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 What to do in Urubamba: 10 Tourist Places that you must visit
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What to do in Urubamba: 10 Tourist Places that you must visit

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What to do in Urubamba: 10 Tourist Places that you must visit

The province of Urubamba is made up of some of the most touristic districts in all of Cusco. Among them, the district of Aguas Calientes stands out, where nothing less than the archaeological site of Machu Picchu is located. Inca citadels such as Chinchero, Ollantaytambo, Moray and more also stand out.

 

Urubamba is a Cusco province famous for hosting the main tourist attractions of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Find out what places to visit in this province. Do not miss it!

 

The Sacred Valley Expat Community

The captivating energy of the Sacred Valley attracts individuals from every corner of the globe to this enchanting region. Diverse foreigners, hailing from a myriad of backgrounds, have made their homes across the valley, creating a distinctive and vibrant social tapestry. While Pisac boasts a substantial expatriate population, the town of Urubamba appears to have a more subtle expat presence, perhaps due to its larger size compared to some of the more tourist-centric villages.

 

Urubamba, however, maintains a thriving expatriate community that seamlessly integrates with the fabric of this Peruvian town. Despite its bustling nature, Urubamba exudes the ambiance of a working Peruvian village. Throughout the entire Sacred Valley, expatriates engage harmoniously with their surroundings, actively contributing to the community. Many expats support local farmers and businesses, advocate for sustainable practices, and participate in initiatives that give back to the Peruvian people.

 

There exists a profound respect among the expatriates toward the local residents, and a continual effort is made to learn from and assimilate into Peruvian society. This symbiotic relationship fosters a sense of unity and collaboration, creating a community that not only appreciates the mystical allure of the Sacred Valley of the Incas but actively works to enhance and preserve its cultural richness.

 

Classic Destinations of Urubamba

Located within the 7 districts of Urubamba province: Urubamba, Chinchero, Huayllabamba, Machupicchu, Maras, Ollantaytambo, and Yucay.

  1. Chinchero and Textile Centers

    The town of Chinchero stands out for keeping its traditions alive, such as its colorful clothing, its colonial church, and especially, its well-known textile centers. In this town, there are dozens of workshops where llama and alpaca fabrics are made. What's more, Chinchero is often included in Sacred Valley tours.

 

  1. Chinchero Archaeological Site

    Chinchero also stands out for its archaeological site, where the remains of the old palace of Túpac Yupanqui are found. To enter, you need to have an organized tour or buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket.

 

  1. Urubamba City

    Urubamba is a town located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, known for its amazing natural views, its mild climate, and many options for adventure sports.

 

  1. The town of Maras and its salt mines

    Maras is a traditional town located in the heart of the Sacred Valley. It is known for having the Salineras de Maras, a complex of hundreds of natural salt pools used since Inca times. This place is often included in tours of the area.

 

  1. Moray, the agricultural laboratory

    Moray stands out for its circular terraces, a group of four round terraces where each level has its own microclimate. This site, seen as an Inca agricultural experiment, is about 50 kilometers from Cusco and belongs to the province of Urubamba.

 

  1. Ollantaytambo

    Ollantaytambo is an ancient Inca city located in the Sacred Valley. Its old buildings include temples, defensive walls, and farming terraces. Also, the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo leaves from here, making it a key spot for travelers.

 

  1. Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex

    Located next to the town of the same name, this archaeological site is one of the most impressive in the Sacred Valley. Its buildings, as grand as those of Machu Picchu, show how great Inca design was.

 

  1. Yucay and its living culture museum

    Yucay, in the province of Urubamba, is known for its mild climate and its history linked to the Incas Huayna Cápac and Sayri Túpac. Its local museum shows Sacred Valley traditions, including textiles, pottery, local drinks, and traditional dishes.

 

  1. Catcco Museum

    The Catcco Museum is a cultural place located on old Inca remains. It offers an easy-to-understand look at the history of Ollantaytambo through panels, copies, old objects, and art showing Inca life.

 

  1. The Sacred Valley of the Incas

    The Sacred Valley was one of the main farming areas of the Tahuantinsuyo, and along its fertile lands, colonial towns like Maras were built, as well as important archaeological sites like Pisac, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo.

 

Urubamba

Sacred Valley of the Incas

 

Most popular attractions in Urubamba

Located in the Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes area, in the district of Machupicchu, which, although it belongs to Urubamba, is often treated as a separate area due to its distance and unique features.

