The ancient Inca capital of Cusco,
founded around 1100 A.D. is situated at the head of the Sacred Valley
of the Incas at an altitude of 3310 meters. It was once the center
of a magnificent civilization. According to the central Inca creation
myth, the sun sent his son, Manco Capac, and the moon sent her daughter,
Mama Ocllo, to spread culture and enlightenment throughout the dark,
barbaric lands. They emerged from the waters of Lake Titicaca and
began their journey in search of a place to found their kingdom.
When they reached the site of present-day Cusco, Manco plunged his
golden staff into the ground in order to test its suitability, and
it sank deep into the fertile soil. This was the sign they were
looking for. They named this place Cusco, meaning “navel of
the earth.” It was a holy city, a place of pilgrimage. Today,
it is a fascinating mix of Inca and colonial Spanish architecture.
Our tour includes many of the major sites: the great mountain fortress
and Inca town of Sacsayhuaman, rumored to have been built by the
intrepid Inca Pachacuteq, the legendary Qoricancha, or Court of
Gold, atop which the Spanish built the Convent of Santo Domingo
and the historic artisan district of San Blas, with a tour of an
artisan’s workshop.
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