This trip took place way back in November 11, 2007. After a horrendous 4-hour super-bumpy (unpaved road) bus ride in a tiny overcrowded bus, Dries, Kristine, Jore, and I reached Vilcashuamán. Dating back to approximately 1450 A.D., Vilcashuamán (meaning ‘sacred falcon’) was considered the geographical center of the Inca Empire. There the Inca road between Cusco and the coast crossed the road running the length of the Andes. Therefore, it was one of the most important administrative centers of the Tawantinsuyo . Today, Vilcashuamán is a small modest town, with few visitors. The former Temple of the Sun is now the foundation for the city’s Catholic church, but usnu, the five-tiered pyramid with a stone double throne on top is well-preserved and quite visitable. The four of us climbed the pyramid and had a
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