Sacred Valley of the Incas Information

About the Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley of the Incas also known as “Valle Sagrado” starts outside of Cusco in the town of Pisac. It extends from Pisac all the way to Ollantaytambo, nestled between Cusco and the Majestic Machu Picchu. The valley is formed by the Urubamba River. It’s flanked by two prominent mountain peaks, Sahuasiray (height: 5 818m/ 19 088ft) in Calca and Veronica Mountain (height: 5893m/ 19 334ft) in Ollantaytambo.

This Valley was the center of Tahuantinsuyo, the largest known empire in the Western Hemisphere, from Colombia and Ecuador, passing through Peru and Bolivia, to the northern part of the nations of Argentina and Chile; and its capital is the city of Cusco, which was known as the “navel of the world.” The sacred valley has always been an agricultural hub and still remains so.

The Sacred Valley is the perfect spot and climate for cultivation. Parts of the valley are warm and parts are colder making the ideal conditions for crops. With the regular supply of water from the melting snow and the rivers conditions are perfect. The Incas used the valley to feed their population.

Agriculture

The Sacred Valley of the Incas has a moderate climate and fertile land, which is great for agriculture in the region. Sacred Valley produces maize, fruits, and vegetables for exporting and consumption. This product is usually sold in their many local markets, which are insanely cheap with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Incas grew potatoes, white corn, coca, and fruits, on terraces like those that can be seen decorating the mountainsides throughout the villages. Today the valley gives much fruit, and one of the best corn varieties in the world.

Religion and Cosmology

But it was more than just an important agricultural center; The Urubamba River Valley, “Willcamayu” for the Incas, was one of the most important elements in the religious cosmology of the Incas. They believed that the flow of the Urubamba River was closely linked to constellations and mountains, they also believed that it was the counterpart of the Milky Way on Earth.

Tourism today

The Sacred Valley is today a center for tourism, a place to immerse yourself in beauty and the ancient historical site. The valley is considered the center of adventure tourism, with adventure sports a drawcard. Some of the the best towns to visit include Chinchero, Pisac, Calca, Urubamba, Maras, Moray and Ollantaytambo. Here is the gateway to Machu Picchu, one of the most visited ancient sites in South America.

Weather in the Sacred Valley

As the Sacred Valley is 600 meters lower than Cusco, the valley enjoys one of the best climates in the Cusco region, temperatures range from 19 to 24 C during the day. For this reason the Inca used this area for agricultural production, to experiment and for research. Today the valley is a hub for tourism and many stay in the valley to acclimatize before starting their tours and treks in Cusco. Staying in the Sacred Valley is a great way to avoid altitude sickness.

Where is the Sacred Valley of the Incas?

The start of the Sacred Valley is located around 15km north east of the city of Cusco. A car trip to Pisac the first village will take around 40 minutes. From Pisac you can travel to the other villages in the valley by bus or can book a tour to the Sacred Valley, which will take you the the best attractions in the Sacred Valley.

The Sacred Valley Tour itinerary includes.

Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour with Moray & the Salt Mines

Pick up at your hotel will be at 7:30 am, your guide will be waiting in the reception to take you to our private van and head towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Manos de la Comunidad

Manos de la Comunidad is a farm that has varieties of indigenous animal of Peru. The farm features Llamas, Alpacas, Guanacos and Vicuna. Pet, feed and take photos with the animals. See how the local women dress in traditional garments and weave using the wool from the animals. The wool of the Vicuna can only be shorn every three years, making this wool very expensive. As you exit the farm, there is a museum and shop to purchase the products, the locals are available to answer any questions that you may have, never feel pressured to purchase anything.

Pisac

Most agencies stop first at the Mirador of Taray, where you get your first view of the valley. This amazing view of the Urubamba Valley is laid out before you, with traditional farming communities on the valley floor and cliff peaks rising from the end of the valley. Travel to visit the extensive and well preserved Pisac archaeological site which overlooks the green lush valley and is the entry point to the valley. At the site, there are many food warehouses at the top of the hill, that were used for preservation because of the lower temperatures.

