Day 18 - Cusco
CuscoSunday, 8 September 2013
A day looking at ruins in the local Cusco area. Tambomachy was the first stop at 3765m above sea level. Fresh water still running after all these years. They are not sure of the source of the water and will not pull the ruins apart to look.
We then moved on to Pukapukara. Towers were built on each of these sites and the Incas were able to signal each other. They used different metals to signal each other and on cloudy days they used smoke signals.
Next was Quenco. This was one of he largest holy places in Cusco. It is believed that sacrifices and mummification took place at these naturally occurring rock formations.
Finally we went to Saqsaywaman (sounds a bit like sexy woman). Located on a steep hill that overlooks the city, it contains an impressive view of the valley to the southeast. Surface collections of pottery at Saksaywaman indicate that the earliest occupation of the hill top dates back at least a millennium. This site was an important military structure and it is often referred to as the fortress.
 | Tambomachy [Map] |  | Tambomachy [Map] |
 | Pukapukara [Map] |  | Pukapukara [Map] |
 | Quenco [Map] |  | Saqsaywaman [Map] |
 | Saqsaywaman [Map] |  | Saqsaywaman [Map] |
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