Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley

V!VA User‘s Description

Nestled among spectacular snow-capped mountains and decorated with quaint Andean villages and Inca Ruins, the Sacred Valley and Cusco area tempt visitors with their cultural charm and natural wonders. Because it offers such an array of activities and attractions, this area is great for the rugged adventurer and world traveler alike. Even the briefest of excursions around the Sacred Valley area is sure to yield unforgettable images of rugged mountains, lush green terraces and ancient Inca ruins.

Once you've acclimatized, and with average altitudes of 3500 meters altitude sickness is a serious matter in this area, there a number of enticing destinations in the Sacred Valley. Besides acclimating to the altitude, perhaps the most difficult aspect of any trip to this area is figuring out how to see and do everything it has to offer. The two biggest attractions drawing travelers from all over the world to this section of Peru are the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. While both promise an unforgettable travel experience, neither attraction can encompass the full scope and scale of natural beauty and cultural richness that you're sure to encounter just beyond their reach.  

For those in search of ruins, the Inca's capital city of Cusco is worth a visit. Among the must-see Cusco activities are the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambo Machay. Also be sure to schedule a stop at the inviting Andean towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Here you can check out the Ollantaytambo Temple Fortress and Pisac Ruins, two remarkable examples of Inca stonemasonry.

If adventure is your aim, the Cusco and Sacred Valley area also offer a number of trekking opportunities, ranging from leisurely day hikes to grueling week-long excursions into the remotest nooks and crannies of Andean landscape. The trails winding their way up the rugged slopes of Salcantay, Vilcabamba, and Ausangate and Cordillera Vilcanota boast some of the most enchanting views of both Inca ruins and the Andean landscape. The ruins of Choquequirao, believed by some to be as remarkable as Machu Picchu, are also worth the challenging climb.