Attractions and Places To See in Urubamba - Top 20

Huayna Picchu (Quechua Wayna Pikchu for "young peak") is one of the two peaks between which the ruins of the Inca city of Machu Picchu lie. The peak is known for the classic postcard motif, where the mountain towers above the ruins of Machu Picchu in the background. The peak is accessible to tourists, but the number of visitors is limited to 400 per day. They must register and enter their names at a checkpoint before the climb. There they are also given an approximate return time. The climb takes about an hour, but the demands should not be underestimated. The steepest sections are equipped with steel cables to hold on to, the path sometimes leads through caves, and on the descent you have to crouch under a rock ledge and climb down 40 cm wide stairs, sometimes directly on the slope, without any safety equipment. A head for heights is therefore an absolute prerequisite. The climb can only be started between 8:00 and 10:00 and must be completed by 14:00. Access to the checkpoint is available after crossing the ruins of Machu Picchu. The same access can also be used to climb Huchuy Picchu in a 15-minute climb. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huayna_Picchu

Among the many sites to see in Machu Picchu, one of the most important is the Temple of the Three Windows, located in the Sacred Plaza in what was then the capital part of Machu Picchu. The Temple of the Three Windows is a large stone structure made up of three walls. The long main wall features three large windows facing east, and the two shorter side walls were used to support the main roof beam. The three windows are perfectly embedded in the structure, and are also perfectly symmetrical to the surroundings. Some Machu Picchu researchers believe that there were five windows at one point, but the structure of the other two probably collapsed at some point. This entire structure also had a roof when it was originally built by the Inca; this too probably collapsed over the years. Machu Picchu is divided into different sections, and the Temple of the Three Windows is actually located in the “Hanan,” which translates to “top down.” This is the most important part of Machu Picchu. “Hanan” was the place where the Inca held important religious ceremonies. The "uptown" of Machu Picchu is located opposite Huayna Picchu and Putucusi mountain, both of which are south of the city. When the Temple of the Three Windows was found over 100 years ago, it was covered by 30 cm (12 inches) of vegetation. Next to the temple, researchers discovered several objects such as ceremonial jars, vases and fountains that were very carefully decorated. This could indicate that these ceremonies may have been for the worship of the mountains. Source: https://machupicchu.town/en/USD/machupicchu-temple-of-three-windows#:~:text=The%20Temple%20of%20the%20three%20windows%20is%20a%20large%20stone%20structure%20made%20of%20stone,%20which%20serve%20to%20support%20the%20main%20roof%20beam.

The Salineras de Maras are hidden in the highlands of southern Peru. In a mountain gorge, not far from Cusco, a mosaic of white-brown salt fields has developed over the centuries. There are said to be 4,000 fields. Rock salt, the so-called "white gold", was mined here as early as the time of the Incas. The descendants of that advanced civilization still harvest the popular Sal de Maras, which is also exported abroad. Source and further information: https://info-peru.de/salzterrassen-maras-peru/

The salt pans of Maras "Salinera de Maras" is the highest salt farm in the world. Thousands of salt basins are located on steep mountain terraces. What was once the white gold of the Incas is now only a very small source of income for the hard-working Andean salt farmers of Peru.

Aguas Calientes (as the name suggests) used to be known for its thermal baths, I remember when almost all of us would relax our muscles in the baths there after the Inca Trail. To get to the baths you have to walk up the hill in town, here you can rent towels or swimming trunks.

Around 72 km from Cusco lies Ollantaytambo, the last town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, often simply called Ollanta by the locals. The town lies at an altitude of around 2,792 m on the Urubamba River and has a special feature that makes it unique in Peru: parts of the old town date back to the Inca era and have survived the centuries relatively unscathed.

Huayna Picchu, also called Wayna Picchu, means "young peak" in Quechua. It is widely believed in the region that the mountain served as a watchtower to protect the sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The Machu Picchu site is located between two mountains - Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain. Although both offer exciting hiking routes, there are certain differences between Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu that you need to be aware of, including altitude, difficulty, and duration. From both mountains, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Machu Picchu ruins and the surrounding mountains. Huayna Picchu is the majestic, cone-shaped mountain that you often see in the background of the most famous photographs and postcards of Machu Picchu. The Huayna Picchu hike is generally considered moderate to difficult, so it can be challenging at times.

The hike from Hidroeléctrica Machupicchu is one of the most popular routes to visit Aguas Calientes / Pueblo Macchu Picchu and then the ruins of Macchu Picchu. To get to Hidroeléctrica (don't be confused by the name: it's a train station!) there are two options: by train or by car, usually from Cusco. The second option is cheaper, but it takes longer and involves a steep road. From Hidroeléctrica, the hike basically follows the train tracks and the Urubamba River. It takes about 2 to 3 hours to reach the village.