The Sacred Valley of the Incas, is actually the Vilcanota/Urubamba River valley. It is located about 10 miles north of Cuzco, and extends northwest through Pisak and Ollantaytambo. This entire region, highlighted by Cuzco, was the heart of the Inca civilization from the 14th to the 15th centuries. In reflection, there are numerous impressive ruins. Many of the villagers in this valley today live life much the same as they did prior to the Spanish Conquest in 1532.
High above Pisak on the mountainside is a superb Inca fortress. The town has a traditional Sunday morning market, at which local people sell their produce in exchange for essential goods. It is also major draw for tourists who arrive after 8am until 5pm. Pisak has other, somewhat less crowded, less expensive, but more commercial markets on Tuesday and Thursday morning. Each Sunday at 12am there is a Quechua mass.
The walk up to the ruins begins from the plaza, past the Centro de Salud and a new control post. The path goes through working terraces, giving the ruins a context.The first groups of buildings is Pisaqa, with a fine curbing wall. Then climb to the central part of the ruins, the Intihuatana group of temples and rock outcrops in the most magnificent Inca masonry. Here are the Reloj Solar ("Hitching post of the Sun") - now clodes because thieves stole a piece from it, palaces of the moon and stars, solstice markers, baths and water channels.
From Intihuatana, a path lead around the hillside through a tunnel to Q'Allaqasa, the military area. Across the valley at this point, a large area of Inca tombs in holes in the hillside can be seen. The end of the site is Kanchiracay, where the agricultural workers were housed. Road transport approaches from this end. The descent takes 30 minutes. As dusk you will hear, if not see, the Pisaka (partridges), after which the place is named. If lucky you will also see deer.
Escorted Tours including Pisak/Sacred Valley:
