We have listed 10 activities that you can do in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which is one of the most popular and obligatory tours in the Cusco region. The Sacred Valley of the Incas was a crucial area for the Inca empire, and it functioned as both an agricultural, spiritual, and political center for them.
You will find out more about the Inca history and why the Sacred Valley was such a famous political, agricultural, and spiritual hotspot for them.
Sacred Valley of the Incas
What did the Incas think of the Milky Way?:
This constellation could only be observed when there were no stars: they were the dark spots or blotches on the Milky Way. These dark blotches were considered as living (animate) animals. The animals were believed to live in the Milky Way, which they thought of as a river. The Inca were one of the few civilizations who were able to locate their constellations without the presence of stars. These dark constellations in turn made up the Inca zodiac.
If you are planning to visit Cusco you will find the following list very helpful. These are the activities and places you need to know while staying in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
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Urubamba, Cusco main organic food producer
Nowadays, Urubamba is the administrative and commercial center of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. When you visit the town, you will notice the charming restaurants and tourist attractions that captivate your eyes. This town is the main organic food producer of Cusco.
Location:
Urubamba, is located one hour (67 km) from Cusco, Urubamba is the largest town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is also located near a number of significant ruins of the Inca Empire, including Machu Picchu.
Altitude:
Urubamba is at an altitude of 2 687 m.a.s.l.
Urubamba charm can be reflected on its people face, history and colorful lands.
What can you see in Urubamba?
In Urubamba you can see:
La casa de Martín Pio Concha:
It is already restored, is a true example of colonial civil architecture.
St James apostle church (Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol):
It is located in Plaza de Armas of Urubamba. Built between 1649 and 1686 with beautiful houses of colonial art.
Plaza de Armas of Urubamba:
Framed by huge trees of Pisonay and a beautiful colonial church with twin towers. You will find dozens of moto-taxis buzzing around the square to get passengers. One of the places that you must visit is the beautiful house-workshop of Pablo Seminario. The capricious work of this famous ceramist with pre-Columbian motifs is famous and sold throughout Peru.
Yucay town:
It is a quiet and pleasant town with one of the best climates of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, besides possessing beautiful and lush landscapes. It is the land that the Spaniards gave to the traitorous Sayri Tupac.
The village of Yucay has some of the best agricultural terraces of Inca period. These platforms are located on the slopes of the mountains surrounding the village.
Be part of the diverse activities of the full Agro-tourism day in Urubamba!
2. Archeological Site and Interpretation Center of Andean Textiles in Chinchero
Archeological Site of Chinchero is part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It has terraces that were designed by the Incas. These terraces are in the form of a trapezoid. On these terraces, they cultivated very nutritious crops such as Quinoa, Kiwicha, and seeds that provided lots of energy. Food storehouses and a highly efficient irrigation system show the genius of this culture that it is difficult to imitate today. They also are famous for being home to the Interpretation Center of Andean Textiles. Local women show how they produce different colors for the wool they spin and weave.
Chinchero It is located 28 km from Cusco, in the province of Urubamba, at an altitude of 3,762 m.a.s.l.
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday: 7:00 am to 18:00 pm.
Entrance fee included in the Tourist Ticket.
Chinchero Archeological Site – a living culture
In the Interpretation Center of Andean Textiles local women will show us how they produce different colors for the wool they spin and weave.
3. Archeological Complex of Pisac, Genetics Lab of the Incas
According to the history, the word Pisac comes from the Quechua word pisaq or p’isaqaq, which means partridge, a hen-like bird that inhabits the area. Likely Inca cities of Machu Picchu and Cusco, Pisac has the form of an animal precisely of which receives the name.
Location and altitude:
Archeological Complex of Pisac is located in the district of Pisac, Province of Calca, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is at an altitude of 2950 m.a.s.l. around 33 kilometers to the east, from the city of Cusco.
What to Bring:
- Tourist ticket
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 35 or higher
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
- Water
- Camera and film
- Dried Fruit
- Personal ID
Pisac Market
4. Salt Mines of Maras, an attractive site in the Sacred Valley
Salt Mines of Maras es attractive site that Inkayni Peru Tours recommends visiting while in Cusco.
Location and altitude:
Maras is a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, 40 kilometers north of Cusco in Peru, at an altitude of 3300 m.a.s.l.
Viewpoint of Salt Mines of Maras
In Salt Mines of Maras there are more than 3000 small pools, each owned by individual families. Every three days during the dry season, people will fill their pools up with salt water that flows from a natural spring. Once the water evaporates, the salt gradually solidifies.