The lower you go, you find carefully engineered large farming terraces, taking advantage of the various microclimates. Also, there is an intricate water irrigation system originating from the stream uphill and supplying all the decks below using water channels. Adjacent to the site is the biggest Inca cemetery found, thousands of openings decorating the main side. It is said that if you visit these tombs, you can still find human skeletal remains.

Later visit the town of Pisac below, the market is considered on of the best in the Cusco region, shop here for all your souvenirs.

Salt mines

The Salt Mines are Pre Inca, hundreds of pans cover the hillside and have been used for salt extraction since before the Inca occupied the area. A natural spring at the top of the valley heavily laden with salt is diverted into the pans, once evaporated leaves high quality salt. The local people have the mining rights and the salt is sold at the site with the profits going to the locals. Maray is one of the only places where you can find the naturally pink salt. The salt mines give you a taste of an age-old custom, that has not changed for many generations. 

Salineras are one of the very few salt mines left in the world to have not switched to more modern techniques. The communal company of Maras (cooperative) packages and distributes the salt and splits the profits with the families according to the number of saltpans they own. A great place to grab another souvenir.

Moray

Moray was a experimental site in the form of an amphitheater that features different temperatures at each level to grow different crops. These levels were carved before the Inca were in control of the Sacred Valley but the Inca used the site to research the growing conditions for their crops. It has been found that the Inca bought soil from other areas to enhance their research. In the 1970s the government of Peru took back the site to preserve and protect the site.

Ollantaytambo

The last stop on the wonderful Sacred Valley tour is Ollantaytambo. Here we explore the lovely village and the grand Inca Ruins on the hill above. Here is where the Inca fought their last battle with Spanish, from here they had to retreat into the dense jungle.

The site was never complete, there is today a section with many boulders that did not make it to their destination. Others believe that the battle with the Spanish was so fierce that it caused much damage to the Inca site. At the top of the ruin is the Temple of the sun, a spectacular feat of architecture. Also admire the water fountains, the Incahuatana and the storehouses.

Ollantaytambo holds many annual festivals, check online if there is anything coming up during your stay. It’s a great tourist hub, with an assortment of restaurants and accommodation establishments for all budgets. It’s the gateway to the Inca Trail or the train to Machu Picchu. Once the daily crowds spread, you are left with an amazing town, with many indigenous locals, that still call this small town home.

Additional Towns

Chinchero

Chinchero is a small rural town between Urubamba and Cusco. It sits at a height of 3 762m/ 12 343ft. The language is predominantly spoken in Quechua (82%), however, most locals are bilingual speaking both Quechua and Spanish.

There are many fun and unique things to do in town. Firstly, their Sunday market is a great option to the more famous market in Pisac. It tends to be more authentic and is usually less crowded. Every weekend the streets (not that many: it’s a small town) are full of celebrations, from weddings and local concerts, playing music like Huayna. The air makes you want to dance, clap along to the beat and just let go.

Warp-face Weaving Technique

You can also learn to weave. The warp-face weaving process has been practiced by the locals for centuries. The locals will teach you how they make the thread from Alpaca wool, to dyeing the fabric, and finally to making the beautiful, colorful, and clothes, the ladies and gentlemen are spotting around town. Just 3.5km out of town is Puiray Lagoon, where you can try your hand at paddle boarding.  The lagoon is serene, with very few tourists around.

One of the most famous things about Chinchero is the adobe colonial church found in the main plaza. This church was built upon the foundations of an Inca temple in the early 17^th Century.  The ceiling and walls are beautifully decorated with floral prints and religious ornaments. Some might say this church is a representation of how the Spanish managed to conquer the religious beliefs of the Incas, the main religion of Christianity. They open every Sunday for Mass free of charge. 

