Travel Tips

Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru

What to Pack

Explora provides travelers with trekking pole and give them a bottle of water.

Required for all activities:

A hat for the sun
Wool cap
1st layer: T-shirts and thermal underwear
2nd layer: Fleece / Thin fleece
3rd layer: Waterproof jacket and trousers
4th layer: Warm jacket
Long- and short sleeve t-shirts
Hiking trousers and shorts.
Hiking shoes
Hiking socks (long)
Thermal and windproof gloves
Sunglasses
Buff or protective neckwear
Sunscreen
Small backpack (20 liters)*Backpacks exceeding 20 liters in capacity are not allowed in Machu Picchu
Swimsuit

Optional for all activities:

Sandals
Insect repellent
Camel back

Climate

Cusco’s high altitude and proximity to the Equator create a diverse climate with two main seasons, each offering its own unique experiences.

From April to October, the dry season features plenty of sunshine and occasional night frosts. July is the coldest month, with average temperatures around 49.5°F (9.7°C). The rainy season, from November to March, brings warmer average temperatures of 55.9°F (13.3°C) and sporadic, moderate showers typical of the region’s subtropical climate. Throughout the year, temperatures range from 32.4°F (0.2°C) to 69.6°F (20.9°C), with occasional extremes reaching as low as 16°F (-8.9°C) or as high as 86°F (30°C).

Wifi & Voltage

Please note that due to our remote locations, Wi-Fi access in rooms and common areas may vary in reliability.

The voltage in Sacred Valley is 220V.

Tips

Tips are voluntary. If you wish to leave any, you can do so at the hotel reception at the end of your stay. It will be distributed among all those who contributed to making your trip a unique experience. We suggest leaving USD 100 per day per room.

FAQs

The Sacred Valley enjoys two distinct seasons, each with its own character and appeal — shaped by the region’s high altitude and proximity to the equator.
Dry Season (April – October)
This is the sunniest time of year, with clear skies and crisp mountain air. The landscape takes on warm shades of yellow and ochre as the Andean plains dry out. Temperatures are pleasant during the day, ranging from 41°F to 68°F (5°C to 20°C), though nights can be cold and occasional frosts are not uncommon, sometimes dropping to 32°F (0°C).
Wet Season (November – March)
The valley transforms into a lush, vivid green as rainfall brings the landscape to life. The atmosphere is warmer and more subtropical, with temperatures ranging from 45°F to 70°F (7°C to 21°C). While rain is frequent, it rarely lasts all day — mornings are often clear, and the light during this season is particularly beautiful.

Both seasons offer genuinely rewarding experiences, and the “best” time to visit ultimately depends on the kind of landscape and atmosphere you’re drawn to. We’re happy to help you decide based on your preferences.
We recommend a minimum of five nights to truly experience the Sacred Valley. The region is remarkably diverse, and a shorter stay simply doesn’t allow enough time to explore its many hidden corners and lesser-known sites.
For those wishing to include our full-day explorations to Machu Picchu or Cusco — two of the highlights of any visit to this region — five nights is the baseline we suggest. If you’d like a deeper, more unhurried experience of both the Sacred Valley and the greater Cusco region, six nights is an excellent choice.

Please note: Our Machu Picchu exploration combines Explora services with third-party providers, as required by the site’s access regulations. This excursion carries an additional cost depending on your program and must be confirmed with our reservations team at the time of booking.
Guest safety is a priority at Explora. Most of our expert guides hold Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to respond effectively in remote environments.
For medical emergencies requiring clinical attention, the nearby town of Urubamba — just a few kilometers from the lodge — has a Social Security Hospital as well as two local branches of established Cusco-based clinics: MAC Salud and CIMA Clinic. In the event of a severe case requiring more specialized care, patients are referred to facilities in Lima.
In case of an emergency, your relatives can reach the lodge directly by phone at +51 989 467 497 or by email at recvallesagrado@explora.com. Our front desk team is available around the clock to assist with any urgent communication.
When making your reservation, you’ll be asked to choose between a king-size bed or a room with two double beds. If you’d like to change your bed configuration after booking, we’ll do our best to accommodate your request, subject to availability. We recommend reaching out to our reservations team as early as possible to ensure your preference is noted.
The Sacred Valley’s natural climate makes air conditioning unnecessary. Temperatures in the valley typically range between 9°C and 22°C (48°F and 72°F), creating a comfortable environment year-round. Beyond that, the lodge has been thoughtfully designed to make the most of natural ventilation and the area’s gentle air currents, keeping rooms fresh and pleasant throughout your stay.
Transfers between Cusco airport and Explora Sacred Valley are scheduled individually to align with each guest’s flight times, ensuring a seamless arrival and departure experience.
For travelers not flying directly through Cusco airport, transfers operate according to a set timetable. Full details can be found on our Travel Tips page.
A visit to Machu Picchu is offered as a full-day overland exploration, featuring a guided tour of approximately three hours through the sanctuary’s most iconic archaeological sites.
As access to the citadel is strictly limited, we strongly recommend coordinating this exploration with our reservations team well in advance — ideally at least four months ahead during high season. This allows us to secure your train tickets to Aguas Calientes, as well as your entrance to the citadel, both of which are subject to limited daily availability. Please note that specific schedules and routes within the site are also subject to availability at the time of booking.

