10. CORICANCHA

To be honest, I debated whether or not I wanted to add this to my list. The reason behind this is that the Spanish destroyed much of this building to build the Santo Domingo Church. However, this was the most important temple, in the most import city of the Inca Empire and I believe it is worth a visit when in the area.

Coricancha (Qoricancha) is referred to as the Temple of the Sun. It was the most sacred of all the temples in the empire. Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, means navel, or center, in Quechua (Incan language) and this was the center of Cusco. It was built to honor the Sun God, Inti, and also the creator deity Viracocha. Built by Manco Cápac (Manko Qhuapaq) it was later expanded by the ninth Inca ruler Pachacutec (Pachakutiq) around the time of his rule approximately 1438. The temple was used for religious ceremonies and was heavily laden in gold and precious metals. It is said that the walls were covered in gold and that statues of gold and other precious metals, lined its halls and courtyards. Sadly, these were sent back to Spain as a thank you for allowing this conquest.

9. Q’enko

Located a short distance to the north of Cusco, Q’enko (Q’enqo) is the largest huaca (spiritual place) of the region. The name translates to zigzag, or labyrinth , and is named for the zigzag patterns carved into the huge monolith dominating the site and for the underground galleries located underneath it. It is believed that sacrifices and mummifications took place at this site. The zigzag canals are thought to have been for holy water, chicha (maize beer), or blood. Evidence suggests that mummifications took place under ground in the chambers. The site also boasts several religious carvings among the rocks and an amphitheater that’s purpose is still a mystery today!

8. Sacsayhuaman

Sitting at over 12,000 ft. above sea-level just north of Cusco, Sacsayhuaman was assumed to be an Inca fortress. Its sheer size, massive limestone walls (each stone weighing 90-120 tons), and elevated location above Cusco makes it easy to argue this fact. However, Sacsayhuaman served as a residence, storehouse, and temple. In fact, it was only used as a fortress against the Spaniards by Manco Inca.

Construction of this site started under the rule of Pachacutec. It was believed to take between 50-70 years to complete with a workforce of about 20,000. Interestingly enough, this site seems to predate the Inca and is believed to have been expanded upon from earlier tribes. It consisted of three separate terraces which contained only one point of entry each. Although no longer standing, the site also contained three towers which served different purposes for the site. Again, after Spanish acquistion of the site, they used the materials from inside to reconstruct Cusco in their image. The walls were thought to have been left due to the sheer size and the difficulty necessary to move them.

7. Maras Salt Mines

Technically not Inca ruins since they’re still in use today, the salt mines of Maras have been providing salt to the locals for hundreds of years! Located about 30 miles from Cusco, the Salinas de Maras are made up of several thousand shallow pools (approx. 13 sq ft x 1ft deep). The water flows from a natural spring that formed during the creation of the Andes over 100 million years ago. This mixes with salt deposits from prehistoric lakes. The water is directed into the pools using channels to flood the pool before they are dammed up and left to evaporate in the intense Peruvian sun.

Once evaporated, local families scrape the salt crystals off to sell in local markets, in bigger Peruvian cities, or internationally! Locals are able to extract over 300 lbs. of Peruvian pink salt a month. It gets its color from its high mineral content of magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iron among others. Unfortunately due to contamination of the pools, tourists are no longer allowed to walk down to the pools. However, they can still see great views from the elevated viewpoints in the area.

6. Moray

Approximately 30 miles from Cusco, and not far from the salt mines, lies another fascinating feat of Incan ingenuity. The Inca ruins of Moray are considered to be an agricultural laboratory. The site is dominated by circular terraces located at approximately 11,500 ft. above sea level. The Inca took great care in design of this site in regards to sun angle and wind direction. The results of this design allow a temperature difference of nearly 30 degrees (F) from the lowest to highest terrace! Furthermore, studies on the soil show that it was brought from different regions of the sacred valley. This information strengthens the idea that Moray was used to test what crops would grow best in certain particular regions.

The site also has irrigation built in so that even during the rainy season, the lower terraces rarely flood. The Inca experimented with their crops to adapt them to grow better at altitude and to make them consumable. This experimentation has led to the Inca having more than 2,000 types of potatoes, and over 50 varieties of corn!

5. Chinchero

The town of Chinchero is roughly 20 miles from Cusco, and closer still to Maras. It is believed to have been a summer, country resort for Inca Tupac Yupanqui (Pachacutec’s son). Thought to have been the birthplace of the rainbow, Chinchero still has some of the most fertile land. Today, it is home to the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco. Here tourists are welcome to observe the process of how alpaca wool is worked from start to finished product. The women do not charge for the demonstration, however a gratuity is appreciated. Tourists can buy finished projects for a fraction of the price that they will see them for in larger cities.

