The Sacred Valley, A Must-See Location When Trekking In Peru

When it comes to appealing hiking destinations worldwide, Peru almost surely occupies pride of place on many an avid trekker’s list. With its renowned altitudes, this South American country is a Mecca for hikers looking for a challenge, and the dose of history it presents its visitors with is simply the icing on an already appetizing cake.

In this regard, one of the absolute must-see destinations when trekking in Peru is the Sacred Valley, heart of the world-famous Inca civilization in times before the Spanish colonisation. Even today, this part of the country stands out for its abundance of history, with most of the country's main historical sites and Incan remains being located in this stretch of land.

This alone would justify a visit to this valley for anyone trekking in Peru; the fact that it also offers rich, luxurious natural sights and, around it, some challenging climbs and descents helps seal the deal. Most trekkers who head in this direction find their way to this historical valley.

The Heartland Of The Incas

Located in the Urubamba Valley, at the heart of the country's main mountain range, The Andes, the Sacred Valley is usually thought to be made up of a wide stretch of land beginning in the present-day region of Cusco and encompassing most of the heartland of the ancient Inca civilisation. In ancient times, this spot was much appreciated by the legendary people due to the natural wealth it potentiated. The Incas made the Sacred Valley their main hub for the plantation of maize as well as the extraction of other resources.

This was also where the ancient Peruvian civilisation chose to build the majority of their monuments and places of worship, the remains of which are scattered across the length of the valley, just waiting to be discovered by adventurous tourists trekking in Peru. Next to Machu Picchu, this is the main go-to location for enthusiasts of that civilisation, who will be able to gaze upon the remains of countless Incan temples, villages and other archaeological remains. Some of these constitute a surprise due to how advanced they are: one of the constructions, disposed in a series of concentric circles, is thought to have been a centre for research about how best to lay out crops.

No itinerary trekking in Peru would be complete without a hike across the Sacred Valley. For many, it is the highlight of the trip to gaze at its many architectonic wonders and experience its stunning sights.

Tony Maniscalco is the Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Join us on a holiday trekking in Peru to see the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices. We offer over 140 guided group walking holidays in over 60 different countries.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.