Grand Escapades
Travel Photography & Travel Experiences of Africa, South America, the Middle-East & Asia
The base of the main complex was a three storey terrace built of stones weighing up to 160 tons, Saqsaywaman, the Sacred Valley, Peru
Coming back from Machu Picchu we stopped for another two more nights in Cuzco, the old Inca capital, to collect the luggage we had left behind in different places and refuel our energy by simply staying in one place. The only sight that was on our agenda was the Inca ruins at Saqsaywaman, a 40 minutes walk north of Cusco.
Ollantaybambo, the Sacred Valley, Peru
The next day, we gave in to the rare luxury of allowing a taxi driver to take us to Ollantaytambo, 20 km away for just 10 Soles (3 USD), whereas the public bus costs only 1 Soles per person. It was quite an experience since we were chauffeured by an obviously ultra-religious gentleman who made a cross sign each time we passed a church, a cross on the roadside or other religious symbols, which happened quite often. Continue Reading →
The amphitheater-like terraces of Moray may have served the Incas as a laboratory for agricultural experiments. We heard the theory that every terrace / level simulated a difference in altitude of 300 meters, enabling the Incas to test what grows best at what altitude – Near Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, Peru
Two days after our trip to Pisac, we continued our travel to Urubamba, a smooth 2 hour ride from Cuzco in a collectivo for 3,5 Soles (1 USD), where we spent a day and a night to see the famous amphitheater-like terraces in Moray and the Salinas near Maras. Continue Reading →
At the market in Pisac, Sacred Valley, near Cuzco, Peru, South America
After some considerations we decided to join the crowds and visit the famous Pisac Sunday market. Many organized tours include Pisac in their itinerary before continuing on to Machu Picchu. This small city is only an hour from Cusco and collectivos run the route constantly for 2 Soles, so we decided to do a day trip.