Super Sacred Valley, Maras & Moray Review: An Inca Adventure

If you’re thinking about planning a trip to Peru, the Sacred Valley is a place you’ve definitely heard about, so maybe you’re wondering whether it actually lives up to the hype? Well, it’s pretty hard to express how amazing it actually is, and what’s so cool is that a trip to the Sacred Valley actually gives you a peek into the great heart of Inca history and culture. Close to Cusco, yet a world away in terms of tranquility and landscape, so the Sacred Valley is just bursting with stuff to check out like ancient ruins, interesting towns, and crazy scenery. Let’s just check it all out, piece by piece.

Getting Acquainted with the Sacred Valley

So, just what is this famed Sacred Valley, then? Basically, it’s the valley near Cusco and Machu Picchu. That area has really gentle weather. In the olden days, it was important to the Incas as a spot for farming, so too it had some religious significance. Today, actually, it’s still one of the top tourist stops in Peru. As I was saying, the valley is spread out between the towns of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero, which all offer distinct vibes and some pretty neat attractions.

Actually, one of the things that’s kind of neat about visiting the Sacred Valley is getting there. From Cusco, so you can either hop on a tour bus or even grab a taxi for a lot more freedom. Anyway, the drive itself gives you just amazing views. Picture winding roads that’s almost like taking you through tall mountains and into some just crazy green valleys.

Pisac: Markets and Mountain Views

Your very first stop must be Pisac. Often, Pisac is super popular for its large market. If you actually want to buy souvenirs, this market could be it. Really, you could buy textiles, jewelry, and crafts. Basically, the prices are, actually, pretty good for haggling, just a bit!

But wait, there’s even more; high above the market, seemingly, sit the Pisac ruins, kind of like an ancient Inca citadel sitting right on a mountain. What you should do is take a hike up, yet a lot of the tour guides often lead these trips, so that way, you can peek at some old Inca temples and terraces and grab a breathtaking view down the valley, obviously!

Ollantaytambo: Inca Fortress and Train Hub

The Ollantaytambo, a little bit further into the valley, served both as a town and as a great fortress, very, actually. The terraces are really incredibly maintained. While wandering, very seemingly, around, actually picture Inca warriors back then! Then, picture how tough things really used to be!

Ollantaytambo is super convenient. If you happen to plan on going to Machu Picchu, often the train comes from here! The town’s old streets and just its peaceful vibe can tempt any traveler.

Chinchero: Weaving Traditions and Inca Walls

Just before heading back toward Cusco, basically, take a stop to Chinchero. Actually, this little village blends Inca building features with Spanish architecture, sort of, kind of. What I mean to say is, you’ll just get views of Inca walls beside a Spanish church, something cool to behold!

Chinchero’s also where to see old Andean weaving traditions live. So it turns out, that local women still make beautiful textiles by hand and teach people the skill! With some persuasion, these fabrics can often be gotten as souvenirs from the place, of course. These could be just awesome remembrances of the place.

Maras Salt Mines: A Sparkling Landscape

Not very far from the common trail that people know as Sacred Valley, there’s this great vista, specifically Maras. It’s more or less these salt mines. It might be almost like thousands of salt ponds descend from the mountainside. And actually, it has been around since before Inca rule!

Touring, really, the Maras salt mines provides people not only the chance to grab cool pictures; It’s the fact of life too. And the story is that native families actually possess ponds there. These families also maintain these areas. These also extract that for generations!

Moray: Inca Agricultural Marvel

Moray may happen to be a real sight near Maras. Basically, the place is this array of huge, terraced bowls. And it’s almost in the Earth. As a matter of fact, scientists believe that people of the Inca did put up with a spot like it to attempt experiments on farming, or something along those lines. It could be testing just how things perform under microclimates in differing levels of the terraces!

As a matter of fact, roaming Moray might actually teach anyone to start, basically, marveling over their ingenuity. And seemingly, actually, the people there knew so well on how to tame mother Earth and adapt it in its farming practice.

What to think when planning your trip!

Here are things I tell, sort of, everyone, just before doing trips to the Valley. The key factor when it comes to maximizing travels is, as a matter of fact, the planning phase!

Best time: When is the ultimate moment to stop by? Oh yeah, for the perfect climatic conditions, I find that that’s in months between May to September.

How long is best spent at Valley: Very well. Two or three days must be given when you stop to experience what the place shows.

Tour options: Oh yeah, you could find tours online. It’d be even better if you hire those for that tailored visit.

Lodging: At locations that may appeal. Locations are from those quaint ones down by the countryside and onto very luxury suites.

Physical needs and medical issues: The place is, basically, fairly high so always take care for changes because its atmospheric density there differs!

What else I must recall: Hydrate plenty there! You can also be prepared. Always just dress just the appropriate type of dress when the UV rays becomes rather fierce, especially by midday!

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