  1. Machu Picchu

    The famous Inca citadel, considered one of the seven wonders of the modern world, stands out as the most impressive archaeological site of the Inca culture due to its urban planning, harmonious architecture, and the precision of its stone work.

 

  1. Huayna Picchu Mountain

    Huayna Picchu, the iconic mountain that appears behind Machu Picchu in the classic panoramic image, is famous for its steep trails and stone-carved stairs, which lead to unmatched views from the top.

 

  1. Huchuy Picchu Mountain

    Huchuy Picchu, which means "small mountain" in Quechua, is a smaller elevation located next to Huayna Picchu. The trail that leads to its summit goes through ancient Inca paths surrounded by lush plants and archaeological remains.

 

  1. Machu Picchu Mountain

    This mountain, the highest of the three that surround the citadel, offers one of the most challenging hikes. From the top, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the natural surroundings and the archaeological complex.

 

  1. Inca Trail

    The famous 4 day Inca Trail hike is one of the most iconic trekking routes in South America. It covers part of the Inca road network (qhapac ñan) and ends at the historic Intipunku entrance, just before reaching Machu Picchu.

 

  1. Aguas Calientes

    Also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, Aguas Calientes is the closest town to the archaeological site. It serves as a starting point for visitors heading to the citadel and offers various tourist services in a natural setting.

 

  1. Intipunku (Sun Gate)

    Intipunku, or Sun Gate, was the old ceremonial entrance to Machu Picchu. Considered a strategic lookout point in Inca times, today it marks the end of the Inca Trail and offers a spectacular view of the citadel at sunrise.

 

  1. Mandor Gardens

    Located a short distance from Aguas Calientes, the Mandor Gardens are a nature reserve with rich plants and animals, perfect for quiet walks. The route includes green trails, waterfalls, and a close connection with the area's plant and animal life.

 

  1. Putucusi Mountain

    Putucusi, whose name in Quechua means "Happy Mountain," is a mountain formation located in front of Machu Picchu. Although it is the smallest of the mountains in the area, its climb is demanding and represents one of the most intense challenges for hikers.

 

  1. Machu Picchu Site Museum

    This museum, located in Aguas Calientes, shows a collection of archaeological objects found in Machu Picchu, as well as information panels and photos that explain the history, architecture, and culture of the Inca empire.

 

Urubamba peru

Machu Picchu Peru

 

The capital of the Sacred Valley of the Incas

In the province of Urubamba are the majority of Inca citadels and Andean towns that make up the famous 'Sacred Valley of the Incas'.

 

The province of Urubamba is made up of seven districts: Chinchero, Huayllabamba, Machupicchu (Aguas Calientes), Maras, Ollantaytambo, Urubamba (capital) and Yucay.

 

During the Inca period, its fertile lands were used to build extensive terraces and platforms. Corn was mainly produced there.

 

The Incas also built their main citadels in the mountains of Pisac, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo. Near the town of Maras they built a circular agricultural center called 'Moray'.

 

During the colonial era, the Spanish built Baroque churches in the first reductions of Indians, which would later become Andean towns of great beauty.

 

Today the province of Urubamba offers dozens of tourist attractions for the visitor. This has caused the proliferation of hotels, restaurants and other services for tourists, some of them of a very good level. Even in the town of Chinchero an international airport is being built.

 

Where is Urubamba?

The town of Urubamba, the capital of the province of the same name, is located 53 kilometers by road from the city of Cusco. Urubamba is located at 2,871 meters above sea level.

 

The geography of the province of Urubamba is marked by the presence of the Vilcanota River as well as the high snow-capped mountains such as Salkantay, El Chicón, El Verónica and more.

 

The province of Urubamba is located northeast of the city of Cusco. It limits with the provinces of Calca, Anta and La Convención.

 

Much of its territory is made up of mountains and valleys. However, it also has high tropical jungle, such as the district of Machupicchu.

 

 

How to get there from Cusco?

To get to the district of Urubamba (capital of the province of the same name) by public transport, you must follow the following route:

  • From any part of the city of Cusco you must take a taxi or public transport bus to Pavitos street. Another option is to go on foot as this street is only 900 meters from the city's Plaza de Armas.
  • The public transport minivans will take the visitor to the town of Urubamba. The trip takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. The cost of the trip is approximately 8 Peruvian soles.
  • Once in the town of Urubamba, the tourist can take other public transport buses to neighboring towns such as Ollantaytambo. In this last town, the train to Machu Picchu is boarded.

