The Urumbamba River snakes its way through the temperate and fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas

Just a stone's throw from Cusco (the former capital of the Inca empire), the Sacred Valley is a series of picturesque towns and villages that dot the fertile agricultural plain that snakes its way towards Machu Picchu.

The impressive Urubamba River gushes through the steep-sided valley, past laid-back settlements that are home to a veritable treasure trove of archaeological remains, impressive Inca ruins and  vibrant artisan markets. 

The Incas relished this valley's agreeable climate and agricultural abundance, building lavish mountainside citadels and temples whose remains now lord it over the charming towns of Pisac, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo.

In addition, the valley's off-the-beaten-track villages of Yucay and Calca provide a glimpse of  life that has remained virtually unchanged in centuries.

Urumbamba is the valley's main transport hub, and while it's certainly not as pretty as its neighbours, it does provide a good base for exploring the nearby 400-year-old salt pans of Salinas (still operating) and the ceremonial-cum-agricultural Inca site of Moray. It's also starting to take off as a meditation/spiritual centre, with opportunities for indulging in hallucinogenic cacti and the like in a safe and supportive environment.

Regular public buses service all the towns in the Sacred Valley, although many tourists take all-inclusive day trips with tour companies based out of Cusco. The train to Machu Picchu also stops at Ollantaytambo.