Sacred Valley — Local services in Huayllabamba

The Sacred Valley is a region in Peru's Andean highlands. Along with the nearby town of Cusco and the ancient city of Machu Picchu, it formed the heart of the Inca Empire. Stretching roughly 60 kilometers, it’s an area of fertile farmland and Spanish colonial villages like Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Pisac is known for its Sunday handicraft market and hilltop Incan citaThe Sacred Valley of the Incas (Spanish: Valle Sagrado de los Incas; Quechua: Willka Qhichwa), or the Urubamba Valley, is a valley in the Andes of Peru, 20 kilometres (12 mi) at its closest north of the Inca capital of Cusco. It is located in the present-day Peruvian region of Cusco. In colonial documents it was referred to as the "Valley of Yucay." The Sacred Valley was incorporated slowly into the incipient Inca Empire during the period from 1000 to 1400 CE.[1]The Sacred Valley is a major tourist destination. In 2013, 1.2 million people, 800,000 of them non-Peruvians, are estimated to have visited Machu Picchu, its most famous archaeological site. Many of the same tourists also visited other archaeological sites and modern towns in the Sacred Valley.

Stretching from Pisac to Ollantaytambo, this fertile valley is irrigated by the Urubamba River. The Chanapata civilization first utilized this area starting at around 800 BCE because of the rich soil used for agriculture. The Qotacalla civilization lived in the Sacred Valley from 500 to 900 CE The Killke civilization then lived in the Sacred Valley from 900 CE until the Incan Empire took over the region in 1420. The Incan Empire ruled this area until the arrival of...

I mean, what can I say that hasn't been said? The landscapes and scenery are gorgeous. Breathtaking, actually, and I say that without being dramatic. If you're in Cusco, there is much more to see and do than Machu Pichu (no shade) and the Sacred Valley is one of those things.

Please understand that the entire valley is huge and if you want to see it all, you'll likely need to take a week or more to catch all the sights. I stopped by Pisac, the Salt Marshes, the Sun Temple, and Ollantatytambo. All amazing (check out my photos below) and definitely worth the trip. You will need a car or bus to move from location to location. Walking is not recommended, unless you plan for that to be your trip.

There are daily, weekly, and monthly passes. If you're not Peruvian, you will be charged a little more, so expect that.

I'd recommend packing a sun hat, sunscreen, water, and a nice winter coat. Even on a sunny day, if you step into the shade you'll feel the chill and there were definitely a few breezes when I visited.

There are several street vendors selling food, clothes, ornaments, etc (while you're in the more modern built up town areas I mean) and you can haggle with them as you wish.

All in all, more than worth the trip and I can't wait to return.

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The Sacred Valley of the Incas, or the Urubamba Valley, is a valley in the Andes of Peru, north of the Inca capital of Cusco. It is located in the present-day Peruvian region of Cusco. In colonial documents it was referred to as the "Valley of Yucay." The Sacred Valley was incorporated slowly into the incipient Inca Empire during the period from 1000 to 1400 CE. The Sacred Valley is a major tourist destination. In 2013, 1.2 million people, 800,000 of them non-Peruvians, are estimated to have visited Machu Picchu, its most famous archaeological site. Many of the same tourists also visited other archaeological sites and modern towns in the Sacred Valley. Stretching from Pisac to Ollantaytambo, this fertile valley is irrigated by the Urubamba River. The Chanapata civilization first utilized this area starting at around 800 BCE because of the rich soil used for agriculture. The Qotacalla civilization lived in the Sacred Valley from 500 to 900 CE The Killke civilization then lived in the Sacred Valley from 900 CE until the Incan Empire took over the region in 1420. The Incan Empire ruled this area until the arrival of...