Urubamba : Peru Tourism & Travel Guide

The Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Urubamba are used inter-changeably to describe the valley that runs from east of Pisac to Ollantaytambo at the western end of the Valley. It is a narrow, winding valley with spectacular snow capped peaks constantly in view. There is also an impressive set of ruins perched on the mountainside overlooking the valley. 
Urubamba: The Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Urubamba are used inter-changeably to describe the valley that runs from east of Pisac to Ollantaytambo at the western end of the Valley. It is a narrow, winding valley with spectacular snow capped peaks constantly in view. There is also an impressive set of ruins perched on the mountainside overlooking the valley.

Pisac: This archaeological site, considered one of the most important in Cuzco, lies near the town of Pisac, of colonial origin, and which hosts a Sunday fair that draws thousands of visitors and villagers from remote highland villages, clad in colorful traditional dress.

Machu Picchu: West of Cuzco is Machu Picchu, the best-known and most spectacular site on the continent. Despite the relentless stampede of tourists (especially during the dry season, June to September), this 'Lost City of the Incas' still retains an air of grandeur and mystery and is a 'must see' for any visitor to Peru. Discovered in 1911 by US explorer Hiram Bingham, the citadel is deemed one of the world's finest examples of landscape architecture.  Machu Picchu ("Old Mountain in Quechua, the ancient language of the Incas) nestles on top of a mountain saddle high above the Urubamba River in the middle of the cloud forest.  It was both a center of worship and astronomic observatory as well as the private retreat of the family of Inca ruler Pachacetec. Machu Picchu is split into two major areas: the agricultural zone, made up of terracing and food storehouses; and the urban zone, featuring the sacred sector, with temples, squares and royal tombs which have been carved to an extraordinary degree of perfection. The stone staircases and canals are found throughout this unique archaeological site called Machu Picchu.