This circuit is located at the south east of Cusco, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will visit the archeological site
of Tipón, Parque Arqueológico Nacional. A great place to observe several
royal chambers of the Inca Wiraqocha. The type of architecture is well
known for its´ imperial style and impressive hydraulic engineering in
magnificent mountain scenery. In spite of the years the construction
style of the channels and the liturgical sources are still intact, in
honor to the goddess of the water.
This group of villages lies on an altitude of 3500 meters (11480 feet).
There is also a great cultivated space containing 12 very fertile
terraces, which are cultivated at the moment, and whose walls were
constructed with carved stones. After this we will continue to the old
village of Pikillacta. This was one of the more impressive regional
centers of the Wari culture, seated in Ayacucho, and which was occupied
by the Incas through the years. Today it is a national archeological
park of great importance.
The word Pikillacta is a made up Quechua word, meaning lousy town (piki
= lousy, llaqta = town), although it is also called "city of the fleas".
The constructions of Pikillacta exist of more than 200 kanchas (apartments),
504 golgas (warehouses) and other constructions. The city must have
accommodated a population of approximately 10 thousand people.
Some investigators suggest that in the Inca times, Pikillacta was a city
for "mitimaes" (groups of people or tribes who were being transferred
from place to place).
The next tourist attraction will be Andahuaylillas, a small village at
3198m (10490 feet), having a kind climate because of the surrounding
mountains. It is located 35 km (22 miles) southeast of Cusco on the road
that leads to the Puno region. Formerly, the name of this village was
Antawaylla, (anta: barrel maker; waylla: prairie and both words united
mean "coppery prairie")
Tourist attractions
Andahuaylillas has two big tourist attractions:
The "Sixtine Chapel" of America
The San Pedro church of Andahuaylillas is the major attraction for
visitors and because of the quality of the art work is considered as the
"Sistine Chapel" of America. It was constructed for the Jesuits at the
end of the 16th and the princes of the 17th century. Its´ architectural
structure is typical for small towns´ churches. Its´ walls are wide,
typical for the colonial buildings, made with sun dried bricks of mud, a
facade decorated with murals and two stone columns projected towards the
main entrance. Although its´ architecture is relatively modest, the
decoration of its´ interiors is the most impressive of the building.
We can first mention a picture of the "Virgin of the Asunción", painted
by the Spanish historical painter Esteban Murillo. You will also see
walls attributed to Luís de Riaño (17th century). Who represented the
election of man by glory.They attributed this painter, the paintings
that decorate the bases and a notable oil of the archangel San Miguel.
The church lodges, additionally, a linen cloth collection of the
Cusqueña School, which represents the life of San Pedro (with impressive
frameworks in bread of gold), a majestic organ, a silver goldsmith and a
baroque altar.
La Plaza de Armas of Andahuaylillas
The immense Plaza de Armas is surrounded by leafy pisonay trees (or
choral trees) and palm trees. It is considered as one of the most
beautiful Plazas of the region. At a few kilometers from here is the
place called Huaro, where the wizards lived at the time of the Incas, or
so is said. This is a circuit that will show us a magnificent landscape
and will give you moments of satisfaction, getting to know the great
variety of typical dishes of the region of Cusco. One of these dishes to
taste is the Chicharrón (pork meat) or the famous designated dish
‘Roasted Guinea pig'. We will return to Cusco at about 5.00pm.