THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, northeast of Cusco, is formed by the Urubamba River and is one of the most interesting places in Peru.

OLLANTAYTAMBO FORTRESS

Visit the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the Americas, the town of Ollantaytambo with its imposing Inca fortress. It was here that Manco Inca defeated the Spanish in 1538 before fleeing to the mountains of Vilcabamba.
You will climb the steep stone steps up to the fortress (around 260 steps) and can admire the huge Monoliths that form the Temple of the Sun and the view down the valley.

PISAC MARKET

Visit the colorful Pisac market where the local Indians meet to sell their merchandise as they have done for centuries. There is also a handicraft market.

PISAC RUINS

These Inca ruins lie above the town of Pisac 31 kms. (19 miles) from Cusco overlooking the Vilcanota River. Fortresses, urban complexes, temples and well-preserved Andean terraces built by the Incas all make up an imposing and unforgettable sight.

CHINCHERO

Located 35 km. (22 miles) northwest of Cusco, the town of Chinchero lies on the foundations of an important Inca site built in the late 1400s. Brightly dressed, the people of Chinchero gather in the main plaza to barter foodstuffs and offer visitors an array of crafts from the Cusco region against a scenery of breathtaking beauty.

On Thursdays and Sundays, one of the most beautiful markets of all Andean region takes place, here you can appreciate the endless Inca heritage among these persons. Chinchero is famed as home of one of best groups of artisans in Cusco.

MORAY

Huge circular agricultural terraces, built by the Incas in natural sinkholes on a limestone plateau overlooking the Urubamba valley. It has been suggested they have a cosmological meaning, but their function, other than agricultural, remains a mystery. Nearby, age-old terraced salt mines and ponds sit below the colonial town of Maras.

MARAS

A few kilometers from Urubamba. The town is very traditional and receives few visitors. There are several interesting attractions nearby the most impressive being, the age-old terraced Salt Mines. They are located about 10km off the road to Maras town. These are pools on the mountainside that are used to collect salt. The sight of the salineras is truly unique, with hundreds of white terraces against the green mountains and the blue skies it certainly offers some wonderful photo opportunities.