Sacred Valley of the Incas

The beautiful valley, known as 'Vilcamayo' to the Incas, stretches out from the Inca citadels of Pisac to Ollantaytambo along the Urubamba River or "Sacred River".

Pisac is a small, pretty town just 30 km from Cusco. At the market of Pisac, indigenous vendors gather dressed in colourful, traditional clothing to sell their produce to one another and their crafts to you.

The picturesque village of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley and its ruins are said to contain the most impressive Inca stonework anywhere in Peru. The village is overwhelmed by the great temple-fortress clinging to the sheer cliffs beside it.

Ollantaytambo is located where the valley becomes narrow and the road can no longer climb. It was used as a fortress to defend Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas from the jungle tribes of the North .

The more romantic legend counts that Ollantay (the titan of the Andes), loved the princess Cusi Coyllor. The Inca King's daughter Pachacútec was in disagreement with this love and sent the princess to a house of virgins. Ollantay tried unsuccessfully to abduct her.

The ancient village of Urubamba, a former agricultural centre of the Incas, is a beautiful area with great fruit production.

The village, with its bustling market, still retains its traditional Andean charm and sits in the outskirts of the majestic snowy mountain Chicón.

Urubamba and the surrounding Sacred Valley area is famous for its incomparable landscape and breathtaking beauty that surrounds it.

Many travellers enjoy to participate in various adventure sports around Urubamba, including canoeing, hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.

The archaeological site, Moray, is both beautiful and impressive.
These circular agricultural terraces create micro-climates allowing various crops to be grown.

One of the nicest ways to reach Moray is by Peruvian Paso-style horseback riding. Riders travel across the hilltops above the awe-inspiring Sacred Valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes in the distance.

Also worthy of a visit are the Mares salt mines. A magnificent spectacle, this network of salt mines has been worked since pre-Inca times and is still in use today.