Sacred Valley

 Thursday we did the Sacred Valley tour, a long day but well worth it.  First stop was at an alpaca education centre and textile co- op.  

These above were all taken at Pisac, buildings from the Inca apogee stage.  There are 3 areas - religious, urban and agriculture.  The village of Pisac is lovely and I would stay there for a couple of nights if through this region again.

Next we visited Maras salt mine where this spring water coming out of the mountain is filled w salts.  They collect it in pools and let it evaporate before harvesting it with baskets.  Of course I bought some to bring home.

Andrea and Kayla trying some local beer made from fermented corn.  The traditional kitchen we were

in had Guinea pigs right next to the cooking area so they can toss them vegetable scraps.  Their fesces then are also used for fuel for the fire.  Very closed loop and yes, roasted Guinea pig is a favourite food here.

This is Moray which is thought to have been built as an agricultural and research centre.  The upper part of the complex shows two water reservoirs.

Ollantaytambo. The above photo is what was the entrance to the Inca trail.  The ones above are of the entrance to and the temple of the sun.  This temple was only half built before the Spanish arrived so it was never finished however the huge stones for the second side are still laying there.  They are just massive.

That’s it for sacred valley!