Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and well defended by massive stone doorways, steep stairs and a short tunnel carved out
of the rock. Vendors sell drinks at the top.
This dominating site guards not only the Urubamba Valley below, but also a pass lead-
ing into the jungle to the northeast. 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 and around to the
military area. 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 completely off-limits to tourists.
The site is large and warrants several hours of your time. To walk there from town, take
the steep but spectacular 4km trail. It's about two hours up and 1½ hours back. It's highly
worthwhile, but undeniably grueling: recommended training for the Inca Trail! Taking a
taxi up and walking back is a good option.
The footpath to the site starts from above the west side of the church. There are many
crisscrossing trails, but if you keep heading upward toward the terracing, you won't get
lost. To the west, or the left of the hill as you climb up on the footpath, is the Río Kit-
amayo Gorge; to the east, or right, is the Río Chongo Valley.
Horno Colonial San Francisco
Offline map
(Mariscal Castilla s/n; snacks S2.50; 6am-6pm) Huge clay ovens for baking em-
panadas and other goodies and castillos de cuyes (miniature castles inhabited by guinea
pigs) are found in many nooks and crannies, particularly in Mariscál Castilla. But this is
the town's most authentic - a colonial oven dating back to 1830. Stop in for hot cheese
and oregano empanadas with chicha morada .
If, for some strange reason, you only have five minutes in Pisac, spend it here - you'll
get a pretty good feel for the place.
LANDMARK
Jardín Botanico
Offline map
( 63-5563; Grau, cuadra 4; admission S6; 8am-4:30pm) While you are wandering
town, it's worth popping in to the botanical garden, a private enterprise with a huge court-
yard full of beautiful specimens and a resident cat.
GARDENS
Club Royal Inka
SWIMMING
 
 
 
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