THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INKAS
| Tours Exotiques discovering the Andes |
CHINCHERO
Called "El Pueblo del Arco Iris" (the town of the rainbow), is high up on a spectacular place,
around 12,000 feet above sea level, with tremendous views of the Urubamba mountain range as
well as the majestic Salkantay mountain that reaches almost 19,000 ft. Chinchero is halfway
between the Sacred Valley and Cusco, to the northwest of Cusco, at 28 km. (17.4 miles). The town
of Hispanic architecture is built on old Inka constructions. Its people are very conservative of some
andean traditions, wearing picturesque clothing. Also outstanding the textile crafts (crafts as well
as local produce).
There is a spectacular view of the valley and beautiful Andean landscapes surround the town,
outstanding the beauty of the snowy mountains Chicon and Veronica of the Mountain Range of
Urubamba. In Chinchero is a spectacular altar and ceremonial places for mother earth
(Pachamama).
Urubamba Valley: Less than one hour by bus northwest of Cusco lies the valley of the Urubamba
River. It's easy to see why the valley was considered sacred by the Inkas with its spectacular
panoramas and fertile alluvial low lands. The Urubamba Valley, is one of the most fertile valleys in
Peru, everything that is planted here grows with such abnormal vigor - especially corn. The corn
here grows approximately three times the size of the corn grown in the U.S. and other parts of the
world. This valley is located in both sides of the river Vilcanota and their tributaries. The Inkas
gave life to the stone and they built urban centres, palaces, temples, agricultural constructions,
and trails.
MORAY
In this archaeological site exist concentric agricultural terraces, some as deep as 150 meters. This
"Earth's Navel" is thought to be a large agricultural laboratory where the Inkas created different
microclimates to grow a large variety of crops. Here we may perform a metamorphosis ritual,
attuning our body/mind with electromatnetic energy from Earth's Navel. An important fact of the
Inka's technology was that its works harmonize perfectly with nature. They used the natural forces,
they mastered hydraulic engineering, and knew the use of the earth. For instance, thanks to the
"andenerías" (agricultural circular terracing) system, they could sow in abrupt places and avoid the
erosion. The attractiveness of this area can be distinguished for its impressive landscape (nature
and big snowy mountains), pleasant climate, fertile lands with abundant water, megalithic cultural
evidences, people and its traditions.
PISAC
Is one of the most important Archaeological Sites in the Sacred Valley. It is located about 30 Kms.
(18.6 miles) Northwest of Cusco City. Possibly its name comes from a type of partridge very
common in the area known as "Pisaka". A vital Inka road once snaked its way up the canyon that
enters the Urubamba Valley at Pisac. The city, at the entrance to this gorge site, controlled a route
that connected the Inka Empire with Paucartambo, on the border of the eastern jungles. Set high
above a valley floor patchworked by patterned fields and rimmed by vast terracing, the stonework
and panoramas at Pisac's Inka city are magnificent. Terraces, water ducts and steps have been
cut out of solid rock, and in the upper sector of the site, the main Sun Temple is similar of the one
in Machu Picchu. Above the temple lie still more buildings, and among the higher crevices and
rocky overhangs several ancient burial sites are hidden.
Today it is still possible to observe the surrounding wall that protected the most important zone of
the Inka city. Moreover, inside the protected area are the vast farming terraces that supplied
enough food for its inhabitants in case of sieges or conflicts; and there are also aqueducts that
supplied water for agricultural development. It seems that water for consumption of the inhabitants
was harnessed on the mountain's upper side and transported through underground channels.
Towards the West, on the irregular almost vertical surface of the mountain there is a large amount
of something like hollows: they are looted tombs of the pre-Hispanic cemetery in the region. Today
the cemetery is known as "Tantanamarka", and according to some estimates it must have
contained about 10,000 tombs. In the Inkan belief it was stated that once persons died they began
a newer life.
When the invaders arrived they soon knew that inside the Inkan tombs they could also find jewels
of precious stones and metals, thus they began with their diabolical profanation and pillaging of
ancient Peruvians' tombs. That is why that cemetery in Pisac contains mostly looted tombs and
some mummies without their jewels and personal elements.
