js_composer domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/joextravel/public_html/wpt.joextravel.com/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6260During the walk we will see ideal landscapes to take pictures, once we arrive at the Lagoon we will get a short introduction about the story of the lagoon. After that we have free time to experience and explore the landscape surrounded by the mountains. After explorig, we will hike back down to our car, which will take us about 40 minutes. We will get back in the car and driver for about an hour to Soraypampa, the same place we had breakfast, we will have lunch. After lunch we will drive back to Cusco, we will be back in Cusco at about 6/7 pm.
]]>When the Spanish came to Cuzco they came on that long highway from the north and entered Cuzco through Carmenca. Important Spaniards, such as the chronicler Juan de Betanzos, settled here. Even though the infrastructure of the neighborhood, its plaza, streets, and homes are being updated, in many parts of the neighborhood you can still see the colonial big-houses.
The Spanish built an archway as an entrance to the walled city of Cuzco that they built on top of the Inca one. In its day, it was a point of control for all people entering the city. Today the colonial arch still exists and brings an unusual charm to the neighborhood.
The zone of Santa Ana continues to maintain its traditional patronal feast since it is one of the most ancient neighborhoods of Cuzco and its saint has many devotees throughout the city of Cuzco. The feast and devotion to Saint Anne brings many people to the city from throughout the city of Cuzco, although they are most concentrated in the quarter of Chinchaysuyo.
On its festive days both tourists and local people fill the neighborhood with joy and emotion. The carguyoq (those responsible for sponsoring the feast) and their supporters present dances, allegories (floats) and fireworks.
Santa Ana is about 20 minutes walking distance from plaza de armas it is a steep walk with stairs up a hill until you reach the church. But the view on top is absolutey amazing and breathtaking. Many hotels such as the Hilton and a lot of hostels are located here due to the amazing view. It is nice to take a walk in the neighborhood you will find many little stores here and it is just a little adoreable spot, which holds a lot of history within. I just sat down for a while and watched the people and enjoyed the view. In the area between the arch and the plaza of Santa Ana you see a diversity of businesses such as travel agencies, restaurants, grocery stores, hostels, and many others.
]]>The grave was found in the Lambayeque region northern of the Peruvian coast. The place where the grave was found is called “Huaca Rajada”, which is 35 Kilometers from the city of Chiclayo. The grave was composed by three pyramids made of loam, in one of the pyramids was the mummy from the Lord of Sipan and his entourage.
The findings from the grave contained a great number of items made of gold, silver, copper and gems, all of those pieces are unique and masterpieces. This find of jewelry is also the major proof that the ancient peruvian people worked with metals. In total there were 400 jewels found such as elaborate masks, necklaces, earrings and much other beautiful jewelry. Also sea shells, rattles and knives were found, those were probably used for ceremonial purposes.
One of the most impressive pieces found in the grave is his necklace. The right side is made out of gold and the left side is made out of silver, which is supposed to symbolize the Sun and the Moon. Another amazing jewel which was found in the grave, was a necklace made out of ten gold pearls which is supposed to depict a spider. In the grave were eight other bodies found, which were probably close and high ranked friends of the Lord of Sipan.
The Moche culture ruled the entire northern Peruvian coast, several centuries ago. When the Lord of Sipan, one of their main leaders died, they buried him. Like all the important leaders of this civilization, this warlord was buried with his head pointing south and his ears and nose were covered with jewelry of gold, silver and gems.
The grave survived intact for almost 1600 years, even tho there were constantly thieves in action in that area. The grave was found in 1987 by Walter Alva. This discovery was so special, that it was compared to the findings of Tutankhamen in Egypt.
After the discovery, the objects were exhibited in many countries of America, Asia and Europe. In 1989 , investigators of the Brüning Museum discovered two new graves in Huaca Rajada, “EL Sacerdote” (the Priest) and “EL Viejo Señor de Sipan” (the Old Lord of Sipan). Both graves contained a great number of items such as jewels made out of silver and gold, chest protectors, shells and peculiar pictures. Most of the pieces from Sipan were restored in Germany by the Bruening museum in Mainz between 1988 and 1993, they also hosted the event when the discoveries were returned to Peru.
Due to the request of Walter Alva all discoveries related to the ancient Moche civilization are exposed in the museum Royal Tombs of Sipan.
