George & Eve DeLange

On April 15, 2006 we first visited Chincheros or Chinchero, where the remains of what was the royal farm of Inca Tupac Yupanqui and its well preserved walls are under a colonial church at the main square. We then enjoyed a more extensive tour of Ollantaytambo later in the afternoon. The ruins of Ollantaytambo are open to the public from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. You may recall that 0llantaytambo is located in the far western corner of the Urubamba Valley. The town was named after the legendary rebel Inca General 0llantay. Both the design and foundations of most of the buildings date back to the original constructions (llaqta) of the Inca Empire. The streets still have their Inca names from the time when the town was a strategic military, religious and agricultural center. Some of the town's most salient characteristics are its cobbled streets, canals and a church dedicated to the Apostle Santiago, built in 1620. In the upper reaches of the town there is an impressive Ceremonial Center built for the worship of water, and a fortress that guarded the lower section of the valley, protecting it from possible invasions by warring jungle tribes (called Antis). The archaeological site is also made up of a series of superimposed terraces, reached by a steep staircase. The ruins feature finely carved, vast stone blocks that make up the upper terrace or Temple of the Sun. The mountain located in the eastern sector of the town, known as Pinculluna or Tunupa, also features the remains of Inca buildings that were apparently used to store food. Easy to see on the mountain is the face of Tunupa, who keeps watch over the town. I am including one of the Incan Creation Stories since it explains who Tunupa is. The Incan Creation Story: At the beginning of all time the one who gave the world it's vital breath was called Wiracocha, and there, where all was darkness, he placed a race of giants whom he instructed to live in peace so that they might serve him and know him for all time. But his word was not heeded by those who could not contain the emotions of pride and greed. Only then, he descended on them upon rapid wings causing confusion, and his rage fell unchecked like a torment and the earth and the sea swallowed some of them and others were changed to stone as witness of this awful occasion. Once the flood (called "unu pachacuti" or "water that transformed the world") ceased and the waters returned to their proper level and the land was dry, Wiracocha determined to populate the earth once more; only then from an island in Lake Titicaca he raised up the firmament, the sun, the moon, and the stars, and thus, even as the sky was populated with luminous bodies, so also appeared on the earth another, known by the name of Wiracochan or Tunupa, who showed light to all men. Tall, stern, and poorly dressed, Tunupa only had a bonnet like a crown on his head and a prodigious staff as a sign of his authority and he wandered like a pilgrim throughout the Andes saying: �Let the nations obey! I order you all to come forth and multiply !� So some people came out of lakes, while others came from springs, cliffs, caves, and trees to receive from Tunupa; the seeds, arts, and different tongues that each nation and people would have. Tunupa also gave them the rules of life, speaking to them gently, teaching them not to hurt or damage one another. Those who chose to rebel were changed to stone in Tiahuanaco, Pucara and Jauja, others like those of the town of Cacha (now called San Pedro de Racchi, located 125 kilometers from Cusco); built Tunupa a sanctuary ( The Temple of Wiracocha ), after being burned by a rain of fire. We were at the Sacred Valley on the afternoon of April 14, 2006 through the early morning of April 16, 2006. This page is for information purposes only and while we have made every effort to be accurate, it is the travelers responsibility to make the appropriate choice as to which hotels to use in Peru. This page is for information purposes only and while we have made every effort to be accurate, it is the travelers responsibility to make the appropriate choice as to which hotels to use in Peru. We found that when touring Peru, Magical Cusco Tours gave us the best service of all. They even arranged very personal tours based upon our ages and experience. They were there for us whenever we needed them. Click on any of their links on our pages and they will give you a 4% discount for taking their package tours. Mention delange.org. Merchant Code Inka2010 for your discount! We suggest letting Ana Maria handle your tour. Note: The 4% discount applies to package tours only! Discount does not apply to hotel bookings, domestic or international tickets, meals or any other service booked as a single activity. Magical Cusco Tours also has a culinary tour that you may enjoy.Click Here For: Taste Of Peru.com their culinary tour page. We also have links to Priceline.Com on our pages, in case you may prefer to use their services.