Sacred Valley forms the heart of Peru’s most picturesque and history filled region. The gateway to Sacred Valley is the impressive Cusco, and the region is home to a plethora of amazing places, including but not limited to Machu Picchu (needs no introduction), Pisac, Salt Mines of Maras, Moray, Ollaytaytambo, Piuray or Huaypo lakes, Mountain View, and so many more! We visited for a few days, and the views driving down the mountains and through the valley were simply spectacular!
One of the highlights from our sacred valley visit was a stop at the charming town of Pisac. Located around 1 hour from Cusco, this is definitely a must visit stop on your itinerary. Filled with narrow, colourful streets, Pisac is flanked by mountains, making it an impressive place to walk around and admire the views. However, the town really comes to life on Sundays, where the locals pack the main square with a fresh produce market. With prices approximately 50% cheaper than Cusco, locals travel far and wide to buy their supplies here. The atmosphere is happy, locals barter and trade, and kids run amok in the square. This was a beautiful spectacle and something we really enjoyed witnessing.
Along with the humming market, Pisac is home to a few great coffee shops (we enjoyed Masa Mamita), a touristy artisanal market, and plenty of little bakeries, eateries and stores. Pisac is also home to a large alternative community, with yoga, retreats and ayahuasca experiences. This wasn’t the reason for our visit, but definitely is an attraction for some.
Finally, the real ‘drawcard’ of Pisac are the historical ruins. Situated on the mountain towering above the Pisac town are some spectacularly well preserved ruins, rivalling even the famous Machu Picchu. Access is granted with your ‘boleto turistico’, and this is a must visit site in sacred valley. We visited with a guide to get the full experience, however even walking the ruins without one would be an impressive spectacle.
Overall, Pisac and the ruins are must visit for those planning their Sacred Valley itinerary! We hope these 20 photos have helped convince you to add this to your list.. and if possible.. try to visit on Sundays, when Pisac really comes to life! Want to see more tips and guides for the region? Check out our Cusco guide below..
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