History of the province of Urubamba

The territory of Urubamba was occupied by various ethnic groups who were subjugated or annexed to the nascent Inca empire in the 13th and 14th centuries. During the Inca period, the fertile territory was used for the cultivation of potatoes, corn, quinoa and more. The most important citadels built by the Incas were located in the current districts of Chinchero, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Yucay.

 

With the Spanish invasion in the 16th century, the Inca temples were destroyed. Baroque colonial temples were built in their place. In addition, the so-called "Indian reductions" were created, which would become the current towns and districts of the province. In 1825 the province of Urubamba was created. In 1839 the district of the same name was chosen as its capital. Due to its fertile lands as well as its towns and Inca citadels, the territory of Urubamba is also currently called 'The Sacred Valley of the Incas'.

 

Main tourist attractions

These are the main tourist attractions in the province:

  • Chinchero Archaeological Site – In this town the Emperor Túpac Yupanqui ordered the construction of his palace. With the arrival of the Spanish, it was destroyed. In its place the Spanish built the temple of Nuestra Señora de la Natividad. Of the immense palace, some walls, doors, stairways remain, as well as an immense set of platforms, small squares and paths.

  • Salineras de Maras – Just 7 kilometers from the town of Maras there are hundreds of natural salt wells formed millions of years ago. The salt was well used by the Incas. Today the local inhabitants distribute it through the markets of Cusco. The set of salt pools offers an amazing landscape.

  • Circular platforms of Moray – Moray is a set of large and small circular platforms, which offer a view that is often photographed by visitors. There the Incas experimented with the cultivation of various agricultural products, some produced in distant regions since the Moray platforms offer diverse microclimates.

  • Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site – This Inca citadel and temple displays some of the heaviest and most finely carved constructions of the Incas in Cusco. There the Incas faced the Spanish in 1537. Because of this many structures were damaged. However, you can still see constructions as immense as the Temple of the Sun, the enclosure of the 10 niches or the baths of the ñusta.

  • Machu Picchu – Machu Picchu was an Inca citadel that stands out for its fine stone constructions as well as for the wonderful and harmonious landscape in which it was built. It was the emperor Pachacutec who ordered its construction in approximately 1450. Today it is recognized as one of the 7 wonders of the modern world. It is located only 10 kilometers from the district of Aguas Calientes.

What to do in urubamba

Maras Salt Mines

 

What to see and do in Urubamba?

  1. Ceramic workshop Pablo Seminario

    Pablo Seminario is an artist who opened his studio more than 30 years ago in Urubamba with his wife, Marilu Behar.
    An architect passionate about Peruvian cultures, he learned different pre-Columbian ceramic techniques to perpetuate this art.
    Today he is a renowned ceramic artist who sells his pieces all over the world!
    They offer a small guided tour, with a presentation of the pieces and a video about the manufacturing process.
    It is the perfect place to buy a good quality souvenir, but also to enjoy a break in its patio with a beautiful fountain, cacti and flowers.
    1. Address: 405 Berriozabal Avenue, Urubamba; open every day from 8am to 7pm.

 

  1. The Urubamba market

    In Peru, the market is the heart of the community and this is even more true of the Urubamba market because it is much less touristy than others, like the one in Písac, for example.
    It is a large covered market where little houses sell fruits, vegetables, a variety of potatoes, meats, cereals, and excellent fresh fruit juices.
    If you like to mix with the local population and discover all kinds of products, it is a place to visit in Urubamba.
    1. Address: two corners of the Plaza (Jirón Comercio, Urubamba)

 

  1. Explore Maras and Moray

    About 10 km from Urubamba are the Salinas de Maras, a set of more than 3,000 saltwater wells.
    It is a must-see in the Sacred Valley, and a magical place to take photos!
    You can even visit the salt flats with a local community that offers a complete experience with different workshops to discover their traditions, taste chicha morada and guinea pig.
    7 km from Maras are the agricultural terraces of Moray, where the Incas managed to simulate 20 different microclimates to grow plants from all over the empire.

 

  1. Hiking

    There are several hikes that you can do from Urubamba.
    For example, you can go to the Tantanmarka Viewpoint, which offers a magnificent view after a 45-minute climb. There is also another point of view a little further on.
    For a more advanced hike, head to Nevado Chicón, which rises to 5,530m in the Cordillera de Urubamba (can be done solo, but best to go with a guide). The walk allows you to see: a river, green landscapes, the Juchuyocha Lagoon, etc.

