Peru: Cusco – Qenco
While the city of Cusco sits in a giant bowl of a Valley, there are several Inca archeological sites just above the city. Qenco is one of them, about 6km from the city proper. Qenco was a huaka (holy place) of the Inca, situated near a large boulder field. This was the place where sacrificial ceremonies and mummification were performed. The place used to have paths, aqueducts, baths – but everything was destroyed and pilfered by the Spanish. You go through a cave chamber where a giant altar is located, considered to be the uterus of Pachamama (Mother Earth). And the views down onto the sunset-lit Cusco are spectacular.
