3 Best Sights in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Peru

It may be a fairly serene location these days, but Qenko, which means "zigzag," was once the site of one of the Incas' most intriguing and potentially macabre rituals. Named after the zigzagging channels carved into the surface, Qenko is a large rock thought to have been the site of an annual pre-planting ritual in which priests standing on the top poured llama blood into a ceremonial pipe, allowing it to make its way down the channel. If the blood flowed left, it boded poor fertility for the coming season. If the liquid continued the full length of the pipe, it spelled a bountiful harvest. Other symbolic carvings mix it up on the rock face, too—the eagle-eyed might spot a puma, condor, and llama.  Today you won't see any blood, but the carved channels still exist, and you can climb to the top to see how they zigzag their way down.

Most visitors only go to Ollantaytambo’s main ruins, but the 15th-century granary storages perched on the sacred mountain of Pinkuylluna, on the opposite side of town, are also interesting, and they afford awesome views. Best of all, visiting is free. The path here, which is steep in parts but can be managed in about 20 minutes, starts near the Apu Lodge in the old town. At the top are ruins of living quarters, which, it is believed, hosted privileged Inca women with textile weaving skills. The views from up at this level are stunning. The granaries, which are in poorer condition, are situated on the lower part of the mountain, connected by a well-marked circular hiking path.  

Ancient fountains preside over this tranquil and secluded spot, which is commonly known as "El Baño del Inca," or Inca's Bath. The name actually means "cavern lodge," and the site is a three-tiered huaca built of elaborate stonework over a natural spring, which is thought to have been used for ritual showers. Interpretations differ, but the site was likely a place where water, considered a source of life, was worshipped (or perhaps it was just a nice place to take a bath). The huaca is almost certain to have been the scene of sacred ablutions and purifying ceremonies for Inca rulers and royal women.