Explore the Highlights of the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley of Peru is one of Peru’s most popular destinations and is the center of the ancient Inca Civilization. While the city of Cusco and the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu are thronged by travelers, there are several other attractions in the Sacred Valley that offer unique insights into these Andean Highlands. At Cusco Journeys, we have a specially designed full-day tour which let you discover the unusual topographical features of these regions. This also happens to be our most popular tour in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Top Things To See and Do In sacred Valley
Peru’s Sacred Valley has a whole selection of great activities and things to do and see. Bear in mind that some of these activities are located in the Sacred Valley/Urubamba itself while others are located in the surrounding region. To enhance your Sacred Valley experience, here are some of our favorite things to do in Urubamba & the Sacred Valley.
Inca ruins of Pisac & Market
Pisac Inca site is famous for its agricultural terraces, which span far and wide, which are located just 20 minutes drive from the town itself, are of fantastic quality and well worth the visit. You’ll see military, agricultural and religious buildings, all of which are spread over one large complex! The Pisac Market is packed with local produce and a wide array of locally produced arts and crafts, Pisac Market is the perfect place for a little shopping. Also, on Sundays Pisac hosts the largest market in the area.
Chinchero
The bucolic town of Chinchero lies on the way to Urubamba. Its constructions take you back in time since they were built right over the foundations laid by the Incas. Rustic mud houses, made of adobe, dot the landscape, on which also stand white stone structures with thatched roofs. Chinchero is also the weaving center of Peru, and it is possible to watch local women spin and weave wool into lovely patches of fabric.
Incan ruins at Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is one of the well-preserved Inca archaeological sites and nestled in the Urubamba Valley, must-visit from Cusco, and it was the royal land of the Inca Emperor Pachacutec, who conquered the region and built the town. The remains of the Inca Fortress complex, the temples, and baths are worth a visit for history-lovers. Ollantaytambo is also an encharming village, nicknamed Ollanta by locals; and Ollantaytambo is the only Inca city in the Sacred Valley which is still populated today. Ollantaytambo village is also the best surviving example of Inca city planning. Indeed, Ollanta’s organizational grid system can be seen from vantage points high above, especially from the hill opposite the fortress. The valley is surrounded by mountains, three valleys at a height as a defense, and it is natural for the community to be hiking enthusiasts.
Moray
The archaeological site of Moray, next on our list, is a visual delight to behold. Often termed as the Inca Greenhouse, this region is full of circular step farms in the mountains. The ingenious farming technique of ‘Andenes’ (terrace farming using steps cut into the mountains) helped the Incas to grow crops on the slopey hills of Moray. It is also believed that they used these circular terraces to conduct agricultural experiments. An example of extreme Inca landscaping, these historic terraces have their own micro weather, suitable for the observation of astronomical and weather-related changes.
Maras
Our next stop on this tour is Maras and its salt mines. According to legends, the salt pools here were created by the tears of Ayar Cachi (‘cachi‘ literally translates to ‘salt’ in quechua), who was the brother of Manco Capac, the founder of the Inca Civilization. He wept because he wasn’t able to establish the empire. There are over 3000 salt pools in this historic location, famous for the expensive and nutritious pink salt which is harvested here. The tradition of salt mining from Maras dates back to the Inca Empire, but their pink salt is much in demand even in our times. You can also buy natural pink salt from the locals.
Interested in exploring the Sacred Valley with Cusco Journeys? Contact us for expert travel planning advice and a tailormade quote.
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