Urubamba, Peru

Though URUBAMBA, about 80km from Cusco via Pisac or around 60km via Chinchero, has little in the way of obvious historic interest, the town is well endowed with facilities and situated in the shadow of the beautiful Chicon and Pumahuanca glaciers.

Because of its convenient location and plentiful facilities, Urubamba makes an ideal base from which to explore the mountains and lower hills around the Sacred Valley, which are filled with sites of jaw-dropping splendour. The eastern side of the valley is formed by the Cordillera Urubamba, a range of snowcapped peaks dominated by the summits of Chicon and Veronica. Many of the ravines can be hiked, alone or with local guides (found only through the main hotels and hospedajes), and on the trek up from the town you'll have stupendous views of Chicon. Moray, a stunning Inca site, part agricultural centre and part ceremonial, lies about 6km north of Maras village on the Chinchero side of the river, within a two- to three-hour walk from Urubamba. The ruins are deep, bowl-like depressions in the earth, the largest comprising seven concentric circular stone terraces, facing inward and diminishing in radius like a multi-layered roulette wheel.