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Sacred Valley of the Incas Cusco Peru

It is called this way to the extreme of the extensive valley of Urubamba, between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, located at short distance of the city of Cusco where the agricultural zones ranged from the incanato and beautiful villages.

The valley is characterized by very special conditions, such as an excellent climate, very fertile lands and the waters of the sacred river of the Incas, Vilcanota (Quechua voice, sacred or wonderful thing), upstream in the town of Urubamba, Changes its name and is called Urubamba river.

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

It is the area where you can appreciate and magnify the high technological development that the Incas achieved in agriculture through systems of andenerías (set of land terraces in staggered form on the mountains to be used in the sowing) that today are In full production, accompanied by sophisticated designs and works of hydraulic engineering that 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 the fusion of the Inca and Spanish architectural style. The wealth of its people in its folklore and crafts, its way of life, its clothes, make it a place that will leave you unforgettable memories.

In this area important hotels have been established, which allow to enjoy the Andean nature of Cusco, a better climate and lower altitude above sea level in relation to the city of Cusco. See hotels in the Sacred Valley.

Participative Tourism - Living Cultures: In the area of ​​the Sacred Valley, excellent opportunities for tourists are emerging for tourism of living culture, having the possibility of staying in native houses and sharing with them their customs, traditions and daily activities.

If you enter the Sacred Valley through the Písac area, it is recommended to visit the Awanakancha South American Camelid Theme Park, located in Taray, 23 Km. From the city of 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, it is possible to observe some agricultural platforms of the Inca period and species of flora of the zone. In this area there are several viewpoints at the edge of the road that offer you breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley.

Sacred Valley Of the Inca Cusco

Tours in Cusco:

Towns of the Sacred Valley

Pisac

Picturesque village located in the foothills of the hill Intihuatana (place where the sun is moored), possesses the best system of andenería achieved by the Incas in all the Andes.

Near the village there is the Archaeological Park of Pisac, Inca archaeological sites, finely assembled polished stone buildings, citadel, turrets, military fortresses, astronomical observatories, etc. It emphasizes the cemetery incaico, the biggest one of all America.

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

Every Thursday and Sunday, the "Indian market" is held in the Main Square, the handicrafts fair, among which are beautiful textile crafts, sweaters, ponchos, bags, etc. And ceramic handicrafts with reproductions of 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 located 32 km (20 miles) from the city of Cusco, 2,972 m.s.n.m. (9,751 feet).

Indian Market in Pisac

Calca

People immersed in beauties of Andean landscapes, in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, which have as background the beautiful snow-capped Pitusira and Sahuasiray. Near the village are the medicinal baths of Machacancha (sulphurous 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 and relaxation, to which they also attributed a mythological character and powers over the human spirit.

The fertility of their lands made it one of the main centers of agricultural production in the time of the Incas, large andenerías. There are numerous Inca constructions, among which the Inca Sayri Tupac Palace, stone and adobe construction with decorations on its walls in high and low relief.

In the village there is a small site museum; There are comfortable and good hotels in the area. It is located 68 km (42 miles) from Cusco, and 2,857 m.s.n.m. (9,373 feet)

Urubamba

Another ancient Inca town, located in a fertile valley, once a great agricultural center of the Incas, and today a beautiful countryside, with great production of fruit trees.

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

Urubamba is also called the "Archaeological Capital of Peru", for the rich Inca archaeological sites that exist in the area; Is also called "La Perla del Vilcanota", for the incomparable landscapes that surround it, natural settings of an 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 the jungle area of ​​Cusco.

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

Ollantaytambo

Legend has it that Ollantay (the titan of the Andes) of plebeian origin, loved the princess Cusi Coyllor (the merry star) daughter of King Inca Pachacútec, who disagreed with this love. Pachacútec sent the princess to a house of Virgin, Ollántay tried to kidnap her from there, without succeeding and managed to flee. From the fortress that Ollántay had in command he rebelled against Pachacutec, and after bloody battles he was defeated, but the generosity of Pachacutec made him spare Ollantayta's life.

The foundation of Ollantaytambo is attributed to Ollántay, and prevails the military fortress that protected this zone of the valley, strategically located between two mountains. Nowadays this fortress can be seen, as well as the rich Inca archaeological sites, made up of the Inti temple, the Incamisana, the baths of the Ñustas (princesses), the Chullpas of Cachiccata, a group of terraces symmetrically staggered and Very steep on the side of a hill.

At the summit of the archaeological complex there are six monoliths of enormous size, assembled with incredible precision, which have engraved mysterious motifs of Inca iconography.

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

The complexity and beauty of Inca buildings and the contemporary people, the vast agricultural complex, great administrative and social center, religious and military, is considered by many scientists and historians as one of the most important living museums in the world.

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

Ollantaytambo 


The whole Sacred Valley of the Incas is also a natural setting where, in addition to appreciating the archaeological wealth, it is an ideal place to enjoy its rich flora and fauna, wild bird watching, and the practice of adventure sports.

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

All villages are connected by a good road, which facilitates your visit.

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