The amazing and colourful landscape of the valley contains many charming destinations and can be discovered while staying in Cusco. The valley is embeded along the Urubamba River between Ollanta and Pisaq and was of agricultural importanancet in Inca times. The terraces lie on the steep slopes and are still cultivated by farmers today. Numerous agencies arrange one to two-day tours to Valle Sagrado. If you have some more time you can explore the valley by yourself as buses between Ollanta and Urubamba leave daily. Accommodation:
Next to the sleepy village of Ollanta reside the ruins of a fortress
Ollantaytambo shaped in form of a pyramid. The terraces and powerful
wall are picturesque examples for the Inca architecture and almost
as amazing as Machu Picchu. In 1460 the Inca Pachacuti gave orders
to construct this strong fortress on this strategically
important ste in order to supervise the Sacred Valley. The Inca hauled huge blocks of granite stone, weighing
up to 50 tons from the
other side of the valley (without wheels or pulley!) It was only 80
years after constuctions had begun that the Spanish conquistador Pizarro and his troups conquered it. Ollanta
lies on the track between Cusco (1,5 h) and Aguas Calientes, the
last destination on the track for reaching Machu Picchu. It is possible
to stay in Ollanta so that you can reach an early train to Machu
Picchu after visiting the ruins.
The Salines of Pichingote lie 6 km from the main town in the valley, Urubamba (2880 m) and are definitely worth a visit. The salty terraces originated in Inca times and are still used today.They provide a magnificent view with their glistening white minerals reflecting the sun. Urubamba is a traffic bottleneck and therefore many bus connections exist to Cusco and other places in the valley such as Ollanta. The salines can be easily reached by walking or by public transportation in the direction Ollanta. You simply have to inform the driver that you want to go to the salines and he will drop you off at a plank bridge where your 1 ½ hour trail starts.
Pisaq is a calm village, it is only the traditional market that can be crowded.
Native traders wearing their traditional highland costumes offer
pots, textiles, fruit and vegetables. There are many colours and aromas to this vivid market scenery.
Next to this village, embeded into a breathtaking landscape lies an agricultural centre of the Inca. The 36 hectares consist of uniquly formed terraces that are dug into the ground so that they wind down in large concentric circles. It is not known for sure what the purpose of these constuctions was, but many have suggested that they could have been created by the Inca to facilitate experimental agriculture, almost like a laboratory. The irrigation system and the moat are well worth a visit. |
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