The citadel of Machu Picchu rises 7,218 feet and is comprised of two sectors separated by a square. To the left are the Temple of Three Windows, the Intiwatana, and the Sun Temple. To the right is the residential area for clergy and Inca, schools for priests, and the tombs of nobles.
Colonies of sea lions inhabit the beaches of the coast of Paracas and the Ballestas islands.
The Origins of The Chaski
The same spirit, tenacity and trustworthiness of these ancient couriers represent the very heart and soul of today’s Chaski Courier Service.
Traveling from Nasca to Tumbes and throughout the Andes of Peru and Ecuador in the service of the ruler, the legendary Chaskis were admired and deeply respected by the ancient Incans. Known for their speed, agility, dedication and resourcefulness, Chaskis dutifully carried crucial messages, news and packages throughout the beautiful and sometimes treacherous countryside.
Chaskis normally traveled alone, protecting their parcels in a “qipi” (a sling-like backpack) and carrying a “pututu” (a trumpet made of conch shell) to signal their arrival. In order to cross thousands of kilometers in the shortest span of time, these ancient messengers formed carefully coordinated teams that were organized along the trail forming an ingenious human rely system. Messages were quickly passed to fresh runners each waiting in turn inside “Tambos” (small huts) that were constructed along the path approximately every five kilometers.
The legendary journeys of the Chaskis carried them across great expansive areas of the today's states of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile, which offers some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery. We invite you to take a moment to visually travel in the footsteps of the Chaski and view a few scenes of this most beautiful part of the world.
The citadel of Machu Picchu rises 7,218 feet and is comprised of two sectors separated by a square. To the left are the Temple of Three Windows, the Intiwatana, and the Sun Temple. To the right is the residential area for clergy and Inca, schools for priests, and the tombs of nobles.
