1.- INTRODUCTION TO URUBAMBA
Urubamba Town is currently considered as a cultural emblem that is located in the heart of what we know today as the sacred valley of the Incas quite close to the city of Cusco and is mainly characterized by being on the way for travelers seeking to know the Inca city of Machu Picchu, however it is also special for the great geographical diversity it has containing a mountain range that is crossed by the Urubamba River, In more than one sense this place has become a meeting point where history and contemporary life have come together in a harmonious way, this is particularly complemented by having a strategic location with privileged benefit of nature and contain a temperate climate that allows the activities and visits to nearby archaeological sites are ideal making Urubamba Town in an ideal and special place.
2.- Location
Urubamba Town Peru is located 70 km northwest from the city of Cusco and has an altitude of 2870 m above sea level which makes it a strategic point when it comes to adapt the body to the heights of the Andean region, this location is also strategic because having abundant water resources has become an ideal place for activities such as agriculture that is practiced and performed since pre-Inca times. The most interesting thing is that its name is a Quechua word that has a meaning that many understand as the land of corn as it is one of the natural elements that abound in this area.
3.- Historical antecedents
Long before the Inca culture settled its mighty presence on these lands, this region was previously inhabited by multiple cultures that took advantage of the fertile soil it possessed, cultivating it and benefiting from the agricultural activity. Of course with the passage of time and the arrival of the Inca culture this place was considered as a key point in agricultural production, basing its production mainly on corn as it was considered as a sacred element that was part of the Andean cosmovision and with the intention of improving the existing infrastructure, terraces and irrigation canals were built as well as multiple ceremonial centers which were organically integrated with the environment and being part of the system of life, with the passage of time the arrival of the Spaniards was inevitable, however, this place maintained its importance thanks to the benefits it brought to the capital city being one of the main suppliers of agricultural and cultural elements although it is clear that many of the existing traditions were modified and in many cases adapted to continue with the lifestyle, in this way during the time of the colony the main importance was centered in the Urubamba Town Square since it is where the main church of the town was located.
4.- Cultural Importance
Within the entire Sacred Valley of the Incas, Urubamba Town is considered one of the towns that maintains a clear spiritual and cultural connection since to this day this place is presented as one of the traditional centers where culture and modernity meet even being able to find communities of Quechua origin where travelers from around the world can learn more about their traditions and thus become involved in the activities of sustainability and experiential tourism. There are festivities that are part of the culture as in the case of the Lord of Torrechayoc where local people celebrate their beliefs and traditions. There are also markets where it is possible to find organic products and souvenirs of handicrafts and other elements that are part of the cultural identity of this place.
5.- GETTING TO URUBAMBA
Fortunately getting to Urubamba Town Peru is quite simple as it has become one of the most accessible destinations that can be found within the sacred valley as it has a strategic location between the city of Cusco and the world wonder of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival you can enjoy various unique and special landscapes that cross the mountains, rivers and extensive fields for agricultural activity, much will depend on the place of departure to vary the experience as there are several ways to get to the town of Urubamba.
5.1.- From Cusco
It is considered the most traditional and easiest way to get to Urubamba, this trip takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from the city of Cusco through the route that first passes through Chinchero. This road offers not only a quick way to get to Urubamba but also incredible and unique views not only of traditional villages that have an ancestral tradition based on textile techniques but also unique and special natural destinations. Although of course it is not the only alternative as there is also another route that allows you to cross the town of Pisac, this route is a little longer as it can take 2 hours and a little more.
5.2.- From Machu Picchu
For travelers who have come to visit the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, the return trip starts from the town of Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, which is one of the most popular train stations in the sacred valley. The train can take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes and from there you continue by car to the town of Urubamba, the average time varies between 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. This route is also ideal for those looking to explore the vast Sacred Valley in a broader way.
6.- Transportation options
- Undoubtedly the best alternative to reach this place are private transport that prioritize comfort, flexibility and accessibility in terms of schedules in addition to what allows you to make strategic stops at many scenic points that are found along the way, alternative mainly oriented for family travel options or groups as it is ideal to be hired directly with a travel agency, it is also an effective way to ensure that you will arrive smoothly even to the Urubamba Town square.
- The second alternative is also quite popular among travelers who have a longer time but a smaller budget so public transport is a great alternative, for this you can use transport that you can locate from Pavitos street or Puputi street. The duration of this journey can vary between two or three hours depending always on the flow of people and places where you can stop. It is important to understand that this alternative necessarily gives you the opportunity to interact with local people and in many cases the seats may be less comfortable and with unstable schedules.
- Finally the ideal option for you is undoubtedly an organized experience in a tour provided by a travel agency, this is directly a complete trip as it involves planning transportation, tour guide, food if necessary and admission tickets for the places that are within the tour, among this you can distinguish options such as Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, Pisac and others. There is no doubt that this is the perfect option for those who are looking to enjoy their time to the fullest and not have to worry about extra details.
7.- WHEN TO VISIT URUBAMBA
Choosing the ideal time to visit Urubamba is undoubtedly one of the biggest complications that can exist when trying to plan an ideal experience, however here we tell you everything you need to know about the key details to live a unique experience of investment in culture in addition to enjoying the tranquility and good weather that can give you this traditional town in the sacred valley, during the year there are several times that make it incredible either by the pleasant climate or by the cultural life that you can find.
