Cusco, Perú

Sacred Valley was formed by the Urubamba River and is believed to be where trade took place at the height of the Incan Empire. Now a stretch of beautiful colorful villages just outside Cusco town proper, it’s become one of the must-see places to see history, culture and nature all at the same time.

After almost a month of living in Cusco, I must say that my new-found friends and I found a bond that connected us. We ate, slept, volunteered, studied and went out together and it is only human nature that we will all be closer even only after a short time. It all started with our Lake Titicaca trip, when our San Pedro house went for a cultural exploration weekend to the highest navigational lake in the world. About 3 weeks later, we took a trip to this Sacred Place we were all hearing about.

It was overcast and there was some drizzle but we had a good time nevertheless. To witness these beautiful ruins pre-Machu Picchu hike was interesting. In Pisaq,  it’s amazing to see the terraces that were built for agriculture and the Temple of the Sun, which was used not only a place for religion but also for astronomy.  In Ollantaytambo, the ruins where the Incas last won their battle with Spanish conquestors still stand over some views across the valley. Our last stop was Chinchero – also said to be the birthplace of the rainbow –  where locals demonstrated their weaving techniques from transforming a loose wool into a beautiful blanket.

It was a long day and everyone retreated to their bus seats. And as I put my earphones on and got ready for a nap ride home, the moon started to illuminate the snow capped mountains from afar.

Photos by me and Payam F.