Top 8 Places to Visit in the Sacred Valley, Peru
Travel in the footsteps of the Inca in the Sacred Valley in Peru. Machu Picchu is not the only place you can visit in the Sacred Valley. There are plenty of archaeological sites around the Cusco region. Here are the top 8 places to visit in the Sacred Valley, Peru.
Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico)
There are two different tourist tickets in Cusco, the most expensive one is Cusco Tourist Ticket Integral - BTCL and is valid for 10 days and costs 130 soles and 70 soles for students. You can easily buy the tickets at the entrance of one of the 16 sites, there is no need to buy it before you get to Cusco. If you are going to visit any of the sites underneath, you would need a tourist ticket, you don't get in without one. Guides are not included in the price, you can book that at the entrance of many of the sites, make sure they are Directur guides.
Ollantaytambo is the most famous Inca site after Machu Picchu. Ollantaytambo is also a town between Cusco and Machu Picchu, many people decide to stay there before visiting Machu Picchu. The altitude is also lower than Cusco, which makes it a great place to stay the first days visiting Peru to acclimatise before visiting the places with very high altitude.
*** Included in the tourist ticket (Boleto Turístico) ***
Related: 7 Ways To Deal With Altitude Sickness While Travelling In South America
Saqsaywaman
If you are in Cusco for a very short period of time. Saqsaywaman is a must-see if you don't have time to see the others Inca ruins around Cusco. Many tourists call the ruins Sexy Woman because it is so hard to say. If you see Saqsaywaman from above you will see it is formed as the head of a Puma which is a sacred animal for the Incas. If you want to celebrate Inti Rami (24 June) in Peru, Saqsaywaman is a great location. You would need the tourist ticket to visit Saqsaywaman.
*** Included in the tourist ticket (Boleto Turístico) ***
Moray
Moray is outside of Cusco. I highly recommend getting there with a tour including the transport because it is quite hard to get there independently. Moray is an unusual Inca site and almost look alien-like. It is unknown why they are made like terraced circles and the purpose, but it creates a temperature difference between the top and the bottom centre of the circle. There are often tours that include Maras and Moroy on the same day.
*** Included in the tourist ticket (Boleto Turístico) ***
Maras
Maras is not on the tourist ticket and is not really considered as an Inca site. Maras is also the name of the town in the area as well. The site contains salt evaporation ponds with three different kinds of salt. The ponds are owned by individuals and you can buy the salt for different purposes as healing or for cooking.
Pisac
Pisac is mostly known for the market. The market is open every day, but it is larger on Sundays. You can easily get to Pisac yourself, there are small shuttle buses that go from Cusco and they are quite cheap. I went to Pisac on my self on the way to Ollantaytambo after visiting the market. The market is free but if you want to visit the ruins there you would need the tourist ticket.
*** Included in the tourist ticket (Boleto Turístico) ***
Awana Kancha
Awana Kancha is between Cusco and Pisac. It is free to enter and you don't need the tourist ticket. Awana Kancha is a great place if you want to see handicrafts in the making, like weaving and colouring. You can also buy authentic souvenirs there as well. Bring notes and coins for this trip. It is expected to give some tips when you leave, but it is not required.
Machu Picchu
Well duh, that is usually the main reason people visit Peru or at least Cusco. Machu Picchu is the Inca ruin the Spanish conquerors never found and the Incas didn't finish building it. Be aware you need to buy the tickets in advance (3-4 months before)and even earlier in the high season. If you are fit and up for a challenge you should add Huyana Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain to your ticket.
Read more about Machu Picchu here
City tour in Cusco
There are free city tours from Plaza de Armas in Cusco, they start from 10 am and you find them with different colours. If you don't make it at 10 am there are usually others later on, especially in the high season.
The city tour / Afternoon tour is not free but you get a guide to visit these places:In Cusco:
Santo Domingo Monastery / Qoricancha
Cathedral
and around Cusco:
Sacsayhuaman
Qenko
Puca Pucara
Tambomachay
It is not included in the tourist ticket, but you need it for many of the sites. You can get the tickets in Plaza Armas or here.
Prices vary from $15-50 dollars.It is good to take the free city tour and the afternoon tour one of the first days you visit Peru, to get a good introduction to get a greater understanding before visiting Machu Picchu etc.
