The Sacred Valley of the Incas {Peru}

Nearby the town of Cuzco is the Sacred Valley of the Incas, also known as the Urubamba River Valley. It’s a green valley, ringed by the tall Andes, and full of old Inca sites, including the most famous of all, Machu Picchu. My first visit to the Sacred Valley did not include Machu Picchu, however, but was a fantastic introduction to the area. It’s so gorgeous, and those mountains will take your breath away!

The first stop we made was C’orao, famous for its market (and also incidentally my very first introduction, ever, to hole-in-the-ground toilets). It was also here where I tested out my haggling Spanish.

We then went to Pisac, or Pisaqa by the locals, also famous for its market and this time, we visited ruins. The Pisaqa ruins were high up in those hills, and included quite a hike–worth it. The ruins include terraces, temple, and even Inca tombs. From Pisaqa, we went to Ollanaytambo (after a brief stop for two blown tires–welcome to Peru!) and ended the day in Chichero, famous for a church that was built up by the Spanish on an ancient Inca wall. That was a theme I found throughout Cuzco, too: the Spanish utilized the brilliant building of the Incas for their foundation. Today, the only structures undamaged by the unfortunately common earthquakes in the area are what is left of the Inca buildings.

Ollantaytambo features agricultural terraces used by the Incas, leading to the top of a mountain, where there is a giant rock in the shape of a puma (or mountain lion, sacred to the Incas) and several temples. At the bottom of this mountain, closer to the village, are old Inca aqueducts (which still successfully run water!), and a water temple. There was a tour guide for all of these sites, but unfortunately my Spanish was not stellar at this point, so I wasn’t able to get everything he said, but I think I got the gist.

(I guess I’ll never know, though, will I?).

In Chicero, I ended up getting lost, and missed a textile demonstration that the rest of the tour watched. I was happy to explore the little town, though, even with the constant dogging by cute little children trying to sell me finger puppets. I ended up caving and buying a small pescado (fish) puppet from an adorable little girl…one of the many times I would end up caving. What was I going to do with a fish finger puppet? Or, a finger puppet at all?

Due to our small tire mishap earlier, we ended up back in Cuzco a few hours later than planned, but I didn’t mind. It was my first weekend in Peru, and I couldn’t wait to explore more.

^my first view of the Sacred Valley, along with a local selling handiwork.^my Dalmatian sunglasses are a real fashion statement, I know. This was a few years ago, and I’ve matured, don’t worry!^ the C’orao market, complete with alpacas, because it’s the Andes, of course.^I couldn’t resist this little baby! ^the Pisaqa ruins and a huge dork.^overlooking the town of Pisac.^the bustling market at Pisac. Can you believe that view?^hiking along the Andes. ^more views of the Pisaqa ruins. ^my travel buddy, Linda, and I.  ^my other travel buddy, a tiny pink Buddha for luck. ^Ollantaytambo!

^a close-up view of the incredible Inca skills. Look at those crafted rocks! Oh, and I’m there, too.^the water temple near Ollantaytambo. ^the Andes at sunset. Wow!^Chichero. ^the sunset over Chicero and the Andes.

Linking up again for Travel Tuesday with Bonnie, Sammy, Kaelene and Van! A few days late but better late than never, right?