History of the Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley of the Incas, in the Peruvian Andes on the edge of the cloud forest, is made up of many rivers that flow down through gorges and small valleys, and is home to numerous archaeological monuments and indigenous villages across the provinces of Urubamba and Calca. The Incas prized this valley for its exceptional geography and climate: it was one of their main centers of production thanks to the richness of its soil, and it is where the finest corn in Peru is still grown.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas has been declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation. Scattered along it are beautiful colonial towns whose blend of cultures lives on today in their architecture, art and traditions: Chinchero and its weavers, Pisac and its craft market, cosmopolitan Urubamba, Ollantaytambo with its fortress and living Inca town, and Maras and Moray with the dazzling salt mines. Throughout the valley, local communities have created rural and experiential tourism programs that amaze visitors and locals alike. Each is a world of its own, and together they offer a unique way to discover the most traditional region of the South American Andes.