During the Salkantay trek we did not visit as many Inca archeological sites as would be the case of the traditional Inca trail. But, in order to fill this gap, we booked a tour for the Sacred Valley. As it did not involve a lot of walking, the tour was perfect to rest our legs, but still enjoy some cultural sites.
At the time of the Inca empire, the Sacred Valley played an important role for maize production. It also facilitated the transportation of coca leaves and chili peppers from the tropical regions to Cusco. The fertile soil and the favourable climate earned it the name of Sacred Valley.
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Plan your trip & Map
There are several way of organizing a tour to the Sacred Valley from Cusco. We decided to go with an organize tour, which picked us up in the morning at our hostel. Other itineraries include a stop at Machu Picchu and some others offer an overnight stay in the valley as well. Out tour included a total of 6 stops.
Chinchero
The first stop in the Sacred Valley was just 30 minutes outside of Cusco. Chinchero is home to the Peruvian weaving, where many handcrafts are exported to the neighbouring cities, such as Cusco. In order to create textiles by hand, weavers use natural colorants. For instance, a parasite that grows on cacti forming a white cover, once crushed, turns red. Aside from it being used for colouring textiles, local girls also use it as a natural make-up alternative.
Here, we visited the ruins and the terraces that families once used for farming and agricultural purposes. Because of its rich and fertile soil, the land in Chinchero is perfect for growing potatoes, quinoa and beans.
Maras Salt Mines
The Inca saw a great opportunity in the salt mines. It provided an important mineral at the time not only for consumption and livestock purposes, but also for food storage and even human mummification. Today, a local community controls and manages the salt mines.
An underground network of canals brings salt water straight from the mountain to over 3,000 pools.
Moray
These ruins consist of circular depressions that Inca people once used as plantation terraces to acclimatise plants and crops. The terraces had varying temperatures, depending on how deep they were dug into the ground. Also, a complex irrigation system, which still functions today, brought water to the different levels.
Ollantaytambo
Because of its strategic position at the entrance of the path to Machu Picchu, this archeological site played an important religious role. It also had a critical military role during the Inca empire. It served as a fortress against the Spanish invasion. It was also a ceremonial temple for specific religious rituals.
In case you are thinking on visiting Machu Picchu, you can easily combine the visit with this tour. In fact, you can take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes.
Pisac
The incredible terraces, which were used for farming, are carved into the mountain and extend from the bottom of the valley. The ruins today display a residential settlement, ceremonial baths and the largest Inca cemetery in South America.
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