When I am still planning for my Peru trip, I read about Sacsayhuaman. I am checking the maps and all I’m thinking, the location of Sacsayhuaman is lower than Cusco. Not realizing that when reading about Sacsayhuaman, the temperature is a bit colder than in Cusco, meaning its location is above it.
When our van drives up the hill, I suddenly asks myself why are we driving up and where are we going. Oh well, with the fascinating view overlooking Cusco, I’m no longer minding where we’re heading until I see a sign of Sacsayhuaman. That’s when I know that Sacsayhuaman is above Cusco.
The entrance of the complex is just a small building. They have restrooms at the builing along the touristic booth. Our tour guide always advises us to take restrooms first because there is none inside the complex. All the visitors are queuing for the stamping of the tourist tickets. The tourist ticket or “Boleto Turisctica del Cusco” serves as a pass to the cultural sites open for tourism by Cuzco. Prices vary from the packages you will avail.
It excites me to see the complex personally. When reading some blogs and articles, I can barely imagine how it looks like with the originals. After stamping, our guide gives us further instructions as we move forward towards the open ground. It amazes me when I first see the pile of stones.
From afar, you will really notice that they are piling huge stones. You can see tiny people near the big stones and it’s really amazing. The complex is too big. It’s too wide with flat grounds and elevation with the surrounding piles of stones.
Our guide shares her knowledge about the place and it’s interesting. As per my guide, Sacsayhuaman is mistaken to be a fortress because of its strategic location. Some also says that it is the place of early civilization due to the artifacts that are being discovered from the place.
While she is telling us more about the place, I am also busy taking pictures around. Unfortunately, I cannot remember everything maybe because I am too busy doing my thing while she is explaining. I admit I am really fascinated by the place.
Our guide gives us 20 minutes to explore the complex and we all agree to meet on one area at the center of the complex. For me, those 20 minutes will not be enough but we have also limited time because we still have other places to visit. The very good thing about our group is that we’re only seven and our tour is like a personalized tour.
I first climb the left side of the complex in which our guide tells us that some of the stones quarries are evident on that portion. Immediately, I run towards the stone stairs. I almost forget that we’re above Cuzco and that after few steps up, I easily got tired. Maybe because of the high elevation that we only have thin air. I continue climbing slowly to reach the top. It is beautiful, seeing the other side of the complex with piles of stones. Since I climb there for the quarry, I walk towards the back to take a glimpse of the said quarry and yes, stones are still there. I take several shots and decides to go down after.
I walk towards our guide and asks her if I still have enough time to climb the right side of the complex she says I still have a lot. So I immediately go with the crowd and climb my way on top. The view is so fantastic, it is overlooking the city. I am speechless when I see the stunning view of the city. I can’t help myself but click my camera.
I stay for a while to savor the beauty of the place. When I see my companions who are also there, I thought oh I’m not going to be late at the meeting place. They signal to go down so go together. One of our companions is not yet around at the meeting place; I quickly run near the big rocks to take more photos. Not wasting my time, I keep on exploring the stone walls while waiting for my other companions.
As we walk down towards the parking area, the piles of rocks are so overwhelming that I cannot stop myself from taking pictures. This is such a wonderful creation of the Incas.
Been here: August 12, 2015
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