Travel South America;we are in Cuzco the capital of the Inca Empire…

Here’s a bit of history and information that will help us understand this beautiful city we are staying in for the next three days.

 

Firstly when we arrive in Cuzco we might feel a little light headed as we are some 3399 meters above sea level. Known as one the highest cities in the world because of this the air is very thin hence the need to acclimatize.

 

Other things to consider so that we make our stay even more enjoyable is that we have to drink including coco tea, make sure that we don’t get caught up in the excitement and want to rush around and see everything all at once, as the guides say…walk as if you are a 80 year old, especially for the first day eat very lightly, like soup, rest and if we are able to, sleep.

 

It might seem like a waste of a day especially being in this incredible city,  however if we follow the advice of the guides we will slowly acclimatize, and really be prepared to achieve comfortably the trek of our lifetime, the Inca Trail…

 

They say that Cuzco, is the Inca Navel of the World, has the most beautiful views. It is surrounded by six mountains some more that 6000 meters high, as well as being the oldest city in the western hemisphere and the cradle of the ancient Inca civilization.  There is little known about the first Inca’s they have found archaeological excavations that show that a primitive population lived in this area around 3 thousand years ago…amazing. 

 

It is because of internal struggles between the Inca’s that when the Spaniards arrived and occupied the city in 1533, the Incas thought of them as liberators so were conquered with ease.  Cuzco was at this time a city of incredible stone architecture with wide squares, big temples and palaces decorated with abundant pieces of gold.  The richest temple was Koricancha, dedicated to sun worship and lavishly decorated with gold and silver, and that is still standing today, which we will visit.

  

Unfortunately the plundering of Inca treasures and the desecration of Inca temples began.  The conquistadors melted down precious gold and silver artwork.  Although most Inca buildings were demolished, some stonework survived as foundations and walls of new colonial buildings and churches. As you walk outside of our Hotel you will see the stonework of the Inca’s that survived.  Incredible…

 

 

 

 

As we walk around in awe of this beautiful city we know that we are getting closer to seeing the world’s newest wonder Machu Picchu…

 

Nilla Spark