We were blessed with an amazing guide, Luis and a wonderful driver, Jose during our visit to the Andes. Jose always had a smile and kept the car well stocked with water, lemon candies and a variety of snacks. His expertise on the steep winding mountain roads had us in awe. Luis is a most patient and knowledgeable guide. We came to value his beautiful spirit as much as his intellect.

We spent the morning exploring Chinchero.

The people that live in Chinchero are mainly indigenous folks of Quechua descent. Quechua is the language which the majority of the population (about 82%) learned to speak in childhood.

This church was built upon an Incan temple

 

Beautiful 82 year old woman spinning llama wool into yarn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those steps…at that altitude

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note the hats that folks are wearing, you can tell what town they are from by their hat style.

Lunch at the Wayra ranch was delightful. The cuisine  was delicious and we were treated to a riding demonstration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After lunch we drove to a truly magical town: Ollantaytambo. It’s an Inca archaeological site in southern Peru some 45 miles by road northwest of the city of Cusco. It is located 9,160 ft above sea level. During the Inca Empire, Ollantaytambo was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti, who conquered the region, and built the town and a ceremonial center. At the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru, it served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, leader of the Inca resistance. Nowadays, it’s known for well preserved Incan ruins and its location en route to one of the most common starting points for the four-day, three-night hike on  the Inca Trail.

We were impressed with the extensive terracing and irrigation. These feats were accomplished during the 15th century.

Incan irrigation systems rival those of Ancient Rome and are still in existence

 

Storage on the terraces

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incan ruins at Chinchero

The valleys along Ollantaytambo are covered by an extensive set of agricultural terraces which start at the bottom of the valleys and climb up the surrounding hills. Terraces permitted farming on otherwise unusable terrain; they also allowed the Incas to take advantage of the different ecological zones created by variations in altitude. Terraces at Ollantaytambo were built to a higher standard than common Inca agricultural terraces; for instance, they have higher walls made of cut stones instead of rough fieldstones. This type of high-prestige terracing is also found in other Inca royal estates such as Chinchero.