The Sacred Valley, Cusco region

A note on this place

The Sacred Valley is a region, not a venue. Some ceremonies involve plant medicines: check legality and safety before you go.

In the room

The experience

The Sacred Valley is a place to experience sound, not a named or bookable venue. It is the valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu, and around Pisac and Ollantaytambo there is a loose, informal circuit of ecstatic-dance sessions and ceremonial gatherings that changes week to week. None of it is a fixed programme, and we could not find any of it published. Ask at your guesthouse. The Andes ring the valley and the acoustic is that of an open mountain valley. One warning matters: some ceremonies involve plant medicines, and their legality and safety vary. Use established operators, tell someone your plans and read the current travel advice first.

Insider tip

Walk in knowing

Ask at your guesthouse in Pisac or Ollantaytambo what is on this week. Be careful with anything involving plant medicines: check legality and safety first and use established operators.

Why it fits

Why it is in the atlas

A valley rather than a room. The atlas keeps it as a place to listen and to be careful, not as a bookable venue.

Plan the trip

When to go, hours, getting there

Best time to go

The dry season (May to September) is the most-attended for travel. Ceremonial and dance gatherings are informal and change from week to week.

Hours

No fixed schedule. Gatherings are informal and unpublished: ask at your guesthouse in Pisac or Ollantaytambo for what is happening.

Getting there

Fly Cusco (CUZ), drive 90 minutes north into the Sacred Valley. Local taxis or shared collectivos from Cusco to Pisac (1 hour) and Ollantaytambo (2 hours). Most attendees stay at valley lodges.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Where is The Sacred Valley?

The Sacred Valley is in Cusco region, Peru. Coordinates: 13.4180, -71.8456.

Is The Sacred Valley a bookable venue?

The Sacred Valley is a region, not a venue. Some ceremonies involve plant medicines: check legality and safety before you go.

What is The Sacred Valley?

The Sacred Valley in Peru is a region where travellers find informal ecstatic-dance and ceremonial gatherings. A place, not a named or bookable venue.

When is the best time to visit The Sacred Valley?

The dry season (May to September) is the most-attended for travel. Ceremonial and dance gatherings are informal and change from week to week.

How do I get to The Sacred Valley?

Fly Cusco (CUZ), drive 90 minutes north into the Sacred Valley. Local taxis or shared collectivos from Cusco to Pisac (1 hour) and Ollantaytambo (2 hours). Most attendees stay at valley lodges.

On the atlas