Sacred Valley of the Incas

Cusco Peru

The Sacred Valley of the Incas The Sacred Valley of the Incas was a key area of settlement to the Incas. Its agreeable climate and fertile plains make a rare and fruitful combination for the high Andes. It was also the route to the jungle and therefore an area with access to the fruits and plants of the tropical lowlands. The Sacred Valley served as a zone, protecting Cusco from incursions of the Antis, the fierce jungle tribes who from

time to time raided the highlands. Today the Sacred Valley remains a lush agricultural region supplying the city of Cusco with much of its produce such as maize, fruit and vegetables. Generally the Sacred Valley refers to the section of the Vilcanota River valley between the village of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. However if you take an organized tour of the Sacred Valley you will usually visit the village of Chinchero on the way back to Cusco. Most people visit the Sacred Valley as part of an organized one-day tour.

	Pisac Village and Market Modern Pisac is a picturesque Andean Village, typical except for the huge, spreading pisonary tree that dominates the central square. The village is best known for its Sunday market, which draws hundreds of tourists each week. In spite of its popularity the market retains much of its local charm, at least in the part where villagers from miles around gather to barter
and sell their produce. In the tourist section of the market you can buy a wide variety of handicrafts - mostly the same things you see in Cusco.

Pisac Archeological Monument Pisac was a citadel, controlled a route which connected the Inca Empire with Paucartambo, on the border of the eastern jungles. Set on the top of the a mountain, worked by patterned fields and rimmed by vast terracing, the stonework and panoramas at Pisac's Inca citadel are magnificent. Terraces, water ducts and steps have been cut out of solid rock, and in the upper sector

of the ruins, the main Sun Temple is equal of anything at Machu Picchu. Above the temple lie still more ruins, mostly unexcavated.

Urubamba At 78 km and about 1 h 25 minutes drive from Cusco following the Pisaq route, and 57 km and about 45 minutes drive following the Chinchero route, this town is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley. It was another pre-Hispanic agriculture center. A fertile and friendly zone where it is possible to stay overnight to start several excursions.

Ollantaytambo Ollantaytambo is located at the western end of the Sacred Valley (about two and a half hours by bus from Cusco). The town has been built on top of original Inca foundations and is the best surviving example of Inca town planning. The town is divided in "canchas" (blocks) which are almost entirely intact. The town is located at the foot of some spectacular Inca which protected

ruins the strategic entrance to the lower Urubamba Valley. The temple area is at the top of steep terracing which helped to provide excellent defenses. Stone used for these buildings was brought from a quarry high up on the opposite side of the Urubamba river - an incredible feat involving the efforts of thousands of workers. The complex was still under construction at the time of the conquest and was never completed.

Chinchero Chinchero is a small Andean Indian village located high up on the windswept plains of Anta at 3762m. There are beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the snowcapped peak of Salkantay dominating the western horizon. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow.

Its major claim to tourism is its colorful Sunday market which is much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac. The village mainly comprises mud brick (adobe) houses, and locals still go about their business in traditional dress. The village may have been an important town in Inca times. The most impressive remain of this period is the massive stone wall in the main plaza which has ten trapezoidal niches.