Sacred Valley of the Incas

Before you begin hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you will want to visit this valley to help you acclimate to the altitude. This site was the heart of the Inca Empire and its fertile farmlands and isolated villages were considered to be sacred grounds. During ancient times, the valley was a buffer zone to protect the surrounding areas from violent tribes and raids from other countries. Today, it is also home to a very popular Sunday market that is a favorite with locals and tourists.