When people think of Peru’s Sacred Valley, they picture Inca ruins, royal estates, and sun temples carved high into the impossibly beautiful Andes. But this fertile corridor has a much older story. Before Cusco became a capital, other civilizations were building, farming, worshipping, and laying the groundwork for Andean life. From the early settlers of Marcavalle to the empire-building Wari, the Sacred Valley was already sacred in ways most travelers don’t expect. This is a journey into what came before.
Why the Sacred Valley Drew People for Thousands of Years
The Sacred Valley stretches about 37 miles (60 kilometers) from Pisac to Ollantaytambo, tracing the Urubamba River between 9,186 and 11,483 feet (2,800 to 3,500 meters). Thanks to its altitude and layout, the valley has a mix of natural microclimates that made it ideal for farming. While much of the Andes is rugged and demanding (just try hiking them), the Sacred Valley was unusually fertile and mild. Corn grew especially well here, and early cultures were already harvesting it before the Inca made it a staple.
These early ingenious communities practiced something now known as the vertical archipelago system. This meant growing different crops at different altitudes. Say, potatoes and quinoa in the higher zones, with maize, and fruits further down. It was a smart way to make the most of the land and points to an early understanding of sustainable living in the challenging yet fertile highlands.
Some researchers also believe the landscape itself played a sacred role. Mountains, rivers, and rock formations may have once formed a kind of spiritual map. Even before the Inca organized Cusco’s famous ceque lines, the Sacred Valley might have already been laid out as a ceremonial landscape, with peaks like Pitusiray and Veronica considered living spirits. That bond between geography and sacred meaning is actually one of the oldest threads running through Andean culture.
The First Settlements and the Reach of the Chavín
Marcavalle is one of the oldest known human settlements near Cusco, dating back nearly 3,000 years. Excavations have uncovered housing foundations, tools, and even signs of early religious activity like burials beneath homes. This suggests ancestor worship, a tradition that would echo throughout the Andes and later show up in Inca rituals with their mummified mallquis.
What’s especially interesting is that pottery from Marcavalle features patterns similar to those found in the Chavín heartland further north. That could point to trade, pilgrimage, or shared beliefs. Essentially, we might not know exactly how it happened, but we do know that ideas were traveling across regions much earlier than first thought.
What Early Ritual Life Looked Like in the Sacred Valley
Before organized state religions took hold, ritual life in the Sacred Valley was deeply tied to nature. Springs and caves were sacred places where people left offerings like maize, textiles, or chicha, a traditional corn beer still brewed in the Andes today.
There’s also strong evidence that ancient structures were aligned with solar events, something we often associate with the Inca. But even long before their rise, early cultures were building temples and arranging stones to mark the solstices and equinoxes, carefully observing the cycles of the sun and moon. This deep connection to nature was not only practical but also spiritual. Life was guided by balance, and people practiced ayni, a system of mutual exchange between individuals, communities, and the land itself. Offerings to the earth were not grand gestures but part of everyday life, made in the hope of good harvests and harmony. Travel through the Andean highlands today, and you might see someone quietly dropping a few crumbs to the ground before lunch, a small yet meaningful way of honoring Pachamama, just as their ancestors did for generations.
*Caveat: While it has been widely documented that Andean cultures made offerings at springs and caves (e.g., with chicha and textiles), solid evidence of pre-Inca structures aligned with solstices is more inferred than explicitly proven. It’s certainly plausible, given from broader Andean contexts, but specific scholarly proof remains somewhat limited. You can read more about the fascinating subject right here.
Coastal Influences from Paracas and Nazca
Although the Paracas and Nazca cultures developed along Peru’s coast, their influence stretched far into the mountains. Textiles and ceramics from both groups have been found in highland tombs adjacent to the Sacred Valley. These weren’t casual trade items but highly valuable commodities that were often carried across difficult terrain by llama caravans. Their presence near the Sacred Valley hints at alliances, rituals, or high-level exchanges between lowland and highland elites.
