The Sacred Valley of the Incas, also known as the Urubamba Valley and Valley of Yucay, is irrigated by the Urubamba River and stretches all the way from Pisac village to Ollantaytambo, a distance of about 60 kilometres (37 mi).
Located in Peru’s Andean highlands, the Sacred Valley formed the heart of the Inca Empire, along with the town of Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu.
The first known occupants of the Sacred Valley were the Chanapata civilization around 800 BC. They were followed by the Qotacalla civilization from 500 to 900 AD and the Killke civilization from 900 AD until the Incan Empire took over the region in 1420. The Incan Empire ruled over the valley until the arrival of the Spanish conquerors. While the Incas won the Battle of Ollantaytambo against the Spanish in 1537, the Incan Emperor was so rattled by the invaders that he withdrew from the Sacred Valley and the area came under the control of the Spanish colonialists.
Inca ruins are still dotted throughout the entire valley and the area has an authentic Peruvian feel due to the many traditional villages and towns that populate the area.
For the adventure junkies, the Sacred Valley offers enough opportunities for white water rafting, paragliding, mountain biking, ziplining, hiking, and a lot more.
Join us as we travel along the Sacred Valley of Peru.
Cusco – Gateway to the Sacred Valley
Today the Sacred Valley is a major tourist attraction for many reasons. Located just 26 kilometres (16 mi) from Cusco, many travellers visit the valley on a day trip, sadly not having enough time to truly experience the many attractions offered by this historically and culturally rich region.
Ollantaytambo
Among the highlights of the valley are the Ollantaytambo ruins and the adjacent old village at the western end of the valley.
The archaeological site of Moray and the salt flats of Maras near Ollantaytambo are hidden gems of the Sacred Valley.
Chinchero
Chinchero is a village located high up on the windswept plains of Anta at 3,765 metres (12,350 ft), about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Cusco. There are beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley.
Pisac
At the eastern end of the valley lies Pisac village and its authentic market that is packed with local produce and a wide array of locally created arts and crafts. Up the hills to the north of the village is the Pisac Archaeological Park.
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Blog post and photos by Peter who has been travelling almost full-time since 2005 and has been to over 122 countries. He visited several countries, such as Japan, more than 20 times. Peter is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of GlobeRovers Magazine, an independent travel magazine focused on intrepid destinations.