Things to do in  Sacred Valley

The lost city of Machu Picchu is the most famous tourist attraction in Peru, if not all of South America. The UNESCO World Heritage–listed collection of temples, terraced hills, and plazas was once the mountaintop citadel of the ancient Inca empire. Although Machu Picchu is now world-famous, questions remain about the mysteries behind its construction, function, and eventual demise.

The indigenous Quechua villages in Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Inca provide a view into the past. Inhabited by descendants of the ancient Inca people, these communities—such as Pisac and Chinchero—have preserved handicraft traditions, speak in the original Quechua language, and live in harmony with the mountains they regard as sacred.

If you're visiting Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there’s a good chance you'll pass through the small pueblo of Aguas Calientes en route. This gateway town to Peru’s famous Incan ruins sits nestled in a valley of cloud forest, where a series of natural hot springs gives the town its name.

South America's most famous trek is an unforgettable way to reach the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The 4-day trek takes hikers past mountain passes, Inca ruins, and views of the snow-capped Andes. Arriving at the iconic archaeological site via the Inca Trail also means you’ll be one of the first to glimpse a stellar sunrise over Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate.

An alternative to the popular and historic Inca Trail, the Lares Trek is a slightly shorter and more challenging route to Machu Picchu. En route to the ancient Inca citadel, the trail winds past dramatic Andean landscapes, remote villages, mountainside markets, and overnight shelters.

Sometimes referred to as the other Machu Picchu, Choquequirao is undoubtedly one of the least-visited Inca sites in Peru due to the difficult 2-day hike required to reach the ruins. The feat, however, is richly rewarded: The ancient site, which translates as the Cradle of Gold, is remote and spectacular and framed by Andean peaks at every angle.

Rising to the east of Machu Picchu, Putucusi Mountain is the perfect off-the-beaten-track escape from the crowds. With forested slopes and near-vertical cliff faces, hiking to the summit requires a moderate level of fitness, but the 3.5-hour round trip excursion on steep rock steps and wooden ladders offers spectacular aerial views over the magnificent ruins and the town of Aguas Calientes.