Urubamba
Currently Urubamba is the administrative and commercial center of the the Incas' Sacred Valley; In it you can find hundreds of services, mostly dedicated to tourism, and many, many people from many parts of the world, who came to Urubamba, fell in love with the place and stayed. Some weekends all the inhabitants of Urubamba and many people from Cusco get together in their plaza, on Sunday fairs that perish fraternization parties among people from all over the world.
Where is Urubamba located?
The beautiful province of Urubamba is located 78 km northeast of Cusco to the northwest of Cusco and is crossed by the Vilcanota river; but next to the town the river takes the name of Urubamba. Urubamba is one of the most productive places in the country, the territory produces the best white corn in the world, in rainy weather you can find fruits from the valley, do not hesitate to try “pacay”, “capulí”, peaches, quince and delicious strawberries ; in most cases they come from organic farms.
What does Urubamba mean?
Urubamba means "pampa one day on the way". But the name is far from what it is, given that Urubamba was one of the main areas of agricultural production during the Empire of the Incas.
How to get to Urubamba?
After taking a bus on Calle Pavitos of Cusco and leaving the city of Cusco, the highway will take you through fields flooded with flowers, trees, mountains and snow-capped mountains; without a doubt you will enjoy the journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Urubamba.
Although Urubamba has few historical places of interest, the landscapes will make up for anything; but in addition to the landscapes, the incredible collection of hotels of all categories, the beautiful climate and the proximity to the train station to Machu Picchu, in Ollantaytambo, have made many people choose this city as their arrival point from abroad for their trip to Machu Picchu.
Something of the history of Urubamba
During the time of the Incas Urubamba was the entrance to the jungle, the Antisuyo, the land of the "Chunchos" (savages). The Urubamba river was called Willka Mayu or Río del Sol and was sacred to the Incas; as it shaped a valley where some of the most amazing cities and settlements of the Inca empire were located; Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Písac, Choquequirao, in all of them you can find buildings dedicated to the Sun, its highest deity.
What to see in Urubamba?
Perhaps some of the attractions of Urubamba are its impressive landscapes and the mix of people from all over the world living in a small town; but it is not the only thing.
- La Plaza de Armas de Urubamba The Plaza de Armas de Urubamba is the main square in the city, it is framed by huge Pisonay trees and a beautiful colonial church with twin towers. In the plaza you will find dozens of motorcycle taxis buzzing around the plaza to get passengers, one of the places that you should definitely visit is the beautiful house-workshop of Pablo Seminario. The whimsical work of this famous potter with pre-Columbian motifs is famous and is sold throughout Peru. You will love or hate his style.
- El Pueblo de Yucay It is located south of Urubamba, it is a quiet and pleasant town with one of the best climates in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, as well as having beautiful and lush landscapes. It is the land that the Spanish gave to the traitor of the Inca empire Sayri Tupac, and you can still see the palace he built on the land they gave him. In the Plaza de Armas de Yucay, you can see Inca foundations around; the town of Yucay also houses some of the best Inca agricultural terraces. These platforms are located on the slopes of the mountains that surround the town.
- Otros lugares a visitar
- The Santiago Apóstol Church In the Urubamba Plaza de Armas it was built between 1649 and 1686 and houses beautiful colonial works of art.
- o The Martin Pio Concha House already restored, it is a true example of colonial civil architecture.
- o You can take excursions from Urubamba, to the town of Moray or at Maras salt mines.