1.- INTRODUCTION TO THE SACRED VALLEY PERU MAP
Before discovering all that the Map of Peru Sacred Valley has prepared for you it is important that you know where it is located, the Sacred Valley of the Incas is located 35 kilometers from the city that was once the capital of the Inca culture, Cusco. Because its location is 600 meters less altitude than Cusco is the ideal place to visit after your arrival, this helps a lot in your altitude acclimatization plus you will delight a completely comfortable environment for the temperature, something that also stands out within the Sacred Valley Peru Map is that a river runs its way from end to end and every certain stretch changes its name, first begins as the Vilcanota and ends up being the Urubamba.
Historically the Sacred Valley Peru Map contains many iconic places that were part of incredible events, as is the case of Pisaq for the constant battles with enemy villages such as the Chancas or the fortress of Ollantaytambo which was the last place of resistance between the Inca culture and the Spanish conquerors. Proof of this are the various archaeological sites that you can find in the Peru Sacred Valley Map and during your stay you can visit them.
Currently for many travelers in the world to learn more about the Sacred Valley Peru Map is the first step in their next visit so this is one of the most visited destinations in the world, besides being the necessary way to go for those who want to get to visit the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
2.- ALL OF YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SACRED VALLEY PERU MAP
Throughout the extensive Map of Peru Sacred Valley is where the incredible really happens with your perspective of the Peruvian Andes. For all travelers who come to Cusco and want to get to Machu Picchu should visit at least 2 of the destinations that are inside the Sacred Valley Peru Map between these can be colonial or traditional villages, as well as archaeological sites located high in the mountains which can be visited without problem. Inside the Sacred Valley Peru Map you can also find large areas for agriculture, this is one of the main activities that has been done since ancient times and is maintained until today, but you can also find other unique places.
3.- NEW WAYS TO VISIT
“Constantly the ways to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas are changing, one of the latest developments is to do it by a light hike, this begins in the sector of Chinchero from where you descend by their platforms and begins a path first to the waterfall of Poc Por, an impressive waterfall with more than 50 m high after enjoying this natural wonder continues walking down the path through the vast valley until finally reaching the town of Urquillos where a delicious Andean meal awaits you as a reward.”
4.- KEY LOCATIONS ON THE SACRED VALLEY PERU MAP
4.1.- Pisac
Undoubtedly the Pisaq sector is one of the main places that are within the Map of Peru Sacred Valley, it is clearly divided into 2 zones that are distributed equally by periods. While the Inca citadel is hidden in the upper part of the mountain containing buildings, temples and even a large cemetery, the colonial town was built at the base of the mountain next to the Vilcanota River and most of its buildings were made with stones brought from the same Inca citadel, as part of the tour within the Sacred Valley Peru Map this place is certainly one of the best experience that will give you.
- Archaeological Center
The Inca citadel of Pisaq is one of the must-see places in the Sacred Valley Peru Map, has a height of 3300 meters above sea level and is located just 20 minutes by car from the base which is also where the artisan village, currently within the Peru Sacred Valley Map this place is certainly one of the best preserved so it is really worth visiting and walk around for a couple of hours. But if you are looking for something more unusual is also the right place for you because at the top of the mountain you can see how one side of the neighboring mountain was used essentially as a burial area so this place is also the largest Inca cemetery throughout the region. In the interior of this archaeological center you can also appreciate ceremonial neighborhoods, temples, squares and very large sets of terraces.
- Colonial town – Handicraft market
It is an essential part of the Sacred Valley Peru Map, besides being one of the main modern tourist attractions. In its interior there are multiple products made with textiles based on alpaca and vicuña wool as well as made with metals such as gold and silver. In its splendor it is known that this colonial town is a record of art in which you can find generations of tradition, its main buildings such as the church and some houses were made with the same stones of the archaeological center. During some days of the week (Tuesday – Thursday – Sunday) there is a handicraft fair where you can get unique souvenirs in the style of the Cusquenian school.
4.2.- Urubamba
Within the Sacred Valley Peru Map you will notice that Urubamba is by far the largest city, in the same way it is considered as a commercial center, not as much as a tourist center because here there are no important archaeological centers as in the rest of places that are in the Sacred Valley Peru Map, however what it does have is a list of places to relax and enjoy as restaurants, exclusive hotels and other places. Among the main hotels you can find here are:
- Tambo del Inca, Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
- Rio Sagrado Belmond
- Sol y Luna Relais & Chateaux
- Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay
- San Agustin Monasterio La Recoleta
- Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness
- Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba
Of course, there are also nearby towns where you can enjoy historical experiences such as Yucay, a place where you can see an Inca palace belonging to the Inca ruler Sayri Tupac who was one of the last surviving Incas. It is possible that Yucay may have been the true capital of the entire sacred valley due to its impressive agricultural terraces used mostly for the production of giant corn.
