While in the Cusco region, I recently took the opportunity to hike the Lodge-to-Lodge Salkantay trek, a fantastic 6 day trek to Machu Picchu that sees partakers staying each night at comfortable lodges in between walking along a stunning route that passes beneath the snow covered peak of Salkantay amongst other marvels. The Salkantay trek is one of the most popular alternative treks to Machu Picchu. Here's my review of the experience. Lodge-to-Lodge Salkantay Trek View all of our Peru Luxury Trekking options Day 1: Cusco to Apu Salkantay We started out from Cusco in the morning and headed toward the town of Mollepata. Along the route we took the opportunity to have a look at the protagonist of this trek; Apu Salkantay. We also stopped for a look at the Inca ruins of Tarawasi, an interesting complex situated in a fertile valley. It is believed that this may have been a trading post between the highlands of Cusco and lower lands towards the coast. The usual arrangement of excellent stone masonry was aplenty. After a quick lunch at Mollepata, we made one further road journey before beginning the trek. And todays trek was a good warm up! A nice, level path ... not too steep ... to acclimatise to walking at high altitude. All along the way we got closer and closer to the Humantay Glacier, beneath which the first lodge is located. The glacier ... which has purportedly significantly receded in the last few decades ... provides a fantastic view for the 3-4 hours of trekking today. As we approached the first lodge, suddenly the tremendous peak of Apu Salkantay also made its appearance. It was a little clouded today but still incredible in the sparkling bright sunlight. Overnight at the Salkantay Base Lodge (3,850m / 12,700ft) Arriving at the
While in the Cusco region, I recently took the opportunity to hike the Lodge-to-Lodge Salkantay trek, a fantastic 6 day trek to Machu Picchu that sees partakers staying each night at comfortable lodges in between walking along a stunning route that passes beneath the snow covered peak of Salkantay amongst other…
Question: What shapes and animals did the Incas depict in the Milky Way? Answer: The Incas depicted a shepherd, a fox, a partridge, a toad, a serpent and a llama with a baby llama amongst other shapes in the Milky Way, which they referred to as "Mayu" (or "river"). Rather than seeing these shapes as being outlined by stars as is a well-known practice with constellations in Western astronomy, these figures were seen in the dark shaded parts of the Milky Way. Stars were still important, too. For example they denoted the two eyes of the Llama and the fox. The painting above, which can be found in the Koricancha Sun Temple in Cusco, shows some of the shapes that the Incas depicted in the dark spots of the Milky Way. The Incas and peoples before them had a very sophisticated understanding of astronomy. Many aspects of Inca buildings have been found to have be used specifically for observing the skies above, and it is known that the Incas had a very detailed knowledge of the movement of the sun, the moon and the stars in accordance with the seasons and the time of year. This was based on centuries of observation of the skies and stringent record keeping. Inca Astronomy observations were assisted by the design of specially shaped stones which can be found throughout Inca archeological sites such as Machu Picchu and Pisac. Far from just observing the skies, the Incas judged the best time to grow crops and predicted the weather based on the positioning and brightness of stars. Their perception of the skies translated into every day life, religion and decision making.
Question: What shapes and animals did the Incas depict in the Milky Way? Answer: The Incas depicted a shepherd, a fox, a partridge, a toad, a serpent and a llama with a baby llama amongst other shapes in the Milky Way, which they referred to as “Mayu” (or “river”). Rather…
Peru is famous for its rich culture and colorful festivals, Qoyllur Rit'i festival is an impressive high-altitude pilgrimage in the Cusco region. Qoyllur Rit'i Festival This festival is held annually on the north face of Ausangate mounta, on the Sinakara glacial mountain. A world-renowned pilgrimage, it involves a rigorous trek and 2 or 3 nights camping at high altitude, with a high point of around 4,700 metres - although some dedicated revellers will climb right up next to the glacier at 5000 metres. Worshiping Apu Ausangate Mountain The festival, which is attended by as many as 50,000 Peruvians, entails the worship of the "Apu" and Lord of Qoyllur R'iti at the same time, merging the traditions of native religion and Catholicism: there is a legend that an image of Christ appeared here in 1780 to a shepherd boy named Mariano Mayta. The festival has been shown several times by the the BBC as well as other major Television programmes and documentaries. This year's Qoyllur Rit'i will be held between Saturday, June 18th and Tuesday, June 21st with Corpus Christi on Thursday, June 23rd. Read more about the best festivals in Peru and when they take place Apu Ausangate Even if you don't visit for the tough pilrgimage for Qoyllur Rit'i, it's still possible to enjoy the wonder of the scenery of Apu Ausangate either by hiking one of the lodge-to-lodge Ausangate trek routes around the mountain, or with a multi-day camping trek. Read more about all of Aracari's Peru trek options.
