Connected by the Inca Trail as it was thousands of years before, the Sacred Valley stretches out between Cusco and Machu Picchu with several villages in between. For many the journey to Machu Picchu is a spiritual one and even for the skeptics, there is something magical about this ancient empire, especially Machu Picchu, which rises out of the cloud forest and reaches up towards the gods.

What makes the Sacred Valley such a special place in South America is the strong Indian culture. In fact, the inhabitants live much in the same way as their Quechan ancestors did in pre-Hispanic times. The ancient ruins are also one of the wonders of the world, especially for their amazing, intricate stonework. Even the agricultural terraces and some aqueducts built by the Incas are still in use, which proves their excellent engineering and construction skills.

Many travelers opt to hike the Inca Trail to the sacred temple of Machu Picchu because of the opportunity to see other amazing sites and villages along the way. The trek takes two days and the guide will try to time it so that you arrive at the sun gate at the crack of dawn. First you'll take train from Cusco, also known as the navel of the world, to km 5 where you will begin the hike on the Inca trail.

Just as the Incas did you'll pass by ruins along the way that are almost as large as Machu Picchu. The scenery is also really awesome, with snow-capped mountains and ancient temples on the horizon, waterfalls, and wild orchids growing alongside the trail. There is now a train that takes you to Machu Picchu, which is also just as rewarding.

Pollo, a Quechuan guide, escorts many of the travelers who arrive from the train going through Cusco through the Valley of the Gods, and finally to Machu Picchu. When asked about the origins of his nickname, he replied that he when he was born he was as scrawny as a chicken, and thus the name. Just before arriving to the temple he made a stop at his village Ollantaytambo so the travelers could meet his family.

Several children were playing in the dirt road in front of his house made of mud. The more recent architecture style of the Quechans is mud bricks, a technique they have been using for centuries. Many of the children can be seen carrying around baby alpacas, which are used as pack animals and for their wool. Children as young as 4 or 5 raise them by hand on their own.

For many, the journey to Machu Picchu is the best part, until the spectacular temple is revealed to them from behind the mountains. You could take the train through the valley and complete the trek in one day if your time is limited, but it is recommended that you stay for a few days so you can take time exploring the sites along the way and experience life in the villages.

Michael Zurakhinsky is an experienced traveler and the writer for www.AllAboutPeruTravel.com - an independent resource, providing the travelers with free, online information about Peru and the wonderful highlights it contains.