The Latin Latitudes: Cuzco and Inca Land

Cuzco is the heart of Inca country. As the old Inca capital, it is steeped in rich history of the Inca domination of South America and the Spanish Conquest.

Its hills play host to many Inca sites, that when visited leave one in absolute awe. The Inca's ability to build the most incredible buildings and settlement in some of the most beautiful landscapes leaves one speechless.

The massive stone blocks of Saqsaywaman (pronounced "sexy-woman") where our first stop. This impressive site was unfortunately broken down by the Spanish so that the stones could be used to build their colonial buildings. However, the immensity of the site is overwhelming as one walks along the stone walls. The Inca's unique architecture style of using irregular yet precisely fitted stones is clearly visible.

We - our group was made of a Frenchie, Alexis, who we had met in Lima, a Kiwi, Nic, we met on the bus to Cusco, a Hollander, Tycho who we had met in Colombia and a German guy we picked up at the hostel. The Gringo Trail seems to do this, keeps bringing people back together in the more touristy spot - then headed up the ruins of Q'Enqo. This is a massive limestone rock carved with niches, steps and symbolic carvings. Below it is a eirie subterranean cave with an altar used for sacrifices.

Further along the road we headed to Pukapukara, which means red fort. It is believed to have been an Inca watch station and place for travellers to stay As a result of it's location it had sweeping views of the valley below..

The last site that we visited around Cuzco was Tambomachay with its beautiful carved stone bath (which half the group missed because they took the wrong path!!!) and channels which still today carry water from the spring to various areas of the site.

Much of Cuzco itself is built the foundations of the original Inca capital. The Convent of Saint Dominic clearly shows Inca stonework in its walls. When the great earthquake of 1950 leveled much of Cuzco, many of the structures that remained standing were those Inca walls that had long thought to be lost to the Spanish rebuilding of the city - turns out the Inca's claim to the city outlasted the Spanish's!

It was then off to Mach Pichu (next post) via the Inca Jungle Trek. While probably not the best way to get to the Sacred Valley, we had an enormous amount of fun zip lining, rafting and cycling our way to Machu Pichu.