 

  1. Relax in the Spa of the Hotel Tambo del Inka

    Tambo del Inka is one of the most luxurious hotels in Peru with a prestigious spa.
    It offers various treatments and massages, a jacuzzi, as well as an indoor and outdoor pool.
    The outer part offers a magnificent view of the gardens and the river.
    1. Price: massages start at 162 soles, other treatments start at 176 soles, you can use the pool, gym and sauna for 20 dollars.
    2. Address: Avenida Ferrocarril, Urubamba, open every day from 7 to 10 at night. Remember to book several days in advance, especially in high season

 

  1. The town of Yucay

    Yucay is a very pretty and quiet town where you can walk between the corn fields and the mountains.
    Enchanted by its pleasant climate and its fertile land, Huayna Cápac decided to settle in the town, he built palaces and agricultural terraces with an irrigation system.
    The place was considered a great example of hydraulic technology and agricultural production. Today the aqueducts are still working!
    Walking you will see a mixture of Inca architecture (the Ñusta Palace and the Sayri Túpac Inca Palace, which is next to one of the town squares) and colonial architecture (Santiago Apóstol Church).

 

  1. Perolniyoc waterfall

    It is a 100 meter waterfall surrounded by beautiful vegetation.
    You have to go through the Socma community first because the walk begins from there.
    It is a little touristy place that is worth visiting in Urubamba if you have time.
    Also, the whole path is beautiful and access is free!
    1. How to get to the Perolniyoc waterfall?
      On your own:
      on the Pachar-Huarocondo highway, go to the community of Socma (2h from Cusco)
      With a tour from Cusco: the visit includes pick-up at your hotel in Cusco, the hike to Perolniyoc, lunch with local products, and a stop at the Inca site of Ñaupa Iglesia.

 

  1. Kaia Ecostore

    It is a small store where you can find many natural products from the region.
    There is also an "esoteric" section, but above all it is a good place to buy good quality coffee, honey, essential oils, craft beers and other products.
    1. Address: Avenida Berriozabal 111, Urubamba.

 

  1. Inkariy Museum

    It is the best museum in the region!
    It presents the Caral, Chavín, Paracas, Mochica, Nasca, Wari, Lambayeque and Chimu-Inca cultures with clothing and reproductions of typical scenes.
    1. Address: Km 53 of the route between Urubamba and Písac, Mon-Sun 8:30am-5pm, entry 35 soles.

 

  1. Participate in the Festival of the Lord of Torrechayoc

    The Lord of Torrechayoc is the patron of Urubamba.
    It is a big party that takes place in mid-May (usually on the second Saturday of the month) with various events, with a mass, a procession, traditional dances with beautiful costumes and fireworks to close the party.
    If you are lucky enough to be there in May, I recommend you go because the popular festivals are always impressive in Peru, you will not be disappointed!

 

  1. Yoga and meditation session

    Various places such as Kinsapacha, Casa de Voz, Willka T'ika Essential Wellness or Samadhi offer workshops on healing, well-being and a sustainable lifestyle: Kundalini yoga with breathing exercises, Mantra, meditation or gong.

 

Weather in Urubamba

The climate in the town of Urubamba (capital of the province) is temperate and warm. The temperature varies from a maximum of 23ºC. up to a minimum of 4ºC. at certain times of the year. The average temperature is 11ºC.

 

From April to October the dry season occurs. In those months the rains are not frequent (the geography becomes dry). Also the nights are colder. From November to March the rainy season occurs. In those months it rains more frequently. The nights are less cold.

 

Urubamba things to do

Urubamba Peru

 

Stroll Through the Urubamba Cemetery

It may sound peculiar, but the cemetery in Urubamba is undeniably breathtaking, making a visit one of the most captivating experiences in the town. Adorned with exquisite fresh bouquets of flowers, this graveyard is nestled amid the verdant embrace of the surrounding mountains. A small makeshift flower shop at the heart of the cemetery adds to its charm, where locals purchase large floral arrangements to lovingly place on headstones. Venture to the rear of the cemetery, and you'll discover a hidden gem—a small church tucked away along a tranquil path weaving through the lush grass.

 

Though compact, the cemetery is enclosed by a substantial fence. Families can be found sharing drinks or meals around a headstone, cherishing moments with departed loved ones whose spirits linger in the sacred space. There's a unique energy permeating the air, as this cemetery was erected atop the ancient Inca ruins of Palacio de Huayna Capac.

Arguably, Urubamba's cemetery stands out as one of the most hauntingly beautiful resting places I've encountered in all of Peru.

 

Best Tours in Peru

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.

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