Intiwatana (inti = sun, watana = year) is the most important district in Pisac. It corresponds to the
ceremonial core or spiritual complex of the city that has the best quality constructions; that is, with
polished-joint carved stones that have a rectangular outer surface. Its location on the mountain's
upper section is superb and dominates visually a great territory of the valley, this sector must have
been constituted by diverse temples. In the complex's central part is a semicircular building with
one lateral straight wall which main gate is toward the south, by deduction and analogy with other
similar buildings it is established that this was the Sun Temple in Pisac. By the middle of this
building is the altar carved in the in-situ rock, with a central interrupted conical protuberance that
is known as "Intiwatana" ("Solar Meter", a "Saywa" or "Sukanka") and must have been used for
allowing observation of the solar movements with the help of some other elements or carved
angles that served as "pegs" for calculating the shadow projections. The altar served to carry out
different ceremonies and celebrations to the Sun.
Called "El Pueblo del Arco Iris" (the town of the rainbow), is high up on a spectacular place,
around 12,000 feet above sea level, with tremendous views of the Urubamba mountain range as
well as the majestic Salkantay mountain that reaches almost 19,000 ft. Chinchero is halfway
between the Sacred Valley and Cusco, to the northwest of Cusco, at 28 km. (17.4 miles). The town
of Hispanic architecture is built on old Inka constructions. Its people are very conservative of some
andean traditions, wearing picturesque clothing. Also outstanding the textile crafts (crafts as well
as local produce).
There is a spectacular view of the valley and beautiful Andean landscapes surround the town,
outstanding the beauty of the snowy mountains Chicon and Veronica of the Mountain Range of
Urubamba. In Chinchero is a spectacular altar and ceremonial places for mother earth
(Pachamama).
Urubamba Valley: Less than one hour by bus northwest of Cusco lies the valley of the Urubamba
River. It's easy to see why the valley was considered sacred by the Inkas with its spectacular
panoramas and fertile alluvial low lands. The Urubamba Valley, is one of the most fertile valleys in
Peru, everything that is planted here grows with such abnormal vigor - especially corn. The corn
here grows approximately three times the size of the corn grown in the U.S. and other parts of the
world. This valley is located in both sides of the river Vilcanota and their tributaries. The Inkas
gave life to the stone and they built urban centres, palaces, temples, agricultural constructions,
and trails.
MORAY
In this archaeological site exist concentric agricultural terraces, some as deep as 150 meters. This
"Earth's Navel" is thought to be a large agricultural laboratory where the Inkas created different
microclimates to grow a large variety of crops. Here we may perform a metamorphosis ritual,
attuning our body/mind with electromatnetic energy from Earth's Navel. An important fact of the
Inka's technology was that its works harmonize perfectly with nature. They used the natural forces,
they mastered hydraulic engineering, and knew the use of the earth. For instance, thanks to the
"andenerías" (agricultural circular terracing) system, they could sow in abrupt places and avoid the
erosion. The attractiveness of this area can be distinguished for its impressive landscape (nature
and big snowy mountains), pleasant climate, fertile lands with abundant water, megalithic cultural
evidences, people and its traditions.
PISAC
Is one of the most important Archaeological Sites in the Sacred Valley. It is located about 30 Kms.
(18.6 miles) Northwest of Cusco City. Possibly its name comes from a type of partridge very
common in the area known as "Pisaka". A vital Inka road once snaked its way up the canyon that
enters the Urubamba Valley at Pisac. The city, at the entrance to this gorge site, controlled a route
that connected the Inka Empire with Paucartambo, on the border of the eastern jungles. Set high
above a valley floor patchworked by patterned fields and rimmed by vast terracing, the stonework
and panoramas at Pisac's Inka city are magnificent. Terraces, water ducts and steps have been
cut out of solid rock, and in the upper sector of the site, the main Sun Temple is similar of the one
in Machu Picchu. Above the temple lie still more buildings, and among the higher crevices and
rocky overhangs several ancient burial sites are hidden.
Today it is still possible to observe the surrounding wall that protected the most important zone of
the Inka city. Moreover, inside the protected area are the vast farming terraces that supplied
enough food for its inhabitants in case of sieges or conflicts; and there are also aqueducts that
supplied water for agricultural development. It seems that water for consumption of the inhabitants
was harnessed on the mountain's upper side and transported through underground channels.
Towards the West, on the irregular almost vertical surface of the mountain there is a large amount
of something like hollows: they are looted tombs of the pre-Hispanic cemetery in the region. Today
the cemetery is known as "Tantanamarka", and according to some estimates it must have
contained about 10,000 tombs. In the Inkan belief it was stated that once persons died they began
a newer life.
When the invaders arrived they soon knew that inside the Inkan tombs they could also find jewels
of precious stones and metals, thus they began with their diabolical profanation and pillaging of
ancient Peruvians' tombs. That is why that cemetery in Pisac contains mostly looted tombs and
some mummies without their jewels and personal elements.