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The first thing you should know is that Urubamba has two distinct times of the year like other parts of the Andean region:
- The dry season is considered one of the best times of the year to enjoy outdoor activities, this season occurs between May and October each year and is characterized mainly by containing sunny days and clear skies in addition to what the view of natural landscapes stands out even more. What many people don’t know is that this season of the year is considered the favorite one by many people so it is normal to see how the entire town has more visitors.
- The second season is considered the rainy season and is mainly characterized by providing a quieter environment as there is less influx of visitors, this season occurs between November and April, being the season where the weather and temperature can vary constantly due to the presence of rains intensifies mainly in the afternoon, so it is more advisable to perform activities mainly in the morning so you can enjoy a proper experience.
8.- MAIN ACTIVITIES FROM URUBAMBA
In more than one sense this traditional town is a suitable starting point thanks to its strategic location in the heart of the sacred valley, thus allowing easy access to the various archaeological sites that exist in the surroundings as well as other traditional villages that are unique and special thanks to the natural landscapes and cultural heritage that it possesses.
8.1.- Ollantaytambo
It is the closest town located only 30 minutes away, it is also a traditional town and is one of the most recognized within the vast sacred valley because it is the place where the train station is located from where the trains depart to Machu Picchu so it has become a key point for this journey, However, it is more than just that because it contains an incredible amount of agricultural terraces, archaeological centers located on top of a mountain and a handicraft market that is located at the base of the mountain being quite popular for the souvenirs that one can get during your visit.
8.2.- Pisac
It is considered as another of the main traditional towns within the sacred valley, this one however is a little more distant since the travel time can take up to an hour. The town itself is magical as it has the characteristic of having a traditional market inside where you can get unique objects of textiles or ceramics, on the other hand on top of the mountain is also possible to find an extensive archaeological center that is characterized mainly by the extensive amounts of terraces that are located in the surroundings and of course be considered as the oldest Inca cemetery of the place, no doubt it will be a great adventure.
8.3.- Chinchero
On the way between Urubamba and Cusco, it is possible to find the town of Chinchero where the cultural and historical richness has not diminished one bit since several centuries in the past. It is also characterized by containing one of the most important archaeological centers not only of the Inca culture but also of the colonial era. It is also like a power to find several factories throughout the town that are mainly dedicated to explain the traditional and ancestral astral process on the spinning and dyeing of alpaca wool with natural dyes, in more than one sense to know this traditional village is also the great opportunity that a person or traveler can have to understand more about the cultural legacy it possesses.
9.- Adventure Activities
9.1.- Rafting
The extensive Urubamba River offers the opportunity to enjoy a dose of adrenaline in certain parts since it is possible to enjoy activities such as rafting, although of course for safety it is always recommended that it is done during the dry season that occurs between May and October because the river level is adequate to enjoy this activity safely, no matter if you are a beginner who has never done it or an experienced traveler there is always an alternative for everyone, it is a perfect opportunity to get in touch with nature.
9.2.- Cycling
There is also the alternative of being able to enjoy an activity while benefiting the body, for this we mainly use routes such as the descent from Moray which is currently one of the favorites for many travelers, however there are also other alternatives a little less known but more challenging as Pachar or Ollantaytambo where the combination of adventure, adrenaline and experience are mixed in a special way.
9.3.- Horseback riding
It is one of the traditional activities that is calmer than you can find in the surroundings of the village. You can say that it is a quiet way to learn more about the sacred valley and its natural side. Each of the horses that are used in this activity are well trained to explore the ancient paths of the Qapaqñan Network. This activity is ideal for families looking to share a more intimate moment as well as a connection with the natural environment.
10.- IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL CENTER
“Although it is one of the calmest places that a traveler can find during his trip to the Sacred Valley, this town is more than just a beautiful place in fact it is considered one of the most important agricultural centers of Inca origin and much before of the whole region because that place where you can get the best quality of white corn in the world, this being one of the staple foods of the entire Andean region.”
11.- FAQs
- Is Urubamba worth visiting?
Definitely yes, as one of the most traditional towns that you can find in the sacred valley, it will undoubtedly be the perfect opportunity to disconnect from the world and enjoy a moment of relaxation.
- How many days should I spend in Urubamba?
The ideal time for you to perform many activities is an average of two or three days, this allows you to not have to adjust your time and enjoy your trip properly.
- Is Urubamba or Ollantaytambo better to stay in?
Strategically, Urubamba is always the best alternative since it allows you to access better category hotels and it offers a quiet environment that helps you to relax.
- What is the altitude of Urubamba?
This traditional town is located at 2871 m above sea level, considerably lower than the city of Cusco itself for this reason it is ideal to stay here with the intention of adapting the body to the altitude.
- How far is Urubamba from Machu Picchu?
The distance between these two places is approximately 63 km, to be able to cover them it is required first to take a vehicle between Urubamba and Ollantaytambo that lasts approximately 30 minutes, then continue by train to the town of Aguas Calientes which lasts approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. From this point you must take a tourist bus that allows you to ascend to the control gate and then to the Inca citadel which can take an additional 30 minutes and finally you arrived.
Now you know what you need to plan your next visit to this ancestral village, in fact it is not complicated but if you want to save time and not worry about anything you can also trust us. Auri Peru creates unique and special adventures for world travelers and now we are sure it is your time, contact us and together we will design a great experience.
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