Vilcanota Valley

Cusco Peru

	Pikillacta Pikillacta is considerate such as one of the cities preincas well - known and the best conserve a long Perú. It is located 30 Km. southeast from the city of Cusco, at 3,350 m.a.s.l. Pikillacta is a quechua name but nobody knows the real inca's name of this place , it is presume was Muyuna (go around in circles), Muyna o Mohina.
Pikillacta is the sample of a great civilization, knows by the extraordinaire planning capacity of their cities : The Wari Culture. Due to its dimensions , Pikillacta is considered among the main cities of Ancient Peru. It is border by antique royal village settled in the plain land and the lagoons of Wakarpay.

Andahuaylillas Located at 40 Kms. (25 miles) east from Qosqo and at an altitude of 3100 mts. (10170 Ft.). Its ancient name was Antawaylla (anta = cooper, waylla = prairie) which is translated as "coppery prairie". The most valuable jewel of this town is the church , considered to be the "Sistine Chapel" of the Americas, because of the quality of the artworks found inside it.

This church must have been built over some important Inkan building, possibly a "Waka" (shrine), as bases of the church were made with carved andesites belonging to religious Quechua architecture. Inside the one-nave church there are two different sections corresponding to the two stages of its construction; they are separated by the present interior main arch. The oldest and most adorned of Mudejar style (architectonic style mixing Arab and Christian elements, developed between the XIII to XVI centuries) is found deeper inside where the High Altar is. The newest section is toward the entrance. That is the reason why this church has two pulpits, the oldest is under the interior arch and the latter on the opposite wall farther out. It is impressive the amount of murals covering the walls and especially the ceiling with geometrical patterns and flowers adorned with gold flakes.

Tipon It is a National Archaeological Park located toward the east of Cusco City; covering a territory of about 2200 hectares (5436 acres). The original Quechua name of the whole Park is lost, and today it has diverse groups, standing out the sector where some Inkan "royal enclosures" are found. That group is found in a slight and warm ravine at an altitude of 3500 mts.(11480 Ft.).

Besides, the terracing found over here is very impressive, it contains 12 very fertile terraces that are still cultivated, and their retaining walls were built with well carved stones. Even more impressive is the irrigation system that is still serving agriculture and was made taking advantage of the water spring existing in the spot. It has carved stone channels, precisely calculated and sometimes with almost vertical falls that all together constitute a hydraulic engineering master work. Likewise, there are some fountains that must had ceremonial duties. Because of its location and the presence of a surrounding wall Tipón must have been a very exclusive site.