4.3.- Ollantaytambo
For all travelers looking to visit Machu Picchu during their trip, arriving at Ollantaytambo is an obligatory stop within the Sacred Valley Peru Map since it is here where the train station that connects with Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village) is located. This citadel is located 62 kilometers from Cusco and is currently one of the main destinations among tourists, like other towns within the Peru Sacred Valley Map, you can see that here the Inca construction is located on top of the mountain surrounded by platforms that served as support, inside were enclosures used as warehouses, rooms and other more sacred spaces that were of religious type being the Sun the most important. On the other hand, the colonial part is located at the base, near the river that descends from the Andes, these colonial constructions were also made with stones from the archaeological center.
For its style of conservation it can be deduced that 95% of the population maintains the houses with its original form, even having the presence of some Inca canals where the water flows. Something that really surprises Ollantaytambo compared to other places in the Sacred Valley Peru Map are the magnitude of the stones, these are really big and come from the quarry of Cachicata, which is the mountain that is in front of Ollantaytambo.
5.- LESSER-KNOWN SITES ON THE SACRED VALLEY PERU MAP
5.1.- Moray
One of the most mysterious places of the Map of the Sacred Valley Cusco Peru, are the set of circular terraces that go deep into the earth giving an appearance similar to the Roman amphitheater. Moray is located 50 kilometers from Cusco and according to studies it was determined that this place was a center for agricultural research and acclimatization in which seeds were used to adapt them to the different altitudinal levels that exist in the Andes. Thus they achieved that many products had a better adaptation to the climate as is the case of the coca leaf, corn and others, it is understood that each circle represents a different height in addition to containing a different microclimate and soil type.
| “There are places you stay, and places that stay with you.” |
5.2.- Maras Salt Mines
It is strange to understand that salt is produced by the evaporation of salt water that can only be obtained in the sea, then imagine a set of more than 3000 salt producing wells. This is precisely what offers you the sector of maras that is part of the Sacred Valley Peru Map, are located at 3000 m above sea level on one of the slopes of the mountain Qaqawiñay, each of these wells is fed by only one source, a small subway spring with a high salt content, its origin is still unknown. It is known that the Inca culture made use of this mineral for commercial purposes to exchange products with others that were only found in remote areas such as the jungle or the coast. Today during your visit to the Sacred Valley you can enjoy learning about the categories of San and even have the opportunity to buy small portions to take home.
6.- FAQs ABOUT THE SACRED VALLEY PERU MAP
- Do I need an entrance ticket to visit the Sacred Valley Peru Map?
Yes, you must understand that in order to enter many of the places that are within the Map of the Sacred Valley Cusco Peru you must have the Tourist Ticket, in this case you need the one that has the Partial mode lasts 2 days from its issuance and allows you to know most of the Archaeological Centers, however there are some that have a separate cost as is the case of Maras (s/ 20.00 soles per person) or Pumamarca (s/ 10.00 soles per person).
| UPDATED COST OF THE PARTIAL TOURIST TICKET | |
| Foreign visitor | s/ 70.00 peruvian soles |
| Peruvian visitor | s/ 40.00 peruvian soles |
| Children under 9 years old | Free |
- What is the best time to visit?
Touring the Sacred Valley Peru Map is an experience that you can live at any time of the year, however it is always better to do it when the weather is suitable and this occurs during the dry season (May to October), time of year in which the rains are less frequent and the days are warmer and more comfortable for travelers, this also helps to make the visits to the archaeological sites are safe because as they are in the upper part of the mountain the wind is usually stronger.
- Is it safe to tour the Sacred Valley Peru Map with children?
Absolutely yes, the Sacred Valley is not only a historical and cultural destination, it is also a vacation paradise because you can find different activities that you can share with the little ones of the house, from small hikes to more elaborate activities such as canoeing.
- Is it better to stay in Ollantaytambo or Urubamba?
It will depend a lot on your planning, if your intention is to visit the Sacred Valley for 1 day and then Machu Picchu then it is better to stay in Ollantaytambo, this facilitates your access to the trains and you will rest without worrying so much. On the other hand if you have several free days then it is better to stay in Urubamba, you will find that here the main point is to disconnect from the world and just be you.
You will discover that having this information about the Map of the Sacred Valley Cusco Peru is one of the best tools you can have, it will help you to control your visit times and better organize the order of your trip. Auri Peru can help you with this, we are specialists in designing personalized experiences and now is the time to start yours, contact us and find out more.
“Travel tends to bring out all the best and all the worst in ourselves.”
