Sacred Valley

Packing list:

• Clothing: T-shirts, fleece jacket, trekking pants, sportswear, thermo clothes, thick jacket, long-sleeves, rain poncho.
• Footwear: supportive hiking boots and athletic shoes.
• Other: sun protection, sunglasses, sunblock, hat, cap, water bottle, thick socks, gloves and camera.

How to get to the Sacred Valley:

From Lima

By plane: Flying from Lima to Cusco, the largest city nearest to the Sacred Valley, is the quickest way to reach it. You can then take a taxi or a bus to the Sacred Valley from there. Flights from Lima to Cusco are provided by a number of carriers, of which LATAM is the most reliable.

By bus: Taking a bus from Lima to Cusco is an additional alternative. Although it will take longer than flying, this option is more reasonably priced. Depending on the route and the bus company, the trip may take up to 20 h. Popular bus companies including Cruz del Sur, Oltursa, and Movil Tours provide service between Lima and Cusco.

From Cusco

By taxi: You can get a taxi in Cusco that will take you straight to the Sacred Valley. Although slightly more expensive, it is the most practical choice. Before boarding the taxi, haggle over the fare.

By colectivo: Shared taxis or minivans known as colectivos are used to travel to a variety of locations, including the Sacred Valley. They are a more affordable option, but they may take longer since they stop frequently to pick up and drop off passengers.

By bus: You may take a bus from Cusco to the Sacred Valley. Either a local bus or a tour bus are options. While the local bus will take you directly to your destination, the tourist bus will stop at a number of tourist attractions along the way.

By train: From Cusco to Aguas Calientes, the entrance to Machu Picchu, takes around 2 h on the PeruRail train. Although it is the most expensive choice, the train travel is both comfortable and scenic.

How to get around in the Sacred Valley?

The majority of Sacred Valley tours include transportation to and from your hotel. You can hire a taxi or use the local bus (which is more cost-effective) to go on your own adventure (more convenient and time efficient). The railway connects Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley with Cusco as well as Aguas Calientes, the city at the foot of Machu Picchu.

Health concerns

For tourists considering a vacation to the Sacred Valley region, altitude sickness is a significant health concern. The majority of visitors only endure mild symptoms (breathlessness, headaches, and nausea) as a result of the elevation. Don’t overdo it the first few days as you acclimate; instead, take it easy. As towns in the Sacred Valley are really located at a lower height than Cusco, some tourists choose to do so in order to delay the onset of altitude sickness symptoms.

Restaurant recommendations:

1. Restaurante Hawa: The restaurant combines the nation’s love of fresh, regional food that embodies the spirit of Incan culture. You have a choice of innovative dishes and some of our travelers recommendations were the: trout tiradito, chicharron de pollo oriental or the guinea pig.
2. Tunupa: The combination of the old colonial “hacienda” house, the surroundings and the Urubamba River makes your dining experience truly unique! You must try one of their specialties, the Arroz con Pato.
3. El Huacatay: This restaurant in downtown Urubamba specializes in contemporary Peruvian dishes with locally sourced ingredients and a twist. Make sure to try the grilled trout or the vegan green curry.