Thursday, January 09, 2020

Up and Down in Pisac Archaeological Park

The Incan town of Pisac was at the top of our list of places to visit in the Sacred Valley. Once again we referred to Peter Frost's Exploring Cusco: 5th Edition to plan the expedition. Frost remarks that Pisac has many of the Incan trademark structures all in one place: terraces, roads, tunnels, granaries, temples, waterworks, shrines and more. He recommends walking up from the Plaza to the upper tourist parking lot, 7 kms by taxi, 500 meters elevations gain, and then returning to the Plaza on a lower route. OK, let's go! And best to go on Sunday to experience the ancient market even though it's very touristy these days. Note that the 5th Edition was published in 1999, so we expected a very touristy Sunday Market in 2019. Oh, and don't miss the old adobe oven jsut off the plaza where they still bake bread.

Our first view of the eastern end of the Sacred Valley as the collectivo van begins to plunge down to Pisac.
Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

And soon a glimpse of the town of Pisac with ancient terraces above.
Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Walking from the bridge to the Pisac Plaza.
Sunday Market - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

The tall white market stalls reminded us of the Saturday Market in Chichicastenango, Guatemala.
Sunday Market - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Sunday Market - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Sunday Market - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Past the church and to the park entrance where we present our Boleto Turistico and head up, up, up.
Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Although there is lots of elevation gain in this walk, there are so many things to stop and look at that we are not getting tired.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

We started down at the river. Wow!
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

And up we go.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Sun-Ling had a bit of vertigo at this spot and was content to sit while I took some photos.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Looking down on the buildings that are referred to as Old Pisac. In about 3 more hours we will walk through them on our way back down.
Looking down at the Ruins of Old Pisca - Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

We reach a vantage point above the Temple of the Sun complex. Great 360 views!
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Fine stone work of the buildings.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Temple complex.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Squeezing through a tunnel.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

At the highest point of the Pisac Parque.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

The turnaround is in sight; the upper parking is in the middle of the photo.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

All smiles.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

One last set of building ruins before we head back.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

We take the old Inca Road back. First section along these sweeping terraces. Photographers dream.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

Towards Old Pisac.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

The walk back down was twice as fast as the walk up.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

GPS Track.
GPS Route - Pisac, Peru

Back in town we stop by the market and manage to locate the old adobe oven - still in business.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru

View back to Pisac from the Cusco-bound van.
Pisac Archaeological Park - Pisac, Sacred Valley, Peru




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