The enchanting ancient home of the Incas
Sacred Valley of the Incas
Inhabited some 1,000 years ago, the Urubamba Valley, or the Sacred Valley of the Incas, follows the Urubamba River 100 kilometres from the Inca ruins of Pisac to the incomparable Machu Picchu.
Inhabited some 1,000 years ago, the Urubamba Valley, or the Sacred Valley of the Incas, follows the Urubamba River 100 kilometres from the Inca ruins of Pisac to the incomparable Machu Picchu.
Why the Sacred Valley?
Experts believe the Incas moved to this region of Peru because the lower altitude of the valley was more suitable for agriculture than at higher elevations in the Andes Mountains. The conquered land was divided between the emperor, the religious community and the farmers, likely explaining the prevalence of royal and religious ruins today.
Machu Picchu may steal the show, but the Sacred Valley is its own sight to behold – filled with fortresses, observatories, temples and other mysterious structures. Follow an expert guide on foot or horseback along the intricate networks of Inca trails that wind through the hills and link small towns like Pisac and Urubamba. After hiking up to Machu Picchu, depart aboard the Hiram Bingham train, which trundles through the Sacred Valley yielding excellent views in comfort.
Machu Picchu may steal the show, but the Sacred Valley is its own sight to behold – filled with fortresses, observatories, temples and other mysterious structures. Follow an expert guide on foot or horseback along the intricate networks of Inca trails that wind through the hills and link small towns like Pisac and Urubamba. After hiking up to Machu Picchu, depart aboard the Hiram Bingham train, which trundles through the Sacred Valley yielding excellent views in comfort.
- Breathtaking mountain views.
- Centuries of history evident in architecture and ruins.
- Fascinating cultural context.
- Expert local guides for hiking or horse riding.
- Luxury train journey through the Sacred Valley.
Luxury travel experiences you won't find anywhere else
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Best Places to Stay in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Sol y Luna
In the Sacred Valley, with the Andes Mountains dominating the skyline, the beautiful gardens of Sol y Luna exquisitely complement the hotel’s stone casitas (“little houses”). It’s a truly magical location; the backdrop is enhanced by the orientation of the terraces and the careful planting of indigenous flowers.
Tambo del Inka
Part of The Luxury Collection, the Tambo del Inka Resort and Spa is an impressive property with striking pavilion-like buildings inspired by the stone walls found at ancient Inca sites. Great effort has gone into making this the base camp of choice, in all senses, for Machu Picchu.
Explora Valle Sagrado
We love the stylish almost Scandinavian low-rise design of this lodge, with its wooden walkways and unvarnished wooden interiors. If you are the kind of guest motivated by excellent design and the chance to engage in an active holiday, this is the place for you.
Skylodge Adventures
The phrase ‘once in a lifetime’ is thrown around quite freely, but we won’t hesitate to use it when describing a night at Peru’s Sky Lodge, the world’s first and only hanging hotel. Ascend some 1,300 feet up the side of a granite mountain in the Sacred Valley and spend the night in a transparent pod suspended on the mountainside. There’s no one else but you, the stars and the condors who occasionally fly by.
Private Journeys Tailored to You
We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you every time.We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been crafting the finest tailor-made holidays to the world’s wild places. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you every time.
Who are Journeysmiths?
An experienced team of well-travelled individuals, passionate about crafting journeys that are as exceptional as they are personal, while maximising our positive impact on the places in which we work.
Why Travel With Us?
While the evolution of travel and technology has seen much change at Journeysmiths over the years, our fundamental beliefs about the perfect holiday have not.
Positive Impact Mission
Journeysmiths mission is to inspire and expand peoples horizons through exceptional travel experiences, while preserving the natural world for future generations.
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