Located between Cusco and Machu picchu, the Sacred Valley (El Valley Sagrado, also known as the Rio Urubamba Valley) is really fun to explore. The main Inca sites are in Pisac, Maras, Moray, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo. The Incas constructed agricultural terraces on the steep hillside that are still in use today. The Sacred valley is particularly fertile and up to this day this is where lots of the potatoes (more than 300 species!), corn, onions, quinoa.... are grown. Inca had already taken advantage of this well irrigated valley to grow potatoes and corn. Ruins of Inca citadels above the valley are beautiful. Markets in the small towns are very attractive and colorful, showing an abundance of locally grown agricultural produce and flowers.
Pisac Ruins: this hilltop Inca citadel lies high above the village of Pisac
Urubamba and its large colorful market
Our B&B
Our nice host Rudy
Sweet tomatoes - Peruvians make jam with them
Salinas de Maras
This salt mine is a complex network of about 3,000 salt pans, shallow pools that are filled by a hypersaline underground spring. These salt pans are believed to have been developed in pre-inca times.and today are harvested by families during the dry season. It is likely that millions of years ago, the oceam was covering much of Central Peru. During the formation of the mountain ranges, the oceam water was trapped inland. and this may explain why the spring of Maras has so much salt.
Moray
This archeological site consists of agricultural terrasses with an irrigation system. The difference in temperature between the circular depressions favors the growth of different crops.
Ollantaytambo, another gem in the Sacred Valley
Lots of corn grown here
Chinchero - a small town combining Inca ruins and a beautiful colonial church
"A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles"
William Hazlitt
Happy New Year Everyone!
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