Cusco is to the West of Machu Picchu, at the end of a valley lined with the ruins of Inca fortresses and temples. To get a sneak preview of the wonders in store on the Inca trail we took a tour to some of the sights in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. As the rest of our group was in need of a rest we struck out by ourselves and joined a mixed English / Spanish tour hosted by a guide who couldnt help but laugh after everything he said, what a jolly chap.
Our first stop was Pisac a huge Inca Fortress, surrounded by terraces, an impressive enough example of the Inca´s in action with the irregation system still working 500 years later, a quick peak behind one of the walls did reveal some very 21st century plumming behind the scenes.
Our second stop was Ollantaymbo, even more impresive than Pisac with a shadow of a high priest cast behind a waterfall as the sun set. In the surrounding hills there a further rock carvings which at certin times of the year allow sunlight to access certain rooms in the fortresses. It was a quite a bit more impressive than stone henge. On leaving the site were we brushed aside by at least 3 Film crews and Jamie Theakston, great. They were filming for a new Channel 4 game show starting soon called The Search, I walked past so many cameras I must be in it somewhere, look out for the good looking guy in the funny hat.
It´s a little tricky to see but in the middle of the moutain opposite the site is a carving of an Inca face. Below is a closer view.
Highlights: The Inca Priest behind the waterfall was very cool.
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