Today was a long one. The kind of day where your legs ache, your camera roll is bursting, and you collapse into bed with a satisfied grin, knowing you’ve just experienced something truly incredible. We spent the day exploring three of the most mind-blowing sites in Peru’s Sacred Valley Moray, Maras, and the ancient fortress of Ollantaytambo each one a testament to Inca ingenuity, resilience, and sheer brilliance.
After a bumpy and very muddy winding drive through the Andean highlands, we arrived at Moray and it honestly felt like we had stumbled upon an alien crop circle or landing site. Picture huge concentric terraces carved deep into the earth, almost like a giant’s amphitheatre, except this wasn’t for performances.
Turns out, Moray was an Incan agricultural experiment, designed to mimic different climates at various altitudes. The temperature difference between the top and bottom terraces can be as much as 15°C! The Incas used this to study which crops thrived best in different conditions basically, a natural greenhouse hundreds of years before greenhouses were even a thing.
Georgia was buzzing with energy, running down the terraces (while we huffed and puffed after her). It’s a magical place, and if you close your eyes for a moment, you can almost imagine Inca farmers carefully tending their experimental crops, unaware that centuries later, we’d all be standing here in awe of their genius.
Next, we made our way to Maras, home to one of the most spectacular salt mines in the world. And when I say salt mine, don’t picture dark tunnels this place is an open air masterpiece of thousands of salt pools, cascading down a mountainside in a dazzling display of white and gold.
The salt pans here have been harvested by hand for over 500 years, and each one is owned by a local family who passes it down through generations. The way the sunlight hits the pools, reflecting off the crystalized salt, makes it feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
If you ever visit, do yourself a favour and buy a bag of salt from the locals it makes for the perfect (and delicious) souvenir, sadly because we are ongoing travelling we cannot carry a KG of salt with us.
After a quick refuel (snacks and a much-needed break), we headed to Ollantaytambo, one of the last remaining living Inca towns. Unlike other ruins, this place isn’t just a historical site it’s a fully functioning town where locals still live in original Inca houses, use ancient irrigation systems, and walk the same stone streets their ancestors did.
But the real showstopper? The mighty fortress towering over the town. Climbing those steep terraces felt like a full-body workout at altitude, but once we reached the top
WOW. The view of the Sacred Valley stretching below us was nothing short of breathtaking.
Ollantaytambo was once a strategic military stronghold and one of the only places where the Incas actually won a battle against the Spanish conquistadors. Standing at the top, looking down at the valley, it was easy to picture the fierce battles that once raged here. The stones themselves seemed to whisper stories of resilience, resistance, and survival.
Final Thoughts & Tips for Visiting
If you’re planning a visit to these three sites (which you absolutely should), here are a few things we learned along the way:
• Start early – Crowds pick up fast, and the morning light makes for the best photos.
• Wear proper shoes – Trust me, Ollantaytambo’s stairs will test your endurance.
• Bring cash – Local vendors sell amazing salt, souvenirs, and snacks, but many don’t take cards.
• Stay hydrated – The altitude is no joke, and the sun is stronger than you think!
Ready to Step Back in Time?
Today was one of those rare travel days where you feel completely connected to the past, walking in the footsteps of ancient civilizations and realizing just how advanced they were. Peru’s Sacred Valley is more than just Machu Picchu these sites are absolute must visits!
So, what do you think? Have you been to Moray, Maras, or Ollantaytambo? Drop a comment below and tell us which one amazed you the most!
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Until next time—keep exploring!