Intiwatana (inti = sun, watana = year) is the most important district in Pisac. It corresponds to the
ceremonial core or spiritual complex of the city that has the best quality constructions; that is, with
polished-joint carved stones that have a rectangular outer surface. Its location on the mountain's
upper section is superb and dominates visually a great territory of the valley, this sector must have
been constituted by diverse temples. In the complex's central part is a semicircular building with
one lateral straight wall which main gate is toward the south, by deduction and analogy with other
similar buildings it is established that this was the Sun Temple in Pisac. By the middle of this
building is the altar carved in the in-situ rock, with a central interrupted conical protuberance that
is known as "Intiwatana" ("Solar Meter", a "Saywa" or "Sukanka") and must have been used for
allowing observation of the solar movements with the help of some other elements or carved
angles that served as "pegs" for calculating the shadow projections. The altar served to carry out
different ceremonies and celebrations to the Sun.
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Descending the Sun Temple stairway, farther to the southwest side is another
sculpted earthly world and the subsoil. That sculpture was possibly used as a help
element for solar observations too.
The colonial town named Pisac (2,970m) in the lower part of the valley was
established as consequence of the famous "Indians Reductions" by which the
Quechuas were Andean Village, which is best known for its market, which draws
hundreds of tourists. In spite of its popularity the market retains much of its local
charm, at least in the part where villagers from miles around gather to barter and sell
their produce. In the tourist section of the market you can buy a wide variety of
handicrafts - mostly the same things you see in Cusco.
OLLANTAYTAMBO
The sanctuary of Ollantaytambo is located at the province of Urubamba. Here is an
amazing architectural wonder, built by solar masters. The town is about 76 Kms.
(47.2 miles) away from Cusco by the road of Chinchero - Urubamba and about 68
kilometers (42.2 miles) by railway at an altitude of 2700 meters (8856 feet). It is a
very vast complex which central part is in the town and its surroundings; there is a
large amount of farming terraces that are part of he complex. Those terraces are
deteriorated and most of them abandoned. The water that irrigated them does not
flow any more. Their stone aqueducts that were a master work of engineering were
extended by many kilometers; but, today they do not exist any more. The reason is
that today no one is preoccupied with keeping them and because we had almost five
centuries in which the invaders were not interested in agriculture but only in mining
gold and silver.
Ollantaytambo is a compound Quechua word that is derived from " Ollanta" that is a
personal name, and " Tambo" that is a Spanish form of " Tampu" that refers about a
city that offered lodgings, food and comfort for travellers. "Ollanta" was the name of
an Inka general whose history was kept as an oral tradition. The Ollantay Drama is
considered as a classical work of Quechua literature.
Ollantaytambo was a very important sanctuary, it also was a "tampu" in order to
enable control of the roads toward the "Antisuyo" (jungle). Today, still some people
name this sanctuary as "fortress", which in practice is improper and we will need
more space to explain all this. Besides, for the noble population dwelling in this city
there was a very ample and well planned urban sector, a plaza surrounded by
important buildings and toward the town's South an impressive "Kallanka"; that is, a
building which dimensions are colossal and completely roofed. It served as a lodge
and perhaps also as barracks for the army of the region.
The present-day town is located in the same site where the urban sector was in Inkan
times. It is really interesting because here it is possible to find people living in the
same buildings that served as homes for the nobility of the Inkan Society. Some of its
narrow streets still keep their water channels where water flowed; they are by the
middle or at one side. The streets still maintain their Inkan names. The town was
divided in rectangular blocks with a very well planned geometrical layout giving the
impression of being a town designed by modern architects. Every block was
compound of two "kanchas" (patio, little plaza); the street gates had double jamb
doorways which indicate that those were real palaces with rooms around a central
patio. At least the lower part of the buildings is original and made with "pirka" type
walls that were covered with a clay coat and possibly also had mural paintings.
Today, their thatched roofs were replaced by red tiles and it is possible to breath a
certain air of modernity as the town has electricity and tap water; but in short, the
town has still an Inkan taste. Some decades ago in Ollantaytambo, a worldwide
meeting of the "Andean" representatives was carried out and they declared this town
as the " World Capital of Indianity". By that time there were some efforts willing to
help for an effective conservation of original structures; in practice, it is so little what
was and is done for that purpose, and it is so sad to prove that many of its innate
elements are being lost slowly.
