Sacred Valley off the Tourist Trail
 

Is there such a thing? I kind of picture the whole area being lots of tour groups, backpacker bars and souvenir shops, none of which terribly appeal to me. Is it possible to get off the tourist track and visit more local areas?

That you will find around the Plaza de Armas and San Blas area in Cusco city,of course in Machu Picchu & Aguas Calientes, and the big resorts around Urubamba. If that isn't your style, go independently, stay in small hostals or B&Bs that are a bit out of the way (eg Apu Lodge in Ollantaytambo), travel by taxi or local bus, you will have the freedom to visit sights and towns at times and places when the busses are not there. Ollantaytambo is a lovely small town which is not busy in the morning and afternoons (midday is when the tourists take the trains). There are lots of walks around town or trips up the to villages that are off the popular track. Suggest you look into leaplocal.org for a local guide and have them take you around.

The Green House Is a unique and tranquil resting place, welcoming every type of visitor, located deep in the heart of the Sacred Valley, in the community of Huaran ...

thegreenhouseperu.com

beautiful off the beaten path...

Just hop local bus 1 sole per ride and bop around

www.apulodge.com www.ollantaytambo.org another of my favs...

guides lots cheaper boots on the ground if needed.

Also head up to Calca some great hote springs trekking

up that way between Pisac and Urubamba.

Lastly remember that Sunday best for Inkan market

largest in the world! Happy Travels!

You might also check out www.awamaki.org they have just updated their website. They offer homestays in the community around Ollantaytambo (look under What We Do==Sustainable Tourism)

Olly is full of tourist and traffic. You will always find tourist in the Sacred Valley. If you want to visit places off the beaten path you could visit the animal sanctuary before Pisac. Also, you could visit do a 4 to 5hr trek off the beaten path from temple of the moon ending in the rumi wasi ruins. contact [email protected]
You could visit tipon and piccillacta (not many tourist there).