Urubamba is the name of a town as well as of a river and I have chosen it as the basis for this report not only because it gives its name to the river but it is where two roads from Cusco meet, one having come via the wonderful sites described in my Cusco report and the other via Chinchero and an absolutely staggering viewpoint.

Urubamba is situated on the bank of el Rio Vilcanota (also referred to as el Rio Urubamba). The Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Urubamba are used inter-changeably to describe the valley that runs from east of Ollantaytambo to Pisac at the western end of the Valley.

Urubamba is home to the Andean theater company Kusiwasi, which uses dance and theater to revive Andean culture and traditions. Kusiwasi, which means "House of Joy" in Quechua, was formed by Debora Correa, member of the Lima-based company Yuyachkani.

There are multiple places of interest in the valley, making at minimum a full day and at best two full days (properly distributed over the correct days of the week) well worth spending. It is also a popular day trip with overnight going to or returning from Machu Picchu.

Urubamba Travel Guide