Pisaq Market

This Sunday market became famous as a gathering point for local community authorities from surrounding Andean villages. They came to attend mass, socialize, and sell or barter their goods.

Pisaq, like many other villages, was a Spanish town that encompassed both European and native traditions, starting in the 16th century, when it was founded, until today. Over time, Pisaq became an important center for handicraft production, and has become famed for having one of the largest artisan markets in Latin America, with market days including both Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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Pisaq the Inca Village

Larger than Machu Picchu and every bit as impressive, Pisaq was an Inca village formed by six different areas, or citadels, all built on a mountainside overlooking the Sacred Valley. A system of trails, walls, aqueducts, terraces and gateways can be found throughout the village.

Here you can enjoy a breathtaking hike: we will drive you to the very top of the hill. At the beginning of a trail, you can explore the different complexes at your own pace, noting different architectural styles and impressive engineering feats. Your transportation will meet you in the main square of Pisaq after you have carefully descended through the terraces. It is worth dedicating at least 2-3 hours to this experience.

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Urubamba

This city is perhaps the most important urban area in the Sacred Valley. Traditionally dedicated to growing corn, its dwellers are mainly farmers and merchants. Recently, however, it has turned into a small village with entertainment, adventure, and multiple lodging options. Tourism has brought prosperity to the town without changing its rural flavor. We can recommend a wide range of hotels for all budgets.

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Ollantaytambo

The only Inca village where many of the inhabitants still live in the ancient Inca buildings, dating several centuries back.

Here you can visit the Inca village and enjoy its intact streets and houses, the temple made of huge stones found on top of a hillside, and the shrines in the middle of gardens with water dripping into ponds and canals. This is also an alternative place to board the train to Machu Picchu. We can recommend a wide range of hotels for all budgets.

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Machupicchu

Machupicchu is a pre-Columbian Inca site located 2,400 meters (7,875 ft) above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 km (50 mi) northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows. The river is a partially navigable headwater of the Amazon River. Often referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu probably is the most familiar symbol of the Inca Empire. It is also one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Machupicchu is considered a masterpiece in both architecture and engineering. [5]The peculiar architectural and natural characteristics, and the mystery that has lead to many of the literary works in that area, have made it one of the most popular sites in the planet.


Seen from the sky, the territory of this sanctuary Is seen like a book opened in half, with the Urubamba river running down the middle and the two mountain range that stand through both sides of the profound valley covered by tropical vegetation.

The site received significant publicity after the National Geographic Society devoted their entire April 1913 issue to Machu Picchu.

An area of 325.92 square kilometers surrounding Machu Picchu was declared a "Historical Sanctuary" of Peru in 1981. In addition to the ruins, this sanctuary area includes a large portion of adjoining region, rich with flora and fauna.

Machu Picchu was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1983 when it was described as "an absolute masterpiece of architecture and a unique testimony to the Inca civilization".

On July 7, 2007, Machu Picchu was voted as one of New Open World Corporation's New Seven Wonders of the World. The World Monuments Fund placed Machu Picchu on its 2008 Watch List of the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the world because of environmental degradation resulting from the impact of tourism and uncontrolled development in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes that included a poorly sited tram to ease visitor access, and the construction of a bridge across the Vilcanota River that is likely to bring even more tourists to the site in defiance of a court order and government protests against it.

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Aguas Calientes

Aguas Calientes is the colloquial name for the Machupicchu Pueblo, a town in Peru on the Urubamba (Vilcanota) River. It is best known as the closest access point to the tourist attraction Machu Picchu, which is 6 kilometers (3.7 mi) away, about 1.5 hours walk. It has many hotels and restaurants for tourists, as well as natural hot baths, which give the town its name ("hot waters" in Spanish). The baths were destroyed by floods several years ago, but have been rebuilt. ciudad imperial aquellas personas que desean visitar las ruinas por lo que el desarrollo de su infraestructura turística y hotelera ha sido notable, sacando ventaja de las montañas y verdosos paisajes de la zona.

People also want to visit the ruins because of the development of the touristic infrastructure and lodging has been notable, also taking advantage of the mountains and the nature in the area.

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Awanacancha

TThe four South American relatives of the camel are llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanaco of different breeds. On the way to Pisaq you have the chance to stop at a very interesting site.


Located near the edge of a mountain that was formerly an agricultural field in Inca times and has been recovered and restored, you will currently find in display the Andean camelids. Nearby you will find an outstanding weaving display: groups of native Peruvian families from different communities have laid out a display showing the weaving process in detail and will be engaged in the process for you to see. It is remarkable seeing them at work: shearing, wool washing, dying, setting up the loom and weaving. This is also a fantastic opportunity to purchase fine alpaca garments.

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Chinchero

Located 30 km northwest of Cusco, Chinchero nests in a high plateau at 12,000 feet. This was one of the largest Inca and Colonial settlements. Today we can visit and appreciate Inca terraces, village remains, the great plaza, a 16th century church, and one of the purest Sunday artisan markets. Here we will have the chance to interact with local families dedicated to the fine art of weaving.

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Moray

The three concentric circular terraces lead us to believe that this one of the most important centers for agricultural research. Diverse soil, water supply, weather, humidity and winds make this spot very special for experimentation. Because Peru is known for its floral and faunal diversity, the adaptation of foods at various levels was a permanent challenge. Several well-ventilated storehouses have been found in the vicinity, showing how food was stored in a "dry freeze" process in extremely dry conditions. This is one of the oldest known technologies for food preservation.

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Salinas of Maras

Salinas - Salt Flats Salinas - Salt Flats are located in the middle of a dry hillside. A spring of salty water runs down the Valley, this water flow is divided into shallow reservoirs and left to dry, locals will then harvest the salt.

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