Cusco Peru Travel Guide
Travel Guide of Cusco Peru
   


You can not miss the beautiful and attractive Sacred Valley of the Incas, it goes from Pisac to Ollantaytambo along the Urubamba river or "Sacred River," this was very much appreciated by the ancient Inkas due to its fabulous qualities. Due to the ammount of soil it has, it was one of the main points of production where the best maize was grown. It was also the favorite place of the Viceroys because of its excellent weather.

The Sacred Vally is one of the most important parts of Cusco, numerous rivers converge in it, most of them have their origins on the Icy Mountains. In this section, get to know the main archaeological monuments and towns of the Sacred Valley, it is an absolutely worth going.

Accompanied during the journey by the river Urubamba or Vilcanota, when visiting the circuit, one can appreciate the towns of Pisaq, Yucay, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and and Chinchero. In every town you can find pre-Hispanic archaeological ruins, which were built by different Incas and, used as citadels or resting places. Perfect places to buy handmade goods.

Pisaq
Located 30 km from the city of Cusco, approximately 45 minutes by bus. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays there are crafts fairs in the town's main square, with the participation of artisans from the whole town who maintain a constant productive activity throughout the entire year. 9 km from the town of Pisac, high in the mountains youcan find the home of people who live in the Andes in the midst of cultivated terraces and the Inca constructions contained in 6 citadels which make up the most beautiful architectonic and historic panorama of the area.

Calca
This area has a beautiful landscape, surrounded by the Pitusiray and Sawasiray snow capped mountains. The archaeological complex of Huchuy Qosqo is located in this province, as well as the medicinal hot mineral baths of Machacancha (sulfurous hot water) and Minasmoqo (cold bubbling mineral water).

Yucay
A historic area, Yucay is a pretty valley inhabited by the Runas of the Tahuantinsuyo who built impressive works of agricultural engineering. This area is important for the palace of the Inca Sairy Tupac 11, a construction made of stone and adobe mud brick with haute- and bas relief decorations.

It was a center of agricultural production for the Incas because of its mild climate, fertile land, abundant water and vegetation, especially fruit trees.

Urubamba
Located 78km from Cusco via Pisaq and 57km via Chinchero, it is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley and is known as the "Pearl of the Vilcanota" with beautiful countrysides and a healthy climate, located at the foot of the majestic snow-capped peak Chicón.
Urubamba, the archaeological capital of Peru, has many possibilities for tourist activities, especially adventure tourism because of its natural beauty. In the rain season there is an abundance of seasonal fruit. The area was also a pre-Hispanic agricultural center.

Chincheros
A former Inca agricultural center, this district of the province of Urubamba i made up of 10 "Ayllus" or indigenous communities. Located at 3,762 mete above sea level, Chinchero is 28 km down a modem highway from the Cusco tourist circuit. It possesses a beautiful Andean landscape and is surrounded by the year-round snow capped peaks of Chicón, Wequey Willca (commonly Calle Puna Sillo or Veronica). The current town of Chinchero is a blend of Andean and Hispanic architec and is also home to a unique archaeological complex, with the remains o buildings, places of worship, and terraces for crops and for foundations.

Ollantaytambo
Is considered as a very interesting city because they still keep the old ways of living, the amazing Irrigation Systems. Eventhough they have modern restaurant and hotels all of them get their water supplies by this irrigation system. Up on the mountain you can see the gorgeous andens and the monolites made out of granito rosado or pink stone. Another attraction would be the narrow roads drawn on a perfect straight line and just like old times they still keep their acueducts located on the middle of the road. All these streets have kept their Inka names and even the people from this town still dress on their old costums. It is located at 3025 metres above the sea level; the weather is dry and humid, depending on the seasons. The temperature varies between 11º and 16ºC