Just a short drive from Cusco is one of the most famous valleys in the world, the legendary Sacred Valley.
From Pisac, where you can visit the splendid Pisac ruins and the indigenous market, to Ollantaytambo, another city famous for its ruins and also a train station for Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, also known as Urubamba, is a region not to be missed.
The picturesque valley formed by the Urubamba River has fertile soil, so the Incas needed to build many agricultural terraces to grow food. They did an excellent job and many of them have been preserved from times past to this day.
The valley is dotted with many ruins, some smaller and some larger, which are often not as famous as Pisac or Machu Picchu, but give you a chance to escape the crowds.
The valley was sacred to the Incas not only because they could grow food here, but because it connected the capital city Cusco with Machu Picchu, an important religious site.
You can visit the best sites on a day trip to the Sacred Valley. Or if you prefer, you can travel slowly by public transport and stop at small towns on the way to Ollantaytambo and explore these sites independently.
It will only take you a little longer, but it is well worth it to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and history of this stunning valley.
