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Points if Interest Around Cusco
Sacsayhuaman
A magnificent Inca military structure on a hill,
2 Kilometers north of Cusco. This astonishing
fortress was strategically located to defend the
Capital of the Empire. Its huge walls are made
of enormous carved stones ( up to 9 meter high)
joined with a fantastic accuracy. Its construction
took 20 thousand people working for seventy years.
Qenqo
A Temple and amphitheatre used to worshiping mother
earth. Limestone formations carved depicting mythical
beings.
Puka Pukara (Red Fort)
A military architecture with terraces and high
walls.
Tambo Machay (Inca Bath)
About 7 Km North of Cusco. A Spring Shrine, with
water still flowing from aqueducts out of the
stones.
Sacred Valley
Or the Urubamba Valley, along the Urubamba River,
between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
The Sacred Valley enjoys a fantastic climate.
Its altitude is lower than in Cusco (2,850 meters
above sea level) and the scenery is wonderful.
Many agricultural terraces are found here, as
well as several archaeological sites.
Many adventure activities are practiced in the
Valley, like mountain climbing, river rafting,
trekking, horse riding and mountain biking.
There are some nice accommodations and good restaurants
all along the valley.
Pisac
30 Km North of Cusco. A beautiful town famous
for its Sunday Market (which is also open on Tuesdays
and Thursdays). Pisac is the gateway to the Sacred
Valley. Some very interesting Inca ruins can be
visited here. The town has two different sides,
the old town (with wonderful Inca architecture),
and the new town (Colonial architecture).
Ollantaytambo
At the other end of the Sacred Valley. Of Inca
origin. Ollantaytambo was a military, religious
and agricultural center. The fortress here protected
the valley from invasions.
The train from Cusco to Machu Picchu has a station
here, and tourists who overnight in the valley
may continue the tour to Machu Picchu from this
point.
Moray
An archaeological site, west of the town of Maras.
Concentric agricultural terraces, some deeper
than 100 meters. This was an open-air agricultural
laboratory (Green houses of the Incas).
Piquillacta
An impressive archaeological site from the Wari
culture. Beautiful scenery and the Lake Lucre
make this a very nice tour.
Some other beautiful and picturesque towns of
Inca origin are worth visiting in this area like
Calca, at the foot of two snow capped peaks, with
hot and cold mineral springs; Urubamba , surrounded
by beautiful countryside; Yucay, where the remains
of an Inca Palace is found, Andahuaylillas where
the church of San Pedro is admired by visitors
and Chincheros where the Plaza de Armas has a
huge Inca wall in excellent condition and a beautiful
church.
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