Just a stone's throw from Cusco (the former capital of the Inca empire), the Sacred Valley is a series of picturesque towns and villages that dot the fertile agricultural plain that snakes its way towards Machu Picchu.

The impressive Urubamba River gushes through the steep-sided valley, past laid-back settlements that are home to a veritable treasure trove of archaeological remains, impressive Inca ruins and  vibrant artisan markets.