Towards the town's east is the Pinkuylluna hill (pinkuyllo = wind musical instrument
similar to the "quena" or Andean flute) where an imposing huge building stands out
and about which there is a lot of myth. Some very imaginative "scholars" argue that
it's been a school, a hospital some others, jail others, and even a hurling precipice!;
according to archaeology and the Inkan architectonic characterization it was a
"Qollqa", that is, a granary or storehouse for food, clothing and other elements. It has
many doorways and openings that allowed ventilation, and surely they were built up
there to enable protection of the stored goods. Likewise, some other smaller
buildings are located in outstanding spots or angles of the mountain that served as
watchtowers for controlling movement of persons in the valley.
Toward the western end of the town and crossing the Patakancha (Upper Enclosure)
stream is the great Plaza known as Mañay Raqay (Pleas Plaza) which seem to keep
its original name, surrounded by sun-dried mud-brick buildings that were very
important in their epoch. Towards the west of this plaza is the entrance to the
Temples; somewhat higher is the spot of the most important temple: the Sun Temple
that was constructed with huge red porphyry (pink granite) boulders. What is left of
the Sun Temple are some peripheral walls and the classical major wall that according
to most historians is part of the High Altar. It consists of six enormous stone blocks
which average weight is about 60 tons and have as vertical joints some other smaller
stones making a wall. It seems that this is a projection of the Tiwanaku architecture or
possibly the architects were brought from the region of the Titikaka lake; but the final
work is entirely Inkan with joints and outer surfaces complete and finely polished and
glazed so that they could even serve as mirrors.
On the external surface of the fourth boulder (beginning in the Southern end), there
are carved stepped symbols. Even more, there are some other carved bulges that
were broken. It is evident the presence of the "idolatries extirpators" who destroyed
the Sun Temple; nowadays, the stones that were part of this fabulous temple are all
over the place, over the terraces, by the plaza surroundings, in the church and
curate house, and wherever a person looks with care.
Toward the north of the temple´s entrance gate is a series of water fountains that
because of their location must have performed duties of "Ceremonial Fountains", that
is, used in order to honour the water elementary. There is one inside a mud brick
square building where water still flows; toward the east of it there is another one
baptized by tradition as the "Baño de la Ñusta" ("Princess's Bath") that shows
stepped mouldings in its surface below the spillway. Farther north there are also
many other fountains constituting a vast temple dedicated to the cult of "Unu" (water).
Nearby is the sector that today has the hybrid name of " Inka Misana" (spot where
the Inka says mass) that shows an aqueduct carved in the mountain rock face and a
liturgical fountain, small stairways, double jamb niches or false openings capriciously
sculpted in the mountain surface. On the upper area there is a carved conical bulge
that was surely another "Intiwatana" (Solar Meter); more over, there are diverse
mouldings which were part of a complex solar observatory used to measure the Sun
variations during the year as well as for fixing solstices and equinoxes.
sculpted earthly world and the subsoil. That sculpture was possibly used as a help
element for solar observations too.
The colonial town named Pisac (2,970m) in the lower part of the valley was
established as consequence of the famous "Indians Reductions" by which the
Quechuas were Andean Village, which is best known for its market, which draws
hundreds of tourists. In spite of its popularity the market retains much of its local
charm, at least in the part where villagers from miles around gather to barter and sell
their produce. In the tourist section of the market you can buy a wide variety of
handicrafts - mostly the same things you see in Cusco.
OLLANTAYTAMBO
The sanctuary of Ollantaytambo is located at the province of Urubamba. Here is an
amazing architectural wonder, built by solar masters. The town is about 76 Kms.
(47.2 miles) away from Cusco by the road of Chinchero - Urubamba and about 68
kilometers (42.2 miles) by railway at an altitude of 2700 meters (8856 feet). It is a
very vast complex which central part is in the town and its surroundings; there is a
large amount of farming terraces that are part of he complex. Those terraces are
deteriorated and most of them abandoned. The water that irrigated them does not
flow any more. Their stone aqueducts that were a master work of engineering were
extended by many kilometers; but, today they do not exist any more. The reason is
that today no one is preoccupied with keeping them and because we had almost five
centuries in which the invaders were not interested in agriculture but only in mining
gold and silver.
Ollantaytambo is a compound Quechua word that is derived from " Ollanta" that is a
personal name, and " Tambo" that is a Spanish form of " Tampu" that refers about a
city that offered lodgings, food and comfort for travellers. "Ollanta" was the name of
an Inka general whose history was kept as an oral tradition. The Ollantay Drama is
considered as a classical work of Quechua literature.