These amazing constructions continue to provide the country and beyond with its pink salt which has been recommended by experts as a healthy option to flavor meals due to its curative properties.
Visiting hours:
You can visit the Salt Mines from 6:00 to 18:00
Important:
- We recommend booking at least 2 or 3 days in advance. To do so, visit our website: Inkayni Peru tours.
- Don’t forget to carry your personal documents with you all the time.
- Take some cash with you and
- Bring your camera.
Salt Process in Maras
5. Don’t miss the chance to do Extreme Glamping in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
A recommendable activity in the Sacred Valley is Extreme Glamping, in a hotel suspended hundreds of meters above the Urubamba River; Sleep in a crystal sheath suspended from a cliff 360 meters high.
Glamping gives an incomparable view of the landscapes, the valley, the mountains and the raging river below. As you might imagine, this kind of hotel is not for everyone, it is recommended for people with a special taste for adrenaline and for those without fear of heights. A night under the starry sky of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
6. Quad Bike ATV in Maras – Moray
Our Half Day Quad Bike ATV in Maras – Moray Tour is an exciting trip designed for adventure lovers like you, through the Andean mountains of Cusco, we will pick you up of your hotels in Cusco or the Urubamba Valley, to start this exciting adventure we will provide you a Quad Bike ATV and accessories to ride around the beautiful landscape of the Andes, the Maras Salt Mines and the archeological site of Moray.
Inkayni Peru Tours offers daily departures. We can do this activity as part of a group or as a private service.
What is included?:
- Private transportation
- All Entrances fee
- YAMAHA ATV
- Helmet and gloves
- Professional guide
- First aid kit
Not Included:
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Deposit
What to bring?
- Sun hat.
- Sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 35 or higher.
- Waterproof jacket/rain poncho.
- Water.
- Cameras and films.
7. Zipline in Raqchi – Cusco
Inkayni Peru Tours has a Half Day Tour – Zipline Adventure & Chinchero that lets you experience the Andes through the fantastic Inca sky. in this tour, you will learn more about the history of the Inca culture, and visit a population that despite the modernization they still have indigenous features from ancient times.
This tour takes place in the community of Raqchi in the Sacred Valley. We will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Raqchi where you go Zip Lining.
As part of our itinerary, we will go to Chinchero where you will visit the archeological site and The Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco (CTTC) “Sumaq Llank’ay.”
Inkayni Peru Tours guarantees a 6-hour tour full of fun in a fantastic area in contact with nature.
What is included?
- Ziplining instructor
- Round-trip transportation (tourist bus).
- English-speaking Tour Guide
Not Included:
- Tourist Ticket for archeological sites.
- Meals
What to bring?
- Snacks
- Camera
- Light jacket
- Comfortable clothes for ziplining
- Shoes other than sandals (sandals are not permitted!)
Zipline, extreme sport in Cusco
8. Ollantaytambo, the Inca living city
Ollantaytambo is listed as a living Culture, and a Living Inca City since its inhabitants live according to customs inherited from their ancestors. Their houses are built on Inca bases.
Ollantaytambo is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, in the province of Urubamba (Cusco). It is located 2,792 meters above sea level, almost 60 kilometers from the city of Cusco. The town sits next to the Urubamba River.
You will be amazed to see narrow streets of stone, which have original water channels from the Inca era in which a large amount of water flows.
Temple of the Sun – Ollantaytambo
9. Maras & Moray Biking
Our Full Day – Maras & Moray Biking Tour is a tour for all people who like cross-country cycling, being a sport which requires effort and physical resistance. You can enjoy the view of the beautiful Andean landscapes along the bicycle route, such as snow-capped mountains, lagoons such as the Huaypo lagoon and observe the local inhabitants working their lands. You will learn and know the culture of the people of the Sacred Valley and nearby towns.
In this wonderful journey, we will visit the archeological site of Moray, which is a kind of amphitheater, made up of several circular platforms. Then, we will arrive at Maras and visit “Las Salineras” which has 3,000 pools of salt, which were prominent in the pre-Inca, Inca and colonial times, and it is still used until now.
Bicycle rider wearing proper outerwear to go cycling.
10. Rafting in Vilcanota River
Rafting is a popular shorthand term for white water rafting. Water rafting or white water rafting is a sport and activity which sees a crew work in unison to navigate a river course. In modern world practice, the raft is a boat with inflatable boards with a special sectional design which allows to stay afloat, even after getting damage to one part of the boat.
Rafting is adventure sport in which you will fill adrenaline and the same time you will see beautiful places, having new experience and emotions without extra thrill and safe and the Vilcanota river is just perfect for this activity.
Inkayni Passengers ready to go rafting
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