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The Nazca Lines are an exceptional collection of geoglyphs in the southern desert of Peru. There are about 300 figures among them including geometric shapes, animal like figures, straight continuous lines, humans and plants. The exceptionality of these geoglyphs rest in the fact that they can only be seen from the air.

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Inca Civilization

The Inca civilization was the largest Pre-Columbian civilization in the Americas and Cusco was its capital. The best kept example of its architecture is Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu

The Sacred City is one of the most significant archeological sites left by the Incas

Culture

Fascinating culture and Inca heritage of this beautiful country

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. It occupies an important place in Inca mythology.

Animals of Peru

Animals in Peru have specialized and adapted to the conditions of its geography. At higher altitude levels, few animals and plants can survive because of the lack of oxygen.

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Inca Textile and Clothing

Paracas cloak, textile, 2.4 x 1.3 m, Museo Nacional de Arqueología, Antropología e Historia del Perú

Ancient Andean weaving developed by and inherited and perfected by the is considered as one of the greatest textile in the world and is compared to finest textile …

Folklore in Puno

Puno dance

Puno is considered the Folkloric Capital of Peru, there are more than 300 different local dances representing centuries old traditions inherited from the Incas and the colony. Folk dances and songs are accompanied by colorful costumes and masks to celebrate Catholic holidays or Inca celebrations related to the agricultural calendar. These celebrations are based on beliefs and myths of the relationship between men and god, to honor Andean gods, Catholic saints and the Virgin Mary.

Inca Society

Native Peruvians gather potatoes from their terraced farms

The Inca society was a vertical hierarchical organization divided in four social classes. At the top of the stratum was the Sapa Inca, the most powerful person in the empire. …

The fall of the Inca Empire

Conquest of the Inca, 1531-1533

From around 1200 when the first Inca, Manco Capac, settled in Cusco, until 1533 when the last Inca, Atahualpa, was executed; the Inca civilization had grown from a group of …

Inti Raymi, The Celebration of the Sun

Historical reconstruction of the Inti Raymi

In Quechua Inti means Sun and Raymi celebration. Inti Raymi is the celebration of the God Sun, the most venerated god in Inca religion. According to Inca tradition, Pachatutec, the first Inca, created the Inti Raymi to celebrate the winter solstice which marked the first day of the New Year in the Inca calendar. The winter solstice begins on June 21st but according to the Incas the sun stays in the same place until the 24th when it finally rises.

The Inca Empire

Incas worshiped many Gods but the most important were Wiracocha and Inti

 
The Inca Empire flourished in the South American continent from 1438 until the Spanish arrived in the continent in 1533. From around 1200  to 1438 the Incas were considered a …

Inca Roads and Chasquis

Inca suspension bridge

Andean Road System
 
The Incas were magnificent engineers, they built the most elaborate network of roads and bridges of any ancient culture, known as Qhapaq Ñan. The success of its empire was …

Economy of the Inca Empire

Land was distributed according to family size.

Central Economy
The Incas had a centrally planned economy, perhaps the most successful ever seen. Its success was in the efficient management of labor and the administration of resources they collected …

Cusco, the City of the Puma

Cusco, city puma

The name Cusco comes from the Aymara language qusqu wanka that means “rock of the owl”. According to one of the , the myth of the Ayar brothers, Ayar Auca …

Inca expansion and its government

Tawantinsuyu

Inca Government
The Inca empire was an absolute monarchy with the Sapa Inca exercising the ultimate government authority. His powers were not limited by law. The royal council helped him rule …