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.