The Incas Sacred Valley

This way to the extreme of the extensive Urubamba valley, between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, located a short distance from Cusco, where they concentrated from the Inca agricultural zones and beautiful villages.

The valley is characterized by exceptional conditions, such as an excellent climate, very fertile lands, and the waters of the sacred river of the Incas. Upstream in Urubamba, the Vilcanota River (Quechua voice, divine or wonderful thing) changed its name and is now called the Urubamba River.

The Sacred Valley is between the villages of Písac and Ollantaytambo; it has incredible Andean landscapes, where its inhabitants, native of the ethnic Quechua, conserve many customs and ancestral rites.

It is where you can appreciate and magnify the high technological development that the Incas achieved in agriculture through systems of andenerías (a set of land terraces in a staggered form on the mountains to be used in sowing). Today’s total production is accompanied by sophisticated designs and works of hydraulic engineering used for irrigation. Also noteworthy are the centers of worship to the Pachamama (Mother Earth).

Today, every town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas has a fusion of the Inca and Spanish architectural styles. The wealth of its people in its folklore and crafts is the way of life, and its clothes make it a place that will leave you with unforgettable memories.

In this area, essential hotels have been established, which allow enjoying the Andean nature of Cusco, a better climate, and lower altitudes above sea level about Cusco. See hotels in the Sacred Valley.

Participative Tourism—Living Cultures: In the area of the Sacred Valley, excellent opportunities are emerging for tourists to experience a living culture by staying in native houses and sharing their customs, traditions, and daily activities.

Suppose you enter the Sacred Valley through the Písac area. In that case, it is recommended that you visit the Awana Kancha South American Camelid Theme Park, located in Taray, 23 km from Cusco in the district of Taray. Exposure of camelids such as llamas, vicuñas, and alpacas in their natural environment and making fabrics with fibers extracted from wool. In addition, observing some agricultural platforms of the Inca period and species of flora in the zone is possible. In this area, several viewpoints are at the edge of the road, offering you breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley.

Villages of the Sacred Valley (From SE to NO)

Pisac

A picturesque village located in the foothills of the hill, Intihuatana (a place where the sun does moor) possesses the best system of andenería achieved by the Incas in all the Andes.

Near the village is the Archaeological Park of Pisac, which includes Inca archaeological sites, finely assembled polished stone buildings, citadels, turrets, military fortresses, astronomical observatories, and more. The park emphasizes the Inca cemetery, the biggest in all of America.

The Sunday party is celebrated every Sunday, headed by the caciques or heads of Ayllus carrying his varáyoc and typical costumes, folkloric dances, and mass in Quechua. Also, every Sunday, the “catu” is held, the native fair for the exchange of agricultural products in which barter prevails, the living custom of a purely Inca character.

Every Thursday and Sunday, the “Indian market” is held in the Main Square, the handicrafts fair, beautiful textile crafts, sweaters, shawls, bags, etc. And ceramic handicrafts that reproduce Inca archaeological pieces, keros (ceremonial vessels), necklaces, etc. Indigenous artisans and merchants from many villages come to this fair to stock up and trade their products.

Písac is 32 km (20 miles) from Cusco, 2,972 m.s.n.m. (9,751 feet).

Calca

The village is immersed in the beauties of Andean landscapes, in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, with the beautiful snowcapped Pitusira and Sahuasiray as its backdrop. Near the town are the medicinal baths of Machacancha (sulfurous hot springs) and Minasmoqo (gaseous cold waters). Near the Calca is the Inca archaeological complex of Huchuy Cusco.

Calca is located 50 km (31 miles) from Cusco, 2,928 m.s.n.m. (9,606 feet)

Yucay

The beauty of its landscape and the benignity of its climate made Yúcay the place chosen by the Inca royalty for rest, which also attributed to a mythological character and powers over the human spirit.

The fertility of their lands made them one of the leading centers of agricultural production in the Incas, large andenerías. Numerous Inca constructions exist, including the Inca Sayri Túpac Palace, a stone and adobe structure with decorations on its walls in high and low relief.

There is a small site museum. There are comfortable and good hotels. It is 68 km (42 miles) from Cusco and 2,857 m (9,373 feet)

Urubamba

Another ancient Inca town, located in a fertile valley, once a tremendous agricultural center of the Incas, is beautiful countryside with excellent fruit production.

Urubamba is located in the majestic Chicón, which you can easily reach and reach its ascent.

Urubamba is also called the “Archaeological Capital of Peru” due to the rich Inca archaeological sites in the area. It is also called “La Perla del Vilcanota,” with incomparable landscapes surrounding its natural settings of indescribable beauty. There are indigenous communities with marked ancestral customs.

Urubamba is also an ideal setting for the practice of numerous adventure sports, such as canoeing, hiking, mountain climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding. From Urubamba, there are good penetration routes to undertake adventures in Cusco’s jungle area.

There are comfortable and excellent places to stay and eat in the city and its surroundings. It is located 72 km (45 miles) from Cusco via Pisac and 58 km (36 miles) via Chinchero, 2,871 m (9,419 feet).

Ollantaytambo

Legend has it that Ollantay (the titan of the Andes) of Plebeian origin loved the princess Cusi Coyllor (star joyful), daughter of the king Inca Pachacútec, who disagreed with this love. Pachacútec sent the princess to the house of the Virgin; Ollantay tried to kidnap her from there without succeeding and managed to flee. From the fortress that Ollántay had in command, he rebelled against Pachacútec. After defeating bloody battles, the generosity of the Pachacútec made it pardoned the life of Ollantay. The foundation of Ollantaytambo is attributed to Ollantay and prevails the military fortress that protects this zone of the valley, which is strategically located between two mountains.

The present town of Ollantaytambo has many houses built based on the old Inca town, where they inhabit natives of traditional ancestral customs.

Many scientists and historians consider the complexity and beauty of the Inca buildings and the contemporary people, the vast agricultural complex, excellent administrative and social center, religious and military, as one of the most crucial living museums globally.

Ollantaytambo is located 97 km (60 miles) from Cusco, 2,846 m (9,337 feet). Train station to Machu Picchu.

The entire Sacred Valley of the Incas is also a natural setting that appreciates the archaeological wealth. It is an ideal place to enjoy its rich flora and fauna, wild bird watching, and adventure sports.

The diversity of its microclimates allows the production of many species of tall flowers, which embellish their fields and are planted with a wide variety of potatoes, cereals, vegetables, fruit trees, and ornamental plants. Finding deer, chinchillas, vizcachas, foxes, Andean pigeons, countless birds, and beautiful hummingbirds will be expected. On the Vilcanota River, you can fish for delicious salmon and rainbow trout, especially between April and October.

All the villages are connected by a good road, facilitating your visit.