One detail that really stands out is the use of natural dyes in Paracas textiles. Some of the reds came from cochineal insects, which only live in dry coastal areas. Yet those colors appear in finds deep in the mountains. That tells us not only about trade but about the symbolic power of certain materials.
Religious ideas may have traveled, too. Spiral motifs, bird figures, and other stylized imagery from coastal art appear in the Sacred Valley‘s rock carvings. The influence is clear whether they were copied, reimagined, or brought directly through contact.
The Wari and the First Andean Empire
The Wari were among the most important cultures to rise before the Inca. Around 600 CE, they built an administrative and religious empire that stretched across central and southern Peru. Their reach extended into the Sacred Valley, and one of their most impressive highland cities was Pikillacta.
Covering about 124 acres (50 hectares), Pikillacta stands out for its grid-like layout, straight walls, and uniform building style. Unlike the Inca, who often worked with organic lines and natural contours, the Wari preferred strict geometry. Many buildings show little evidence of daily life, leading some to think it was more of a seasonal gathering place or ritual center than a town.
There’s also some evidence that the Wari used hallucinogenic plants in religious ceremonies. Ceramic vessels from that time feature Anadenanthera seeds, which have powerful psychoactive properties. These weren’t just for casual use. They were likely part of elaborate rituals reinforcing social order and spiritual beliefs.
Ancient Remnants Hidden in the Valley Today
In the village of Calca, between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, lies a hillside ruin known as Huchuy Qosqo or “Little Cusco.” Most visitors focus on the Inca-era structures, but some of the stonework here doesn’t follow the typical Inca style. These older foundations might belong to the Wari or even earlier cultures.
It’s a fantastic reminder that colonizers weren’t the only ones who built new structures on older bones. The Inca did, too.
Even more mysterious are the petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings) at places like Chillihuani and the site of Tunsucancha, where spirals, birds, and humanoid shapes are carved into rock faces overlooking the valley. No one knows exactly what they mean. Some researchers think they mark astronomical events; others believe they were meant to connect with spirits in the landscape. Both theories are utterly plausible.
When the Inca Entered an Already Sacred Land
One thing the Inca did well was recognizing the power of existing sacred places. Instead of wiping the slate clean, they often built over earlier shrines and temples. In Ollantaytambo, archaeologists have found evidence of pre-Inca terraces and older foundations beneath the famous fortress. The same goes for Cusco’s Temple of the Sun, which may have been constructed on a former Wadi ceremonial site.
The Inca word “huaca” referred to anything considered sacred, be they objects, places, or beings. This inclusive way of thinking allowed them to absorb older beliefs rather than erase them. Building on top of older sites helped the Inca connect their power to the land’s deeper spiritual roots.
How to Visit the Pre-Inca Sacred Valley
Most visitors head straight for the Inca highlights, but if you’re curious about the valley’s older stories, here are a few places to dig a little deeper.
Marcavalle
Located in Cusco’s southern suburbs, Marcavalle isn’t open to the public, but the Museo de Sitio Qorikancha has artifacts from the site and shares insight into its 3,000-year-old past.
Pikillacta
About 19 miles (30 kilometers) southeast of Cusco, this vast Wari site is open to visitors (typically 7 am–4:30 pm) and usually quiet. Mornings are best for taking in the silence and wide views over the Lucre Basin.
Huchuy Qosqo
You can reach this site via a half-day hike from Lamay or a longer trek from Tambomachay near Cusco. The Inca ruins are impressive, but keep an eye out for the older foundations underneath. This is a shorter and easier alternative to the classic Inca Trail and lesser-known, which means it’s a quieter and more relaxing hike in high season. Highly recommended!
Chullpas and Petroglyphs
In Calca, Yucay, or Chillihuani, ask locals about nearby burial towers and rock carvings. Many of these sites are tucked into hillsides and still used in small rituals today.
If you really want to connect with the past, take it slow. Talk to people, look for hidden walls and shrines, and keep an open mind. The Sacred Valley holds more stories than most guidebooks will ever tell.
