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Peru & the AndesLocation: Rediscover Machu Picchu > Peru & the Andes -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You should explore and visit the rest of Peru as well, not just the famous Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley, which are indeed, the most famous, but there's more to Peru than just them! Among other attractions, you will find: the mysterious gate of Aramu Muru, the 5.000 years-old city of Caral, the floating islands on Lake Titicaca, the geoglyphs called "Nazca Lines", the Amazonian areas of Peru and so much much more!
Facts and Figures About Peru-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This page contains important data, essential facts about Peru that every traveler needs and must check out before departing to Peru. A small map of Peru, statistics and other data are presented on this page for the convenience of the potential Peru visitor. We are struggling to keep the information up-to-date.
The Deep Green Valley of the Urubamba-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Urubamba Valley is a wonderful picturesque place in Peru, adored by hikers and photographers alike. If you are an adventure-seeker, then this place could be adequate for hiking, mountain biking, even horse riding. Especially the section called "The Sacred Valley of the Incas" has many manmade attractions and offers pleasant experiences for hikers.
Choquequirao, the "Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu"-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This remote city called "Cradle of Gold" is located high on a mountain, near a river. The location is considered to be somewhat similar to that of Machu Picchu. Hence, the label "Sacred Sister of Machu Picchu". This city was constructed by Túpa Inca Yupanqui, the son of great leader Pachacuti, who ordered the construction of Machu Picchu.
Corihuayrachina, a New Inca City Discovered in 1999-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter Frost, a writer living in Cuzco was the one to see this Inca site in 1999. Corihuayrachina, unlike Machu Picchu was already discovered and looted by the conquistadores, but has remained relatively well conserved under the dense vegetation. Still a remote site, impossible to visit by tourists. If you're enthusiastic about Inca cities, you might like this article.
Huinay Huayna - "Forever Young"-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is one of the most beautiful Inca ruins. Almost perfectly preserved, Huinay Huayna can be seen exclusively by those who hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Huinay Huayna or Wiñay Wayna consists of several buildings tightly built-together and beautiful agricultural terraces constructed on the side of a mountain.
Runcuracay, the "Egg Hut"-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This small Inca building is located near the Inca Trail that runs to Machu Picchu. Hikers who try the trail stop over at Runcuracay, otherwise known as "The Egg Hut". Hundreds of years ago, the Inca chasquis used to run on the trail and stop here at this tambo. These buildings were constructed in order to serve the tired Inca messengers with dry food and drinking water.
The Mega Fortress of Sacsayhuamán-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This massive Inca fortress has triple walls built in zigzag out of massive stones, some of which are the size of a small truck and weigh over 120 tons! Sacsayhuamán could host thousands of Inca fighters and it had towers. This is one of the main attractions located just a short walk away, outside of Cuzco.
Llactapata, the Agricultural Complex-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Llactapata was uncovered and mapped by the explorers and archaeologists Gary Ziegler, Kim Malville and Hugh Thomson only several years ago. It was discovered by Hiram Bingham at the beginning of the 20th century, but then almost forgotten for several decades. Llactapata was an agricultural production and storage complex in the Urubamba Valley.
Cota Coca, a City in the Wild Vilcabamba-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Archaeologists and explorers Gary Ziegler and Hugh Thomson have discovered a new Inca city in the Vilcabamba area of Peru, northwest of Machu Picchu. The ruins of Cota Coca are remote, deep in the jungle of ....
Cuzco - Once the Inca Capital, Today a Tourist Hub-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cuzco or Cusco is the largest city in this part of Peru. It is located close to the Sacred Valley and has a busy airport. An important hub for international tourists. Cuzco itself has many old Inca and colonial attractions, but it also has nightlife, pizzerias, luxury hotels, but especially large numbers of hostels and budget hotels in traditional colonial buildings.
Admire the Inca Aqueducts at Tipón-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tipón is a smaller, yet interesting attraction in Peru. It is a small town, southeast of the big Cuzco and has interesting ancient Inca architecture, still well-preserved. If you want to see about 5 centuries-old ancient Inca aqueducts, waterways, fountains, then you must check out Tipón. You will see shapes, sizes and beautiful design that you won't find elsewhere.
The Gate of Aramu Muru-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The site of Aramu Muru consists of a gigantic gate-like carving on a cliff. The place is located just south of Lake Titicaca, best reachable by car from the city of Puno. Aramu Muru is almost surreal. Myths tell about another World that can be accessed through this gate. You might think of the movie "Stargate" when you are reading this. Check this article out for further info...
