PISAC and OLLANTAYTAMBO
There’s a very good reason why all Sacred Valley travel adventures visit Pisac and Ollantaytambo, and we don’t miss either of these on our visit either! Every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday the village of Pisac hosts the largest indigenous market in the Cusco region. Farmers from the highlands decend upon the valley to barter and sell all sorts of goods ranging from corn and potatoes to sheep, llamas and mules! With so many visitors coming to see the local market, a "gringo" market sprung up years ago too. Here, you can feast your eyes on the vibrant colors of Andean textiles and ceramics.
High above the present day village of Pisac lie the impressive Pisac ruins. The ruined city provides one of the finest examples of Inca archeological achievement. The main buildings of the ruins are built with precision cut blocks of stone. The blocks are cut perfectly straight on all sides. Although no mortar was ever used, the walls of Pisac have withstood numerous earthquakes and years of harsh weather. Pisac has two obvious sections of dwellings. The upper section is of poorer construction than the lower section and archeologists speculate that the upper segment housed residents of lower social status. This is speculations and others others believe it was merely the first and temporary residence of Inca nobility until the nicer section below was completed. Below the main buildings are some of the most impressive pre-Columbian terraces in Peru. The terraces are masterly layed out with diagonal stone steps inlaid in the terrace walls for easy access from terrace to terrace. The terraces reach almost down to the village a thousand feet below.
Our Peru tours end their journey in the Sacred Valley in the village of Ollantaytambo. We arrive late in the day after the buses of visitors have returned to Cusco, and so we get to enjoy the local hospitality and charm in easy peace. Ollantaytambo lies at the gateway to the Amazon rainforest along the mighty Urubamba River. From here, all visits to Machu Picchu or treks along the Inca Trail begin. Ollantaytambo itself is a gem for the visitor that few people get to know. The enormous Inca fortress that towers over the village is steeped in history. It is here that the invading Conquistadors of Pizarro met their first and one of their only defeats at the hands of the Incas. Utilizing thousands of men, the Incas diverted the nearby Urubamba River to flood the plane below the ruins. Pizarro’s horses were made nearly useless in the resulting mud and muck. Upon seeing the fast flowing Urubamba River, visitors get an idea of the near super human feat of diverting such a natural force with little more than stone tools.
In the village below the ruined citadel, houses are built atop Inca masonry. Most streets are two narrow for a car and rows of houses are whitewashed in typical Colonial fashion. If you visit the ruins at twilight or after dark, the silent stone walls seem to whisper with the voices of the ancient battle. In the early morning, Ollantaytambo hums with activity as young men with bright colored ponchos prepare to set out on the Inca Trail, young boys and fathers wander by herding a cow and the family sheep, and women in striped and checkered aprons chat with each other in doorways after cleaning up the morning breakfast. Ollantaytambo is a favorite for travelers fortunate enough to discover its charms after the tourist buses have left.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.