The Sacred Valley in Peru


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Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
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Hiking the Inca trail vacation
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
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Alternative Inca trail trek in Peru, Salkantay Trek
Salkantay trek - an alternative Inca Trail adventure
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Machu Picchu, Inca fortresses and cloud forest
Classic Inca Trail vacation, 10 days
10-days: Lima, Cusco, 4-day Inca Trail & Machu Picchu
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Inca Trail, Machu Picchu & rainforest
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Travel from the Andes to the Amazon
Tailormade vacation in Peru, Inca Trail & Amazon
Walk the Inca Trail with private guide, without the crowds
Peru highlights vacation including Inca trail trek
Discover the diversity of Peru on this fascinating journey
Peru & Inca Trail small group vacation
Get an in depth insight into the lost land of the Incas
Rainbow Mountain trek in Peru
Gorgeous high altitude trekking near Cusco, Peru
Ancascocha 5 day trek in Peru
Off the beaten trek to Machu Picchu
Learn Spanish in Peru & trek the Inca trail
Inca trek & relaxed, professional Spanish lessons
Peruvian Andes trekking vacation to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu with an International Guide and Doctor.
Inca Trail trekking vacation
Trek the legendary Inca trail
Cordillera Huayhuash trekking vacation
One of the most dramatic mountain areas in the Andes
Inca trail vacation, Peru
Retrace the steps of a fascinating civilisation
Peru in depth and the Inca Trail vacation
Peru's stunning highlights with trekking the Inca Trail
Southern Peru tailor made vacation, Alternative Inca Trail trek
Alternative Inca Trail to Machu Picchu without camping
Inca Trail trekking vacation, alternative route
Discover the beauty of the Inca Trail in a different way
Peru 8 day trekking vacation, ultimate Machu Picchu
Trek into the Andes to reach Machu Picchu
18-29's Inca Trail hiking trip, Peru
Get straight down to business and up the Inca Trail.
Hiking vacation in Peru, Mount Ausangate
Ausangate 5 day high altitude llama trek.
Peru small group tour
Its all in the name, Peru and Machu Picchu are Calling.
The Sacred Valley, what we rate and what we don’t
A little local knowledge goes a long way in the Sacred Valley. Here’s what we, and our Peru specialists rate, and what we don’t.
Day hikes
The Sacred Valley’s ‘other’ villages
Maras salt mines
Incan ruins
Ollantaytambo
Pisac ruins
Local guides
Community lodges
Day trips
For Kathy Jarvis, avoiding the standard coach tour day trip is key to a more authentic experience: “ I would avoid all the standard one day bus tours from Cusco as you are herded around and taken to a not very good restaurant en masse with all other bus tours. As an alternative we offer (as do others) one day visits that are a bit different. For example we have one that includes a visit to Pisac Inca site, Urubamba fresh produce market and then a local farm, where you see produce growing in the ground plus animal life, ie chickens, guinea pigs etc and learn about the farming year. You then eat on the farm (a freshly cooked meal from local produce). It’s a lovely experience.”
Pisac market
Fake handicrafts
Aguas Calientes
Our top Peru walking Vacation
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
2021: 21 May, 25 Jun, 9 Jul, 30 Jul, 27 Aug, 10 Sep, 1 Oct, 15 Oct
2022: 15 Apr, 6 May, 20 May, 3 Jun, 24 Jun, 22 Jul, 12 Aug, 26 Aug, 9 Sep, 14 Oct
Flying into disaster?
As Heather MacBrayne points out, building the airport here has the potential to be as disastrous ecologically as well as culturally. She says: “This is a flat plateau in an otherwise very hilly region. It’s quite unique, and no one really knows what will happen if large international aircraft start landing here.” One thing is for sure, the airport will destroy this ancient landscape, shaped by the terraces and trails of the ancient Incan people. Critics also suggest that planes flying low over nearby Ollantaytambo and its 348sq km archaeological park would cause incalculable damage to the Inca ruins there and completely destroy the peace and beauty of the area.
Additionally, the airport has been built on land previously owned by the Yanacona – one of three traditional communities in Chinchero – who have been the only ones to receive any payment. Others will have to live with the effects of an international airport in close proximity without recompense, and ultimately, with the sale of their land the Yanacona have signed away their heritage and future income.