The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Urubamba river, also known as Sacred Valley or El Valle Sagrado, traces its winding, astonishingly beautiful course to the north of Cusco.
Standing guard over the two lush of the Sacred Valley road, the ancient Inca towns of Pisaq and Ollantaytambo are among the most suggested ruins in Peru, while the small Andean towns of Pisaq and Chinchero really come into their own on Tuesday. Thursday and Sundays, market days, when villagers in colorful regional dress gather to sell their crafts and products.
Beyond Ollantaytambo the route becomes too rocky for any road to follow, the valley closes in around the rail tracks, and the Rio Urubamba begins to race and twist below Machu Picchu itself, the famous ruin in South America and a place that, no matter how unique you are or how commercial it seems, stops you in your tracks.
Unless you are hiking the Inca Trail, you will inevitably spend at least one night in Machu Picchu town, commonly referred to as Aguas Calientes, Given the town’s brutalist architecture and overpriced accommodation and eating establishments, it is advised not to linger here for too long.
A plenty of tour companies runs day trips to Machu Picchu (which have to be booked in advance) as well as whirlwind day tours of the Sacred Valley (from 30 upwards, plus entry to the sites). While guiding standards vary, its apart, especially if you do not have much time, though ita��s more rewarding to linger and explore the valley at your leisure.