Recommended Tour to Chinchero: Tour To Chinchero, Moray And Salt Mines Half Day

Urubamba

Urubamba is the largest town in the Sacred Valley. It’s a commercial center and is frequented by locals from all over the Valley for their needs. It’s central to most tours and treks around the Sacred Valley. Whether you are heading to Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, Lares Trek, or Machu Pucchu, Urubamba is an ideal place to stop for food because of its size and location. It has many restaurants with International and local food.

Overview

Highlights of a Sacred Valley Tour

• The amazing views of the Sacred Valley (Mirador of Taray)
• The Pisac Inca ruins, which have many impressive examples of Inca architecture
• A quick stop in Urubamba for lunch
• The Moray Archeological Site where you can learn about Incan agricultural experimentation
• The famous Pre-Inca Salt Mines of Maras where naturally salty spring water is gathered in the same way it has been for hundreds of years
• The magnificent archeological site of Ollantaytambo and amazing views of the valley

Difference between Group Service and Private Service

The Adventure in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Sacred Valley has become in recent years, one of the best places for outdoor and extreme sports. You can go cycling, hiking, climbing, paragliding, rafting, and many other extreme sports. If you are a person who enjoys adventure, the outdoors, and extreme sports, then you cannot miss this option in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

The Cultural tour of the Sacred Valley

The Cultural Tour to the Sacred Valley takes you on the traditional tour. Meet Quechua speaking residents, who use typical clothing while working their fields in the traditional way. Pass through villages built in the Spanish colonial times, see many ancient Inca settlement. On a Sacred Valley tour see markets, temples and wonderful city squares that were built hundreds of years ago. Remember that to tour the archaeological site in the Sacred Valley you will need a tourist ticket.

What is the Boleto Turistico?

To enter tourist sites and attractions, you are expected to simply turn up and pay your entrance fee on the day, right? Well, that’s no longer the case for some of the biggest archaeological and museum attractions in Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Instead, the boleto turistico is a single ticket that has to be purchased in advance to allow entry to various sites, such as Sacsaywaman, the Pisac, and Ollantaytambo ruins. It is not possible to visit or enter these sites without a valid boleto turistico, and it is not likely to buy an individual entry ticket for any single site which is included on the boleto turistico.

Hotel in Ollantaytambo

If you looking for a good night’s sleep, away from crowds, with amazing views, try Veronica View Hotel. It´s a scenic 10 m drive from Ollantaytambo, along the way, watch across the river for the original terraces from Inca times! Arriving at the hotel, you will be greeted amid gardens of native flowers and orchids. Take in the amazing sight of Veronica Mountain, covered with glaciers year-round. After you settle into your room, walk through the gardens to the pool and eatery area. There is a steam sauna, dry sauna, spa, heated swimming pool, and eatery at your feet.

Questions and answers about the Inca Sacred Valley

1) What should you visit in the Inca Sacred Valley?
The Sacred Valley of the Incas has stunning scenery, Inca archaeological sites, and Inca settlements rich in history. It is notable for the Inca sites of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Moray.

2) Where should you go for the greatest photos when visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas? Taray and Chinchero perspectives provide two of the greatest views of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In addition, travelers may take stunning photographs in Moray and the Maras salt mines.

3) What activities are available in the Inca Sacred Valley?
Trekking, rock climbing, ziplining, kayaking, cycling, and ATV trails are all options for visitors to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. These journeys are best taken with the assistance of a local travel operator.

4) What should I bring on my vacation to the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
It is advised that you bring the following items with you on your journey to the Sacred Valley: sportswear, comfortable and resistant shoes, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, a jacket in case of rain, snacks, rehydrating drinks, and whatever else the tourist thinks necessary. Please contact your local tour operator for additional details.

5) Is it unsafe to travel to the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
It is extremely safe to travel to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Hiring a qualified local tour guide is advised if you want to have a better hiking experience.