Most of the travelers visiting Peru aim to go to the lost Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. However, Peru, especially the Cusco region is full of stunning, breathtaking, and mysterious places. For example, we have the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a tourist attraction you should visit in your time in Cusco for its attractions.
As Cusco City is the starting point of every traveler's journey in Peru, you must first pass through it to get to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, located northeast of Cusco. Therefore, you also have to go through Lima. So, let's delve into how to get to this popular destination.
By airplane: Lima is the first stop on the way to Cusco. Peru's primary hub for connecting international flights is Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima. Landing at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, the direct trip from Lima to Cusco takes around an hour.
Given the region's tourism, Cusco Airport is the busiest in Peru. Despite its small size, it offers daily flights to several domestic locations. Among these locations are Arequipa, Puerto Maldonado, and Lima in particular.
You will need to purchase a second ticket between Lima and Cusco if you are simply purchasing your airfare to Lima. You must depart from the aircraft in the international section of Lima Airport after reaching Lima. To board the aircraft to Cusco, recheck your bags in the domestic section afterward.
By Bus: The cheapest option is to take the bus from Lima to Cusco; tickets cost around $35. It might take up to a day to complete the voyage, so make sure you have a comfortable seat and enough food and drink.
The difference in the duration of the trip is substantial. Due to its length, this trip might become very taxing.
Taking a bus is less expensive than flying. However, there is still no comparison cost-benefit between taking a bus and flying. Flying is so a preferable option because it will be more comfortable and save you time, which you can use to tour the city.
Once in Cusco, there are 3 main points you should try to see in the Sacred Valey: Chinchero, Pisac, and Ollantaytambo. The town of Pisac is a must-see sight in the Cusqueñan area. The town is well-known for its breathtaking Inca ruins, which are perched on a neighboring mountain, as well as for its distinct landscape, which combines natural elements with the city's colonial-Inca architecture.
Despite being a small village, Chinchero delivers a distinct experience from the moment you enter its enchanted streets. One of the most culturally varied settlements in the area is Chinchero, which was formerly the royal state of Tupac Yupanqui and then a Spanish colony.
But even in our modern times, the Andean customs have become so ingrained that they cannot be altered. People who live in Chinchero are known for preserving their customs, which are ingrained in their hearts and cannot be lost over time.
During the colonial process, Manco Inca Yupanqui used the old village as his last Inca sanctuary. Here, they overthrew the Spanish invaders, and thereafter, they escaped into the bush, where they resisted for a long time. This ancient village is Ollantaytambo
Much of its distribution is found in the town as it exists now. These days, the little village is among the main draws of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is distinguished by having the primary rail departure point for Machu Picchu and has an excellent tourism infrastructure, as it has its train station.
Additionally, you may visit Maras, composed of more than 3000 pounds of salt that have been in operation for hundreds of years. The Maras Salt Mines are solely operated by locals, and it is a family company that has been in operation for centuries.
Moray is an agricultural hub made up of many circular terraces erected by the Incas, allowing them to create distinct microclimates and nurture a wide variety of plant species. Each terrace is fed by a complicated water irrigation canal, which ensures a consistent and regulated water supply to the crops.
You have two routes to get to the Valley in case you want to take public transport, there are two bus stops, for Pisac and Chinchero
The route to Chinchero: Chinchero is around 30 kilometers from Cusco and takes about 50 minutes to go there. In case you want to head to Chinchero, the bus stop is on Pavitos St, you can take these buses almost all day since very early in the morning.
The route to Pisac: Pisac is about 45 kilometers from Cusco, it’ll take you around 45 minutes to get there. If your destination is Pisac, you must go to Puputi St. Both options are good for your pocket, since the trip costs around 5 to 8 soles.
Hire a taxi is the quickest and most convenient method to go to Sacred Valley; prices range from S/. 80 to 150 soles, depending on where you want to go. Taxis typically travel at fast speeds along the valley's roadways; if you think your driver is too fast, you can tell him to slow down.
Traveling to the Sacred Valley with Viagens Machu Picchu is the best option for you. The tour starts by picking you up from your hotel, where we’ll head to Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo. We adapt to your needs and schedules as our trips are personalized.
We do our best to give the best service possible, plan your trip to Peru with us, and we assure you we’ll make your dream to visit Peru come true and filled with unforgettable memories.
