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SACRED VALLEY - OLLANTAYTAMBO RUINS
 

Stairway to top of ruinsAt the end of the paved road that runs from Cusco to the Sacred Valley of the Incas is the imposing fortress of Ollantaytambo. It gives a good approximation of what the Inca town must have looked like five centuries ago. We climbed over 300 steps to the top of the fortress to the temple area. We could see graineries built into the mountain where the Incas stored their grain, fruits and potatoes.Hike to Ollantaytambo Ruins

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stone WallThe Incas were masterful craftsmen. The huge rock walls were made without mortar, each piece perfectly fitted onto the adjoining pieces. The rocks were somehow transported from mountain quarries over 5 miles away and hand chiseled to the right shape and size. Fred "pushing" a rockSome pieces even had projections that allowed the stones to interlock with another. It is speculated that the rocks were moved into place by "rolling" them over smaller stones by hundreds of people.

 

 

For additional photos of these ruins, please click on Ollantaytambo Photo Gallery.

 

 

 

 

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