Sacred Valley, Cusco, Peru
The Sacred Valley is one of the true wonders of South America, set high up in the Andes mountains, the valley is characterised by ancient Inca ruins and large mountains that dominate the skyline and villages eking out an existence on high plains and the lush river valleys.
This trip can be done in a single day or broken into two days and you can either choose to stay in Pisac or Ollantaytambo. There are wonderful markets in Pisac that should be planned into the multi-day adventure. Conversely you can do the sites Saqsaywaman, Q'enqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay and stay in Cusco overnight and then drive to Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero on the second day. You must purchase a Tourist Ticket in Cusco.
There is something distinctly spiritual at the many Inca sites set high above 3000 meters. Around Cusco you have the palace ruins that were once home to the Inca Kings. These sites with their huge stones walls and fortifications make for a great place for exploring.
Saqsaywaman was the temple fort that was constructed in the 1400's by Pachacuti, its massive, well-built walls remain today as a testimony not only to Inca power but also the skills of Inca architects. Unfortunately much of Saqsaywaman was used as building materials for the colonial township of Cusco in the valley below.
Q'enqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay are ruins which also show the ingenuity of the Inca's with the aqueducts and construction methods. Tambomachay still has water flowing through its aqueduct system.
The ruins at Pisac are a great demonstration of the amazing farming methods employed by the Incas and the terraces dominate the hillside. Incan's used the rocky outcrops to locate their homes and buildings and built terraces to grow corn, potatos and other crops.
Ollantaytambo is another magnificent example of Inca temple-fortress with its terraces providing food for the residents of the city. Ollantaytambo is also the gateway to the Inca Trail and Macchu Piccu. The views of the sacred valley from the top of the city are quiet outstanding.
Getting there
Driving in Peru is an adventure, especially in the city areas, although Cusco is less stressful than Lima with its constant tooting of horns. The drive through the sacred valley whilst windy and mountainous is not overly difficult.
Make your way to Don Bosco. Follow Don Bosco to Saqsaywaman.
Leaving Saqsaywaman continue on Don Bosco, at the T intesection turn right onto 28 G and follow that to the Q'enqo entrance.
Deaprting Q'enqo head back along 28G for about 4.5 kilometers Puca Pucara is on the right. Leaving Puca Pucara continue on the 28G in the same direction for 400 meters and Tambomachay is on your left.
Keep following the 28G to Pisac township, about 25 kilometers. At Pisac turn right onto Amazonas and then slight left onto CU-112 / Amazonas and then follow CU-112 to the Pisac Archaeological Park.
On leaving the park head back along CU-112 the way you came towards Pisac. Turn back onto Amazonas and follow that road about 58 kilometers to Ollantaytambo. We suggest a stop at Urubamba for lunch. The Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park is behind the Tourist market,
On leaving Ollantaytambo head back towards Urubamba and turn right towards Cusco at the roundabout and head towards Chinchero and Cusco. The trip to Chinchero is about 30 kilometers. The archaeological park is on the hills on the right above the Chinchero township.
From Chinchero continue on the same road back to Cusco.