The Sacred Valley, also known as el Valle Sagrado, refers to the region in the Peruvian Andes surrounding the city of Cusco. Cusco was the capital city of the ancient Incan empire and remains the economic center of the area. The Sacred Valley is renowned for its living Inca culture and breathtaking natural scenery.

The stunning landscapes and the abundance of remnants from the once-powerful Inca Empire attract a large number of tourists and contribute to the prevalence of the Spanish language. However, it is heartening to note that children in the region are still taught the Inca language of Kichwa (as well as English) in schools. It is not uncommon to hear locals conversing in Kichwa while going about their daily lives.

During my two-month stay in Ollantaytambo, a city well-known as a stopover for visitors on their way to Machu Picchu, I experienced the constant influx of tourists. The town sees a high volume of visitors every day, and there is no real low season to speak of. Although rain showers were frequent during the Peruvian summer, the days were mostly bright and sunny, while the nights were cold. On clear nights, the stars shone brightly, creating a truly magical atmosphere.

If you are in the region to visit Machu Picchu and are looking for a restful stopover that is not Cusco, I highly recommend Ollantaytambo either on your way to or back from the famous site. Other nearby towns and cities such as Urubamba, Maras, Cusco, and Pisaq also have their own attractions and reasons to visit.

My coworkers, many of whom grew up in Ollantaytambo, were quick to correct me when I referred to the ancient sites as “ruins.” They emphasized that these sites are not ruined but remain sacred. They prefer to call them “archaeological parks” (parques arqueológicos), and as visitors, we should make every effort to respect that designation. Additionally, if you’re fond of llamas, birds, or puppies, you’ll find them in abundance here, but remember not to touch the llamas.

Getting around the Sacred Valley

Once you arrive in Cusco, whether by bus or flight, you have a few transportation options. However, if you have luggage, I would only recommend taking a taxi or colectivo (shared van). From the airport or anywhere else in the city, you can easily find shared or private taxis. To reach Ollantaytambo, the fare should range between 35-40 soles in total.

If you are sharing the taxi with three other people, the cost per person would be around 10 soles ($3.10 USD), though the fare will be lower if you’re traveling to a nearby city like Urubamba or Pisaq. It’s advisable to negotiate if you are quoted a significantly higher price.

A colectivo, which is a shared van, costs 8-10 soles per person to Ollantaytambo, depending on the size and quality of the vehicle. However, you can only catch a colectivo from an area called Pavitos on Avenida Grau. If you’re arriving from the airport, you’ll need to hire a taxi to take you directly there or to Plaza San Francisco.

From Pavitos, it’s a 15-minute walk to the main plaza or the train station in Ollantaytambo. The taxi ride from Pavitos should cost no more than 8 soles, although you may encounter people shouting out exorbitant prices like 35 or 40 soles right in front of the airport.