Urubamba

Overview

Urubamba is a quaint town of roughly 18,000 people, although you wouldn't know it by driving through.  About an hour north of Cuzco, this small pueblo is a cultural hotspot, inhabited mainly by Quechua-speaking Peruvians.  From the food to the dress, it is apparent that Urubambans continue to follow the traditions of their ancestors, and are always happy to tell you about their Incan heritage.  Urubamba is situated on the bank of el Rio Vilcanota (also referred to as el Rio Urubamba).  Although the water has been heavily contaminated in recent years, the town is cradled in the magnificent Andes and sits below the towering snowcapped Chicon Glacier which rests at about 15,000 feet.  Areas of Urubamba to see are the cemetery and the very traditional pueblo within Urubamba called Chichubamba.  To access the cemetery, walk toward the mountains on the main road until you reach the point just before it becomes a dirt road...the cemetery will be on your right.  Once at the cemetery, ask locals how to get to the Inca Wall (a well preserved wall and series of small buildings from pre-Incan times).  As for Chichubamba, there are several entrances off of the right side of the main road...but they are hard to find so ask a local for directions.  Another great site to explore is the town/forest/valley of Chicon located several miles up the main road.  Ask a taxi to take you there.  At this location, there is a small traditionally-built, eco-tourism casa created by the...more

History