peru sacred valley

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, or the Urubamba Valley, features rustic Andean villages, incredible canyon farming terraces and a huge array of Inca ruins, including a fascinating astronomical observatory.

As its name suggests, this temperate, fertile valley was considered highly important by the Incas, who very visibly left their mark upon it. One of the highlights of the area is the fortress town of Ollantaytambo, built by the Incas as a defensive stronghold in the valley. This is also the location of the train station that serves as the gateway to the amazing abandoned city of Machu Picchu. As well as the numerous historical sites to explore, there is also the colourful, busy market of Pisac, where you can haggle with local vendors for traditional handicrafts.

Those in search of adventure will also love the Sacred Valley; nearby rivers make for some fantastic white-water rafting and there are endless climbing, horse riding and hiking routes. For an experience of the wildness and the rich history of Peru, the Sacred Valley is a must-visit region.