According to scientists, who examined the skeleton, at the time of his death he was 1.63 meters tall and about 35-45 years old. Due to the amount and value of jewelry found in his grave it is assumed that he was one of the highest rank. Most of the ornaments were made of gold, silver, copper and semi-precious stones.
He was wearing two necklaces shaped in peanut form out of gold and silver, those are supposed to represent the earth.The peanuts symbolized that men came from the land, and that when they die, they return to the earth. Peanuts were used because they were an important food crop for the Moche. The necklaces had ten kernels on the right side made of gold, signifying masculinity and the sun god, and ten kernels on the left side made of silver, to represent femininity and the moon god.
Buried with the Lord of Sipán were six other people: three young women (possibly wives or concubines who had apparently died some time earlier), two males (probably warriors), and a child of about nine or ten years. The remains of a third male (possibly also a warrior) was found on the roof of the burial chamber sitting in a niche overlooking the chamber. There was also a dog which was probably the Lord of Sipan’s favorite pet. The warriors who were buried with the Lord of Sipán had amputated feet, as if to prevent them from leaving the grave. The women were dressed in ceremonial clothes. In addition to the people, archeologists found in the grave a total of 451 ceremonial items and offerings (burial goods), and the remains of several animals, including a dog and two llamas.
The Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum, which is close to Lambayeque exposes most of the discoveries found at Huaca Rajada. The museum opened in 2002, Walter Alva who founded and supported the construction of the museum, is the director of the museum. In 2009 a smaller museum was opened in Huaca Rajada.
]]>The complex is formed by two pyramids, the Cao Viejo and Huaca Cortada,and also the closeby Moche pyramid El Paredón and another a pre-ceramic site, which is over 5000 years old. This shows a continuous human presence since the times of early civilisation.
In the huge pyramid of Cao Viejo, you see a similar design the the Huaca de la Luna in the Moche home valley. A very similar temple, plaza and ramp design. One of the most important discoveries, which was done at el brujo was the Lady of Cao.
The Lady of Cao was discovered in 2006 by a team of Peruvian archaeologists led by Regulo Franco Jordan of the National Cultural Institute of Peru with the financial cooperation of the Augusto N. Wiese Foundation. The mummy, which was heavily tattooed and wrapped in 26 layers of cloth, was found with a number of ceremonial items, including weapons and jewelry. Also found were the remains of a second young woman, possibly a human sacrifice. A modern autopsy indicated that the Lady of Cao was in her mid twenties when she died and may have of died of complications due to pregnancy or childbirth. The estimated date of death for the Lady of Cao is about 450 CE.
The richness of the burial site, as well as the presence of weapons, suggest that the woman might have been a high ranking priestess or even a Moche ruler, possibly governing what is now known as the Chicama District region of northern Peru.This is a very important finding in the history, since it was always believed that only men held high rank in the Moche culture. The discovery of the Lady of Cao burial counts with the the discovery of the Lord of Sipan to the most important archaelogical discoveries in the Moche culture.
On 3 July 2017, culture officials and archaeologists unveiled a replica of her face. According to Peru’s Ministry of Culture, the replica was made using 3D imaging technology and forensics archaeology based on her skull structure and ethnographic research which took 10 months to create.
]]>The Pikillaqta site is located in low ridges in the eastern Valley of Cuzco. The area has a lot of mountains, but no rivers only small lakes close to the city. The landscape in the area is grassy and rocky, and sandy at places, where houses where built. Pikillaqta is 3,250 meters above sea level and in the Lucre Basin. The climate in the area of Pikillaqta is cold and dry. From mid April till October it is dry season. In November the rain season starts and the clime gets milder. The average temperature high is in the 60’s and the average temperature low is in the 30’s and 40’s year round in the Valley of Cusco.
Corn was an important crop and served as a major food source for the citizens of Pikillaqta. Corn was very special to the Wari, it was painted on pottery along with gods. Pikillaqta controlled the area through agriculture with canals, reservoirs, aqueducts, terraces and cultivated fields. With the water, which was mainly brought through the rain the Wari people were able to build and maintain a hydraulic network. From August to December there was barely any rain, because it was the dry season, during this time they used an artificial irrigation system. Harvest season is from May to June, during that time they use the artificial irrigation system if needed. The canals they built were connected to the Lucre River and the Chelke stream. In total the canals system is about 48 thousand meters.
In Pikillaqta around 50,00 bones were found, most of them were from camels and guinea pigs. So this were probably the animals that have been eaten by the citizen of Pikillaqta.To kill the animals they probably used projectile points, since those were also found there.
