Flights
The closest airport to the Sacred Valley is in
Cusco, however it is not an international airport. If you are flying from outside of Peru you will have to
connect through Lima to get to Cusco (unless you are coming from Bolivia). If you do not plan to spend any time in Lima, your best bet is to arrange an overnight flight that puts you in Lima first thing in the morning so you can catch the earliest flight out to Cusco (there are no afternoon flights). The drive to the Sacred Valley is about an hour from the Cusco airport (1 hour to Urubamba, 1.5 hours to Ollantaytambo). When planning your return keep in mind that the latest flight out of Cusco is at 3:00pm. The flight from Lima is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Only a couple of dependable airlines are available for domestic flights.
LanPeru,
Taca and
AeroCondor.
Hotels in the Sacred Valley will arrange a taxi pickup for you that will take you directly from the airport to the Sacred Valley. You can also arrange one yourself with one of the Remise services at the airport.
Note that flights are cancelled frequently in the rainy season. Be sure to call ahead, reconfirm your tickets, and be on time as flights occasionally depart early to avoid poor weather and the ticket agent has the right to start selling your ticket to standby passengers 30 minutes before the flight.
Train
PeruRail runs a service from Puno (Lake Titicaca) to Cusco to the Sacred Valley and on to Machu Pichu. Any or all of these legs can be booked in first class (the Vistadome option with offers larger windows and more leg room) or backpacker class. The views are stunning so well worth the money. The luxurious
Hiram Bingham train offers a single-day round-trip to Machu Picchu at a leisurely pace beginning with onboard brunch, a guided tour of the ruins, afternoon tea and a four-course dinner on your return. This luxury comes at a price (US$547) and is only offered between April and December.
Other options
If you are planning to stay in the Sacred Valley, your hotel will be able to arrange a safe taxi for the drive.
Combis, which are minibuses, frequently make the trip between Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Typically they will sit at a meeting point and wait until they are full before beginning their route, which stops along the way at Pisac, Yucay, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and other, less obvious, locations. Some companies will allow you to book in advance, in which case they will come pick you up at your hotel.
If at all possible, avoid taking the bus to farther destinations such as Arequipa, Puno, etc. There is a tragically high rate of fatalities on Peru’s bus lines. This is due in part to overworked drivers and poor road conditions. We recommend taking a flight where possible.
We don’t recommend renting a car to get around. Hitchhiking is also not a good idea for safety reasons.
Machu Picchu
Travelers can arrive at Machu Picchu the traditional way (by foot) or by train. Read our
Guide to Visiting Machu Picchu to find out information on the best ways to see these breathtaking ruins.
Taxis and mototaxis are a good way to get around the Sacred Valley. The best place to find them is in the towns of Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, or along the main road through Urubamba. If you are farther out you will want to have your hotel call one in advance.
Combis, which are minibuses, make frequent trips through the Sacred Valley stopping in many of the small towns along the way. Typically they will sit at a meeting point on either end and wait until they are full before beginning their route.
Typically your guide will arrange a taxi for the day if you have planned a tour. Check out tour listings for some suggestions.
Note that the abbreviation ‘Jr.’ in an address does not mean ‘junior’ but rather refers to the word ‘jirón’. If an address includes ‘s/n’ this means ‘sin número’, or ‘without number’… good luck!
ATMs are the best way to obtain cash when you are traveling. Most machines will allow you to withdraw either US$ or Peruvian Soles. There is an ATM at the entrance of the town of Urubamba, just next to El Fogon restaurant. There is also an ATM at the entry-way of the Hostal Sauce in Ollantaytambo.
Check the following sites for locations:
Mastercard ATMs
Visa ATMs
Generally, VISA is the most accepted credit card-- that includes ATM machines.
1. Don’t carry around more money than you need and don't keep it all in one place. For example, keep some in a deep pocket and some in your wallet.
2. Be aware of your surroundings, don't go down a dark and deserted street at night. If you are in a crowded market or bus, be very aware of your valuables.
3. Keep photocopies of important documents, passports and credit cards-- and leave copies at home with a friend in case you lose yours.
Electrical outlets vary in Peru, but newer places will have outlets that are compatible with flat North American pins. Some locations may require adaptors with two round pins.
