Vilcashuaman + Vischongo

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The Overcrowded Minivan

a Puya Raimondii forest in Vischongo

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 local boy explain a few things about Inca history in relation to the town’s Inca structures. We were such a strange sight to the Vilcashuamáns that a group of girls AND a mamita came to us to take pictures with us. They also tried speaking Quechua to us. Anyway, it took 20 minutes until everyone got the photo that they wanted. I guess in some places gringos can be rock stars 😊

Early the next day we caught a bus to the town of Vischongo. There was nothing of interest in the city; but we took a walk to a Puya raimondii forest. A member of the bromeliad family, Puya raimondii, is the world’s tallest flowering plant. Also nicknamed giants of the mountains, these showy, 10m-plus tall members of the pineapple family can take up to a century or more to mature and in full bloom flaunt up to 8000 white flowers each! After blooming only once in its lifetime, the plant dies.

Although a lovely trip in hindsight, that was my first big hiking trip and I had a hard time. It took us about three to four hours to get to the top (afterwards it turned out we had climbed up two mountains instead of one and could have taken an easier route) and I was so exhausted. My leg muscles hurt the next three days, which was not fun. But I was also very proud of myself for having gotten to the top 😊 Still, I am not planning to do that much uphill walking ever again.

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Quechua Word of the Day: arí = yes

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Photos

At the entrance of the 'usnu'
Vilcashuamán

Jore and I
at the puya raimondii forest

The Temple of the Sun with a church on top of it
Vilcashuaman

On the main square - special school Ivan Pavlov
Just thought it was way weird.

Having lunch with the mayo that the lady had to go and buy at the store after we asked for some mayo, lol
Usnu in the background

Usnu
the Inca pyramid

My photo session on an old Inca doorway
Despite the "steps" on its sides, I have been informed that ancient doorways are not meant to be climbed :( Older and wiser now -- edit 2012.

Kristine descending the doorway
Not as much fun as posing for fotos.

Trekking up to the Puya Raimondii forest
Always the last one when it comes to hiking/trekking. Well, at least I'm best in being the last!

Taking a break to rest my weary muscles
This was after we climbed and descended the first mountain