Things to do in Chivay

Plaza De Armas De Chivay

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Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu

The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu means "old mountain" in Quechua and is often called the "lost city of the Incas." This mountain citadel, built by the Inca Empire in the 15th century, sits on a steep ridge in the Andes at an elevation of approx. 2,400 m, overlooking the rushing Urubamba River valley. Hidden among mountains and clouds, it eluded Spanish colonizers and was abandoned with the empire's fall until its rediscovery in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham, led by a local guide. The city is constructed with precisely fitted dry-stone walls that have withstood centuries of weather and earthquakes. Visitors can explore two main areas: the agricultural terraces and the urban sector. The Temple of the Sun's windows align with the summer solstice sunrise, reflecting Inca sun worship; the Temple of the Three Windows, with its massive stonework, and the central plaza formed the religious core. The Intihuatana, a finely carved monolithic stone, is believed to have served astronomical purposes, giving rise to its name meaning "hitching post of the sun." The viewpoint near the Guardian's Hut frames the ruins with the towering Huayna Picchu peak—a classic photo spot—while alpacas often wander into shots on the terraced lawns. Morning mists clearing at sunrise, with sunlight bathing the stone walls, create a magical scene, so early arrival is recommended. Due to the high altitude and strong UV rays, sun protection and warm layers are essential. For the adventurous, hiking the Inca Trail for days and glimpsing the citadel from the Sun Gate remains an unforgettable arrival for many trekkers.

Yanque

Colca Zip Lining

Uyo Uyo

Mirador de los Andes

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Peru

Qorikancha

Qorikancha was the core building in the Inca Empire's religious system, known in Quechua as Coricancha, meaning "golden enclosure." According to records, the temple walls were once covered with hundreds of gold plates, and the courtyard contained gold and silver statues of llamas, corn, and people. The complex also housed separate halls dedicated to the sun god Inti, as well as the moon, stars, and thunder. This gold was looted after the Spanish colonial conquest. The temple showcases the Incas' exquisite stonework—using diorite, andesite, and limestone, the stones were perfectly cut and fitted together seamlessly without mortar. The design of the walls, which are thick at the base and slope slightly inward, allowed them to remain intact during multiple major earthquakes; meanwhile, the Convent of Santo Domingo, built by the colonists on the site in the 16th century, was repeatedly damaged by tremors. Today, the two structures coexist, serving as a direct testament to the collision between Inca and Spanish colonial cultures. The temple still retains several original Inca halls with sloping walls and trapezoidal niches, and an attached underground archaeological museum displays mummies, textiles, and ritual artifacts. Interpretive signs are placed throughout the site, helping visitors understand the background of Inca architecture and religion.

Planetarium and Observatory Colca

Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain

Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain is located near Ausangate Mountain, with an elevation of approx. 5,200 m. The layered, colorful stripes on the mountain are its iconic view—red, yellow, green, white, brown, and other color bands spread parallel across the mountainside. These colors originate from sedimentary rock layers with different mineral compositions: iron-bearing clay rocks appear red and ochre, sulfur-containing minerals give the layers a yellow hue, and chlorite brings shades of green. The rock layers, deposited in a shallow marine environment tens of millions of years ago, were exposed on the surface as tilted stripes after being folded and uplifted by the Andean orogeny and subjected to long-term weathering and erosion. Along the way, you can often encounter herds of llamas and alpacas grazing in the mountain meadows, and when the weather is clear, you can also enjoy a distant view of the glacier-capped summit of Ausangate Mountain.

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Sacred Valley

Sacred Valley is the valley of the Urubamba River in the Andes. It is near Cusco. The valley's elevation is lower than Cusco's, ranging between 2,000–3,000 m, with a significant elevation difference. The area is rich in produce, capable of growing various crops ranging from potatoes and corn to bananas, spanning cold, temperate, and even tropical climates. The latter formed the economic foundation during the Inca period. Through the valley, the Incas could reach the Amazon plains to trade crops with the tribes living there. After the Spanish captured Cusco, the Inca kings retreated into the valley, relying on defensive fortifications built into the terrain to continue their resistance.