Complete your trip to Machu Picchu with a pilgrimage of the Sacred Valley's other shrines. There's shitloads to see, but as the cliche goes, the journey is far more spiritual than the destination.
The climb is worth it for the views alone, but the gateway, Sun Temple and Princess Baths are worth your time. They're still visible despite being exposed to the elements for 600 years.
It was built after Incan emperor Pachacuti razed the town to the ground and rebuilt it. It later became a stronghold for the Inca against the conquistadors during the Spanish Invasion.
Also, your guide should tell you about the mountain you can see here, opposite the ruins, you can just about make out the stores, Pinkuylluna, and the quarries. But the most interesting facets of the mountain are the faces of Viracocha (god's creator in Incan mythology) in profile on the top left. And the face of the city's founder and former emperor, side one to the left of the stores.
2. Moray (11,500ft altitude)
Incan crop circles are a pretty common sight in these here parts. However, Moray is the most impressive in size and resilience.
The Incan were master agriculturalists and each terrace is a greenhouse - with temperature differences between them as much as 15C/27F. This meant they could grow different crops all year round.
The drive up here is spectacular. Through snow-capped mountains and quinoa fields. You can walk down into the terraces, but I wasn't given that long really, but it would've been good to feel the temperature difference step-by-step.
Our creator is the planet Earth and the Incans knew how to work with the soil, temperature, seasons and rotations in order to survive. They harnessed the power of the thing that gives us life to guide their own destiny and secure their survival.
3. Saqsuaywaman (12,142ft altitude)
Or "sexy woman" for those with a silly sense of humour, like me.
If you're staying in Cusco, don't be fooled into getting a tour/guide here. It's very accessible from the centre of the city. It took me about 30 minutes to walk from Qorikancha (about 2 blocks in the wrong direction from Plaza de Armas) and I stopped off at Catalina Menta for tea and cakes (yes, I'm very English). And you walk up residential pathways, so you're never quite sure if you're going the right way. The walk is very, very steep, so be prepared.
From here you have spectacular views of the city and you'll marvel as to how people so small carried such massive boulders up a mountain at that altitude without the help of the internal combustion engine. It's a monument to human achievement and civilisation - we are products of evolution, creatures of the Earth who were given the gift of intellect and emotion.
Also, from here, it's a 15-minute walk to...
4. Q'enco
Again, the walk is very off the beaten track but there are cafes along the way - I stopped off at a very hipster looking cafe that had fake grass in its side courtyard.
The twist and turns around Q'enco are dictated by the huge shards of rock that burst through the ground, like the planet is reclaiming the Earth from within. It's easy to see why the Incas thought this was a holy site - it's the largest huacas in the region. This was a religious site for the Inca, where they offered up sacrifices.
From here, it's a very quick, easy and beautiful downhill walk to the boho district of San Blas - it takes you straight to the square.
5. Chinchero (12,343ft altitude)
Is the only bit of European colonialism I was exposed to. The church built in 1607 that's currently on this site was built on the foundations of an Incan temple dedicated to Venus.
Its tacky loo-roll interior, left by the marauding Spaniards dominates the site, but the huge blocks of Incan foundations laid by Tupac Yupanqui are still there. The oil paintings in one of the rooms still gives a nod to its pagan past.
The village around the church is a mecca for people wanting to find out about cloud-like alpaca wool is made.
6. Pisac (9,751ft altitude)
This set of Incan ruins has everything! It's separated into four; P'isaqa, Inti Watana, Qalla Q'asa, and Kinchiraqay, Inti Watana group includes the Temple of the Sun, baths, altars, fountains, a ceremonial platform, and an inti watana (astrological clock). Qalla Q'asa is the citadel that overlooks the valley.
The Inca constructed agricultural terraces on the steep hillside, which are still in use today.
The sun was setting when I visited and a lone panpipist was playing at the entrance - his echo could be heard across the valley. In these moments, I felt lucky to be here, lucky to be alive and lucky to be me. To sit and absorb the energy the ground underneath me was radiating.
7. Maras Salt Mines
These are truly cooperative working as the owner of a pond must be a member of the local community and has been for 500 years. The mines produce 3 tonnes of salt every 6 weeks and are the town's main source of income.
It looks like something from Star Wars and is impressive to see. This isn't part of the tourist ticket and costs 10S to get in. Tours normally include this in the circuit of Moray, Chinchero, Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
Life is an intricate balancing act of all things physical and metaphysical. In this eco-system, everything has a purpose and is connected to everything else. It needs to exist for us all to exist.
8. The Valley itself
While you're on the bus or in a car or whatever mode of transport you choose, please, whatever you do, look outside. Leave your book, Netflix account or DS at the hotel and focus on all the things around you - as it's all a treat for the eyes.
From the wonderful natural mountain carvings of frogs, hippos and human faces to the majestic mountain range that lines your way around the circuit. Even the Urubamba River stealthily guides you as it snakes its way the Valley exudes the sort of holiness the River Jordan could only hope for.
Lose yourself in the Andres. Appreciate every moment on how ancient works with modern, Incan meets Spanish, humans live with nature and how paganism coexists with god.
