Pirwa’s Sacred Valley Villa: Commune with Locals & Nature in Lamay
Pirwa is happy to announce that today it’s launching a new service in the Cusco region which is perfect for those of you who are looking for the opportunity to commune with nature and interact with local culture during your trip. Our Sacred Valley Villa in the central Lamay district places you midway between the picturesque towns of Pisac and Calca, about 10 minutes from each…
Alongside Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley 
of the Incas is one of the reasons why the nearby town of Cusco attracts so many visitors each year. It’s not glutted with tourists as Cusco is, however, as most travelers only visit the artisanal markets and Incan ruins of one or two towns, allocating a single afternoon and missing out on so much.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is famed not just for its natural beauty, but for its charming towns with cobblestone streets, mudbrick buildings, locals in traditional Andean dress, and patchworked subsistence fields. While in Lamay, however, there is lots to do besides visiting the assorted nearby valley towns.
Nature-lovers should head to:
- Huispan Cavern (Gruta de Huispan), to see its stalagmites and stalactites. Found atop a hill, it can be reached by climbing 10-minutes worth of steps. (On May 13th, pilgrims undertake the climb on their knees to demonstrate their religious faith and repentance, due to a reported apparition of the Virgen of Fatima a century ago.)
- tranquil Pachar Chumpe Lake, which is perfect for fishing or a sunny picnic. You don’t even need to prepare your own food, as you can purchase freshly caught and fried fish from the lake alongside area locals. Departing from the main square, you can reach the lake by car in 45 minutes or by foot in 2 hours.
- Qaqato (or Ccaccato) Hotsprings, whose pools fluctuate between 17°C and 23°C. There’s a small entry fee, and they are open at all hours of the day.
- the surrounding countryside and small towns, but via horseback!
Those with an interest in history will enjoy visiting Qaqyaqawana Archeological Site, often referred to as Huchuy Cusco because the construction and layout of this Incan construction resemble parts of Cusco. The site can only be reached via a scenic two-hour hike from Lamay. History buffs should also visit the mestizo-baroque Santiago Apóstol Temple in Yucay, a 16th century colonial construction.
One of the most popular activities to undertake in the Sacred Valley is an Andean homestay, where you can learn all about subsistence farming, weaving, preparing food on a clay wood-burning stove, and the traditional dishes prepared with locally grown plants such as tarwi, with contains more vegetable protein than tofu, and varied potatoes and tubers such as the oca and the fushia-spotted olluco. If you’d like to undertake a homestay in the district, you can visit the rural communities of Huayllafara, Huchuy Cusco and Chuquibamba where the ancient customs and traditions have been preserved through the centuries and are expressed in the farming and way of life, the folkloric dances and melodies, and the production of artisanal goods.
More about Pirwa’s Sacred Valley Villa
The villa is made from rustic materials taken from the area, such as adobe mud-brick and stone, with a wooden rooftop supported by eucalyptus trunks. The complex in which the villa is located boasts ample green areas, an oven, a swimming pool, fish farm, parking lot, and children’s play area. Care has been taken with both the villa and the complex to ensure that they harmonize with the surrounding nature and the Andean hills in the backdrop.
The villa’s first floor has a living-dining room 
with varnished stone accents including a romantic fireplace, a connected kitchen with islands, a common bathroom, and a very large married double room with private bathroom. (All of the villa’s bathrooms enjoy hot water 24 hours a day.) Climbing the wooden and metal steps, you’ll reach the two twin double rooms, four single rooms, and common bathroom on the second floor.
You can rent private or shared rooms, by night or for longer periods. We can also assist with arranging local excursions so that you can concentrate on exploring, horseback riding, hiking, and swimming- happy travels!