Home of the pre-Columbian ancient Empire of the Inca, this part of Peru resides in the Andes Mountains. The Incans was unsurpassed in the art of stonecutting and achieved a high degree of economic and social development. Their capital, Macchu Picchu was a large walled city situated high in the Andes, very difficult to access.

Cusco is 11,200 feet elevation, I got woozy even though I took altitude pills. Macchu Picchu is lower in elevation, 8,000 feet.

When the Spanish invaded Peru in 1532, they conqered the Inca people but were never able to conquer the city of Machu Picchu. Much of this area is now Catholic but the Incan Indians mix traditional indigenous beliefs with Christian values and some still call their gods by their original names.

The Incan Empire was so vast it ruled much of South America for many years.