Chinchero also has a daily market, however Sundays draw the most vendors. Although this market is generally smaller than the market in Pisac, it is geared more toward the locals. It offers a wide variety of goods to purchase from the vendors in the surrounding areas.

Another draw to the city are the Inca ruins situated above the city. The ruins offer amazing views of the mountains in the area and many examples of Incan walls, terraces, and architecture. Sadly, Inca Tupac Yupanqui’s palace was destroyed so the Spanish could build a church on its foundation in 1607. This church is the oldest in Peru still in use today, and inside is filled with beautiful paintings and decorations. (although the church respectfully asks that you do not take pictures inside)

4. Wiñay Wayna

Number four on my list is slightly different from the rest due to the fact that hiking is required. Every other ruin can be reached by some form of transportation (although hiking is an option for most). I did this intentionally to include anyone interested in the area, without limiting for time or physical ability.

Located along the Inca Trail, Wiñay Wayna is located near Machu Picchu via a 1-day hike option. This would allow you access to this site while skipping some of the most grueling parts of the Inca Trail. Wiñay Wayna is located in a cloud forest and provides you with breath taking views of the Urubamba River Valley.

It is situated close to the final campsite on the four day Inca Trail hike. Wiñay Wayna consists of an upper and lower house group and is connected by a long set of steep stairs. Most believe Wiñay Wayna was built as a religious site. However, due to its proximity to Machu Picchu it could have served as a rest stop for nobles. Although smaller than Machu Picchu, its lack of tourists make it a “must see” site. Only a few other tourists were exploring the ruins when our group arrived. We were able to get up close and personal with some llamas and explore the ruins without fighting through crowds. This was one of my favorite memories of my time in Peru. The ability to explore the ruins on a beautiful day as the sun slowly set behind the mountains was priceless!

3. Pisac

Pisac is home to one of the largest Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley. It is located approximately 20 miles from Cusco. Its poisiton was important in defending against attacks to Cusco and the Sacred Valley coming from the south. It also protected a path that led to the rainforest in the east. The site is set up in three distinct groups that provide structures for agriculture, military complexes, and noble residences. In addition to these structures, a near by cliff can be seen dotted with hundreds of holes that were once the tombs of the previous inhabitants of Pisac. Sadly, all the tombs (which are the oldest in South America) have been robbed long ago by the Spaniards.

The area is dominated by ancient terraces that are still used for agriculture today. Also, Pisac is best known for its huge market that is held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays (its biggest showing). As stated above, this market is definitely more focused on tourists compared to the market in Chinchero. However, if you can plan it around your itinerary it should not be missed!

2. Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo is located about 50 miles from Cusco at an elevation approximately 9,000 ft. above sea level. This site was designed to protect the Sacred Valley from any invasion coming from the north. Originally built as the royal estate of Pachacutec, it later served as the stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui. One of the few victories the Inca had against the Spaniards took place here. Although Manco retreated from the area after the victory knowing the Spanish would be back with reinforcements.

The site provides many examples of how talented the Inca were when working with stone. They were able to shape the stone so that they fit together perfectly with no need of mortar in between. Ollantaytambo’s most notable features are its Temple of the Sun which is aligned with the summer and winter solstices. Another feature, Wall of Six Monoliths, was made up of huge slabs of stone. These massive stones were transported from a quarry several miles away from the opposite side of the valley. Its hard to image how these stones could have been moved from that distance without the use of modern technology!

One final interesting part of Ollantaytambo can be seen after climbing up the terraces and looking back across the valley. The image of Viracocha (the creator deity) can be faintly seen in the opposing mountain side. Once it’s pointed out, it’s hard not to see the image. Seeing that image reminds me of the porters that helped us along our journey up the Inca Trail!

1. Machu Picchu

So I’m going out on a limb and guessing that if you are visiting Peru’s Sacred Valley in search of Inca ruins, Machu Picchu is what brought you here. Making the list of one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu gained its fame by never being discovered by the Spanish conquistadors. Sitting at almost 8,000 ft. above sea level, Machu Picchu is tucked into the Andes Mountains and was “lost” for hundreds of years. Only known to the locals, this city was discovered by Hiram Bingham on July 24, 1911 and remained largely untouched over the long span of years.

Machu Picchu was built by Pachacutec in the mid 1400’s and abandoned roughly one hundred years later, it is the one Inca site that allowed us to get a glimpse of what the great Incan society was like. No matter whether you hike the trail or take the train up to see it, Machu Picchu is a “must-see” for anyone with an interest in history and ancient civilizations. These Inca ruins help give you a look into the past and will leave you in awe of what this great empire was able to accomplish.

For more information on the Inca and the Sacred Valley click on the link below. Thank for visiting, happy travels!!

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