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Sacred Valley
URUBAMBA
A stay in the Sacred Valley is the perfect way to relax, to walk, to raft and to visit the surrounding villages. The fertile valley has a gentle climate the whole year around, and buzzes of agriculture activities.
An hour drive from Cusco brings the visitor to Urubamba, or Sacred Valley of the Inca’s. On the Urubambariver, and ensconced between the giant slopes of the Andes lies Pisac.
In view of the inhospitable hillsides the Inca’s left the rocks and the mountains in peace; but on the other side they built huge terraces. Thereupon the settlements were built as eagle’s nests.
An Inca trail leads to the very well preserved Temple of the Sun stretched out over a mountain-ridge that overshadows the village and dominates the entire valley. The view is really breathtaking. A little bit further lies Ollantaytambo. Here cherish the most authentic example of Inca-architecture in astounding scenery. The huge terraces served as field for the temple citadel, which rise high above the village and can be reached only by impressive step rows.
From Ollantaytambo runs an upward winding path. Surrounded by undamaged landscapes and strong overgrown mountain ranges lie the Quechua Communities. Immediately the visitor is absorbed in a fantastic play of colours of deep red woollen poncho’s and fairy-like pictures. The clay huts with roofs of ichugrass lie as an old Peruvian tradition along two or three sides of a small inner court. This ‘quechaspeaking’ population group lives according to old Inca traditions and laws which they have been able to maintain for centuries.
Here the potato is about the only crop that grows and prospers upon the very cold soil. To complete the scanty meals, from time to time the men join as porters on the Inca trail, and so they supply the income for the whole village community.
On the high plateau above the Sacred Valley lies Chinchero, known for its colourful sunday market. Surrounded by spectacular landscapes and the remains of Inca temples, traditionally barter is still held. On the market the Indians buy the beautiful coloured skins of alpaca wool to weave their graceful shawls.
Downhill, in Maras, lies the dazzling white of innumerable salt terraces. Since the pre-Inca period the salt containing spring at the top of the valley is diverted to shallow basins, which were digged out of the mountain-ridge.
*If you are interested in one of these tours, go to our contact form
Programs
VLL 001
PISAC - OLLANTAYTAMBO
Reception at the hotel. Drive through the Urubamba, or Sacred Valley of the Incas. Ensconced between the giant slopes of the Andes lies the village of Pisac. Here you’ll visit the Inca ruins and very well preserved Temple of the sun stretched out over a mountain ridge, overlooking the village and the entire valley. After lunch the tour continues to the village of Ollantaytambo. Here cherish the most authentic example of Inca architecture in astounding scenery. The huge terraces served as field for the temple citadel, which rise high above the village. Transfer to the hotel. (B, L)
*Daily.
VLL 002
CHINCHERO – MARAS
Reception at the hotel. Located 35 km northwest of Cuzco and surrounded by scenery of breathtaking beauty, Chinchero lies upon the remains of an important Inca site built in the late 1400s. On Thursday and Sunday the Indians gather in the main plaza to barter their agriculture produce and offer visitors an enormous diversity of crafts from the Cuzco region. The tour continues with a walk downhill through the dazzling white of the innumerable salt terraces of Maras. Transfer to the hotel. (B, L)
* Thursday and Sunday.
VLL 003
QUECHUA COMMUNITIES
Reception at the hotel. Surrounded by undamaged landscapes and strong overgrown mountains lie the Quechua Communities. Immediately the visitor is absorbed in a fantastic play of colours of deep red woollen ponchos and fairly-like pictures. This ‘quechuaspeaking’ population group lives according to old Inca traditions and laws. Transfer to the hotel. (B, L)
* Daily
* For other interesting tours and options in this area see “adventure”.
* If you are interested in one of these tours, go to our contact form
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