Travel advisory · PeruSome governments advise against travel to parts of Peru.The warnings cover only these areas: VRAEM (Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro River Valley), 20 km strip along the Colombian border, 20 km strip along the Ecuadorian border, Amazonian border zone with Colombia (Putumayo River).Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- VRAEM (Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro River Valley) · avoid all travel · Canada, Spain, France, Italy, New Zealand, UK
- 20 km strip along the Colombian border · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand, UK
- 20 km strip along the Ecuadorian border · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Amazonian border zone with Colombia (Putumayo River) · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
Also named by one government: Amazonas (Spain), Loreto (Spain), Abancay (France), Huánuco region (Cordillera Azul) (France), Upper Huallaga River Valley (Canada)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country; advises against all but essential travel to parts of Peru (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution | Sep 4, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Increased caution; no travel warning stated | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution due to violent crime (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
The Sacred Valley
Go for Inca terraces, Andean markets and river towns that sit between Cusco and the rail link to Machu Picchu.
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The Sacred Valley is the broad valley of the Urubamba River in the Cusco Region of southern Peru, running northwest from the former Inca capital of Cusco. The Incas farmed its slopes with stone terraces, and their towns and fortress sites remain along the river. Pisac is known for its market and hillside ruins, Chinchero for its textile weaving, and Ollantaytambo for its steep Inca terraces and stone temple. Between the towns, the road runs past farmland and high Andean peaks.
Allow one to three days for the valley, with trips to ruins, markets and the train to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo. It suits travelers who want Inca sites and small towns at a slower pace than Cusco, and who are comfortable with altitude, since much of the valley sits near 2,800 to 3,000 meters. The dry season, roughly May to September, has clearer skies and easier walking. The wet season, from about November to March, brings rain and greener fields. Plan at least two full days if you want the ruins and markets without rushing.
The Sacred Valley in five
- Buy the Cusco tourist ticket for the valley sitesSeveral valley sites, including the Ollantaytambo ruins, are covered by a multi-site tourist ticket instead of single entries. Check the official list of covered sites before you set off, since it can change.Tours and tickets
- Book Machu Picchu entry and train seats earlyEntry to Machu Picchu is timed and limited per day, and the train from Ollantaytambo is the usual route for many visitors. Book both before you travel.Tours and tickets
- Carry soles in small notes for marketsMarket stalls and village shops in the valley take cash more often than cards. Change money in town and keep small notes for buses, tips and photos.Money and costs
- Rest the first day to adjust to altitudeCusco sits at about 3,400 m, and the valley is lower but still high. Take it easy on arrival, drink water and skip heavy meals and alcohol the first day.
- Go to Pisac on a Sunday for the big marketPisac's market is at its largest on Sundays, and buses and taxis fill up early. Go in the morning, or pick a weekday if you want the ruins quiet.
Things to do in The Sacred Valley
See all attractions in The Sacred Valley
Need to know
- Currency
- Sol (PEN)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports Read more
- Emergency
- 105 police, 116 fire, 106 ambulance
- Tipping
- Optional; 10% is often added at restaurants
- Time
- UTC-5, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRainy, green
- FebruaryRainy, green
- MarchRains ending
- AprilRains, green
- MayDry, quieter
- JuneInti Raymi, crowds
- JulyDry, peak crowds
- AugustDry, busy
- SeptemberDry, quieter
- OctoberDry, clear skies
- NovemberRains start
- DecemberRainy season
Right now in The Sacred Valley
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 15°
- Humidity
- 40%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 90%
The Sacred Valley
08:34 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today24°8°90%Monday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Tue24°6°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed26°5°80%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Thu25°10°80%Thursday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Fri23°9°86%Friday: Drizzle. High 23°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sat24°10°80%Saturday: Drizzle. High 24°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Sun20°9°93%Sunday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 93%.
Updated 04:23 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 3.467 PEN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
What's on in The Sacred Valley
Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city
Events calendarDay trips by train
- Cuscoabout 1.5 to 2 hours by road or trainThe former Inca capital, with the main markets and museums.
- Pisacabout 1 to 1.5 hours by carA hillside ruin above a village with a large market, best on a Sunday.
- Maras and Morayabout 1 hour by carSalt pans in a hillside valley and circular Inca terraces, thought to have been used for farming experiments.
- Machu Picchuabout 1.5 to 2 hours by train to Aguas Calientes, then busThe Inca mountain citadel, reached by bus from Aguas Calientes. Book entry times and train seats before you go.
Before you go to The Sacred Valley
Rules for The Sacred Valley, checked
- Many nationalities enter Peru visa-free for short stays. Check entry rules on the Migraciones site before you book.Source
- Machu Picchu entry needs a timed ticket booked in advance through the official Ministry of Culture channel.Source
- Do not buy or carry pre-Columbian objects or antiques out of the country; export of cultural objects is restricted.
- Ask before photographing people at markets. Some vendors expect a payment for a photo.
Plan around The Sacred Valley
Regions, entry, transport and money for a Peru trip
Read the guideOllantaytamboTrain station and Inca fortress town at the valley's end
Read the guideGetting around PeruTrains, buses and taxis between Cusco and the valley
Read the guideMoney and costsSoles, cards and typical prices for a day in the valley
Read the guideWhere to stayTowns and guesthouses across the Sacred Valley
Read the guideTours and ticketsMachu Picchu tickets and guided day trips from the valley
Read the guideThe Sacred Valley FAQ
Is Ollantaytambo worth visiting?
Yes, if you want Inca terraces and a fortress town at a slower pace than Cusco. It is also the station for trains to Machu Picchu.
How do you get from Cusco to Ollantaytambo?
By train from Cusco or by road in roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Check train times with PeruRail or Inca Rail before you book, since schedules change.
How many days do you need in the Sacred Valley?
Two or three days cover Pisac, Chinchero, Maras and Moray at a relaxed pace. Add a separate day for Machu Picchu.
Is altitude a problem in the Sacred Valley?
It can be, since Cusco sits at about 3,400 m and the valley is also high. Rest on the first day, drink water and take the stairs slowly.
When is the best time to visit the Sacred Valley?
May to September is the dry season, with the busiest weeks in June to August. November to March is rainy, with greener hills and slippery trails.
Do you need to book Machu Picchu tickets in advance?
Yes. Entry is timed and limited per day, so book the ticket and the train seats before you travel.