Ollantaytambo was a very important sanctuary, it also was a "tampu" in order to
enable control of the roads toward the "Antisuyo" (jungle). Today, still some people
name this sanctuary as "fortress", which in practice is improper and we will need
more space to explain all this. Besides, for the noble population dwelling in this city
there was a very ample and well planned urban sector, a plaza surrounded by
important buildings and toward the town's South an impressive "Kallanka"; that is, a
building which dimensions are colossal and completely roofed. It served as a lodge
and perhaps also as barracks for the army of the region.
The present-day town is located in the same site where the urban sector was in Inkan
times. It is really interesting because here it is possible to find people living in the
same buildings that served as homes for the nobility of the Inkan Society. Some of its
narrow streets still keep their water channels where water flowed; they are by the
middle or at one side. The streets still maintain their Inkan names. The town was
divided in rectangular blocks with a very well planned geometrical layout giving the
impression of being a town designed by modern architects. Every block was
compound of two "kanchas" (patio, little plaza); the street gates had double jamb
doorways which indicate that those were real palaces with rooms around a central
patio. At least the lower part of the buildings is original and made with "pirka" type
walls that were covered with a clay coat and possibly also had mural paintings.
Today, their thatched roofs were replaced by red tiles and it is possible to breath a
certain air of modernity as the town has electricity and tap water; but in short, the
town has still an Inkan taste. Some decades ago in Ollantaytambo, a worldwide
meeting of the "Andean" representatives was carried out and they declared this town
as the " World Capital of Indianity". By that time there were some efforts willing to
help for an effective conservation of original structures; in practice, it is so little what
was and is done for that purpose, and it is so sad to prove that many of its innate
elements are being lost slowly.
Towards the town's east is the Pinkuylluna hill (pinkuyllo = wind musical instrument
similar to the "quena" or Andean flute) where an imposing huge building stands out
and about which there is a lot of myth. Some very imaginative "scholars" argue that
it's been a school, a hospital some others, jail others, and even a hurling precipice!;
according to archaeology and the Inkan architectonic characterization it was a
"Qollqa", that is, a granary or storehouse for food, clothing and other elements. It has
many doorways and openings that allowed ventilation, and surely they were built up
there to enable protection of the stored goods. Likewise, some other smaller
buildings are located in outstanding spots or angles of the mountain that served as
watchtowers for controlling movement of persons in the valley.
Toward the western end of the town and crossing the Patakancha (Upper Enclosure)
stream is the great Plaza known as Mañay Raqay (Pleas Plaza) which seem to keep
its original name, surrounded by sun-dried mud-brick buildings that were very
important in their epoch. Towards the west of this plaza is the entrance to the
Temples; somewhat higher is the spot of the most important temple: the Sun Temple
that was constructed with huge red porphyry (pink granite) boulders. What is left of
the Sun Temple are some peripheral walls and the classical major wall that according
to most historians is part of the High Altar. It consists of six enormous stone blocks
which average weight is about 60 tons and have as vertical joints some other smaller
stones making a wall. It seems that this is a projection of the Tiwanaku architecture or
possibly the architects were brought from the region of the Titikaka lake; but the final
work is entirely Inkan with joints and outer surfaces complete and finely polished and
glazed so that they could even serve as mirrors.
On the external surface of the fourth boulder (beginning in the Southern end), there
are carved stepped symbols. Even more, there are some other carved bulges that
were broken. It is evident the presence of the "idolatries extirpators" who destroyed
the Sun Temple; nowadays, the stones that were part of this fabulous temple are all
over the place, over the terraces, by the plaza surroundings, in the church and
curate house, and wherever a person looks with care.
Toward the north of the temple´s entrance gate is a series of water fountains that
because of their location must have performed duties of "Ceremonial Fountains", that
is, used in order to honour the water elementary. There is one inside a mud brick
square building where water still flows; toward the east of it there is another one
baptized by tradition as the "Baño de la Ñusta" ("Princess's Bath") that shows
stepped mouldings in its surface below the spillway. Farther north there are also
many other fountains constituting a vast temple dedicated to the cult of "Unu" (water).
Nearby is the sector that today has the hybrid name of " Inka Misana" (spot where
the Inka says mass) that shows an aqueduct carved in the mountain rock face and a
liturgical fountain, small stairways, double jamb niches or false openings capriciously
sculpted in the mountain surface. On the upper area there is a carved conical bulge
that was surely another "Intiwatana" (Solar Meter); more over, there are diverse
mouldings which were part of a complex solar observatory used to measure the Sun
variations during the year as well as for fixing solstices and equinoxes.
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