The Sacred Valley runs between Cusco and Machu Picchu, so travellers need to pass through it to visit Machu Picchu. However the valley is full of many more Incan ruins, stunning Andean mountain vistas, traditional villages and artesan markets that make it not only worthwhile visiting on the way to Machu Picchu but a deserved destination in itself. Inevitably Machu Picchu is on most peoples “must visit” list when in Peru, and the Inca citadel lives up to the hype as one of the most beautiful and interesting sites, if not the most beautiful and interesting, in the whole of the Americas.
One of the modern Seven Wonders of World, the classic postcard shot of Machu Picchu with the city in the foreground and Wayna Picchu mountain in the background, is truly awe-inspiring – and we speak from experience! However the site has more than just a famous view. To this day, it is the only known main Inca site that the Spanish never discovered, so it is far more intact than any other site with much more interesting things to see and discover.
With Go Andes you have different options on how to visit the site – and all will give you an unforgettable experience. Our recommendation would be to spend the night in the town of Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo before visiting to allow earlier entry to the site the following day before it gets too busy. Another options is to do the classic 4 day Inca Trek from Ollantaytambo which passes many other large, impressive and otherwise inaccessible Incan ruins. The Inca Trail is closed every February for repairs to the route, and the numbers of people per day that can do the trek are highly restricted by the Peru government so you will need to reserve well in advance.