Tambomachay's Old Inca Fountains-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The site is a short drive away from Cuzco, close to Puca Pucara. Tambomachay is believed to have been some sort of a water-worshipping place and Incan royal bath. Many stories speak of the Inca ruler periodically visiting Tambomachay. The fountains are still functioning today and visiting them can be an interesting experience.
The Urubamba Valley-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The colourful scenery of the Urubamba cannot be confused, nor rivaled by any other place on Earth! A paradise for photographers, a great place for hikers and adventure travel fans who would like to put their body to the test in this Andean region. Part of this valley is called "Sacred Valley" and it is a "magnet" for foreign tourists arriving to Peru.
Vilcabamba, "The Last Capital of the Incas"-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For almost half a century, the Spaniards have been fighting the Incas, but due to the difficult terrain, the wilderness and fierce resistance of the Incas in the Vilcabamba area, the conquistadores had to back off. Only in 1572 did the Spaniards find the last Inca capital, called Vilcabamba. They destroyed it and shortly after this event, the Inca lands came under full Spanish control.
Vitcos, "The Last Stronghold of the Incas"-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vitcos is sometimes confused with Vilcabamba, the last Inca capital. Vitcos is labeled "The Last Stronghold of the Incas". There, the Incas from the Vilcabamba Valley had fought bravely against Pizarro's heavily-armoured cavalry. Vitcos was discovered by US Historian, Hiram Bingham (the same explorer who discovered Machu Picchu, Llactapata, Vilcabamba etc.). He literally abandoned Vitcos after having come across Machu Picchu.
The Town of Andahuaylillas-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The town is located east of Cuzco, in the direction of Puno. Andahuaylillas has an old church, which is over 400 years-old, which bears ancient Arab motifs in the interior design. Quite unusual, isn't it? Well, the Spaniards have imported this Arab-influenced architectural style from Spain, where especially in the southern areas, these characteristics are quite frequent on older constructions.
The Sayhuite Monolith-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The rock of Sayhuite is a peculiar Inca creation... It can be found further from Cuzco than Machu Picchu and is rarely visited by anyone. Officially the whole area is considered an archaeological park, but the monolith is the only one standing out. The carvings on the rock are quite unusual and seems like it contains some sort of message or map...
Caral, the 5.000 Year-old City-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caral's ruins are located in the Supe Valley in southern Peru and they are considered the remains of the oldest city in the Americas. Almost nobody visits this place, which is an archaeological curiosity, but not at all impressive for the common tourist. Our article offers further information for those interested about Caral...
Puca Pucara, the "Red Fort"-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Its meaning is "Red Fort" and it probably was a military complex of the Incas. It has high and massive protective walls, ideal for defensive purposes. Puca Pucara is so eroded that one can think it is a cliff on top of a hill. Few people wonder out to this site, which is best acessible by car on the road from Cuzco to Antisuyo.
The Peculiar Religious Site of Q'enko, Close to Cuzco...-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q'enko is also called Q'enco, Qenqo and Kenko. We have chosen to call it Q'enko. It is a religious site on the Socorro Hill, just outside of Cuzco, not far from Sacsayhuamán. It is often visited by tourists who simply walk out to it from the city. It was carved rocks used in rituals during Inca times, also an area that resembles a Greek or Roman amphitheatre, a cave and other elements. A unique Inca archaeological park, but barely intact.
Ayacucho, the City of 33 Churches!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ayacucho is located in southern Peru and has one of South America's oldest universities. One established in 1677. It is also a place of religious celebrations, horse rides and bull runs... If you want to find out more about Ayacucho, then check this travel guide out. We will tell you the main attractions and even how to get to Ayacucho city!
Abancay, the Small Town with Great Culture!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A small city west of Cuzco, a stop-over place for those travelling to Choquequirao and Sayhuite. Abancay itself is not among the main travel attraction hotspots of the country, but it is used as a base by travelers who are travelling to attractions in this area. Our little guide will share useful information with you about this small and attractive city!
Andahuaylas, where the Clouds are More Colourful-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This small city offers hiking opportunities for those wanting to see a blue lake and the ruins of Sondor. Visitors to this area of the country will use this town as their base for the trips. Andahuaylas has its own airport, which adds to the possibilities of getting there. This guide is presenting the attractions in and around, as well as the transportation possibilities.
The Chanka Ruins of Sondor-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sondor is a pre-Incan Chanka archaeological site in the proximity of Andahuaylas city. Situated in a mountainous area on hills, it offers splendid views of the area. Sondor is one of those rarely visited ruins in Peru. It is the place where the Sondor Raymi Festival is held, once every summer, just like the Inti Raymi in Cuzco and the Moray Raymi held at Moray.
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