The populated center of Yanahuara is a Peruvian town located in the Urubamba district, in the Sacred Valley in Cusco department.
Tourism gradually increased in the area since Machu Picchu became known and became one of the seven wonders of the modern world, since the populated center is located between the capital of the province of Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, which are two stops on the route that leads to the lost city of the Incas.
Yanahuara has a lot of tourist attractions, that make this destination a mandatory stop point in the Sacred Valley.
Important data of Yanahuara in the Sacred Valley
- Department: Cusco
- Province: Urubamba
- District: Urubamba
- Latitude: -13.2719
- Longitude: -72.1789
Distances from Yanahuara in the Sacred Valley
- Cusco: 111 km
- Sicuani: 32 km
- Calca: 129 km
- Urubamba: 138 km
- Anta: 126 km
- Urcos: 80 km
- Paucartambo: 121 km
- Santo Tomas: 64 km
History of Yanahuara in the Sacred Valley
In pre-Hispanic times, the town of Yanahuara in the Sacred Valley was dominated by the Inca Empire. Currently, its economy is based on agriculture, livestock farming and tourism.
Tourism in Yanahuara and the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is found between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. This is a quite interesting attraction since in its surroundings you can access not only beautiful natural settings, but also different archaeological remains scattered throughout its territory, among which the one known as "Old Town", famous for the beauty of their constructions. Along with the above, it is an ideal point for the exercise of mountaineering since it presents snow-capped mountains such as Chicón, Wakay Willca, Sawasiray, Pitusiray, Terijway and Sunchubamba. Along with mountaineering, the territory of the Sacred Valley and Yanahuara lends itself as ideal for mountain biking, trekking, canoeing and even horseback riding.
Tourism in Mantanay Private Conservation Area (Nature)
The Mantanay Private Conservation Area is located in the Urubamba province in Cusco a few minutes from the town of Yanahuara in the Sacred Valley, at a height that ranges from 3,650 to 4,950 meters above sea level, so they are recognized in it. at least three ecological floors: Puna, Suni and Quechua.
This occupies an extension of 365, 57 hectares and was recognized as a Private Conservation Area in 2010, for a period of ten years. The appointment of this area as a Private Conservation Zone is justified by the interest in the conservation, preservation and restoration of the flora and fauna species of the area and which are traditional in the high Andean zones. Of these, the maintenance of the so-called Polylepis forests is important because four species of endangered and critically endangered birds are housed there, such as the Pechicenizo torito, the cejiblanco tijeral, the churrete real and the queñuales bird.
Due to its different ecological floors, an average of 54 different plant species have been recognized within the Conservation Area. About the Mantanay fauna, there is a wide variety of endemic species, in addition to the birds mentioned. Among the endangered animals found in the reserve, the puma concolor can be named, as well as the taruca that is in a vulnerable situation due to hunting, and the Andean cat that is classified as endangered.
The Mantanay Zone is important in addition to its biological diversity and the endemic species it presents, because of the Inca presence that the area would have occupied in the expansionist era of this Empire and that it was manifested in the construction of irrigation channels as well as Inca roads. Part of the value of Mantanay is also supported by its being part of the so-called Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Mantanay is a natural space that also pretends to be a buffer zone of the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex, which is very close to the Conservation Area. In the same way, Mantanay is an ideal tourist attraction for the practice of ecological tourism, where you can practice walks, in addition to bird watching, among others.
Tourism in Urubamba Mountain Range (Nature)
The Cordillera de Urubamba is a chain of mountains that extend through 41 km2 in the province of Urubamba, in the department of Cusco. The highest point of this mountain range is Nevado Verónica, which reaches 5,800 meters above sea level, although there are those who say that it is Halancoma, the one that reaches the highest altitude.
This mountain range is located in one of the limits of the so-called Sacred Valley of the Incas, and part of its mountains form what is the Inca road that leads to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
It is known that the mountains that make up the Urubamba mountain range are quite attractive for lovers of mountaineering, the most visited snow-capped place in the area is Verónica, whose peak was first conquered in 1956, although there are those who say that this expedition was not He managed to reach the absolute peak of the snow-capped mountain and that it was not possible to reach that peak until 2009.
