<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLuxury is about choice, and sometimes the best free things to do in Sacred Valley<\/strong> are the ones that connect you most deeply with the land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nHiking the Old Trails:<\/strong> There are hundreds of “Inca trails” that aren’t the famous one. Simply walking from your hotel into the hills can lead you to small, unvisited ruins or hidden waterfalls.<\/li>\n\n\n\nExploring Pisac Market:<\/strong> While you might want to buy something, simply walking through the vibrant colors and smelling the roasting cuy<\/em> (guinea pig) is a cultural immersion in itself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>What are the top 10 things to do in Sacred Valley?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you only have a few days, here is the “Anfitri\u00f3n’s” curated list of the top 10 things to do in Sacred Valley<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nClimb the Ollantaytambo Fortress<\/strong> at sunrise.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTaste “Chicha”<\/strong> (corn beer) in a local picanter\u00eda<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\nWitness a weaving demonstration<\/strong> in Chinchero.<\/li>\n\n\n\nVisit the Maras Salt Mines<\/strong> during the harvest.<\/li>\n\n\n\nExplore the Moray ruins<\/strong> to see the circular terraces.<\/li>\n\n\n\nShop for high-end alpaca<\/strong> textiles in Urubamba.<\/li>\n\n\n\nHave tea at a luxury lodge<\/strong> overlooking the Urubamba River.<\/li>\n\n\n\nHike to the Perolniyoc Waterfall<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\nStroll through the town of Pisac<\/strong> on a Sunday.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTake a private pottery class<\/strong> with a local master artist.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<\/span>What are the best things to do in Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOllantaytambo is special. It is the only “living Incan town,” meaning people still live in the original Incan houses with their narrow stone streets and running water channels. The things to do in ollantaytambo sacred valley<\/strong> focus on this unique continuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Fortress<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The main ruins are spectacular. The Wall of the Six Monoliths is a mystery of engineering\u2014how did they move these massive pink rhyolite stones from the quarry on the other side of the valley?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pinkuylluna Granaries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Across from the fortress are the granaries built into the mountain. It\u2019s a bit of a steep hike, but it\u2019s one of the best things to do in Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley<\/strong> because it offers a perfect bird’s-eye view of the town\u2019s Incan layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTextile Workshops in Chinchero<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Visit a weaving cooperative. Watch how the women dye alpaca wool using cochineal bugs (red), flowers (yellow), and minerals. It is chemistry and art combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTextile Workshops – Per\u00fa Grand Travel <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nCeramics in Urubamba<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Visit the workshop of Pablo Seminario. His style blends pre-Columbian motifs with modern aesthetics. It is not just a shop; it is a gallery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What to do in the Sacred Valley at night?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe valley is quiet, but the night offers its own magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stargazing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n With little light pollution, the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe Activity:<\/strong>\u00a0Many luxury hotels offer telescopes and astronomers who explain the Inca constellations (the Llama, the Toad).<\/li>\n\n\n\nPlanetarium:<\/strong>\u00a0Some hotels, like Casa Andina, have their own planetarium shows.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Where can you take the best photos in the Sacred Valley?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe light in the Andes is crisp and saturated. If you are looking for the perfect shot, these are the\u00a0top things to do in the Sacred Valley\u00a0for photographers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe Lookout at Taray:<\/strong>\u00a0On the road from Cusco to Pisac, stop here. The view of the entire valley opening up before you is breathtaking.<\/li>\n\n\n\nChinchero Church:\u00a0<\/strong>The colonial church built on Inca walls, with the snowy peak of Chicon in the background.<\/li>\n\n\n\nMoray:<\/strong>\u00a0The concentric circles create mesmerizing geometric patterns. Drone photography here (with permission) is spectacular.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>What should you eat and where?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Sacred Valley is the breadbasket of the Andes. The food here is “farm-to-table” before that was even a trend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dishes of Food in Sacred Valley<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nPachamanca:<\/strong> An ancient technique where food is cooked underground with hot stones. It is a ceremony of flavor. The Ritual:<\/strong>\u00a0Meat, potatoes, and beans are cooked underground using hot stones. It is a celebration of the harvest and a delicious way to connect with the earth.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCorn from Urubamba:<\/strong> This is the largest, sweetest corn in the world. Eat it with a slice of fresh Andean cheese.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCuy al Horno | Roasted Guinea Pig:<\/strong> For the adventurous. The town of Lamay is famous for its cuy restaurants.<\/li>\n\n\n\nQuinoa Soup:<\/strong> A hearty, warming dish perfect for the cool evenings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nRecommended Restaurants | Luxury Dining<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nMil Centro:<\/strong> A world-class dining experience at 3,500m (by the famous chef Virgilio Mart\u00ednez) offer a conceptual look at Andean ingredients that is unlike anything else on earth.<\/li>\n\n\n\nHacienda Huayoccari:<\/strong> Elegant colonial dining with a view.<\/li>\n\n\n\nCuchara de Palo:<\/strong> Located in the Pisac Inn, offering organic, local dishes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\nADVICE GRAND<\/strong>Always try the Chicha de Jora. It\u2019s a fermented corn drink that was sacred to the Incas. Look for a red flag hanging outside a house\u2014that means they have fresh Chicha ready!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<\/span>What adventure sports can you do in the Sacred Valley?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf your “Explorador” side is itching for action, there are plenty of things to do in the Sacred Valley, Peru,<\/strong> that will get your heart racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nMountain Biking:<\/strong> Descend from the heights of Maras through the salt pans.<\/li>\n\n\n\nVia Ferrata and Ziplining:<\/strong> Climb a 400-meter rock face and sleep in a transparent capsule hanging over the valley.<\/li>\n\n\n\nPaddleboarding:<\/strong> On Piuray Lagoon, where the water is like a mirror reflecting the snow-capped mountains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nActivity<\/strong><\/td>Difficulty<\/strong><\/td>Best For<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>Pisac Market<\/td> Low<\/td> Everyone<\/td><\/tr> Ollantaytambo Fortress<\/td> Moderate<\/td> Active travelers<\/td><\/tr> Maras\/Moray Hike<\/td> Moderate<\/td> Nature lovers<\/td><\/tr> Via Ferrata<\/td> High<\/td> Adrenaline seekers<\/td><\/tr> Perolniyoc Trek<\/td> Moderate\/High<\/td> Hikers<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>Activity Difficulty Comparison<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/span>When is the best time to visit?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nTiming is everything. If you want the best weather for the top things to do in the Sacred Valley<\/strong>, visit during the dry season (May to October).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\nJune:<\/strong> This is the month of the Sun. While Cusco has Inti Raymi, the valley towns have their own intimate celebrations.<\/li>\n\n\n\nAugust:<\/strong> The “Month of the Earth.” This is the best time for spiritual ceremonies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n