VALLE SAGRADO - PERÚ
The Urubamba river valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu, with Inca sites such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo and the terraces of Maras and Moray. It combines Andean landscape, rural villages and archaeology along a natural leg of the route toward Machu Picchu.
For lodging, Urubamba is the most central base, with the widest hotel offer and good access to Maras, Moray and Chinchero. Ollantaytambo is a compact, walkable town with its fortress and the rail station to Aguas Calientes, convenient for passengers boarding the morning train without an extra transfer.
The valley lies lower than Cusco, around 2800–2900 m, which favours acclimatization. Two to three nights cover Pisac, Ollantaytambo and a Maras and Moray day without rushing.
Useful information
Access Via Cusco (CUZ airport): Pisac about 45 minutes, Ollantaytambo about 2 hours by road. Trains to Machu Picchu depart from Ollantaytambo.
Season Dry from May to September (ideal for the Inca sites); rains from November to March.
Currency · time · language Peruvian sol (PEN). UTC-5. Spanish and Quechua; English in the trade.
Altitude Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo sit between 2,800 and 3,000 m, below Cusco; a good base to acclimatise before demanding sections.
Operations Book trains and Machu Picchu entries ahead. We suggest 1-2 nights in the valley. Private transfers from Cusco. Carry soles in cash for markets and tips.