The Sacred Valley

Return to the Sacred Valley

The salt pans at Maras, Peru.

Seven years ago today we were visiting the Sacred Valley in Peru on our way to Machu Picchu. We visited the Inca crop circles at Moray and the salt pans at Maras. I had started my blog just a few weeks before to document and share our journey. Here we are seven years later and the blog continues. I noted that day how abstract the landscape was and would be something “for the studio when we’re home”. Well, better late than never.

 

Here is the original post for you to enjoy; “Its getting closer” refers to the anticipation of our arrival at Machu Picchu, of which more on another day

 

Machu Picchu – 7 The Sacred Valley June 8th, 2013

 

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…Another day full of remarkable sights and images. The terraced Inca crop circles at Moray date back to the 13th century, each level with its own microclimate. Then on to the pre-Incan salineras or salt pans at Maras, which create a stunning abstract landscape. Something for the studio when we´re home. We then hiked down to the valley, pausing to enjoy the beauty of the Urubamba river before lunch and a quite afternoon to help acclimatize to the altitude. On to Pisac and Cusco tomorrow before meeting our hiking group on Monday evening. It´s getting closer!…

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Intricate

Intricate i
 
No mountains, canyons, vistas or waterfalls today but instead the wonderful artistry of the women of the weaving cooperative in the village of Chinchero in the Sacred Valley of Peru where we visited on our trekking adventure to Machu Picchu in the summer of 2013.

In response to Krista’s question for this week’s Photo Challenge:

“What does the word “intricate” mean to you?”

intricate

Bulls
Bulls on the rooftops in the Sacred Valley bring good luck and fertility to the households. For a superb explanation of this custom and some wonderful photos I recommend Pucara and the cult of the Peruvian roof ornament from the blog notesfromcamelidcountry.

Asklepios i

The statue of Asklepios, the god of medicine, from The Vatican Museum in Rome. Round his staff is entwined a serpent, the symbol of medicine to this day.

Moray

The perfectly circular 13th century Incan agricultural terraces at Moray in the Sacred Valley, which we visited on our Peruvian adventure last June.

Two very different interpretations of Ailsa’s Weekly Travel Theme:Round

Machu Picchu -6 The Sacred Valley

4BC1D470-4059-4478-B21C-4682C1E99F51.png…Today was our final day in the Sacred Valley, which we spent in Pisac. All our training paid off as we hiked from the Inca ruins high above the town to end up at the colorful Sunday market and lunch at Donna Clorinda’s lovely local restaurant. The avocado salad was simply the best! We left the valley bathed in the late afternoon sun and some unforgettable “sacred” memories…

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Machu Picchu -7 The Sacred Valley

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…Another day full of remarkable sights and images. The terraced Inca crop circles at Moray date back to the 13th century, each level with its own microclimate. Then on to the pre-Incan salineras or salt pans at Maras, which create a stunning abstract landscape. Something for the studio when we´re home. We then hiked down to the valley, pausing to enjoy the beauty of the Urubamba river before lunch and a quite afternoon to help acclimatize to the altitude. On to Pisac and Cusco tomorrow before meeting our hiking group on Monday evening. It´s getting closer!…

Machu Picchu -8 The Sacred Valley

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…We are now in the Sacred Valley. What a day with unforgettable visits to Chinchero, mythical birthplace of the rainbow, and Ollantaytambo. I’ll let the pictures to the talking. Enjoy…