Rediscover Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas"! Complete travel guide to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and other exciting parts of Peru with detailed information about the Inca civilization...
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The Sacred Valley

Location: Rediscover Machu Picchu > The Sacred Valley

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The fantastic area of Peru that draws millions of visitors every year...

The myriad of attractions and activities include: spectacular Andean landscapes with agricultural terrace-filled mountain sides, friendly little towns with colourful markets of traditional products, ancient Inca ruins, hiking and biking opportunities, ancient Inca ruins...

 

  

Chinchero, a Scenic Old Peruvian Town

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This town is very well preserved with typical old Peruvian buildings and streets on which water runs in the central line, in a small aqueduct.

The attractions of the town include museums, the Sunday market, the well-conserved Inca terraces near it, but also the old white church of the town.

Read further: Chinchero

  

 

The Circular Terraces of Moray

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The wonderful views and impressive dimensions of the site will captivate you for sure!

Moray is also home to the Moray Raymi, a colourful festival (dating back to ancient Inca times) celebrating the summer solstice. This event is held each September.

The Moray terraces mustn't be left out if you travel to the Sacred Valley region!

Read further: Moray

 

 

The Salinas Salt Pools

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Small artificial ponds help locals extract the salt by through evaporation.

These pools are built in a beautiful way on the sides of a hill in the proximity of the village of Maras. Because of the beautiful views ..

This is another "must see" place and for complete information about it, we recommend you to check this little guide.

Read further: Salinas

 

 

Písac, a Strategically Built Inca Fortified Complex

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Písac is a town and also a famous Inca archaeological complex. The latter located much higher than the town and, offers splendid views over the Urubamba Valley.

The local market of Písac attracts visitors every weekend and photographers particularly, love climbing up to the ruins and immortalizing beautiful views around.

Read further: Písac

 

 

Calca, a Village with a Puma Statue

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Calca is the capital of the province with the same name and it has a mild climate, making it an all-year-round destination.

It has thermal baths and the ancient ruins of Huchuy Qosqo (Yuchuy Cuzco) or "Little Cuzco" nearby.

Calca is an ideal relaxation destination in the Sacred Valley.

Read further: Calca

 

 

Yucay, Another Friendly Little Village

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The icon of this little village is its beautiful tiny church with red walls and yellow towers.

Locals sell traditional products right in front of the church that resembles a dwarf building from a fairy tale. It is a wonderful sight that you mustn't miss when travelling and exploring the Sacred Valley.

Yucay is very easy to approach and is the visit is doable in 1 - 2 hours.

Read further: Yucay

 

 

Maras, a Village where Animals Walk the Streets

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This small village is one of the least visited in the Sacred Valley... Perhaps because it is located a bit further from the main road that connects Cuzco with Ollantaytambo...

Nevertheless, if you want to visit Moray and the salt ponds of Salinas, you will have to get to Maras as well, which is interesting, because it is very well-preserved and the locals are very friendly!

Read further: Maras

 

 

Vilcanota, Wilcamayu... The Sacred River

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The river that runs from southeast to northwest is iconic to the Sacred Valley of the Incas...

In this part of Peru, it is called Wilcamayu by the locals, but most maps will call it Urubamba, despite these, you will most often hear westerners calling it Vilcanota...

The beautiful river is dangerous for swimming and rafting, but it is the main vein of life in this area of Peru...

Read further: Vilcanota River

 

 

The Lush Green Urubamba Valley

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Fantastic colourful landscapes will surround you as you travel across the Urubamba Valley. We might as well call it gorge... Its abrupt slopes and high mountains around might make you feel like in a canyon even...

The train that takes visitors close to Machu Picchu runs through the Urubamba, a beautiful environment, a paradise for photographers...

Read further: Urubamba Valley

    

 What is Inside Machu Picchu?

      

Machu Picchu AttractionsCheck out this thorough guide which will unveil the sectors, the buildings and the purpose for which they were built...

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 Machu Picchu's Construction

    

Machu Picchu's ConstructionThe Incas had excellent skills when they built this city 2.400 m above sea level from hard rocks without the use of mortar...

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 Machu Picchu Maps

    

Machu Picchu MapsAccess orientative maps and schemes, as well as scaled virtual interactive maps of Machu Picchu and the area...

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 The Discovery of Machu Picchu

    

Machu Picchu's DiscoveryThe story about how Machu Picchu was discovered and speculations about previous visitors to the ruins...

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 Hike on the Inca Trail!

     

Inca Trail Hiking, Adventure TripsTravelers who hike on the Inca Trail get to see archaeological sites and spectacular Andean views that others won't!

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 Cuzco & Nearby Destinations

     

Cuzco & Surrounding AttractionsCuzco, the former capital of the Inca Empire and the region around it has some wonderful attractions that you mustn't miss when visiting Peru...

Cuzco (Cusco)

Tambomachay

Sacsayhuamán

Q'enko

Puca Pucara

   

 The Sacred Valley of the Incas

     

The Sacred Valley of the IncasFantastic landscapes and Inca ruins characterize the Sacred Valley where the heart of the Inca Empire was...

Find out more about it!

Ollantaytambo

Moray

Písac

Chinchero

Yucay

Urubamba

Salinas

    

 Exciting Peruvian Destinations!

     

Recommended Destinations in PeruPlaces that you might want to visit when travelling to Peru. From Inca and pre-Inca ruins to boasting big cities and rural areas there is a lot to see!

Chachapoyas, Kuelap & Surroundings

Chiclayo & Surroundings

Cajamarca & Surroundings

Trujillo, Chan Chan & Surroundings

Lima & Surroundings

Peruvian Amazon

Arequipa & Surroundings

Colca Canyon

Ica, Pisco & Surroundings

Nazca Lines

Lake Titicaca & Surroundings

   

 Flights

     

Peru FlightsFor information about air travel possibilities to and from Peru and for flight ticket booking, please check this section...

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 Hotels

     

Peru, Cuzco, Machu Picchu Hotels

Presents recommended hotels near Machu Picchu and other parts of Peru. Helps you find a good place to stay...

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 Trains

     

Trains, Machu Picchu Train SchedulesMachu Picchu train schedules, railway travel possibilities are presented in deep details for your convenience...

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 Buses

     

Cuzco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu BusesBuses will take you where the planes and trains won't. Find out here about buses to Machu Picchu and the rest of Peru...

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 Tours/Trip Packages

     

Peru, Machu Picchu Tours/Trip PackagesRecommended tour operators and trip package-selling agents are listed here. Pick your trip package or tour with our help!...

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 Trip Planning

     

Trip Planning

If you are willing to travel to Machu Picchu, then you must plan everything from packing to getting there...

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 Place Finder Tool

     

Place Finder Tool

Looking for a place in Peru? Use this handy tool to find it on the map and even get its GPS coordinates!...

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  Live Weather & Climate Info

     

Live Weather Report & Climate InformationDetailed climate information and live weather report for multiple Peruvian locations...

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 Advertise on this Site!

     

Advertise with Featured Listings

Buy featured listings on relevant pages to target your clients efficiently and boost your business!

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 Photo Gallery

     

Photo GalleryFine quality photos of Machu Picchu and the rest of Peru. See the people and the beautiful places...

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 Video Gallery

     

Video GalleryCollection of carefully selected videos relevant to Peru, Machu Picchu, the Incas and related subjects.

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