MORAY, OLLANTAYTAMBO, QENGO, AND TAMBOMACHAY

The terracing and agricultural laboratory of Moray

Moray (3,500 meters) lies 74 km from the city of Cuzco. It is famous for its sunken amphitheater, made up of four circular terraces which appear to disappear into the earth like an artificial crater. The site was apparently an Inca agricultural research station designed for experimenting with crops at various altitudes (some of which run down to depths of 100 meters). It is believed that the terraces, built over containing walls filled with fertile earth and watered by complex irrigation systems, enabled the Incas to grow more than 250 plant species.

The fortress and the town of Ollantaytambo

This typical Inca town, located 93 km northeast of Cuzco, was so-named in honor of local chieftain Ollanta, who according to legend fell in love with one of the daughters of Inca ruler Pachacútec and was punished for daring to set his sights on royalty. The complex, perched on a hilltop overlooking the town, features buildings such as the Temple of the Sun, the Mañaracay or Royal Chamber, the Incahuatana and the Princess' Baths.

The upper section features a fortress made up of a series of carved stone terraces built to protect the valley from possible invasion by warring jungle tribes. One of the best-preserved areas lies north of the Hanan Huacaypata square: an area of 15 blocks of houses built on top of carved stone walls.

The shrines of Qenqo and Tambomachay

Two areas near Cuzco that feature some superlative religious architecture are the shrines of Qenqo and Tambomachay.

Qenqo is a vast rocky hilltop carved into staircases, holes and channels, probably built to store the chicha (fermented maize beer) used in Inca rituals. The site features a semi-circular patio studded with several large niches surrounding a stone figure embedded within a chamber, rather like an idol inside its own shrine.

Tambomachay is another fine example of Inca architecture made up of platforms, niches and fountains which still function today, as water flows down through them from a spring higher up in the hills. In Inca times, this was a sacred site used for worship of the water deity, one of the shrines that made up the Cuzco ceque, the system of imaginary grid lines that irradiated out to sacred spots or indicated the time and place of the ceremonies.

PLEASE CHECK OUR SUGGESTED PROGRAM TO ENJOY PERU:

DAY 01- LIMA
Arrival to Lima Airport and transfer to the Leon de oro Hotel.

DAY 02- LIMA - AREQUIPA - CITY TOUR & SANTA CATALINA ( Private services )
Continental Breakfast.
After breakfast, transfer to airport to take flight to Arequipa. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. 01 night of accommodation with breakfast. In the Afternoon, half day city Tour of Arequipa.

A tour including visits to the main square, Cathedral, Compañía Church and the traditional districts of Cayma and Yanahuara. From there continue to Santa Catalina convent, the architectural monument of the city. The tour takes approximately 3 hours.

DAY 03 - COLCA CANYON 2 DAYS / 1 NIGHTS ( Shared services )
Buffet Breakfast.
In the morning, we will visit Chachani, Yura, small valley with thermal springs, see wild vicuñas in Pampa Cañahuas national reserve, Alpacas & llamas in Tocra, some birds like flamingoes, ibis, Andean gooze, ducks, Andean eagle "Kara Kara" view point of the Volcanoes and snow covered mountains in Patapampa ( 4,800 m . - 15,000 ft .). See the Ampato, Sabancaya, Walca Walca, etc. Chivay, capital of the valley. Overnight

DAY 04 - COLCA CANYON / AREQUIPA
Buffet Breakfast
After breakfast, we will start a full day trip to visit Yanque & Maca towns, churches, inca terraces, some pre inca graves. Time for lunch. Return to Arequipa.

DAY 05 - AREQUIPA – PUNO
Buffet Breakfast.
In the morning transfer to the airport to take flight to Juliaca. Arrival and transfer to the hotel in Puno, overnight.

DAY 06 – FULL DAY UROS & TAQUILE ISLANDS WITH LUNCH. ( Shared services )
Buffet Breakfast
After breakfast, we will start a boat navigation to arrive to Uros Island, in the Titikaka Lake. Later, we will visit the Taquile island. Taquile Island is famous for its craft production, particularly for its beautiful textiles. The island is narrow at about 1 Km . wide and 6 to 7 Km . long. The visit could be exhausting because of the 533 steps on the stone stairway to climb to get to the village and because of the altitude ( 13,000 ft above sea level). On Taquile there are numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins as well as Inca terracing. Later, return to Puno, overnight the Hotel.

DAY 07– PUNO / CUZCO BY BUS, WITH LUNCH & TOURS.
Buffet Breakfast.
Transfer to the train or bus station. Ten hour train or bus ride to Puno, across the scenic high Andes landscapes. Arrival and transfer to hotel.

DAY 08– CUZCO – CYTI TOUR + NEAR BY RUINS ( Shared services )
Buffet Breakfast
Afternoon visit the Temple of the Sun (Koricancha) the most sacred buildings during the Inca culture, continuing to the nearby ruins includes visits to the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, overlooking the city of Cusco, pre-Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is a monolithic altar representing a puma, the red Fortress of Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay: beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins.

DAY 09 – FULL DAY MACHU PICCHU WITH BOX LUNCH Vista Dome train. ( Private Local Guide )
Buffet Breakfast
Transfer from the hotel to San Pedro station. Following the northbound train towards the lower lands to the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, you will arrive at the Aguas Calientes station. From there a bus will take you Hiram Brigham road arriving to the ruins of Machu Picchu. The bus ride itself only takes about half an hour and is full of breathtaking sights. The guide will thoroughly take you and your party through Machu Picchu telling the history of the area and answering any questions you may have about this spectacular wonder. A box lunch is included and after your return to Aguas Calientes, you will board the train back to Cusco.

DAY 10 – FULL DAY PISAC MARKET & OLLANTAYTAMBO RUINS WITH LUNCH. ( Shared services )
Buffet Breakfast .
A drive to Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas to visit the famous handicraft Indian Market of Pisac (available on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday). Lunch en route in a typical restaurant. In the afternoon, after an hour drive north, we arrive at Ollantaytambo, the only Inca city continuously inhabitant from Inca time, and visit the amazing fortress of Ollantaytambo. Sharing with another paxs with a bilingual guide. back to Cusco. Overnight at the Los Andes de America Hotel.

DAY 11 - CUZCO – LIMA
Buffet Breakfast
In the morning transfer to the airport to take the flight to Lima

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RIPIO TURISMO - Incoming Tour Operator Argentina & Chile- Leg. 10.687 Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación Argentina.
info@ripioturismo.com.ar

Ripio Turismo Website: www.ripioturismo.com.ar
Patagonia-Cruises is a website of Ripio Turismo EVT - www.patagonia-cruises.com.ar
Iguazu-Falls is a website of Ripio Turismo EVT - www.iguazu-falls.com.ar
Deluxe Tours is a website of Ripio Turismo EVT - www.deluxe-tours.com.ar

Design & General Idea: Nuevas Ideas© Consultora Turística - 1999-2009

RIPIO TURISMO - Incoming Tour Operator Argentina & Chile- Leg. 10.687 Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación Argentina.
info@ripioturismo.com.ar

Ripio Turismo Website: www.ripioturismo.com.ar
Argentina-Guide.com.ar is a website of Ripio Turismo EVT - www.argentina-guide.com.ar

Design & General Idea: Nuevas Ideas© Consultora Turística - 1999-2005