Sacred Valley of Peru: 8 Wonderful Things To Do
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The Sacred Valley of the Incas (or Valle Sagrado in Spanish) is a popular tourist destination in Peru because of its proximity to Machu Picchu . Many Inca Trail hikers use this region to acclimate before embarking on one of the world’s most famous hikes. From ancient ruins to vibrant communities and all with a breathtaking backdrop, there is plenty to see and do in the Sacred Valley. In this travel guide, I cover the best things to do in the Sacred Valley of Peru.
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<3 Dominique
What is the Sacred Valley of Peru?
The Sacred Valley of the Incas (aka Urubamba Valley) is a valley stretching 60 km in the Peruvian Andes. It is located about 20 km north of Cusco. The Urubamba River (aka Vilcanota River) is a prominent feature in the valley. The Incas believed that this long, winding river mirrored the Milky Way. This is how the Sacred Valley got its name. The Urubamba also acted as the water source for the huge variety of crops cultivated by the Incas. This allowed the Valley to become a major agricultural center for the Inca Empire.
If you are on your way to Machu Picchu or are preparing for your Inca Trail trek, chances are you will be spending a few days in the Sacred Valley. The following sections highlight some of the wonderful things to do in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Related read: Preparing for the Inca Trail
1) Marvel at the Salineras de Maras
Maras is a town located about 40 km north of Cusco. It is known for its salt evaporation ponds. These ponds have been in use to harvest pink salt since before the Incas came into power in the region.
About 3,000 terraces have been carved into the side of the Qaqawiñay Mountain. A salt water source located from within the mountain trickles (quite literally) into each terrace. Once all the terraces have been filled with saline solution, the co-op who maintains the salt terraces block the water source. This allows the salt water to evaporate under the intense solar radiation common in high altitude areas. Once the water evaporates, the salt crystals that are left behind are then mined from the terraces. Each salt terrace is owned by residents of two nearby communities. Salt terrace owners need to be members of a salt co-operative.
2) Visit the Ccaccaccollo Community and its Women’s Weaving Co-op
There are a handful of weaving co-ops in small communities throughout the Sacred Valley. I highly recommend supporting one of them during your visit.
When tourism began to boom in the Sacred Valley during the 1990s, sacred Andean traditions, which survived the Spanish Conquest, disappeared in many parts of the Sacred Valley. This was because many young people abandoned their indigenous roots fearing discrimination from jobs in hospitality and tourism. Many people also relocated to tourist hubs like Cusco to become street sellers or to beg for money. The popularity of Machu Picchu inadvertently created an economic imbalance in the small communities of the Sacred Valley.
In the early 2000s, weaving co-ops began to form in communities around the Sacred Valley. Local women relearned the weaving techniques of their ancestors and started to sell their artisanal alpaca clothing and home linens. These weaving co-ops enable women to supplement their household income (their husbands work as porters and cooks on the Inca Trail during high tourism season).
3) Learn about traditional adobe ceramics process at the Cuyo Chico community
I also stopped by the Cuyo Chico community for a pottery demonstration. Families from the Cuyo Chico community created a business out of their knowledge of the traditional adobe ceramic craft. During my visit, I learned about the ceramics process as well as the traditional brick-making methods used for homes throughout the Sacred Valley.
4) Dine at the Parwa Community Restaurant
The Huchuy Qosqo community owns the Parwa Community Restaurant. The restaurant uses organic ingredients directly from its gardens and serves traditional Peruvian flavours. All proceeds from the restaurant goes towards sustainable community projects benefitting the Huchuy Qosqo community.
As explained in the previous section, the tourism boom in the Sacred Valley inadvertently created an economic imbalance in small, remote communities. The Parwa Restaurant provides employment opportunities in hospitality for the young people of the Huchuy Qosqo community.
Personal note: Travel is now more accessible than ever. Popular tourist sites like Machu Picchu are receiving record number of visitors which have adverse effects to the environment, local populations and, sometimes, the sites themselves. I try to be cognitive of how my love of travel affects the locals and their home and I will always advocate supporting local artisans and businesses.
5) Explore Sacsayhuaman
Located on the outskirts of Cusco, Sacsayhuaman (sounds like “sexy woman” when pronounced properly) is a citadel. Just like in Machu Picchu and Cusco, the giant stone walls found on site are built without any mortar but are so precisely cut and fitted that the buildings can withstand earthquakes.
Peruvians celebrate two festivals at Sacsayhuaman: (1) Inti Raymi – the annual Inca festival of the winter solstice and new year on June 24th, and (2) Warachikuy – an Inca ceremony where young men could receive the official status of an adult man after testing their skills and valour on the third Sunday of September.
Sacsayhuaman along with the city of Cusco are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
6) Discover Ollantaytambo
Often serving as the gateway for those doing the classic Inca Trail trek, Ollantaytambo (aka Ollanta) is a town and Inca archeological site. Many of Ollantaytambo’s streets, aqueducts, and structures are just as functional as they were in the 1500s earning it the nickname “The Last Living Inca City”. Those enroute to Machu Picchu will be given a preview of the Incas’ sophisticated engineering style in Ollanta.
7) Visit Pisac
Pisac is a village in the Sacred Valley that is known for its Inca ruins. The Incas had built agricultural terraces that enabled the production of surplus food. This surplus wouldn’t otherwise be possible at altitudes over 11,000 feet above sea level. These terraces are still in use today.
Pisac is also popular for its huge market traditionally held on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. The market is where local artisans sell their products. The market has become so popular with tourists that it has taken over the Plaza de Armas every day of the week.
8) Admire the Inca ruins at Moray
Moray is home to the most unique Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley. The Moray ruins are terraces formed in the shape of concentric circles. The depth, design, and orientation of the circles with respect to the sun and wind creates a temperature difference of as much as 15 °C (27 °F) between the top and bottom terraces. It is believed that the Incas used these terraces as an agricultural laboratory. A day trip covering both Moray and Maras is doable as they are close to each other.
Sacred Valley Tours
To take the hassle of figuring out logistics, I have listed some of the best-rated Sacred Valley tours below.
- Check out this tour that covers Chinchero (weaver’s co-op), Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, Pisac with lunch at Urubamba.
- Alternatively, for a less hectic itinerary, check out this tour that would take you to Chinchero (weaver’s co-op), Moray, and Maras.
- All the co-operatives mentioned in this post were discovered through G Adventures when I joined their Inca Empire Tour. If you want to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu AND support these local enterprises, booking through G Adventures would help you achieve all that without the hassle.
Where to Stay in Cusco
Cusco really is the best city to stay for exploring the Sacred Valley. I have consolidated some of the best-rated hotels in the city below by budget.
- For budget travellers, check out Tierra Viva Cusco Saphi Hotel and Viajero Cusco Hostel.
- If you’re working with a mid-ranged budget, check out Hotel Rumi Punku and Hotel and Mirador Los Apus.
- For a more luxurious experience, check out Antigua Casona San Blas and Palacio del Inka.
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