If you are visiting Peru, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley are two of the most important places to see. The Incas worked hard to make these two places a little heaven for them. This is evidenced by the beautiful landscapes, fertile soils, military defence points, and magnificent ruins of the palaces and temples.
However, because everything cannot be explored in a single day, it can be difficult to choose just one place to visit in Peru’s Sacred Valley, especially if you are staying for less than a week. Don’t worry because we have made a list of the 4 best places to go in the Sacred Valley of Peru!
Ollantaytambo is both a fortress and a temple, located between Cusco and the iconic Machu Picchu. Although many people skip this amazing place, it is a great place to begin your explorations in Peru. Especially due to its owing to its lower elevation than most other places!
When the Spanish invaded Peru in the 1530s, it is believed that the Incas used Ollantaytambo as a military defence point. One of the main attractions here is the “Temple of the Sun,” which sits gracefully above many terraces and involves a 30-minute climb to reach the top. Some of the other attractions are Enclosure of the 10 Niches and The Bath of the Ñusta.
The Pisac ruins are about an hour’s drive from Cusco. They are at an elevation of over 3000 meters above sea level, overlooking the Pisac village. The Pisac complex is thought to have been constructed by the Inca Emperor Pachacuti in the mid-1400s. Though the evidence suggests that people who made a livelihood from pottery were present before it was built.
The exact purpose of the Pisac complex is unknown, but researchers have concluded that it was used as a military defence point as well as an agricultural base to grow a variety of crops. Intiwatana, P’isaqa, Coriwayrachina, Incan cemeteries, and the Terraces are among the attractions at the Pisac ruins.
The Moray ruins are about 1.5 hours away from Cusco, and because they are so far away, most tourists skip them. But this is one of the Incas’ most mysterious creations, looking like something out of a science fiction novel; there are three circular structures, each with 12 terraces.
Again, the exact reason for the construction of Moray is unknown. However, it is believed that the Incas experimented here by growing different crops. This is evidenced by temperature variations between the lowest and highest terraces, as well as light exposure levels to the terraces.
Another one of the best places to go in the Sacred Valley of Peru is Chinchero village. It is located at a higher altitude than Cusco city, at an elevation of 3800 meters above sea level. Because of Chinchero’s exceptional location, the views are breathtaking.
The biggest attraction here is the Chinchero Market, which is especially busy on weekends! Souvenirs, handmade jewellery, Maras pink salt, Peruvian fabrics, and much more can be bought here for cheap prices.
