Cuzco & the Sacred Valley - Peru - page 546

Andahuaylillas
084 / POP 840 / ELEV 3123M
Don't confuse this place with Andahuaylas, west of Cuzco. Andahuaylillas is more than
45km southeast of Cuzco, about 7km before the road splits at Urcos. This pretty Andean
village is most famous for its lavishly decorated Iglesia de San Pedro (admission S10;
7am-5:30pm) , which is almost oppressive in its baroque embellishments. The church
dates from the 17th century and houses many carvings and paintings, including a canvas
of the Immaculate Conception attributed to Esteban Murillo. There are reportedly many
gold and silver treasures locked in the church, and the villagers are all involved in taking
turns guarding it 24 hours a day. Is the rumor true or not? All we can tell you is that the
guards take their job very seriously.
Near the church are the shop of the Q'ewar Project , a women's cooperative that
makes distinctive dolls clad in traditional costumes, and the eclectic Museo Ritos Andi-
nos (admission by donation; 7am-6pm) , whose somewhat random displays include a
mummified child and an impressive number of deformed craniums.
To reach Andahuaylillas (S7, one hour), take any Urcos-bound bus from the terminal
just off Av de la Cultura in Cuzco.
Raqchi
084 / POP 320 / ELEV 3480M
The little village of Raqchi , 125km southeast of Cuzco, is wrapped around an Inca ruin
(admission S10) that looks from the road like a strange alien aqueduct. These are the re-
mains of the Temple of Viracocha, which was once one of the holiest shrines in the Inca
empire. Twenty-two columns made of stone blocks helped support the largest-known Inca
roof; most were destroyed by the Spanish, but their foundations are clearly seen. The re-
mains of many houses and storage buildings are also visible, and reconstruction is an on-
going process.
The people of Raqchi are charming and environmentally conscious, working periodic-
ally to eradicate litter left by visitors. And they are famous potters - many of the ceramics
on sale in the markets of Pisac and Chinchero come from here.
You can experience life in Raqchi by organizing a homestay ( 984-82-0598,
984-67-9466; [e-mail]; package per person S93) . Thirteen families