Scientists assume that Pikillaqta may have served as a large ceremonial and feasting site. In the middle of the site, there was a large patio, which probably served as the center of administrative rituals and activities the Wari people did. The Wari people drank a lot of chicha, which was their native beer. Corn and chicha were very sacred to the Wari, and played a big role during ceremonies.
The halls of the Wari were robbed, but they held probably sacred and objects and offerings back then. In Wari art, ceremonies were depicted with a ceremonial pole coming out of the center of niched halls along with offerings, plants, and felines shown in a sacred context. The functions of the niched halls then were probably ceremonially and ritually used, because the halls match up with other Wari sites and art.
A small number of people could gather in one of the 501 structures of those buildings, for ceremonial practices on a more private scale. Sector four of the small conjoint buildings could have been a place where mummies were held and visited. Small fire pits were found in them, this could be a sign that there were offerings to the deceased done. For the Wari it was an important act to visit the mummies, since they believed that they watch over the living.
The Wari used their pottery and stones such as gemstones and minerals for trades. Okros and Wamanga style pottery were two of the main styles, which were made around the area. Pikillaqta was one of the biggest Wari sites so other goods were probably traded in and out of the area and housed in the many buildings at Pikillaqta. Many people came around for the ceremonies so a lot of items were probably traded or brought in with them.
There were two stages in the abandonment: the part where the Wari left and then a giant fire after that. After the fire, thiefs came through the site and stole the valueables that survived the fire. Those are the only known people to be active on the site before archaeologists investigated.
Pikillaqta is open for visitors and tourists to view the ruins of the once large city. Pikillaqta was occupied from about 550 to 1100 AD and around 1100 AD is when it was ultimately abandoned. The reason for this is unclear, scientists assume that there was a crisis in the empire of the Wari and they were trying to expand their empire somewhere else and planned on coming back later. Pikillaqta was abandonded before much of the architecture was complete. The sealing of a number of key doorways occurred so unwanted visitors would have trouble entering some structures.
]]>San Pedro of Andahuaylillas church is the major attraction for visitors. Even though on first sight the church seems inconspicious, due to it’s simple design. The quality and collection of art pieces is what makes it so special and worth seeing.
San Pedro Apóstol was built by Jesuits in the sixteenth century over a pre-Columbian huaca, or ceremonial space. The construction of the current temple started in 1570 with the creation of a small chapel corresponding to the existing apse and sanctuary; the nave and façade were completed in 1606. Much of the interior was decorated by Luis de Riaño, a student of Angelino Medoro, in the 1620s. It is often called the “Sistine Chapel of the Andes” because of the beauty of its mural painting. The sanctuary has a polychrome ceiling in the Mudéjar style built using a pre-Hispanic construction method called kur-kur which combines cane, straw and mud instead of wood.
Andahuaylillas has two main tourist attractions
Although its architecture is quite simple, the internal decoration is the most impressive part of the place. For example you will find the painting “Virgen de la Asuncion”, from the historical painter Esteban Murillo in this chapel.
You will also find murals made by Luis Riaño (17th century) that represent the man choosen by glory. He also did the design and painting to decorate the socles and a remarkable oil painting of archangel San Miguel. The church also is in possess of a never seen collection of Cusquenian school paintings that represent the life of Saint Pedro. They are kept in amazing frames made of gold leaf, a majestic organ, silver jewelry and a baroque altar. In the enclosure, we can see rooms where there are remains of an Inca construction. Outside, on the west of the front patio, there are three carved crosses that represent the trinity as Catholic symbol (Father, son and holy spirit).
The main square is surrounded by leafy pisonay trees and palm trees. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful squares of the region. Huaro the city, where the ancient Inca wizards lived is only a few kilomteres from here. There is a wonderful temple with murals by Tadeo Escalante, one of the last masters of Cusquenian school.
]]>Qorikancha is only about a five minute walk from the Cathedral in Cusco. Here you will learn about the Inca style in Architecture which is incredible to me. You will see the different techniques which were used to build those “earthquakesecure” how they call it walls. There are three different techniques they used instead of cement : the female ; male technique, the lego technique or the one where they used gold and silver rings to connect the rocks. It´s incredible to see how precisely and accurate they worked, no rock looks the same. It remained me speechless to see this. After that you will continue the tour outside into the Solar Garden, where you will have an amazing view over Cusco. Your tour guide will give you about 20 minutes to explore this wonderful garden and to take pictures. The gardens were a great reservoir of offerings of all subject nations and Confederate brought to the Sun God, the offerings consisted of representations of flora and fauna. Also you will find the beautiful cantua flower there, which is typical for Peru and you can take incredible pictures from here with the beautiful mountain landscape of Cusco in the background.
