Sacred Valley of the Incas, everything what you must to know!

 

What is the Sacred Valley of the Incas and where does it stay?

Located in the region of Cusco there is the Sacred Valley, that there a several number of villages which are provided with important cultural, historical and natural character tourist attractions.

All this valley was the preferred one by cultures previous at the arrival of the Spanish between them the Incas who settled in this place for its fertile grounds that are watered by the waters of the river Vilcanota and some creeks that form for the thaw of several and important snow-capped mountains that surround the whole valley.

The Sacred Vale is located at only 1 and a half hour from Cusco and the agencies of trip have organized traditional tours of 1 day to be able to visit this important and majestic place combining it even with the trip in train to Machu Picchu with an itinerary of 2 days that fits to the travelers who are not provided with a lot of time.

How long does the traditional tour to the Sacred Valley?

The tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas is one of the most traditional tours of the city of the Cusco together with the City Tour or the tour of Maras – Moray both of can visit in a midday tour. Nevertheless in contrast to others this one lasts the whole day.

Normally it initiates between 8:00 to 9:00 am setting off from the city of the Cusco, going to the archaeological center of Pisac as the first visit point passing for a several villages and natural lookouts like Corao, where from it is possible to appreciate the whole Sacred Valley.

What places are visited during this tour?

Pisac: That is an archaeological center located in the mountains, the bus leaves you exactly in the revenue door, here after presenting your ticket you will be able to visit important ceremonial centers and you will be able to appreciate hundreds of Inca platforms that were used to cultivate its products and to avoid demolish also.

After your visit to the archaeological center you will lower the current town of Pisac located in the valley, where you will have some time to visit its handmade market which is one of the most finished and bargain sales of the region.

Urubamba: The tour continues towards the village of Urubamba, beautiful town of moderate climate where we will do a stop to be able to have lunch. Some agencies offer you the option to include a buffet lunch which is very suitable since there are several restaurants in the area and sometimes already there are no available spaces therefore you can remain without lunch. (Keep in mind that you will have a prudent time to have lunch because the tour it has to continue).

Ollantaytambo: After having lunch, we will continue up to last Ollantaytambo village of Inca resistance inside the Sacred Valley on the part of the Incas against the Spanish invaders.
At present you will be able to appreciate the housings of the settlers constructed on ancient Inca bases as its main streets and avenues which they have made him deserving of the appellative of “Pueblo Inca Viviente”.
In Ollantaytambo finds the archaeological center of the same name, that there counts with terraces from Inca period and several enclosures of worship to the different Andean deities like the Water, the Condor and more important the Sun, the temple to him is located exactly in the highest part of the archaeological center and is composed by enormous monoliths that weigh hundreds of tons, keep in mind that to come to this temple you will have to raise several bleachers which can be somewhat exhausting but the sight from this place will do that the effort is worthwhile.

Chinchero: The tour of Sacred Valley is a closed circuit since it initiates and culminates in the city of the Cusco (unless you were deciding to take the train to Machu Picchu) in our returning to Cusco, we will visit the village of Chinchero where the settlers devote themselves to the cattle, agriculture and textilería, offering beautiful works done to hand.
In Chinchero we will be able to visit its archaeological center and also its beautiful colonial church that is provided with beautiful linens and murals of the “Escuela Cusqueña” artists.

The tour culminates in the city of the Cusco approximately at 19:00 hrs.