Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pisac Ruins
This
hilltop Inca citadel
lies high above the village on a triangular plateau with a plunging gorge on either side. It's
a truly awesome sight - one that, on most days, is relatively uncrowded. This dominating structure guards not only
the Urubamba Valley below, but also a pass leading into the jungle to the northeast.
The most impressive element is the
agricultural terracing
, which sweeps around the south and east flanks of
the mountain in huge and graceful curves, almost entirely unbroken by steps. Instead, the terracing is joined by di-
agonal flights of stairs made of flagstones set into the terrace walls. Above the terraces are cliff-hugging footpaths,
watched over by caracara falcons and well defended by massive stone doorways, steep stairs and a short tunnel
carved out of the rock. Vendors meet you at the top with drinks.
Topping the terraces is the site's
ceremonial center
, with an
intihuatana
(literally 'hitching post of the sun'; an
Inca astronomical tool), several working water channels, and some painstakingly neat masonry in the well-preserved
temples
. A path leads up the hillside to a series of ceremonial
baths
. Looking across the Kitamayo gorge from the
back of the site, you'll also see hundreds of holes honeycombing the cliff wall. These are
Inca tombs
that were
plundered by
huaqueros
(grave robbers) and are now off-limits.
Many travelers arrive on group tours from Cuzco, but it's easy to get here independently. You can walk the steep
- but
spectacular
- 4km trail from town. (The walk begins on the west side of the church and takes more than two
hours up; 1½ hours back.) Likewise, you can take a taxi. The easiest, most scenic option: have a taxi drop you off at
the top, then hike down.
NEED TO KNOW
admission with boleto turístico;
dawn-dusk
Sleeping
PISAC INN $$
Offline map
( 20-3062;
www.pisacinn.com
;
Plaza de Armas; d incl breakfast from S146; )
This lovely plaza
hotel features an inviting courtyard and romantic rooms with goose-down bedding, dark
blue walls and Andean decor. Rooms with king-sized beds are a slight upgrade. The loca-
tion means it may get noisy early when merchants are setting up outside.
| Inn
LA CASA DEL CONDE $$
( 78-7818;
www.cuzcovalle.com
;
s/d S50/70, s/d/tr incl breakfast S119/159/212; )
Guests rave
about this lovely country house, nestled into the foothills with blooming flower patches.
Family-run and brimming with personality, its lovely rooms feature down duvets, heat and
cable TV. There's no car access. It's a 10-minute walk uphill from the plaza, but a moto-
taxi can leave you at the chapel, five minutes away.
| Guesthouse
