The
sites surrounding Cusco, such as Machu Picchu,
Saqsaywaman and Ollantaytambo, are, due to their
grandeur and perfection, archaeological jewels which
reflect the greatness of Andean man.
Machu Picchu located in the province of Urubamba,
close to the Collpani valley, at an altitude of 2,330
masl, and surrounded by exuberant vegetation, adorned by
the most diverse and colorful orchids, Machu Picchu was
discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Some scientists
believe that Machu Picchu was a fortress; others, that
it was a citadel or monastery. What is beyond doubt
however, is the skill of the Inca architects who built
it. Machu Picchu has clearly differentiated sectors,
such as an agricultural area, squares, living quarters,
watchtowers, observatories, and a sundial, amongst
others.
The trapezoidal doors and windows stand out, as do the
roofs, which have one or two sides, and which, in Inca
times, were covered with tree trunks and "ichu" (a local
straw). Due to its unique archaeological value, UNESCO
has declared Machu Picchu Cultural Patrimony of
Humanity.To get to the site, you must take a three hour
train ride to Aguas Calientes, a small town at the foot
of the mountain where Machu Picchu is situated, and then
a 30 minute bus ride up the mountain. If you are a
trekking enthusiast you can reach the citadel on a
four-day trek along an ancient roadway, the Inca Trail.
SACSAYHUAMAN
Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park
Sacsayhuaman covers an area of 3,000 hectares, two
kilometers north of Cusco. The site is considered
unique in the world due to its singular architectural
characteristics.
In building Sacsayhuaman, the Incas used stone
blocks of up to 9 meters high and 5 meters wide, each
fitting perfectly with the other. The fortress has an
area of approximately 360 meters and has doors,
galleries and watchtowers at strategic points.
Apart from the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the
archeological park also contains the sites of Q'Enqo or
Kenko ("labyrinth"), a center for ceremonies worshipping
the Pachamama ("mother earth"); the Puca Pucara or "Red
Fort" and Tambomachay or the Inca Bath, built to worship
the element of Water.
CUSCO - PERU
OLLANTAYTAMBO
Ollantaytambo,
97 kms. from Cusco, was an administrative,
social, religious and agricultural center in Inca times.
The site, and the town of the same name, is a must-see
amongst the many sites of interest along the Sacred
Valley of the Incas. The valley runs along the banks of
the Urubamba or, in Quechua, "Wilcamayu" River.
It's astounding natural beauty is further accentuated
and embellished by the many pre-Hispanic ruins found all
along its course.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is comprised of the towns
of Pisaq (32 kilometers from Cusco) where there
is a pre-Colombian settlement and stepped terraces;
Calca (50 kilometers from Cusco), famous for the
sulfurous thermal-medicinal springs of Machacancha ;
Yucay, where the advanced agricultural engineering
skills of the Incas can be appreciated; and Urubamba,
the heart of the valley, and ideal for adventure
tourism.