Peru is famous for its rich culture and colorful festivals, Qoyllur Rit’i festival is an impressive high-altitude pilgrimage in the Cusco region. Qoyllur Rit’i Festival This festival is held annually on the north face of Ausangate mounta, on the Sinakara glacial mountain. A world-renowned pilgrimage, it involves a rigorous…
By Simon Question: Why do local people in the Cusco region refer to Mount Salkantay as "Apu Salkantay"? Answer: Many locals of the Cusco region refer to Salkantay as "Apu Salkantay" as this is a term of reverence and worship. "Apu" literally means "Spirit of the mountain" or "mountain god". This was an important part of the religion of the Inca Empire: the Incas had great respect for mountains such as Salkantay and Ausangate as they towered towards the skies - home of the "Inti" Sun god - and the stars. They believed that a spirit or god resided within these mountains that protected their culture . Today I walked right past Salkantay, here's some photos: You can read my day by day account of the lodge to lodge Salkantay Trek here.
By Simon Question: Why do local people in the Cusco region refer to Mount Salkantay as “Apu Salkantay”? Answer: Many locals of the Cusco region refer to Salkantay as “Apu Salkantay” as this is a term of reverence and worship. “Apu” literally means “Spirit of the mountain” or “mountain god”….
by Simon One of the most important aspects of Aracari's mission is that we give back to the communities that we visit, and that we make sure that any of our guests who want to donate arrive in the places that need them most. This was the purpose of my visit to the small school of the Huama community in the hills above the Sacred Valley yesterday. I set out early yesterday morning with the principal of the school, one Richard Velarde, whom we had kindly been put in contact with by our friend Carol from the Willka Tika guesthouse. The journey was stunning, turning towards the hills from the town of Calca and winding up a small valley dirt track for about 40 minutes before reaching the very picturesque community of Huama. On the journey, Richard told me a little about the Huama school. Since he began working there 5 years ago, he and his colleagues have made committed effort to develop the school's facilities and to better the opportunities for children in the area. They have seen much success, including the introduction of a secondary school for older children who would have had to walk for several hours to the next nearest school. Many of the kids would have opted out of secondary school altogether before this one was built. After a delightful welcome from the kids which included a good bout of singing, a bouquet of flowers and a brief introduction to my home country Scotland, Richard gave me a tour of the school. The kids were adorable, smiling and laughing and always interested in the slightest thing I had to tell them. They were particularly fascinated by my camera. I spent the whole day there, peeking into some of the classrooms and trying as best as
by Simon One of the most important aspects of Aracari’s mission is that we give back to the communities that we visit, and that we make sure that any of our guests who want to donate arrive in the places that need them most. This was the purpose of my…
The Question: Did Inca royalty really marry their sisters? The Answer: The short answer is, yes, it is true that in late times of the Inca Empire, Inca royalty did marry their sisters. The long answer and the reasoning for this incest is very much disputed and, even more so, interesting. To begin with a little context: according to latter succession rules of the Inca lineage, when the Inca died, the succeeding Inca had to be the son of the Coya, or Queen, of the deceased Inca. The Coya was the first wife of the Inca, the woman whom married during his succession to the Inca throne. Originally the incumbent Inca was determined simply by the Inca choosing the most able amongst all of his sons, or, when the father had not chosen which son should succeed him before his death, by a specially designated council. The problem with this system was that it invited a violent scramble for the prized throne between the potentially many sons of the Inca conceived with his oft numerous wives, mistresses and concubines. All of the Inca’s sons had equal rights to the throne, and they sometimes bitterly disputed who would succeed to the extent that even bloody assassination of rivals was not overlooked. As such, the decision was made that only the sons of the Coya should be able to succeed the Inca throne, to avoid such bickering. Now, the practice of the Inca marrying his own sister as Coya appears to have arisen as a way of even further strengthening the claim that the sons of that Inca and his Coya would have to succeed their father after his death. If an Inca were to conceive with his own sister this would vastly reduce the chances of squabbling after the death of
The Question: Did Inca royalty really marry their sisters? The Answer: The short answer is, yes, it is true that in late times of the Inca Empire, Inca royalty did marry their sisters. The long answer and the reasoning for this incest is very much disputed and, even more so,…
