Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The site is composed of three different areas , the most striking being the magnificent
three-tiered zigzag fortifications. One stone, incredibly, weighs more than 300 tons. It was
the ninth
inca,
Pachacutec, who envisioned Cuzco in the shape of a puma, with Sacsay-
wamán as the head, and these 22 zigzagged walls as the teeth of the puma. The walls also
formed an extremely effective defensive mechanism that forced attackers to expose their
flanks when attacking.
Opposite is the hill called
Rodadero
, with retaining walls, polished rocks and a finely
carved series of stone benches known as the Inca's Throne. Three towers once stood
above these walls. Only the foundations remain, but the 22m diameter of the largest,
Muyuc Marca, gives an indication of how big they must have been. With its perfectly fit-
ted stone conduits, this tower was probably used as a huge water tank for the garrison.
Other buildings within the ramparts provided food and shelter for an estimated 5000 war-
riors. Most of these structures were torn down by the Spaniards and later inhabitants of
Cuzco.
Between the zigzag ramparts and the hill lies a large, flat parade ground that is used for
the colorful tourist spectacle of
Inti Raymi
, held every June 24.
To walk up to the site from the Plaza de Armas takes 30 to 50 minutes, so make sure
you're acclimatized before attempting it. Arriving at dawn will let you have the site al-
most to yourself, though solo travelers shouldn't come alone at this time of day.
Another option is to take a taxi tour which also includes Q'enko, Pukapukara and Tam-
bomachay (S55).
MORE RUINS TO EXPLORE
Take any Pisac-bound transportation to reach these ruins, located just outside of Cuzco. Entry is included in the
boleto turístico
or the partial
boleto
open daily 7am to 6pm.
Q'enqo
The name of this small but fascinating ruin means 'zigzag.' A large limestone rock, it's riddled with niches, steps
and extraordinary symbolic carvings, including the zigzagging channels that probably gave the site its name.
Scramble up to the top to find a flat surface used for ceremonies: look carefully to see laboriously etched repres-
entations of a puma, a condor and a llama. Back below, you can explore a mysterious subterranean cave with al-
tars hewn into the rock. Q'enqo is about 4km northeast of Cuzco, on the left of the road as you descend from
Tambomachay.
Pukapukara
Just across the main road from Tambomachay, this commanding structure looks down on the Cuzco valley. In
some lights the rock looks pink, and the name literally means 'Red Fort,' though it is more likely to have been a
