The most important sites of the sacred valley of the Incas

The Sacred Valley of the incas

the road north from Cusco climbs up to pass, undulates across the pampa and the descends dramatically into the spectacular, fertile Urubamba Valley, which is also Known as the Sacred Valley of the incas

the Mighty river that flows the valley was considerer sacred by the incas. upstream from Pisac it is known as the Vilcanota, whilst downstream it tends to be referred to as the Urubamba. The region is dotted with historic sites and archeological ruins, signifying the important of the valley to both the incas and the consquistadors, The incas bulit their palaces, religious centres and retreats alongsite this giant tributary of the amazon. You can doing the Sacred Valley tour 1 day Cusco and enjoy the Valley

Pisac:

Pisaq, Which is named after the Quechua (pisaca), lies 32 kilometers the north-east of Cusco.

Was built by Viceroy Toledo, The man responsible defeating the last Incas in the Inca settlement, the village is divided into two parts, on the valley floor sits the colonial village with its tradicional andean markets, whilst high above on a spur stands the citadel a lofty inca site set above a series or giant sweeping terraces that presides magisterrially over the valley.

Pisac Archeologyc park open to 8:00 am and closed 5:00 pm, and entryis with a Visitor’s ticket. it is large site and you should allow a couple of hours to explorethe terraces, water ducts, ruins an hidden chamberas well as to take in the superb views of the valley, the patchwork of patterned fields, sheer cliffs and jagged ridges.

Thes ruins, some of the most spectacular in the sagred valley, are thoughtto have been built during the reign of Pachacutec, Narrow paths edge above steep drops and have the pass trough giant stone archways and a short stretchof funnel to reach the ceremonial centre at the heard of which stands a rare intact Intihuatana – a sacred sculped rock or “hitching post of the sun”, the vast majority of which were decapitated by the conquistadors.

A number of tombs have been uncovered in the cliff faces behing the site, on the site, on the far side of the Qitamayo gorge, but have been plundered and are now closed to visitors.

The stiff climb up to the site form the valley floor takes 1 and 1/12hours. If you aren’t already acclimatized to the altitudeyou will have to take it even moreslowly. From the market im

the heart of the village pick up the path to the north of the square, which sets off west of the church.

CHINCHERO.

The small town north-west of Cusco is set amidst teh anta plains, overlooking the sacred valley of the incas. the village mostly comprises adobe houses, but there is also a split-leve plaza at the top of a steep winding street, with an impressive Inca Wall Inset With Large Trapezoidal niches separating the two sections, beyond here are also Inca remains and terraces (8:00 am to 5:00 pm).

The Atractive Colonial Church, built on the uppoer level of the plaza and dating from early 17th century, was contructed on inca foundations and has been unusually decorated inside with red and blue floral patterns, It also has paintings from the Cusco school, the Colourful Sunday Market is Worth Comin for as it attracts fewer tourist than the Pisac market and is considered to be more tradicional.

URUBAMBA.

This sprawling City, hub at the junction of the roads from Pisaq and Chinchero is often a neccesary stepping stone to somewhere else in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Urubamba’s not a particularly attractive town, although it has a palmfilled plaza and grand colonial church but setting is magnificent, beneath a set of fine snow-capped peaks.

OLLANTAYTAMBO.

The town of Ollantaytambo stands at the far end ot the Urubamba valley, 68 kilometers from Cusco, here the fertile valley narrows and the river flowsinto a gorge. In this Strategic spot the inca Pachacutec built the fortress ans religious complex of Ollantaytambo having subjugated the valley’s former residents, The massive ruins set above a compact town are some of the most striking and impresive in the whole of the Sacred Valley of the incas.

The town itself is a relaxing, easy-going alternative to Cusco and good way of scaping some the bustle associated with the larger city. However, since Perurail and Inca Rail Started using Ollantaytambo as the start and end point for its train services to Machu Picchu, the town periodically becomes congested with lorries and buses that battle through the narrow streets; the latter are trying to meet the trains and the passengers the disgorge.

The resulting queues can choke the access roads and main plaza – spoling the relaxed andean ambience here. is about 150 metres about from the plaza to teh ruins

Ollantaytambo the daunting fortress was described by Pedro Pizarro as so well fortified that it was a thing of horror. It was to this mighty castlethat Manco Inca retreated following his uprising, Pursued by the Spanish, he holed up i the fortress high above the surrounding plain and faced the conquistadors. after two days od heavy fightinghe forced the spanish to retreat.