Please note: This exploration may carry an additional cost depending on your program.
As Explora Sacred Valley is nestled in a remote and pristine corner of the Andes, Wi-Fi connectivity is limited in both rooms and common areas. We invite you to embrace this as part of the experience — a rare opportunity to disconnect from the everyday and immerse yourself fully in the landscapes and culture of the Sacred Valley.

The Sacred Valley enjoys two distinct seasons, each with its own character and appeal — shaped by the region’s high altitude and proximity to the equator.
Dry Season (April – October)
This is the sunniest time of year, with clear skies and crisp mountain air. The landscape takes on warm shades of yellow and ochre as the Andean plains dry out. Temperatures are pleasant during the day, ranging from 41°F to 68°F (5°C to 20°C), though nights can be cold and occasional frosts are not uncommon, sometimes dropping to 32°F (0°C).
Wet Season (November – March)
The valley transforms into a lush, vivid green as rainfall brings the landscape to life. The atmosphere is warmer and more subtropical, with temperatures ranging from 45°F to 70°F (7°C to 21°C). While rain is frequent, it rarely lasts all day — mornings are often clear, and the light during this season is particularly beautiful.

Both seasons offer genuinely rewarding experiences, and the “best” time to visit ultimately depends on the kind of landscape and atmosphere you’re drawn to. We’re happy to help you decide based on your preferences.
We recommend a minimum of five nights to truly experience the Sacred Valley. The region is remarkably diverse, and a shorter stay simply doesn’t allow enough time to explore its many hidden corners and lesser-known sites.
For those wishing to include our full-day explorations to Machu Picchu or Cusco — two of the highlights of any visit to this region — five nights is the baseline we suggest. If you’d like a deeper, more unhurried experience of both the Sacred Valley and the greater Cusco region, six nights is an excellent choice.

Please note: Our Machu Picchu exploration combines Explora services with third-party providers, as required by the site’s access regulations. This excursion carries an additional cost depending on your program and must be confirmed with our reservations team at the time of booking.
Guest safety is a priority at Explora. Most of our expert guides hold Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to respond effectively in remote environments.
For medical emergencies requiring clinical attention, the nearby town of Urubamba — just a few kilometers from the lodge — has a Social Security Hospital as well as two local branches of established Cusco-based clinics: MAC Salud and CIMA Clinic. In the event of a severe case requiring more specialized care, patients are referred to facilities in Lima.
In case of an emergency, your relatives can reach the lodge directly by phone at +51 989 467 497 or by email at recvallesagrado@explora.com. Our front desk team is available around the clock to assist with any urgent communication.
When making your reservation, you’ll be asked to choose between a king-size bed or a room with two double beds. If you’d like to change your bed configuration after booking, we’ll do our best to accommodate your request, subject to availability. We recommend reaching out to our reservations team as early as possible to ensure your preference is noted.
The Sacred Valley’s natural climate makes air conditioning unnecessary. Temperatures in the valley typically range between 9°C and 22°C (48°F and 72°F), creating a comfortable environment year-round. Beyond that, the lodge has been thoughtfully designed to make the most of natural ventilation and the area’s gentle air currents, keeping rooms fresh and pleasant throughout your stay.
Transfers between Cusco airport and Explora Sacred Valley are scheduled individually to align with each guest’s flight times, ensuring a seamless arrival and departure experience.
For travelers not flying directly through Cusco airport, transfers operate according to a set timetable. Full details can be found on our Travel Tips page.
A visit to Machu Picchu is offered as a full-day overland exploration, featuring a guided tour of approximately three hours through the sanctuary’s most iconic archaeological sites.
As access to the citadel is strictly limited, we strongly recommend coordinating this exploration with our reservations team well in advance — ideally at least four months ahead during high season. This allows us to secure your train tickets to Aguas Calientes, as well as your entrance to the citadel, both of which are subject to limited daily availability. Please note that specific schedules and routes within the site are also subject to availability at the time of booking.

Please note: This exploration may carry an additional cost depending on your program.
As Explora Sacred Valley is nestled in a remote and pristine corner of the Andes, Wi-Fi connectivity is limited in both rooms and common areas. We invite you to embrace this as part of the experience — a rare opportunity to disconnect from the everyday and immerse yourself fully in the landscapes and culture of the Sacred Valley.