Urubamba

Urubamba is a small town in the Cusco Region of Peru, located near the Urubamba River under the snow-capped mountain Chicón, the capital of the district of the same name and the largest town of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one hour from Cusco. The name possibly comes from the Quechua Urupampa, meaning flat land of spiders. It lies near a number of significant Inca ruins, including Machu Picchu, and the sparse remains of the Inca palace Quispiguanca are within the town, so tourists often come through, and the town is a transport hub with a bus depot. In the highlands of Peru, it is regarded as a good place to acclimatise to the altitude before going to Cusco. A popular market sells fresh fruit, vegetables and household goods and caters to tourists, while locally made alpaca garments are sold in small shops. During the first week of June the festival of El Señor de Torrechayoc fills the streets with dancers and visitors from nearby towns.