There's a cave - apparently a special sacred place where we were expected to remove our shoes before entering. It contained carved rocks, niches and an altar. A young guide pointed out the carvings of the serpents and the puma, which had the head hacked away apparently by Spaniards.
There are many huge carved rocks in this area - quite mind blowing. We followed a path (further up a hill of course) which we were told was an old Inca road. It became more apparent the further we walked. So amazing to see such roads running miles across the countryside.
We vaguely followed a path described in a guidebook - going a little off track because the Inca road was so enticing!!! It is quite amazing to wander the hillsides, feels like you are miles from anywhere. In some areas we saw only a couple of people tending small herds of sheep or cattle. Some small fields are cultivated - growing potatoes, wheat or corn. There are tell-tale signs of other hikers - discarded plastic bottles etc. But the realisation that people have been traversing these hills for hundreds of years - have built roads, terraces, bridges, paths, water channels, retaining walls - even along the streams .... is very sobering.
We crossed a stream back and forth, found a waterfall and a natural bridge (or so it appeared until we saw nearby Inca stonework), lost the path, felt like we were blazing our own trail - only to notice more Inca stone walls beneath overhanging foliage.
We came through a large valley, skirted around the other side of the stream from a pack of dogs, saw several Inca sites. and came out amongst houses high on the hills above where we live. What an amazing walk.
There was so much more to see along this route - sure to be one we will repeat!!!
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