The Sacred Valley of the Incas was undoubtedly 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.
Tour Details:
The
Sacred Valley served as a buffer 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.
Most
people visit the Sacred Valley as part of an organized one-day tour.
The tour includes a visit to the market at Pisac, a stop for lunch
in Urubamba, a visit to the beautiful Inca village and fortress of
Ollantaytambo and a quick stop at the quechua village of Chinchero
on the way back to Cusco.
Some
companies also include a visit to the ruins at Pisac but you'll have
less time at the market if you do this. You'll find plenty of tour
companies in and around the Plaza de Armas in Cusco offering these
tours costing between US$15 and US$25 for a pooled service (up to 30
persons in a group).
This
price doesn't include your meals or entrance fees to the ruins.
Entrance to the ruins is included on the Boleto Turistico (tourist
ticke) - see Cusco City information for further details and prices.
Departures are usually on the market days of Tuesday, Thursday and
Sunday. If you only have one day to visit the Sacred Valley you'll
find the convenience of the tour well worth while since the entire
circuit is over 170km in length. If you want to do it in a small
group you can hire a taxi for the day (approx US$70) and take a
guide (approx US$60).
Alternatively you can also visit the Sacred Valley on your own,
travelling by local bus. It can be quite tiring to try and see Pisac,
Ollantaytambo and Chinchero all in one day by local transport so we
suggest visiting Pisac ruins and the market on one day and then
visiting Chinchero and Ollantaytambo on another day, using Cusco as
your base from which to explore.
