January 29, 2011
After the city tour, we boarded a bus with our guide and fellow travelers to make several stops in the Sacred Valley:
1. Sacsayhuaman (sounds like "sexy woman")
2. Qenko - zigzag layout with underground altar
3. Ritual baths at Tambomachay
1. Sacsayhuaman
This was a military complex overlooking Cusco. It has an immense monolithic double wall in a zigzag pattern with stones that weigh up to 125 tons each, fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle, set in an open grassy field.
That day was cold, windy, and a bit rainy, but the place awed us with its history...a bloody one of battles between the Spanish and the Incas.
2. Qenko
About 5 miles south of Sacsayhuaman is a shrine with a circular ampitheatre, water canals cut into the rock, and a subterranean room, all carved from limestone found at the site. This quote is from the site linked above: "The Spanish classified this monument as an amphitheater, probably because it shows a semicircular construction. In fact, it ignores the purpose of this mammoth construction, which may well be an altar, a court or an Inca tomb, perhaps of Pachacutec. It was allegedly one of the most important shrines in the empire."
3. Ritual baths at Tambo Machay
This was a sacred bathing place for Inca rulers and royal women. Reminded me a little of the outdoor bathing areas in Bali, Indonesia, also considered sacred cleansing sites, where spring waters flow through holes in the rocks.
At the end of the day, we rode the bus back to Cusco. The next day we headed out with a different guide to visit markets.
Travel tip: For a trip like this, wear good, supportive waterproof hiking boots with wool socks (Thorlo socks are great). We did and boy were we thankful. Break boots in before you go, though. Mine are made by Keene and took little breaking in. Love 'em.
Next post: Markets
After the city tour, we boarded a bus with our guide and fellow travelers to make several stops in the Sacred Valley:
1. Sacsayhuaman (sounds like "sexy woman")
2. Qenko - zigzag layout with underground altar
3. Ritual baths at Tambomachay
 |
| Sacred Valley vista. Charlene & Hoyt Edge |
This was a military complex overlooking Cusco. It has an immense monolithic double wall in a zigzag pattern with stones that weigh up to 125 tons each, fitted together like a jigsaw puzzle, set in an open grassy field.
 |
| Map of Sacsayhuaman at entrance. Photo by Charlene Edge |
That day was cold, windy, and a bit rainy, but the place awed us with its history...a bloody one of battles between the Spanish and the Incas.
 |
| The Incan Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Photo by Charlene Edge |
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| Sacsayhuaman walls. Photo by Charlene Edge |
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| Largest rock there. Photo by Charlene Edge |
2. Qenko
About 5 miles south of Sacsayhuaman is a shrine with a circular ampitheatre, water canals cut into the rock, and a subterranean room, all carved from limestone found at the site. This quote is from the site linked above: "The Spanish classified this monument as an amphitheater, probably because it shows a semicircular construction. In fact, it ignores the purpose of this mammoth construction, which may well be an altar, a court or an Inca tomb, perhaps of Pachacutec. It was allegedly one of the most important shrines in the empire."
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| Underground altar at Qenko. Photo by Charlene Edge |
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| Charlene between a rock and a hard place at Qenko. Photo by Hoyt Edge |
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| Charlene and Hoyt Edge with tourist trap Qenko "Shaman." What a shame he didn't speak English. |
This was a sacred bathing place for Inca rulers and royal women. Reminded me a little of the outdoor bathing areas in Bali, Indonesia, also considered sacred cleansing sites, where spring waters flow through holes in the rocks.
 |
| Tambo Machay sacred bathing site. Photo by Charlene Edge |
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| Charlene & Hoyt Edge. We weren't exactly ready to bathe here - too COLD. Photo by Charlene Edge |
Travel tip: For a trip like this, wear good, supportive waterproof hiking boots with wool socks (Thorlo socks are great). We did and boy were we thankful. Break boots in before you go, though. Mine are made by Keene and took little breaking in. Love 'em.
Next post: Markets
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