THE
SACRED VALLEY OF PERU
Nestled between Andes Mountain Ranges and the capital of a bygone empire, the Sacred Valley is a mystical destination. Evoking awe from its natural beauty and powerful history, it comes to life with the laughter, music, and stories of the welcoming Andean people.
Enjoy the wonder of ancient sites, majestic landscapes and welcoming people through our collaborative and personalized planning process to make the most of this magical experience.
Sacred Valley Highlights
CUSCO
The literal and figurative heart of the Inca Empire. Cusco embodies the spirit of this mystical valley.
THE INCA TRAIL
Ancient paths that had linked the empire, now lead adventurers to steep outposts that test the body and reward the soul.
ARTISANS
Meet some of the women doing the important work of keeping the traditional arts alive and thriving.
NATURE
Be surrounded by the beauty and power of nature, and feel the connection to pachamama at every breathtaking turn.
VALLEY TOWNS
The deeper you go, the greater the return. Fall for the unique beauty and individual vitality of each valley town.
ADVENTURE
Seeking a rush? The valley cradles a powerful river inside her rugged peaks, a playground for the intrepid traveler.
HISTORY
The Storytelling tradition spanning centuries continues. We offer diverse perspectives to connect you with the lives lived.
MACHU PICCHU
Experience the undeniable power and awe as you walk the streets of this complex built for the gods.
Cusco, Peru
Cusco, Peru, sitting high at an elevation of over 11,000 feet, is the gateway to the sacred Valley and where your journey begins. A short flight from the modern capital city of Lima, it’s a city unto its own. The spirits of shamans, philosophers, and dedicated worshipers of the earth who lived for centuries on the ground have left their mark. You will feel as you walk these cobbled streets.
The aptly named Sacred Valley is not a place to rush. It deserves your time, and more importantly, your presence. When slowing down and fully present the magic of this place begins to be revealed. Our philosophy is to intentionally design your trip to allow time for pausing, contemplation, and taking in the scenery that changes as clouds lift and fall, the sun rises and sets, and as the transformative energy seeps into our hearts.
About Peru
Nestled among the peaks of the Andes Mountain Range and the capital of a bygone empire, the Sacred Valley is a truly mystical destination to behold. It evokes awe and wonder with its natural beauty, and comes alive with the laughter, music, and stories of the welcoming Andean people.
Our amazing local guides not only introduce you to the incredible relics and ruins which are the physical remains of a truly wise people but also to invite you to take part in the traditions that are still practiced by indigenous Peruvians today!
Conscious Travel Collective teams up with locals who share stories and long-lived wisdom of their ancestors, as well as invite you to take part in the traditions practiced by indigenous Peruvians today — Spiritual beliefs deeply rooted in love and reverence for the Earth (Pachamama), the foundations which are gratitude and reciprocity— core values of Conscious Travel Collective.
Locally designed, locally led.
Our trips are created in collaboration with, and led by locals! Travelers will have the incredible benefit of local knowledge and access to unique experiences most travelers do not get to see. Spend time the people who carry forward ancestral traditions and knowledge and pay respects to this way of life that is attune to nature. We connect you to this magical place, its history, beauty and power - but most importantly, with the people. They are delighted to be the ones to welcome you to Peru!
"This trip was one of my favorites to date. The accommodations are great & the views are breathtaking. Thank you for planning such an amazing trip"
Melissa, on her trip to Peru
Meet Kantu!
Born in the high city of Cusco, Kantu has a passion for trekking, nature, history. She loves sharing the culture of her home country. Kantu deeply believes in the need to travel and work in ways that are sustainable and responsible. She is an advocate for local people, and the traditional ways of life they are keeping alive.
ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
What airport is best to arrive into?
You will fly into the Cusco Airport. If you are coming from outside of Peru, you will first connect in Lima, Peru.
How much time to recommend to spend in the Sacred Valley?
It really depends on how much time you have set aside for this trip, how much you want to cover, and what is a comfortable pace for you to move about. We usually advise from 9 - 14 nights if you plan to visit Cusco, the Scared Valley, MacchuPicu, and spend 1-2 days in Lima.
Much of this recommendation will depend upon the pace you like to travel, and what you are interested in doing with your time. For example, if you want to visit more remote places, more time may be required to get there, and then to return to a main transportation hub. That said, we always encourage travel that is slow, and intentional to allow travelers to have a more meaningful experience.
What is the 1-day Inca Trail hike to MacchuPichu like?
The 1-day Inca Trail hike to Maccupichu is considered “moderate to difficult”. The duration of the hike is from approximately 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, including breaks, and stopping for lunch (about 6-8 hours of hiking time). There are a few simple bathrooms along the route, and the trail is hilly, with several sections of stairs. You'll arrive at Maccupichu via the Sun Gate, hiking in is the only way to access this point. Then you'll have time to visit the site on a select route before taking a bus into town to join the group.
A licensed guide is required for this hike due to trails rules, it may not be hiked alone. A limited number of spaces are available each day, so this excursion should be booked well in advance of the trip.
Our team knows all about this hike ~ we've done it ourselves!
Please call or email with any questions.
What kind of traveler does CTC work with?
We welcome all travelers, this means solo, couples, trios, groups - you name it! Most of the folks with design for are traveling with just one or two other people. We have lots of expertise in travel design for just 1-2 travelers and know how to capture the essence of immersive travel for travel groups of every size!
We also work with travel agents, and small group trip leaders to design something really customized and special for their travelers. Travel agents know their clients, and are deeply in touch with what they will enjoy, and we are deeply connected to the destination, so this makes for a dream team!
We also love to design for groups, but really encourage folks to keep their groups small, no more than 14 people. Group travel because it's a great way to have a private, fully curated experience at a great value, plus the immersive experiences work beautifully when sharing with a group.
For more on our design process, click here
