Peru is most famous for the sacred archaeological site of Machu Picchu – visited each year by scores of intrepid hikers who brave the Inca Trail’s arduous slopes to explore the age-old ruins. The country’s attractions extend far beyond the mystical allure of this legendary location and include palm-fringed beaches, quaint Andean villages and archaeological treasures that predate Machu Picchu by hundreds of years – all imbued with the nation’s rich melange of indigenous and colonial cultures. Equally enticing are the exotic reaches of Peru’s Amazon rainforest; Lima’s superb eateries, exquisite architecture and effervescent nightlife; the glittering, mountain-ringed waters of Lake Titicaca; and the vibrant city of Cusco, referred to by the Incas as ‘the centre of the world’.
A “Living Inca Town” on the western edge of the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, also called Ollanta, has narrow cobblestone streets that have been continuously inhabited since the 13th century. The town is dominated by two massive Inca ruins, including a fortress built to guard the valley and later used as a stronghold during Inca resistance against Hernando Pizarro. The site functioned as an agricultural, administrative, religious, and social centre, with terraces, a temple, and an urban area. Two sections stand out within the complex: Araqama Ayllu, the ceremonial zone with fountains and ritual spaces, and Qosqo Ayllu, the residential district where locals still live in Inca-era buildings. Ancient roads, aqueducts, walls, and towers reveal its strategic importance. Today, travellers often pause here on the way to the renowned Machu Picchu.
Neighbouring Colombia and Peru, Ecuador is a relatively small country that nevertheless offers an enticing array of scenic landscapes, diverse wildlife species and interesting cities. Dense Amazon rainforest, towering Andean mountain peaks, palm-fringed Pacific Coast beaches and fascinating historical sites are all part and parcel of Ecuador’s prolific charms. The former Inca town of Cuenca is the nation’s third-largest city and a Unesco World Heritage Site. This alluring city, with its cobbled streets, beautiful architecture and photogenic plazas, boasts a huge variety of museums and art galleries. The vibrant capital city of Quito is also worth a visit. Arguably the most dazzling jewel in Ecuador’s crown is the Galapagos Archipelago in the Pacific, about 1000 kilometres west of the mainland. Their magnificent, pristine landscapes and prolific wildlife, which inspired Charles Darwin, have made this cluster of islands a world-famous travel destination.
Situated in south-central Ecuador, sandwiched between three national parks, the province of Canar is known for its incredible history, rich culture and beautiful natural landscapes. The Canari-Incan Ruins of Ingapirca draw visitors from all over the world, to experience the most well-preserved Incan ruins in the country. First begun by the indigenous Canari people, the buildings were extended by the Inca people. There are also multiple other ruins scattered across the province. Other highlights include the wonderful traditional markets, superb historic architecture in the cities, mouth-watering local dishes, and the ‘Panama hats’ which actually originate here.
Situated approximately 80 km from the Ecuadorian city of Cuenca, 1km above the homonymous village, lies Ingapirca, the largest and most well preserved archaeological site in Ecuador. The site is comprised of various architectural units divided into three sections and built using a combination of adobe and blueish-green andesite stones. The complex was constructed during the Inca expansion into Ecuador towards the end of the fifteenth century, on a site that had been occupied by the Cañari people for over five hundred years. The Incas demolished many of the Cañari structures, replacing them with their own elaborate complex, the function of which is thought to have been a place of worship and a fortress. The main structure, known as the Temple of the Sun is made up of a series of rooms, courtyards, cellars, and bathrooms, as well as a vast oval-shaped platform made of incredibly intricately, carved stone. There’s also a small museum (with an attached book and craft shop) displaying Cañari and Inca pots, tools, jewelry as well as a skeleton found on site.
