Ollantaytambo taxis
We had a final morning wander round the streets of Ollantaytambo before our transport arrived, exploring more of the markets and dodging the taxis.
Ollantaytambo – market wares
Our transport was a passenger van which arrived on time. We loaded the large bags onto the roof rack and climbed in. The driver took the 7 of us via several tourist attractions and on to
our accommodation in Cusco. We left at 10am, arrived around 6pm with over 100 km driving on mostly rough roads plus the sightseeing time. Total cost equated to around AU$100 – pretty good value! It’s about the same cost as a taxi from home to Tullamarine airport (~35 mins & 50 km vs 8 h & 100 km).
Housing development
The driver took us up onto the plateau on gravel roads, winding through varied environmental types. In several places we saw lots of tiny buildings in what looked like housing developments. The driver told us that people build small initially, then added more and more rooms as resources became available.
Las Salinas – salt ponds
First stop was the Maras salt mines (Las Salinas). The Inca dried the saline springs in around 300 small pools to make salt. The industry is still run by a cooperative of salt workers, but there are nearer 6000 pools now. They are spectacular. we were able to wander along narrow paths between the ponds to see how it all works. The saline water passes along many small channels, and is directed or blocked into ponds as required by the simple expedient of blocking the channel with a rock. Once full, the pond is blocked and the water dries out over days to leave behind the salt to be harvested. We have seen packets of the Maras salt in many tourist shops as well as the local supermarkets, and they also make salt carvings etc. Our hour there vanished quickly.
Moray Inca site
Next was the Inca remains at Moray. Here there are a series of terraces arranged in circular patterns to make substantial dips. Why? No-one knows, though there is speculation that this was an agricultural research place. I think they were probably filled with water and served as a swimming pool. Or perhaps it was a 3-hole inca golf course. Who knows really?
Artisan workshop
Next a trip along more gravel roads and a visit to an artisinal workshop where they make alpaca, llama, and sheep wool products. They do their own dying with natural plant and animal products, and we were treated to a demonstration of various techniques to generate the different colours. Fascinating. Then we were given an opportunity to buy goods (no pressure, but a variety of things were bought, and I am sure the driver received a commission.
Chinchero Inca site, with Catholic monastry built on Inca foundations
Then, on to the Chinchero site, where the Inca buildings were incorporated into a Francescan monastry. Some interesting architecture. And, as usual, endless sellers of artisinal goods – scarves, blankets, pots, carvings …. At 3800 m we were not the most energetic, so we had a quiet toddle, then headed back (slowly) to the carpark for the final leg into Cusco, and some mildly terrifyingly narrow streets. Somehow our driver managed to squeeze a van through mini-sized gaps. More soon on Cusco. In the mean time enjoy the gallery of photos at https://goo.gl/photos/E2towhSQraeikudd8