Chinchero Archaeological Site and Market Tour

Chinchero, also known as the town of the rainbow, lies 28 km northwest of the imperial city of Cusco at 3,160 m.a.s.l., flanked by the snow-capped peaks of Salkantay, Verónica and Soray. The view from the town is breathtaking. Chinchero belongs to the province of Urubamba, department of Cusco. It is the most traditional town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a thoroughly Inca town that the conquistadors tried to “civilize” in order to impose their religion, but never fully succeeded. The locals still live in almost intact Inca buildings. At the archaeological site of Chinchero, the first thing that catches the eye is its terracing, which shows that it was an agricultural production center in Inca times. History tells that with the arrival of the Spaniards, Chinchero was set on fire in 1536 by Manco Inca during his flight to Vilcabamba, so as to leave nothing for the Spaniards. On top of the palace of the Inca Túpac Yupanqui, the Spaniards built the church of Our Lady of Montserrat in 1607 as a symbolic representation of the Incas’ submission. Its gold-leaf Baroque main altar is dedicated to the Virgin of the Nativity, and its walls are decorated with works by Diego Quispe Tito, the leading representative of the Cusco School, as well as works by Francisco Chihuantito. At Chinchero’s Sunday market you can admire its famous textiles. In this town, the close-knit communities have preserved a living, intangible heritage of extraordinary value, expressed in their weaving as well as in their farming practices and their network of family and community ties. In the workshops of the artisans’ associations, the entire weaving process is demonstrated daily, from washing the wool to the finished product, and you can learn about the techniques of spinning, dyeing and weaving. From Chinchero you can also reach the beautiful Huaypo Lake and the village of Piuray. Chinchero is also renowned as a town of talented textile artisans.