Sacred Valley Peru vacations continue to grow in popularity
with travelers who are looking for an authentic and enchanting
travel experience. The Sacred Valley Peru is understood
to be the land that extends between the towns of Pisac
and Ollantaytambo.
This past heart of the Inca Empire starts just 10 miles
outside of Cusco, and trips here
reward visitors with incomparable Inca ruins, stunning
Andes Mountains vistas, charming
towns, a good climate, and plenty of opportunities to
get out and enjoy the countryside. Flowing through
the Sacred Valley Peru territory is the venerable Urubamba
(Vilcanota) River, which gets pretty rough in spots.
You can go white water rafting in the Sacred Valley, trek
through its hills and mountains, hike part of the Inca
Trail, or explore what the respective towns have to
offer. The Sacred Valley receives water from various
rivers that descend through the surrounding gorges, and
the different landscapes here are enough to effectively
wear out your camera. The most popular tourist attraction
in or near the valley, is Machu
Picchu, which lies at the valley’s north end,
and it certainly must be visited if you are in the area.
In terms of Sacred Valley Peru history, much of what has been studied pertains to the Inca Empire, which was centered in the Sacred Valley. According to Inca Mythology, the first Inca king, Manco Capac, who was born from the sun god Inti at Lake Titicaca around the year 1200 AD, established the Inca Empire at Cusco. The Kingdom of Cusco would increasingly gain importance, as the Inca slowly, but effectively began to absorb other communities. The Inca civilization really began to expand in the 1400's, under the rule of Inca Pachacutec. In and around 1438, Inca expansion increased decidedly. This was a significant period in Sacred Valley Peru history, as the Cusco Sacred Valley was now the capital of an empire that extended to nearly all of civilized South America.
Great Inca fortresses and cities sprung up in the Sacred Valley, as the Inca highly revered the valley’s agreeable climate and stunning landscapes, and among the more interesting is that found at Ollantaytambo. When the Spanish invaders arrived in the 1530's, the Inca would face years of battling to protect their empire. Ollantaytambo is hailed as the only place where the Inca were able to resist Spanish attacks. After suffering defeat at the hands of Francisco Pizarro and his troops at Sacsayhuaman, then Inca ruler Manco Inca, retreated with his forces to Ollantaytambo. From the fortress, whose ruins you can visit, the Inca reigned down arrows, spears and rocks on the modest Spanish army that had come unprepared for the task at hand. Though this initial stand by the Inca saved the city, it would only be a matter of time until the Spanish prevailed. Sacred Valley Peru history is best explored by visiting the ruins at places like Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo, and by visiting museums in the area that have exhibits based around Inca artifacts and accomplishments. You can begin your Cusco Sacred Valley explorations at Sacsayhuaman, whose ruins are easily reached from Cusco itself. The numerous tour agencies in the area can help you get a grasp of the Cusco Sacred Valley, as well as help you create an itinerary that fits your needs.
Sacred Valley history can be felt wherever you go in the region. Many visitors to Cusco spend at least half a day in nearby Pisac, where the Sunday market is known to be one of Peru’s finest places for shopping. The handcrafted wares you can get here are truly outstanding, as is the colorful native dress. Other towns of great interest in the valley are Urubamba and Chinchero. To visit the ruins and points of interest within the Sacred Valley, you can purchase the “boleto turistico” in Cusco, which goes for around $20 (adults) and $10 (students). This “get into everything” pass is good for 10 days, and includes attractions such as the aforementioned ruins, as well as sites within Cusco, such as the main cathedral and the Regional History Museum. Machu Picchu is not included on the boleto turistico (tourist ticket), and costs around $35 for admission.