Due to the different climatic variations that can occur in certain months in the province, it is recommended that those who are interested in visiting this mountain range and venturing to climb its different snow-capped mountains, do so during the months of April to October, when the weather is much more favorable for mountaineering.
Lord of Torrechayoc in Cusco
The Lord of Torrechayoc is the Lord and Patron of the City of Urubamba that belongs to the Cusco region. This Christ has as its main date of celebration a movable day of the month of May.
About the origin of his veneration there are different myths, including one that says that cult began in the middle of the 19th century when a large cross was placed in the middle of the snow, a cross in the center of which was the image of this Lord. The story tells that there were many passers-by and travelers who, after passing through the road, had different dreams and revelations in which the Lord of the Cross spoke to them about the intense cold and frost that their location suffered. The comments reached the local parish priest who later, due to the various testimonies, ordered the transfer of the Cross to Urubamba, where he is currently still being worshiped.
The celebrations in honor of the Lord begin approximately during the second week of the month of May on a Saturday, on this day different events are scheduled among which you can find mainly a mass that is celebrated in honor of the Lord and that is not celebrated in a Church, but in a Stadium, since after the Eucharistic ceremony different dance exhibitions are held in honor of the Lord by their parishioners.
This same Saturday day after the approximately thirty dances exhibited are performed at dusk with a greeting that devotees make to the lord by going to his sanctuary and which is accompanied by the burning of fireworks and a castle made in honor of the Patron Saint.
The celebrations continue on Sunday when the Saint leaves in procession through the streets of Urubamba. The procession is an important event worthy of observation since they do not follow the traditional types of tours that are seen in the cities of the capital, in this the color, music and dance are present and the procession becomes a parade in tribute the beloved Patron of Urubamba.
The procession, in the following days, is continued by different competitions and presentations. Among these it is not surprising to observe bullfights, along with cockfights, as well as horse and steed dressage, among many others that are within the program that is organized by the Association of Devotees of the Lord of Torrechayoc.
Other important attractions near Yanahuara in the Sacred Valley:
Andenería de Yucay
That according to history was originally populated by men from the Campas tribe who were later expelled by Manco Inca. In this you can see beautiful terraces, one of the best vestiges of its kind.
Sayri Túpac Palace
It is located in the Yucay district, in front of the Plaza Mayor. In this are the remains of an adobe construction ordered to be made in the mid-16th century by this rebel Inca from Vilcabamba.
Inkapintay
Rock legacy located on an old irrigation canal. Inkapintay presents an anthropomorphic figure, possibly that of a ruler of the Tahuantinsuyo Empire.
Moray Archaeological Site
located in the Maras district. This is an important Inca terraces system. Moray also stands out for being considered an apu with feminine features.
Chinchero Archaeological Complex
Possibly a work carried out during the Government of Túpac Inca Yupanqui. On this is a Catholic temple built as a result of the extirpation of idolatries.
Ollantaytambo Archaeological Complex
It would have been one of the most important monumental complexes of the Inca Empire. Neo-Inca constructions are observed in certain parts of this complex, possibly made during Manco Inca's passage through the area.
Urubamba is also important for the festivities that it presents, among which we can mention: The Sinkuy, which is an Andean ritual game that is organized by the authorities of the region every January 1st and which is similar to the game of bowling. And the most important festival in the province which is that of the Lord of Torrechayoc, in the month of May, whose image is that of a cross with the face of the Crucified Christ in the Center of it, and in whose celebration religious traditions are mixed with the cultural ones.
Treking tours in the Sacred Valley
There are amazing treks in the Sacred Valley, close to Yanahuara, like: 4 day Inca Trail Tour, 2 day Inca Trail, Machu Picchu 3 day hike, 2 day Inca Trail with camping, One day Inca Trail, Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, Choquequirao Trek 5 Days, Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek, Choquequirao Trek 4 Days.
