The Sacred Valley or the Urubamba Valley is an area that stretches 15 km north of Cusco from Pisac to Ollantaytambo. The valley runs along the Urubamba River, which connects the Andes to the Amazon and is located for the most part at an altitude of less than 3000 meters. At the time of the Incas, its pleasant climate and its fertile lands made the Urubamba valley the heart of the Inca empire. This majestic Andean valley is home to important archaeological sites and picturesque villages that preserve its ancestral culture. Maras, Moray, Pisac, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo are a sample of all this richness, but they also possess an incredible natural beauty, ideal for practicing outdoor sports or simply resting.
1. Urubamba market; The local community
Located just two blocks from Urubamba main square this indoor market is a must to do for discover the authentic Andean lifestyle with locals buying their daily supplies. The market happens every Wednesday and Sundays. We advice you to bike there to enjoy the company of our guide that will explain you all you need to know about specific Peruvian products.
2. Salineras Maras
The salt mines of Maras are located at 3,000 meters above sea level and approximately 1 hour and a half from the city of Cusco. Located on the hillside, the salt mines, in the form of terraces or platforms, are filled by subway water that flows down the ravine. The origin of the source of the water is still a mystery. We invite you to visit the Salineras on the back of our Peruvian horses ! You can also bike or walk 20 minutes until this amazing site !
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3. Moray
In the Sacred Valley of the Incas is the archaeological site of Moray, a place with agricultural terraces that, at first sight, look like amphitheaters. These concentric terraces were built by the Incas as an agricultural laboratory. Each of its terraces has its own microclimate, according to the depth at which it is located.
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4. Pisac
If you travel to Cusco, Peru; be sure to include the ruins of Pisac in your itinerary. This Inca archaeological site is one of the jewels of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It has temples and palaces finely carved in stone.
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5. Chinchero
An unmissable visit in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, in the Peruvian Andes, is the colorful and ancestral town of Chinchero. It is a place where you can still feel and appreciate the Inca culture not only through the preservation of their customs, but also for its fascinating archeology and handicrafts.
Join our Chincero biking tour !
6. Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is one of the most important towns in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Cusco. It is the only place that retains its ancient Inca urban design. Because it is an obligatory step before reaching Machu Picchu is very visited.
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