about the area.

Cusco

 

Cusco is a city full rich history where you can see the the evidence of civilizations we barely remember. The city is built upon the ruins of multiple civilizations. It is the ancient capital of the Inca empire. Many from people from around the world come to view its architectural beauty and it's secrets. Cusco, especially the city center, has many palaces, buildings, homes where Incan and Spanish architecture that has merged together with today's world.

 

Cusco means navel of the world. It is the most visited city in Peru.  It is located at 3300 meters above sea level. Cusco is called as the gateway to Machu Picchu. It is the starting point for many expeditions to the Sacred Valley of Peru.

 

Popular sites include  Saqsayhuaman, the Temple of the Sun, Qoricancha,  the main temple of the Incas, and the Cathedral of Cusco. Saqsayhuaman, is located to the north where you can have a complete view of the entire city.  It is an easy hike up stone steps from the Plaza De Armes. Cusco  is a friendly city with a multicultural environment - the people are friendly, always with a smile.

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Cusco – Santa Theresa

One of the routes to Machu Picchu that increasingly attracts the attention of travelers is that of Cusco - Santa Theresa. It takes about 5 hours by car to reach Santa Theresa, on the way you pass through the Sacred Valley of the Incas with towns like Pisac, a city filled with beautiful textiles and local goods, Ollantaytambo, an ancient Inca city where its Inca architecture is still preserved in it's  cobble stone streets and towering ruins.  

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Abra Malaga

 

Abra Málaga is the mountain pass over Veronica. The drive is stunning.  the hillsides are homes to flocks of alpaca and sheep.  It is 4330 meters above sea level and the highest point on the route. Often throughout the year the pass has snow or rain.  On a clear day the snow covered peaks of Veronica can been seen.the highest place on the route.

 

This area is protected by the state due to the existence of a qhapaq ñan and Inca trail. It has endemic species in the area, as well as packs of alpaca and sheep dot the landscape. Above the chain of snowy mountains called La Verónica located reaching 5000 meters in height.  At the crest is a gorgeous view of the Quillabamba Valley which is jungle nestled in a cloud forest.

Once over the mountain you can see Huayopata, one of the 10 districts of the province of La Convencion. You quickly descending passing interesting Inca archaeological sites, such as Huamanmarca, translated into Quechua means place of the eagle, also Inkatambo, translated as a resting place. They are located on the left bank of the main river of the valley called Lucumayu.

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Huayopata

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In the cloud forest is where the town of Huyro is. It is a town famous for being the main producer of tea in all of Peru. The district of Huayopata has more than 11 ecological floors that They range from 4300 meters to 1500 meters. Coffee, cinnamon, citrus, avocado, yucca, banana, mango,  passion fruit are also produced in the area. The production of tea and coffee is the main one in the area.

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The tea from the area is harvested in the mountains. High elevation tea grown throughout the world is known as the best. Huayopata is the tea center in Peru. The tea harvest in recent times brought tourism as an alternative for development in Huayopata.

 

Orchids of all kinds and colors are present in the Huayopata area. The area is abundant with a variety of bird species and frequented by many bird watchers. A rare bird is the cock of the rock (rupícola peruvianus) and an attraction of the area. It is  the national bird of Peru there are several "lex" or life zones where the cock of the rock lives. The males with their reddish feathers dance around the female so that she chooses the best dancer, this event attracts many visitors, a camera with a good lens is essential, among other birds that the area houses are the watchmaker (momotus aequatorialis), the bluebird (thraupis episcopus).

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Santa Theresa - Hot Springs

Continuing on the Cusco - Santa Theresa route, just an hour from our project is Santa Teresa. Santa Theresa is known for its famous hot springs called Cocalmayo thermal baths.

 

The Hidroeléctrica is 20 minutes by car from Santa Teresa.  The walk to Agua Calientes, the pueblo of Machu Picchu is gorgeous. It takes just and two and a half hours to get there. The walk is along the banks of the Urubamba river, or Willcamayu, which means sacred river. The route is magnificent for nature lovers.

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Agua Calientes - Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu, which means old mountain, located in the province of Urubamba, has not ceased to amaze the world since its discovery in 1911, thousands are captivated by visiting it year after year. A World Heritage Site since 1983, it is a place of charm that dazzles us with its architecture, respecting the nature that surrounds it. Machu Picchu captures us with its energy, giving us a unique and unforgettable experience.

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Quillabamba

Quillabamba, which means pampa of the moon, also called the city of eternal summer, it is the capital of the province of La Convencion. Matshiguenga territory that is one of the main and most respected ethnic groups of Peru. in the time of the Incas it was called The Antisuyo, was a strategic place since the coca leaf came from this place which was highly valued by the Inca people.

 

After the conquest the haciendas were formed sugar cane was grown. The cane was extracted and the cane liquor was made, a period that lasted until the mid-1960s. Quillabamba was always a productive city and is currently producing coffee and chocolate. Quillabamba is a very active city with interesting attractions such as the waterfall with 7 pools,  a diversity of plant species, the Potrero farm, an old farm that grows sugar cane, and Tunkimayo a protected area for the rare bird the cock of the rock.

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