Hike Ancient Peru
Hike this site, adventurers!
Do you have all of the UNESCO sites on your bucket list? Well, we do. So Machu Picchu is on there. We did it. It was amazing.
You’re in the Sacred Valley. It echoes the lives of great past civilizations. People still mine salt in the mountains with care and honor. People still worship the ancient engineers who moved earth and water to make their populations thrive. They eat Guinea Pig. No, really. They do. And it’s not bad.
We recommend that you stay in Urubamba, but the first place you should visit is Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is a village in the Sacred Valley of south Peru, set on the Urubamba River amid snow-capped mountains. It’s known for the Ollantaytambo ruins, a massive Inca fortress with large stone terraces on a hillside. Major sites within the complex include the huge Sun Temple and the Princess Baths fountain. The village’s old town is an Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets and adobe buildings. There’s a great little market where you can buy everything from weavings to earrings. Stop and get your gifts there.
Five things that you MUST see:
Maras: Maras is a town near the city of Cusco in the Sacred Valley of southeastern Peru. It’s known for the Maras Salt Mines, thousands of individual salt pools on a hillside, dating back to Incan times.
Moray Incan Ruins: Very close to Maras is the Inca archaeological site on a high plateau featuring a series of concentric terraces. It’s breathtaking and impossible to photograph (though we did our best to capture it).
Machu Picchu: The crown jewel of sites, these are the iconic hilltop ruins of a large 15th-century Inca city featuring numerous structures and terraces.
Sacsayhuaman: An Inca complex surrounded by walls that were made by fitting stones tightly together without mortar.
Huayna Picchu: A steep peak featuring the famous remnants of a temple complex erected by an ancient civilization.
Bonus:
Phutuq K’usi: A round-shaped mountain popular for challenging climbs & views of Machu Picchu & river valley.
Peru has some pretty high altitudes, so take it easy. Drink lots of water and rest often, especially if you are from a lower altitude city. We are from Los Angeles, so even though we are fit, we frequently found ourselves out of breath. Check with your concierge to find a good personal tour guide. They are invaluable.
Our recommended hotel works with the best. Speaking of recommended hotels…
Where you should stay: Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Located in Urubamba, Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa is on a river, within a 10-minute drive of Estadio de Urubamba and Iglesia de Urubamba. This 5-star hotel is 2.6 mi (4.2 km) from Plaza de Armas and 2.8 mi (4.6 km) from Santuario del Senor de Torrechayoc.
Make yourself at home in one of the 128 air-conditioned rooms featuring iPod docking stations and LCD televisions. Your pillowtop bed comes with down comforters. Rooms have private balconies. Cable programming and DVD players are provided for your entertainment, while wireless Internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms with separate bathtubs and showers feature deep soaking bathtubs and designer toiletries.
Relax at the full-service spa, where you can enjoy massages, body treatments, and facials. You’re sure to appreciate the recreational amenities, including a health club, an outdoor pool, and an indoor pool. Additional amenities at this hotel include wireless Internet access, concierge services, and an arcade/game room.
Grab a bite to eat at the Hawa, a restaurant where you can take in the garden view and dine alfresco. Or stay in and take advantage of the 24-hour room service. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. Try the guinea pig. It’s delish.
Where you should stay en route: Cusco, Peru
Cusco makes us so happy. Visit the cathedral to see a rendition of The Last Supper with a guinea pig on the table. We laughed until we cried and we didn’t do a good job of hiding it. Here are some hotels that will help you get through the altitude dizziness and the stomach cramps from laughing:
Palacio del Inka, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco
Fallen Angel – The Small Luxury Guest House
Where will you go next?
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