Sacred Valley

Peru - Classic Peru

There is no better place to acclimatise to the Inca highlands than the Sacred Valley, a picture-postcard area of Inca ruins, colourful markets, charming Andean towns and soaring snow-capped peaks!

Just outside Cusco, the Urubamba river flows through the picturesque, fertile Sacred Valley under the shadow of the snow-capped Vilcabamba mountains. Once breadbasket of the Inca, the Sacred valley sits on average at 2800m above sea-level, 500m lower than Cusco, and is characterised by white-washed Inca villages, traditional markets and a series of impressive Inca sites and ruins. Though more often visited as a daytrip from Cusco, the Sacred Valley is the perfect spot for acclimatising and recharging your batteries. There is a good selection of hotels that provide welcome relief from the bustle of Cusco and attractions that will keep you busy for days.

At the top end of the Valley, Pisac offers a popular traditional market with fine ruins in the hills above the town while at the far end, Ollantaytambo, arguably the most authentic Inca town remaining, boasts a spectacular fortress overlooking the countryside, never conquered by the Spanish. Further afield, the pre-Colombian salt-flats of Maras are hugely photogenic and often combined with the enigmatic site of Moray, circular Inca terraces that rise up the hills.

Sacred Valley ā€“ Luxury Collection

Belmond Rio Sagrado$$$$$

The Hotel Rio Sagrado is among the best hotels in the Sacred Valley, an oasis of peace and tranquility yet in easy reach of the areaā€™s key attractions from Pisac town and market to Ollantaytambo, jumping off point for visits to Machu Picchu. There are 2 first class restauranrts, El Huerto which offers fine dining with both international and regional cuisine or you may prefer the sun-drenched El Jardin terrace overlooking the river and surrounding peaks.

Sacred Valley Hotels

Hacienda Urubamba$$$$

The Hacienda Urubamba is a wonderful addition to the Sacred Valley, a lodge that exudes charm and warmth not to mention a long record of social and environmental awareness. Its design draws on the regionā€™s rich colonial and Andean heritage and takes advantage of locally sourced materials and techniques synonymous with the companyā€™s socially responsible ethos. Huge windows capture the wonderful views while the impressive lobby sets the tone for light-filled spaces set beneath lofty wood-be...

Hotel Sol Y Luna$$$$

La Casona de Yucay$$$

Skylodge Adventure Suites$$$$

Posada Del Inca Yucay$$$

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