The Sacred Valley lies between Cusco and Machu Picchu. After spending two nights near Machu Picchu, we spent four days hopping between rural towns and Incan ruins, including Ollantaytambo, Urubamba, Pisac, Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo. This beautiful region is filled with lush, rolling landscapes and is a complete contrast to the bustling noise and lights of Cusco. The beauty and history of this area made it one of our favorite stops in Peru. Check out some of our photos below!

Stone altars and thrones at Sacsayhuaman where Incan shamans, or priests, would hold religious ceremonies

Well-preserved ruins of a military fort at Ollantaytambo

Panorama view of the Sacred Valley near Ollantaytambo

Natural stone “slides” at Sacsayhuaman

Three-layered rampart walls built from giant, perfectly-aligned limestone blocks were used to protect Sacsayhuaman and Cusco

Ruins of a large grainery used by the Incans, located on Pinkuylluna mountain

Sun gate at Sacsayhuaman, where the Sun’s rays would pass through and illuminate the corridor along the ruins

The hike up to the Qenqo ruins

Concentric circles formed by giant terraces built by the Incans at Moray, most likely used as an agricultural testing ground

Kevin seems pretty excited about these ruins at Moray

The trip up to Moray was long, but the view was well worth it

What a traffic jam in the Sacred Valley looks like

Magnificent landscapes are everywhere you look in the Sacred Valley

Salt pools, or salineras, near Maras used to collect and refine table salt

Squeezing through a cave near Pisac

Lots of stairs on the hike up to the Pisac ruins

Beautiful view of the town of Pisac from the ruins

Artisan handicraft market in Pisac

Honey, can we keep these?? Um, no.

Don’t grow too fond of these cute guinea pigs–they’re actually going to be dinner!

Lonely explorers: looks like we get to enjoy the Pisac ruins all to ourselves!