]]>There is not much information about the history of the ruins, but Pisac was probably used as a ceremonial and military centre. After the conquest of the Spanish in the 1530s the site was abandoned.
Travelling through the Urubamba Valley, starting in the town of Pisac, enables tourists to visit an archaeological area in the highest mountain areas. Already the drive from Cusco to Pisac through the beautiful Sacred Valley is just breathtaking and simply amazing. The tour will start in the town of Pisac, where visitors get a demonstration of the local jewelry manufacture. After the demonstration visitors will get some free time to explore the little cute city of Pisac and have the possibility to shop for some souvenirs.
Afterwards the tour continues to the ruins of Pisac, here you can find a variety of buildings, plazas, temples, pools and other structures, all built between the 10th and 11th centuries.
The architecture of the Incas is just stunning and unbelieveable,the techniques they used to build enormous walls, palaces and turrets with stone blocks, all done without any type of cement or adhesive. Those buildings survived every earthquake and even the Spanish weren’t able to destroy them while conquering the country. Until today those masterpieces are much- admired.
Today the ruins of Pisac sit above a looming hilltop above the modern town and represent the best examples of Inca ruins in existence. Alongside the vast and impressive agricultural terraces surrounding the hillside, the platform built at the top contains the remains of a fortress and temple complex. Among the structures which can be seen here are the ruins of the Temple of the Sun, ceremonial baths, altars and fortified walls.
The Intihuatana solar observatory receives the greatest admiration. Fine quality stone carved into the shape of many hands forming a semi-circle.
To manage their water supply, the Incas carried out engineering works creating many channels that travel the length of the terraces, and, despite the height of construction, they even included decorative fountains.Water was very important for the Incas, because it is the source of life. The terraces they build, were to grow different vegetables and fruits at different temepratures and altitudes.
Pisac is one of the few archaeological zones with two open tunnels cut into the hills, one which heads north for 15 meters (49 feet) and another 3 meter (10 feet) tunnel that leads to the summit.
]]>It is definitely worth seeing and a very special place with a lot of history and energy I would go again anytime.
The rebellious Manco Inca had retreated to this fortress after his defeat at Sacsaywamán. In 1536, Hernando Pizarro, Francisco’s younger half-brother, led a force of 70 cavalrymen to Ollantaytambo, supported by large numbers of indigenous and Spanish foot soldiers, in an attempt to capture Manco Inca. The conquistadors, fought with arrows, spears and boulders from atop of the steep terracing, so the Spanish were unable to climb the fortress. In a brilliant move, Manco Inca flooded the area below the fortress with the help of previously prepared channels. With Spaniards’ horses bogged down in the water, Pizarro ordered a hasty retreat, chased down by thousands of Manco Inca’s victorious soldiers. Yet the Inca victory would be short lived. Spanish forces soon returned with a quadrupled cavalry force and Manco fled to his jungle stronghold in Vilcabamba.
Ollantaytambo was a highly effective fortress, it also served as a temple. A finely worked ceremonial center is at the top of the terracing. Some extremely well-built walls were under construction at the time of the conquest and have never been completed. The stone was quarried from the mountainside 6km away, high above the opposite bank of the Río Urubamba. Transporting the huge stone blocks to the site was a stupendous feat. The Incas’ crafty technique to move massive blocks across the river meant carting the blocks to the riverside then diverting the entire river channel around them.
The 6km hike to the Inca quarry on the opposite side of the river is a good walk from Ollantaytambo. The trail starts from the Inca bridge by the entrance to the village. It takes a few hours to reach the site, passing several abandoned blocks known as piedras cansadas – tired stones. Looking back towards Ollantaytambo, you can see the enigmatic optical illusion of a pyramid in the fields and walls in front of the fortress. A few scholars believe this marks the legendary place where the original Incas first emerged from the earth.
If you are interested in the Inca culture and history Ollantaytambo is definitely a place you should visit during your stay in Peru. This place holds a lot of history and stories about the Inca times. The climb up is demanding but do able for all ages, just take it one step at a time and include little breaks on the terraces and you will be fine.
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