Tipon, Inca ruins, HAIL, a road less travelled, but NO cuy!!

Another eventful day. Took a local bus out to Tipon, and was really pleased we opted for a taxi ride the 4km up to the Inca site - even though at S/10 it seemed like a rip off. Especially as he picked up other paying passengers. Hadn't even started when he got out and opened the back of the wagon and a lady piled in along with her bags. We dropped her off along the way bit picked up 3 more passengers. All good experience.

The site of Tipon is amazing - well constructed and maintained terraces, some partial buildings, incredible stonework, but also the most impressive aqueduct and water channel system (1400m long, apparently). It is spectacular - such engineering. Don't understand what it all is or how it might have been used but we certainly marvel at their planning and construction.

We walked up to some ruins above the terraces - more water channels, in fact these ran all the way up the mountain. We followed the path up several sets of steps, over ridges, only to see the channel and path continue up.

 

 At this point, it started to rain, and HAIL - only pea sized hail, but it continued for about half an hour. Instead of following the water channel further up the rise we followed another path around the mountain towards Pukara. Rain continued and we were partially drenched so opted to go back to the main site.

We noticed a sign 'Camino Inca' leading to an old Inca road, and steps.   An alternative path down the mountain - so we took 'the road less travelled'. Many many steps - as Lex pointed out, no need for smooth road - no wheeled vehicles.

Still had quite a walk along the road, through villages, back to Tipon.

Tipon is apparently well known for its CUY (guinea pig) restaurants. We gave that a miss and caught a bus back to town.

Another great day out.