What to Bring

• Original student card (ISIC card).
• Jacket
• camera
• rain poncho
• sunscreen
• Money for lunch, groceries, gifts.

Travel Guide

Hidden below the tawny slopes of the majestic foothills is the beautiful valley of the Urubamba River known as the Sacred Valley.

The main attractions are the markets and the impressive Inca citadels of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, but they are also full of other Inca sites.

The myriad of walking routes are growing in popularity, and for good reason. Adrenaline-pumping activities range from rafting to rock climbing.

If you want to visit the Sacred Valley, you must first purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket, which gives you access to various attractions in the city and the Sacred Valley.

History of the Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley was inhabited by small Andean communities until the Inca conquest (mainly during the reign of Emperor Pachacutec from 1438 to 1471), after which began a period of significant construction of terraces, temples and cities such as: Ollantaytambo, Moray and even Machu Picchu.

With the arrival of the Spanish, the Inca rebel Manco Inca fled through the Sacred Valley, burned Chinchero and settled in Ollantaytambo, where he fought fiercely against the invaders. Faced with his imminent death, he settled in the inaccessible jungle and established his kingdom in Vilcabamba.

During the conquest, the fertile lands of the valley were divided by the Spanish. Important temples were destroyed and Christian churches were built in their place.

Despite this, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is today a popular tourist destination. The inhabitants maintain many ancestral traditions, which date back to the time of the Incas.

Sacred Valley tour location

The Sacred Valley is about 15 km north of Cuzco like the flight of a condor through a narrow and winding road.

From there you can go to the other towns in the valley. It is also possible to reach the citadel of Machu Picchu by train.

The main fortresses of the Sacred Valley to visit:

Pisac

Pisac is located 33 kilometers from the city of Cusco (and is known as the gateway to the Sacred Valley). It is world famous for its craft market and its impressive archaeological remains in the upper part of the city. This city is valuable for its location and fertile soil. Admirable are the Inca and colonial buildings. Pisac is also known as an ideal place for spiritual retreats.

The religious, urban, social and economic domains are distinguished. In general, the Incas built on high and safe parts, little vulnerable, and on land not suitable for agriculture.

Pisaq was originally colonial, it was just a typical market where various products were bought and sold. For the locals, the sale of handicrafts has been complemented by the visit of the tourists who are here today.

Urubamba

Urubamba is one of the most important cities in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It was born during the colony and is considered the world capital of corn.

This is possible because it is irrigated by many rivers that originate at the top of the glacial mountains. The entire region was prized by the Incas for the fertility of its land. It is one of the best places to relax. You will see there many foreigners who have decided to leave their country and stay there.

Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is located 97 kilometers northeast of the city of Cusco. In Inca times it was a fortified city with temples, defensive walls, urban and agricultural sectors.

We know that it served as administrative control. It is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Peru and South America.

Chinchero

Chinchero is located 28 kilometers from the city of Cusco. It is one of the highest points in the valley: 3,772 meters above sea level (12,375 feet).

Here was the palace of Emperor Túpac Yupanqui, which was destroyed by the Spanish. In its place they built the colonial church of Nuestra Señora de Monserrat. Built in the 17th century, this church contains paintings from the “Escuela cusqueña”. The city is also famous for its handicraft market, which is still traded today.

Salt mines in Maras

Maras is known for its proximity to hundreds of salt mines that form a spectacular landscape. In the Maras you can see more than 5,000 salt flats built in Inca times.

The Salineras de Maras are one of the 4 places in the world where pink salt can be extracted. The locals sell this salt in the main markets of Cusco.

The traditional city of Maras. It is located 74 km from the city of Cusco. It is an old colonial city, known for the aristocratic shields of the noble Indians of the colony, which still adorn the lintels of some doors. During the colony it was an important political and administrative enclave due to its proximity to the salt flats of Maras.

Moray Archaeological Site

Located 74 kilometers from the city of Cusco, Moray is home to the famous circular Inca platforms. This series of concentric circular platforms gives the impression of an artificial crater.

Moray was the site of one of the most important “agricultural research centers” of the Inca Empire. He dedicated himself to experimenting and planting plants in different places. The different climates and high altitude soils developed in an effort to allow the cultivation of coastal and jungle products in cold climates.