I had no idea Cusco has so many fantastic archeological sites within walking distance! We purchased a pass that included entrance to 16 different sites over a 10 day period for $100 for the family. The first site we visited was Sacsayhuaman (yes, it does sound like that), a site constructed in the 15th century, considered one of the most mysterious structures on earth.
Right away I spotted a lifer Andean Lapwing sleeping on the stone wall!
This fortress has three levels of zigzag 18ft tall walls consisting of massive rocks that weigh up to 160 tons! How was this even possible to construct? Some even say it must have been aliens!
Our guide explained the rocks that form these walls were brought here from a quarry 20km away. How could humans possibly move rocks this size even a short distance? Well, they believe they pulled them using ropes, ramps and logs. They have even tested this out and found it takes 15 people to pull a 1 ton rock, 150 people to pull a 10 ton rock!
So how many people would it take to pull this rock? It's the largest, measuring 15x9ft and estimated to weigh around 160 tons! They figure it took 2,220 people all pulling at once! Wow!
They believe the rocks were broken at fault lines, and pounded into shape with other rocks or tools, then dry fitted together (no mortar) so precisely that not even a piece of paper could slip between the rocks.
There are animal figures built into the walls. Below is an alpaca/llama facing right.
Looking out from atop the first wall at Muyuqmarka, another structure.
Pretty cool view of Cusco.
Next we walked to Rodadero, a natural rock slide. The kids had fun exploring and sliding down these.
From here we could see ongoing excavation work. Pretty exciting!
We crested a hill and I spotted a whole group of lapwings and was able to watch them for a bit.
Taking the scenic route home.
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