Called this way to the end of the extensive valley of
Urubamba, near Cusco where the agricultural cattlemen and beautiful
towns were concentrated since Inca times.
The valley is characterized to have very special conditions, as an excellent
climate, very fertile lands and the waters of the sacred river of the
Inca, the Vilcanota (in Quechua language: sacred or wonderful thing)
that, in the town of Urubamba, changes name to Urubamba River.
"Valle Sagrado" is embraced between the towns of Písac and
Ollantaytambo, it has wonderful landscapes where its inhabitants, native of the
Quechua ethnic, conserve many customs and ancestral rites.
It is the
area where you can appreciate and magnify the high technological development
that the Inca reached in the agriculture
through "andenería" systems (platform systems that are a group
of earth patches arranged in steps on the hills to be used in the sow). These
systems are still today in full production, with sophisticated designs and
hydraulic engineering works that they used for watering. Also outstanding
adoration centers to the Pachamama (mother earth).
Each town in the "Valle Sagrado de los Incas", today has the
coalition of the Inca and Spanish architectural style. The people's wealth in
folklore and crafts, their way of life, their clothing, transform it into a
place that will leave in you unforgettable memories.
Písac
Picturesque town
located in the skirts of Intihuatana hill (place where the sun is tied). It has
the best "andenería" system (platform system) achieved by the
Inca in all the Andes.
Near the town is located the "Parque Arqueológico de
Pisac" (Archaeological Park of Písac), Inca archaeological
locations, constructions in finely assembled refined stone, citadel, turrets,
military fortresses, astronomical observatories, etc. Outstands the Inca
cemetery, the biggest of America.
Every Sunday is celebrated the Sunday feast, headed by the caciques or bosses
of Ayllus carrying their "varáyoc" and typical suits, folkloric
dance and mass in Quechua. Every Sunday is also carried out the "catu"
that is the indigenous fair of exchange of agricultural products in which the
exchange, alive custom of Inca character prevails.
Every Thursday and Sunday is carried out in the Main Square a crafts fair,
outstanding beautiful textile crafts, sweaters, ponchos, bags, etc. and the
crafts made out of ceramic with reproductions of Inca archaeological pieces, the
queros (ceremonial glasses), necklaces, etc. To this fair artisans and
indigenous merchants of many towns go to be supplied and to trade their
products.
Písac is located at 32 km. (20 miles) from Cusco, 2,972 meters above
sea level (9,751 feet).
Calca
Town located between
beautiful landscapes, in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility that has as a
beautiful background, the snowy mountains of Pitusira and Sahuasiray. Near the
town are the medicinal spas of Machacancha (thermal sulfurous springs) and
Minasmoqo (cold gassy springs). Near Calca is located the archaeological Inca
complex Huchuy Cusco.
Calca is located at 50 kms. (31 miles) from Cusco, 2,928 meters above sea
level (9,606 feet).
Yúcay
The beauty of its landscape, and the
benign of the weather made of Yúcay the elected place for the Inca
royalty resort, which is also attributed to be a place with mythological
character and powers on the human spirit.
The fertility of its lands transformed it into one of the main centers of
agricultural production during the Inca time, big "andenerías"
(platforms). Numerous Inca constructions exist, outstanding among those the
Palace of the Inca Sayri Túpac, stone and adobe
construction with decorations in its walls on high and low embossment.
In the town a small place museum exists; comfortable and good hotels exist in
the area. It is located at 68 kms. (42 miles) from Cusco, and 2,857 meters above
sea level (9,373 feet).
Urubamba
Other old Inca town, located in
fertile valley, formerly great agricultural producer center of the Inca, and
today a beautiful countryside, with great production of fruit bearing.
Urubamba is in the skirts of the majestic snowy mountain Chicón, to
which you can arrive easily and achieve its ascent.
Urubamba is also called the "Capital Arqueológica del
Perú" (Archaeological Capital of Peru), for the rich Inca
archaeological locations that exist in the area; also called "La
Perla del Vilcanota", for the incomparable landscapes that
surround it, natural scenarios of an indescribable beauty. Indigenous
communities of marked ancestral customs exist.
Urubamba is also ideal scenery for the practice of numerous adventure sports, as canoeing, hiking, mountain
biking and horse rides. From Urubamba, good penetration routes exist to
undertake adventures in the forest of Cusco.
In the town and periphery exist comfortable and good hotels. It is located at
72 kms. (45 miles) from Cusco, via Písac, and at 58 kms. (36 miles) by
Chinchero; 2,871 meters above sea level (9,419 feet)
Ollantaytambo
The legend
counts that Ollántay (the titan of the Andes) of
plebeian origin, loved the princess Cusi Coyllor (cheerful star) the Inca king's
daughter Pachacútec, who was in disagreement with this love.
Pachacútec sent the princess to a house of Virgins; Ollántay tried
to abduct her, without getting her, being able to escape. From the fortress that
Ollántay controlled he rebelled against Pachacútec, and after
bloody battles was defeated, but the generosity of Pachacútec forgave the
life of Ollántay.
The foundation of Ollantaytambo is attributed to Ollántay, and the
military fortress that protected this area of the valley prevails strategically
located between two mountains. Actually you can visit this fortress, and also
the rich Inca archaeological locations, conformed by the temple to Inti (god
sun), the icamisana, the spas of the Ñustas (princesses), the chullpas of
Cachiccata, a group of terraces symmetrical and steep stairs in the slope of a
hill.
In the summit of the archaeological complex out stand six monoliths of
enormous size, assembling with incredible precision, that have mysterious
engravings of Inca iconography.
The current town of Ollantaytambo, has many houses built on the bases of the
old Inca town where natives of ingrained ancestral customs inhabit.
The complexity and beauty of the Inca constructions and the contemporary
town, the immense agricultural complex, great administrative and social center,
religious and military, is considered by many scientists and historians like one
of the most important alive museums in the world.
Ollantaytambo is located at 97 km. (60 miles) from Cusco, 2,846 meters above
sea level (9,337 feet). Train station to Machu Picchu.
The whole "Valle Sagrado de los Incas", is also a natural scenery,
where besides appreciating the archaeological wealth, is an ideal place to enjoy
its rich flora and fauna, observation of wild birds, and the
practice of adventure sports.
The diversity of its micro weathers allows the production of a big quantity
of variety species of height flowers that beautify its sowed fields with immense
variety of potatoes, cereals, vegetables, fruit-bearing and ornamental plants.
In the area it will be common to find deers, chinchillas, vizcachas, foxes,
Andean doves, and infinity of birds and beautiful hummingbirds. In the Vilcanota
River you can fish delicious salmon-like and rainbow trout, especially among the
months of April to October.
A good highway that facilitates their visit connects all the towns.
Photo Gallery