At an elevation around 9,300 feet the town is “low” compared to the surroundings.
As we descend into Urubamba on Avenue Mariscal Castilla we are presented with this view of the road continuing straight through the city and deep into the valley in the slope of El Chicon peak where it ends beneath Andean glaciers.
Here is a Google Earth view of Avenue Mariscal Castilla course into the Andean valley. Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Urubamba District
At an elevation around 9,300 feet the town is “low” compared to the surroundings.
Avenue Mariscal Castilla descends 2815 feet to Urubamba and the floor of the Sacred Valley in 14 broad switchbacks. Here we look across the town toward andean ramparts that define the topography.
The name “Urubamba” possibly derives from in the Quechua spelling Urubamba meaning “flat land of spiders.” The largest town of the Sacred Valley, deriving importance as the gateway to Machu Picchu and other Inca sites. Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Urubamba District
Happy July 4th!!
Avenue Mariscal Castilla descends 2815 feet to Urubamba and the floor of the Sacred Valley in 14 broad switchbacks. Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Urubamba District. This series captures the experience.
Avenue Mariscal Castilla descends 2815 feet to Urubamba and the floor of the Sacred Valley in 14 broad switchbacks. Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Urubamba District. This series captures the experience.
Avenue Mariscal Castilla descends 2815 feet to Urubamba and the floor of the Sacred Valley in 14 broad switchbacks. Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Urubamba District. This series captures the experience.
Avenue Mariscal Castilla descends 2815 feet to Urubamba and the floor of the Sacred Valley in 14 broad switchbacks. Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Urubamba District. This series captures the experience.
Avenue Mariscal Castilla descends 2815 feet to Urubamba and the floor of the Sacred Valley in 14 broad switchbacks. Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Urubamba District. This series captures the experience.
Avenue Mariscal Castilla descends 2815 feet to Urubamba and the floor of the Sacred Valley in 14 broad switchbacks. Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Urubamba District. This series captures the experience.
Avenue Mariscal Castilla descends 2815 feet to Urubamba and the floor of the Sacred Valley in 14 broad switchbacks. Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Urubamba District. This series captures the experience.
The prominent, sharp distant peak is Pumahuanca
A few minutes past Chinchero the Avenue Mariscal Castilla bends dramatically to reveal this first view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
We overlook Raqch’i village and rich farmland to the distant Andean peaks, down below, out of view, is the Urubamba River that created the valley. The prominent, sharp distant peak is Pumahuanca of the Urubamba Mountain Range, at 17,448 feet (3.3 miles) altitude it is “only” the 179th highest of the Andes. Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Huayllabamba District.
Michael Stephen Wills Photography 