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Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley
Nestled among spectacular snow-capped mountains and decorated with quaint Andean villages and Inca Ruins, the Sacred Valley and Cusco region tempts visitors with its cultural charms 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 jagged mountains, lush green terraces and ancient Inca ruins, whilst a few days in Cusco will introduce you to a world of magnificent colonial architecture, diverse museums, first-class cuisine and extraordinary nightlife.
Once you've acclimatized-altitudes in the region average 3500 meters (11,480 ft)-the hardest aspect of your trip will be figuring out how to see and do everything in the amount of time you have. The two biggest attractions drawing travelers from all over the world are the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. While both promise an unforgettable 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, and everyone for that matter, the Inca's capital city of Cusco is a must, while throughout the Sacred Valley there are many opportunities to explore remarkable examples of Inca stone masonry, particularly in the charming towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. For those looking for something a little off the beaten track, there are a number of established alternatives to the Inca Trail that offer equally impressive trekking opportunities, without the tour groups (and at a lower price).
But it's not all about ruins and trekking. Take some time to browse the artisan markets, wander around the many museums and elegant churches or, for the more adventurous, try out some of the Sacred Valley's many activities: think river-rafting, mountain-biking, rock-climbing and horse-riding, to name a few.
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Cusco and the Sacred Valley Historic Sites
Qoricancha Templo del Sol and Santo Domingo
Incan Qoricancha Of the numerous attractions in Cusco, this should be on the top of your list. Once home to nearly 4,000 of the Empire’s highest ranking priests and their attendants, Qoricancha was ...Cusco, Peru
Museo de Arte Religioso
For art aficionados and architecture fiends alike, the Museo de Arte Religioso is one of the most interesting addresses in the city. Like many other attractions in Cusco, the museum sports a rich ...Cusco, Peru
Cusco Cathedral
Located on the Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s massive stone cathedral is well worth a visit. Construction began in 1560; much of the stone used to build the cathedral was brought from Sachsayhuamán and ...Cusco, Peru
Iglesia San Blas
Iglesia San Blas is just one of the Cusco attractions located in the bustling artisan neighborhood of San Blas. Built in 1563, Iglesia San Blas is thought to be one of the oldest parishes in Cusco. ...Cusco, Peru
Museo de Arte y Monasterio de Santa Catalina
Built by the Spanish between 1601 and 1610 on top of Acllahuasi-where the Inca emperor once housed his chosen Virgins of the Sun-this convent and museum houses an interesting collection of colonial ...Cusco, Peru
Museo de Sitio Qoricancha
Located under the garden below Santo Domingo, the Museo de Sitio Qoricancha consists of three small rooms, which contain a pre-Columbian collection, Spanish paintings from the 18th century and photos ...Cusco, Peru
Museo Histórico Regional
Formerly the residence of one of Peru’s most famous writers and Inca historians, Garcilaso de la Vega, the Museo Histórico Regional now offers an excellent review of Peruvian history, from ...Cusco, Peru
Raqchi
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Raqchi ruins is the line of nearly 200 round stone houses that parallels the gigantic adobe Inca wall. At one time each one of the houses was filled to the ...Cusco, Peru
The Stone Puma
North of Cusco’s Plaza de Armas towards Cuesta San Blas, you will come upon one of the most haunting tokens of a civilization: the foundation for the one-time palace of 14th century Incan ruler
...Cusco, Peru
Hiking in the Sacred Valley
The Inca Trail
Characterized by rugged ascents boasting magnificent views of Andean scenery and trails that wind their way through the cloud forest and past ancient archaeological sites, the Inca Trail is perhaps
...Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru
Four-Day Inca Trail Trek
To give you a better sense of what the four-day trek involves, we\'ve put together a brief day-by-day summary of the trip.Day 1Total Distance: 10 to 11 kilometers (6.2-6.8 mi) Arrive by train from
...Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru
Short Inca Trail
If you do not have the time or youthfulness (we are both 65 and my husband has had a knee replacement), the short Inca trail can be a most rewarding way to travel to Machu Picchu. About 11 km, a
...Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru
Inca Trail Porters
You\'ve waited so long to trek these rugged 43 kilometers to that Incan Holy Grail, Machu Picchu. But after two days, your feel muscles you never knew existed and another blister is welling up. As ...Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru
Putucusi
This is an excellent, three-hour hike up the mountain opposite of Machu Picchu-the views are breathtaking. It can be steep and part of the climb requires ascending vertical cliff faces via wooden ...Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town), Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru
Alternative Inka Trail
We recently completed an alternative Inka Trek to Machu Picchu through the volunteer and tourist organisation Inka Magik, working closely with a local Quechua guide, which takes in the warm jungle,
...Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru
Biking and Hiking to Machu Picchu
Biking And Trekking Experience 4 Days / 3 Nights Imbued with a magical silence, 120km (74mi) from Cusco on the slopes above the Urubamba River, lies one of the world's most extraordinary ...Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru
Highlights of the Sacred Valley
Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail
Framed by spectacular Andean peaks and surrounded by verdant jungle, Machu Picchu is an eye-tantalizing tribute to man in harmony with nature. Located high above the clouds, the city\'s streets,
...Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru
Cusco
In addition to serving as a gateway to nearby attractions like Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Cusco offers travelers a host of culturally enticing museums, cathedrals and markets that make this
...Cusco, Peru
Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town)
The town below Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes, is the final stop on the train from Cusco and Ollantaytambo. From here, just a few blocks from the train station, you can catch a 20-minute bus up a
...Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town), Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru
Cusco: South of the Plaza de Armas
Cusco, south of its Plaza de Armas, is noteworthy for its historic houses, particularly the 16th century Valleumbroso mansion on Márquez, just before the Plaza de San Francisco, with its rows of
...Cusco: South of the Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru
Urubamba
Located precisely in the middle of the Sacred Valley, Urubamba is an attractive little town, making it a good base for traveling around the area, exploring the countryside and visiting the Inca ...Urubamba, Peru
Yucay
Located a few kilometers east of Urubamba, Yucay is a peaceful town with a few interesting colonial homes and the restored colonial church of Santiago Apóstol. Inside the church, you\'ll find ...Yucay, Peru
Andahuaylillas and San Pedro
This small colonial village, located 37 kilometers (23 mi) south of Cusco, is home to one of Peru\'s most beautiful churches. Whether or not San Pedro is the \"Sistine Chapel of the Americas,\" as ...Andahuaylillas and San Pedro, Peru
Ollantaytambo
Poised in the northeastern end of the Sacred Valley, about 97 km (60.2 mi) from Cusco, this little town is a cultural haven well worth the visit. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks on both sides,
...Ollantaytambo, Peru
Pisac
Pisac (32 kilometers or 20 miles northeast of Cusco) is popular due to both ancient and modern attractions. The ancient ruins at the top of the mountainside-featuring a small Inca village with
...Pisac, Peru
Chinchero
Located 28 kilometers (17.4 mi) northwest of Cusco, the sleepy Andean town of Chinchero is one of the best places in the valley for Andean textiles and basic goods like hats, gloves, and shawls. With ...Chinchero, Peru
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