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...
Welcome!Machu PicchuThe Sacred ValleyThe Inca CivilizationPeru & The AndesTravelling & ActivitiesResources
 

The Vilcanota River (Urubamba River)

Location: Rediscover Machu Picchu > The Sacred Valley > The Vilcanota River (Urubamba River)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bookmark/share

 





 

The Sacred River...

 

The Vilcanota River is generally called Urubamba River or Rio Urubamba in Spanish. It flows across the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas and in the north of the country it meets with the Apurímac and Ucayali Rivers, together with them it forms the mighty Amazon.

Most maps will call it River Urubamba, the name is identical with the valley's name through which it flows.

 

The word "vilca" or "huilca", sometimes written "wilca" means "sacred".

 

It is called Vilcanota in the area where it comes above the ground (near the Puno Region's border).

 

The section in the Sacred Valley (exactly between Písac and Ollantaytambo) is called Wilcamayu or Huilcamayo (meaning "Sacred River").

 

It is called Urubamba in northern Peru, where it is partially navigable. Though, most maps will call it Urubamba from the beginning to its end.

 

Despite all these rational explanations, the river still gets called Vilcanota, even by specialists...

 

It is important to mention that the Vilcanota flows in the Urubamba Valley, not the Vilcabamba Valley (which is further south, another valley where the Vilcabamba River flows).

 

Confusions between words including Urubamba, Vilcanota, Vilcabamba, Wilcamayu, Sacred are numerous...

    

 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...

[Read more...]

    

 

 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...

[Read more...]

  

 Machu Picchu Maps

    

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

[Read more...]

    

 The Discovery of Machu Picchu

    

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

[Read more...]

  

 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!

[Read more...]

  

 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...

[Read more...]

  

 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...

[Read more...]

  

 Trains

     

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

[Read more...]

  

 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...

[Read more...]

    

 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!...

[Read more...]

 

 Trip Planning

     

Trip Planning

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

[Read more...]

 

 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!...

[Read more...]

     

 Live Weather & Climate Info

     

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

[Read more...]

 

 Advertise on this Site!

     

Advertise with Featured Listings

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

[Read more...]

   

 Photo Gallery

     

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

[Read more...]

   

 Video Gallery

     

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

[Read more...]

 

     
Website Information

About This Site

Why Choose Us?

Link to Us!

Contact Us


Policies

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

Content Policy

Disclaimer


Additional Services

Advertising

Downloads

Partners, Friends, Contributors...

Contribute!

Partners, Friends, Contributors

 

Thank you for choosing Rediscover Machu Picchu, the most popular and complete portal dedicated to Machu Picchu, the Incas and Peru travel opportunities!

 

We have been serving our visitors since 2006 and have received lots of encouraging, stimulating messages, reason why we have extended our services and have improved our site in order to better help you, regardless whether you are a backpacker traveler, an adventure travel-seeker, an Inca fan, archaeologist, professional photographer or even business traveler...

 

With us, you will be able to learn about Machu Picchu and the Incas, gather information about Peru, as well as plan your trip, easily choose and book for travel services.

 

We welcome you and encourage you to return to us frequently!

And, if you are planning to travel to Peru, we wish you a trip of a lifetime!

 

In case you have any questions, suggestions, ideas, remarks and business proposals, then don't hesitate to contact us!