predominantly for agricultural use, focusing on the production of corn, potatoes and other crops. The farms conditioned the social and political life in Cusco in the 16th century. During the 18th century, large estates or haciendas were formed until their dismemberment during the Agrarian Reform in the 20th century. Hacienda Sarapampa has over 3,000m2 of green areas and spaces for exclusive events in perfect communion with agricultural traditions, creating a unique experience in an unforgettable setting. Dedicated to agricultural production for three generations, Hacienda Sarapampa is a family business that focuses primarily on the production of Giant White Corn. This is a unique corn variety characterized by its extraordinary size that grows only inside the boundaries of the Sacred Valley of Cusco. It was adapted to its specific conditions after an outstanding job of varietal selection during the Inca Empire. Little is known about the origins of this variety; however, it is a silent witness of the immense knowledge on agriculture reached by the ancient Peruvians.
Reviewed By 60woolly - Gold Coast, Australia
After a bumpy ride down dirt roads we arrived at Hacienda Sarapampa and met by Victor and Stephen. Stephen previously played Bass guitar in a punk rock band called Anhedonia and both Victor and Stephen were very entertaining.. There was an intial tour of the farm and included a typical inca house with Guinea pigs. These are a Peruvian delicacy but fortunatley were NOT on the menu. Apparently the current owner lost the land in agricultural reforms 40 yrs ago. He had it handed back as it was too close to the river. Apparently he diverted the river himself to give him 40 acres of farmland ! Another review comlained that there were few people. There were 3 of us including our tour guide which meant the service was extraordinary. It was a small menu of beautiful locally grown food . We had Alpaca for the first time and trout bouth delicious. The starter was small but amazingly tasty. The dessert was pumpkin and corn drived and just deliciuos . One of the most intersting and pleasant meals we have ever had. Absolutley give it a try if you are in the area and can find it !
10. Temple of the Sun
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 971 reviews
Built in the form of a circular tower on a massive slab of granite, this sacred edifice contains the famous Intiwatana, or sun dial, which the Incas used to "tie down" the sun at the winter solstice each year.
Reviewed By GoGo2SlowGo - Denton, United States
The Temple of the Sun at Machu Picchu swas a sacred temple built by the Inca for ceremonies to pay tribute and give offerings to the sun. Only priests and other high ranking Incas were likely only permitted access into the Temple of the Sun, one of the most sacred temples in all of Machu Picchu. The site was adapted to natural environment.The construction is semi-circular and built atop an enormous granite rock. There is a tower with a trapezoidal window. In this sacred temple, it’s believed that Incas worshiped their Sun God, Inti and it may have served as a royal tomb. This is definitely worth your visit at Machu Picchu
