In addition to the scenic beauty of the towns located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, near the city of Cusco, other towns and places are located, which also due to the importance of their archaeological sites, the beauty of their fields and landscapes, are an excellent destination. We recommend visiting the places described below.
On the road that connects Cusco with the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and accompanied by a beautiful view of the Urubamba mountain range, with beautiful snowfalls, and some lagoons, we can find:
It is a charming and historic area located in the city of Cusco, Peru. It is situated on a hillside, just a short walk from the city's main square, Plaza de Armas. San Blas is known for its narrow, cobblestone streets, colonial architecture, and artistic atmosphere. At the heart of the neighborhood, you'll find the Plaza San Blas. This small square is surrounded by art galleries, handicraft shops, and cozy cafes. It's a great place to relax, enjoy a cup of coffee, and soak in the bohemian ambiance.
Sacsayhuaman, also spelled as Sacsayhuamán or Saqsaywaman, is an ancient Inca fortress located on the outskirts of Cusco, Peru. It is one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the region and a popular tourist attraction. Sacsayhuaman is believed to have been constructed during the reign of the Inca emperor Pachacuti in the 15th century. The site was originally built as a military stronghold and served as a ceremonial center as well. Its strategic location on a hill overlooking Cusco made it an important defensive structure. The fortress is renowned for its impressive stone masonry. The Incas used massive limestone blocks to construct the walls of Sacsayhuaman. These stones were precisely cut and fitted together without the use of mortar, creating walls that have withstood centuries of earthquakes and weathering.
Located at the Northweast of the city of Cusco, 28 km (17.4 miles), called the "rainbow town", is located on a fertile valley, the town of Hispanic architecture is built on ancient Inca buildings. Its people are the most conservative of the Inca traditions and they preserve pictures and clothes. Every Sunday they hold the "catu", a fair for the exchange of agricultural products, in which the use of the currency is discarded and everything is bartered. Also noteworthy are the textile crafts. Archaeological sites, Inca palaces, terraces, and a large fortress in the place that attributed the appearance of the rainbow. In the town, it has a beautiful colonial church, with famous paintings of the Cusquenian School. Beautiful Andean landscapes surround the town, and the beauty of the snow-capped Chicón and Verónica of the Urubamba mountain range makes you happy.
Archaeological zone is located 53 km. northweast of Cusco, which highlights an admirable system of Inca terraces, formed by huge terraces superimposed in a concentric way like a large coliseum, achieving up to 150 meters in a difference of height levels. This technology allowed the ancient Inca farmers to create diverse microclimates, experiment, and obtain varieties of plants that would improve their crops. Each terrace has retaining walls and is connected by a complex system of artificial irrigation channels, which is a sample of the high hydraulic technology that the Incas also reached. Considered one of the first genetic laboratories of humanity. The surroundings of Moray are an excellent area for mountain biking and hiking. Its access is a detour from the road that connects Chinchero with Urubamba.
Located at 60 km (37 miles) and 7 km (4.3 miles) from Moray. In addition to the colonial town of Maras, the Salt mines of Maras stands out at a distance of 10 km from the town of Maras (30 minutes by car or 2 hours on foot). They are salt mines whose exploitation is as old as the Tahuantinsuyo. The inhabitants channel the saline water that emanates from the ground - from an eye of water called "Qoripujio" - to pools where, due to the effects of the sun, it evaporates leaving salt on the surface, which is then treated for sale in the local market . The view of the set of approximately three thousand pools is spectacular. The villagers show visitors their ancestral techniques and allow them to intervene in the collection.
The pampa (plateau) of Maras and Moray are excellent places for hiking or mountain biking, the landscapes are beautiful, and you will be able to have the sensation of touching the sky or the snowy peaks.
This is the name given to the route that connects the cities of Cusco with Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. This route reaches its highest point in La Raya (4,335 m.a.s.l) from where you descend to the Collao plateau. On this route also runs the train line Cusco - Puno, considered as the second most beautiful in the world for its landscape scenery of extraordinary natural beauty. If you have more time in Cusco, you can not miss this opportunity!!
Town located 5 km (3 miles) SouthEast of Cusco, in front of its Major Square stands a beautiful colonial church, with a carved stone facade and richly ornamented, baroque style, a beautiful collection of paintings with the life of San Juan Bautista. Its two towers are identical, although they were built with a difference of 155 years. Very close to this church, the chapel of San Lazaro is located, in which numerous Spaniards are buried, who died in the War of The Salinas, in the battle between the Spanish conquistadors Hernando Pizarro and Diego de Almagro for dominance. of Cusco in 1,538
Inca archaeological zone, located 23 km (14 miles) South East of Cusco. The royal gardens of the Inca Viracocha, center of veneration of the water, agricultural zone, megalithic buildings, and a citadel. A large set of remains, with large terraces that decrease in area as they ascend the mountain. A great wall crosses all the contours of this zone; to the center, a set of buildings constructed with immense rocks, and remains of an old citadel. In this area, there was a large Inca population.
Town located 25 km from Cusco, one of the first colonial communities, whose 47 bakeries have provided and provide bread to Cusco for generations.
Small town located 35 km. (22 miles) to the South East of Cusco, beautiful Andean landscapes, and a beautiful lagoon, which families of Cusco go on Sunday walks, resort, and recreational. Don't forget to taste its delicious and natural ice cream there are very delicious!
Piquillacta is an ancient pre-Columbian site that dates back to the Wari civilization, which thrived between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. It is situated about 30 kilometers southeast of Cusco. Piquillacta is known for its expansive urban layout, characterized by a vast complex of stone structures and terraces. The site covers an area of approximately 50 hectares (123 acres) and includes more than 700 structures, including residential buildings, storage facilities, ceremonial spaces, and streets. Piquillacta is considered one of the most well-preserved ancient urban centers in the Andean region.
Town located 45 km. South East of Cusco; It has a church of humble exterior appearance, which encloses one of the jewels of the most valuable colonial art of Peru, called the "Sistine Chapel of Peru". The interior of the Church of San Pedro of Andahuaylillas is an explosion of Baroque art with lots of reasons. It was built in 1631, and according to Spanish tradition, on an Inca temple, it has numerous and beautiful paintings of the Cusquenian School; its altars and marquetry are beautiful works of art made in gold leaf, its polychrome ceiling is a beauty.
Raqchi, also known as Racchi or Temple of Wiracocha, is an archaeological site located in the Cusco region of Peru. Here's some information about Raqchi, it is situated approximately 122 kilometers (76 miles) southeast of Cusco, in the province of Canchis. It is located at an elevation of about 3,450 meters (11,319 feet) above sea level. Raqchi was an important Inca site dedicated to the worship of Wiracocha, the supreme Inca deity. It was built during the reign of the ninth Inca ruler, Pachacuti, in the 15th century. The site served as a ceremonial and administrative center for the Inca empire. The main attraction at Raqchi is the Temple of Wiracocha, which is the largest known Inca structure dedicated to a single deity. The temple measures approximately 92 meters (302 feet) in length and 25.5 meters (84 feet) in width. It consists of a central adobe wall with a series of stone columns on each side.
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
