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SACRED VALLEY
The Sacred Valley name is lost in
time and it is surely related to its
religious importance during the Inca
period. Although almost five
centuries have passed since the
Inca's Empire collapsed, the Sacred
Valley still reflects the lively
mystical spirit that, to these days,
surprises and inspires those who
visit it, not only for its exuberant
landscapes but for its history and
culture.
The precise function of this city is
still unknown. Several hypotheses
appoint to ceremonial purposes as
well as defense against the Antis
attacks, or as a resting residence
for the Inca. The only sure thing is
that the citadel has the
characteristics of a fortress due to
its extremely difficult access.
INTI RAYMI
 Every
year on June 24th, Cusco celebrates
the Inti Raymi. This festival has
been celebrated by the Incas as the
Festival of the Sun in which
Wiracocha, the God Sun, has the
honor. The Inti Raymi symbolizes the
eternal consecration of marriage
between the Sun and its children,
the human beings. Inti Raymi was the
most important festival of the
Inca’s Empire, the Tawantinsuyu,
which religion was based on the cult
to the Sun. On June 24th they
celebrate the winter solstice, the
beginning of the Andean New Year.
Scientifically, the solstice begins
on June 21 but, according to the
Pacha Unachaq (sun clock used by the
Incas) the sun remains at the same
place for some days before June
24th. This day has been proclaimed
by the main priest as the beginning
of the New Year. |
CITY
TOUR AND SACSAYHUAMAN
Visit to important places like
the Cathedral, the Temple of the
Sun or Koricancha and the
archaeological park of
Sacsayhuaman (fortress built in
the XV century). The tour
includes visits to the ruins of
Qenko (Temple of the God Puma),
Pucapucara (fortress built in
the XI century) and Tambomachay
(Temple to render cult to the
God Water).
MACHUPICCHU
Located 120 Km of the city of the
Cusco and at 2.400 m.a.s.l, the
famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu
lies at the top of a mountain with
the same name, several constructions
standing in one of the world's most
spectacular natural sceneries: the
Cloud Forest. The perfection of its
walls overflows the limits of
imagination.
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INCA TRAIL
Machu Picchu was connected with
Cusco, the capital city, and others
through an excellent trails network.
The Inca trail to Machu Picchu is
considered as the most famous
trekking route in South America, due
to the different elements that
offers to the visitor. It begins at
the Km 82 of the railway, towards La
Convencion Valley.
The natural scenery is impressive,
with a remarkable balance between
nature and the Inca architectonic
work. The presence of the Vilcabamba
mountain range (with snow-capped
peaks 6.000mts. height and over,
such as the Salkantay and Humantay,
among others) along with spectacular
forests and valleys, create fantasy
images where dawns and dusks provide
spectacles of greatness and mystery.
SALKANTAY
MOUNTAIN
The Vilcabamba Mountain gorge forms
an uneven range lying between the
region's main rivers, the Urubamba
and the Apurimac. Along the north
side, massive snow-capped peaks hit
the tropical forests creating a
brilliant contrast between lush
vegetation and high desolation. |
