Visiting Destinations in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, located in the Peruvian Andes, is a historically and culturally rich region that extends along the Urubamba River. It was a fundamental place of great importance for the Inca Empire, both for its agricultural value and for its religious and strategic significance.

The Inca Complexes found in the Sacred Valley:

The Sacred Valley is home to several archaeological complexes of great historical and cultural importance. Each of these sites offers a different vision of the skill, engineering and urban planning that the Inca civilization had in ancient times; So, below, we will present you some of the most outstanding Inca complexes that you can visit in this Andean region:

Macchu Picchu

Machu Picchu, the iconic Inca citadel, is one of the most attractive destinations in the world due to its impressive location and fascinating history. This citadel is located at the top of a mountain ridge, about 2,430 meters above sea level, in the middle of the lush tropical jungle of the Peruvian Andean region.

In addition, in this place you can see sophisticated stone architecture, large agricultural terraces, Inca temples in honor of their gods and an extensive, panoramic view of its surroundings. This site has fascinated visitors and experts alike for many years, theorizing about its construction and knowing the legends that have been told over the years. It is a stunning testament to human ingenuity and the ability of ancient civilizations to adapt to challenging environments.

Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo, located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas 80 kilometers from the city of Cuzco, is much more than an archaeological complex; This historic site combines ceremonial, residential and agricultural structures that stand out for their engineering and precision. What’s more, its huge agricultural terraces on the mountain slopes not only served as platforms for agriculture, but also played a crucial role in soil stabilization and water management in a mountainous environment.

But leaving aside its archaeological importance, Ollantaytambo is known as the ‘Living Inca City’, since it is a colorful Andean town that has well preserved its cobblestone streets and its original urban layout, as well as many of its customs inherited by their Inca ancestors. Today, this picturesque town is a must-see route for tourists visiting Machu Picchu.

Urubamba

The city of Urubamba, also known as the pearl of Vilcanota, was one of the main agricultural centers due to its fertile land during the Inca times. Likewise, its name means “pampa one day away from the road”, it is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, at the foot of the snow-capped mountains of Chicón and Pumahuanca at only 2,871 meters above sea level and 75 km from the city of Cusco.

Likewise, its wide and grandiose landscape highlights its beauty due to the variety of ecological floors and pleasant climate it has, so this impressive area is ideal for extreme sports such as: hiking, canopy, mountain biking, paragliding, canoeing, flights in hot air balloons, etc.

Pisac

Pisac or Pisaq is located in the province of Calca, 30 km east of Cusco, it is recognized as one of the towns that best maintains its traditions, dances, music and clothing. However, the first thing that catches your attention about the town is its geography surrounded by mountains on the banks of the Vilcanota River, the same one that reaches Machu Picchu; Likewise, we have the clothing of its residents who wear their traditional multicolored costumes.

In the town there is a craft market that, on Sundays, overflows with people until it reaches the main square. In this market, hundreds of crafts made by the residents themselves are for sale in different stalls, for this reason the place is also recognized as the ‘town of artisans’. But in addition to the town, Pisac is a sample of Inca architecture at its best, as well as the impressive works of engineering, hydraulics and development in agricultural terraces; What’s more, this archaeological complex was strategically built on the crest of a hill and integrates perfectly with the overwhelming Andean landscape.

Chinchero

Chinchero, an ancient town nestled in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, stands out as one of the region’s most picturesque destinations. It offers a magnificent opportunity to immerse oneself in the enduring Inca empire, preserving the essence of ancient times. The plaza is situated atop what used to be an Inca palace, hosting a traditional Sunday market that preserves ancient marketing customs and showcases locals adorned in the traditional attire of their forebears.

Likewise, in Chinchero the Incas built an impressive network of Inca platforms and paths that surrounded the palace of Tupac Yupanqui, so this large place covers an area of ​​up to 43 hectares where you can see platforms, terraces, stone enclosures, paths. Incas, stone bench, water channels and temples. Currently, the Chinchero ruins stands as the primary draw for tourists in the area.

Maras and Moray

These are 2 of the most famous tourist attractions in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and are part of the same “Maras Moray” tour. On the one hand, we have the Maras salt wells which are located 9.3 kilometers from the town of Maras, these wells were created millions of years ago due to a natural process of salinization in the streams and rivers near this Andean region. Salt was used by the Incas and the cultures preceding the Incas for agriculture and livestock; Furthermore, currently, the more than 3 thousand salt wells belong to the Maras community, who market it to the different supply points in the Cusco region.

On the other hand, there are the circular platforms of Moray, located 8 kilometers from the town of Maras, they are a group of 3 circular platforms built by the Incas as an agricultural laboratory where they experimented with different products such as potatoes, quinoa, goose, corn and even the coca leaf. Each group of platforms presents a microclimate that varies as you ascend or descend the concentric circles. It is believed that Moray hosts just over 20 distinct microclimates in total.

Recommended activities in the Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley, located in the Peruvian Andes, is a place full of history, culture and impressive landscapes that offer an unforgettable experience for visitors. Here are some recommended activities to explore and fully enjoy this unique destination:

• Trekking and hiking: Discover nature and history walking along ancient Inca Trail that cross impressive landscapes where you will see the best panoramic views of mountains, valleys and archaeological ruins.
• Visit local markets: Explore the incredible local culture at traditional markets such as Pisac and Chinchero. Here you can have a unique experience of flavors and crafts. Additionally, find handmade textiles, ceramics, jewelry and fresh agricultural products that reflect the diversity and artistic skills of the Andean community.
• Culinary experiences: Discover the authentic flavors of the Sacred Valley through its peruvian gastronomy. In restaurants and markets, don’t miss the opportunity to try traditional dishes such as guinea pig, prepared in a variety of ways, from stews to roasts, or chicharron, a delicious seasoned meat fry that is a local favorite.