Cusco – Page 16 – Pirwa Hostels BLOG

The Unforgettable Southern Sacred Valley of the Incas

September 23, 2015 Pirwa

One of the most popular standard group tours in Cusco is a day-trip to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which includes as a highlight visits to the town and ruins of Ollantaytambo and the Pisac market (depending on the day). While the former is overrun, the southern circuit through the Sacred Valley is much less traveled, mainly because most travelers don’t have the time to do more than one or two basic tours and because the sights the southern circuit includes are less publicized. This is a shame, because the route boasts evocatively beautiful natural landscapes as well as mysterious, unique historical sites. A tour of the Southern Sacred Valley includes guided visits exploring the still-functioning waterworks of the Incan ruins of Tipón, an ornate colonial church often referred to as ‘the Sistine Chapel of the Americas’, the striking Maras Salt Pans, the circular terraces of Moray, and the Wari ruins of Pikillacta.

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6 Tips to Do Before Hiking the Inca Trail

September 15, 2015 Pirwa

The mythic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a beautiful, rewarding hike, but it can also be a difficult undertaking. To make the going easier, here are our six tips on things to do before hiking the Inca Trail:

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Scheduling Your Visit: Is the Sunrise Over Machu Picchu Worth It?

September 7, 2015 Pirwa

“Sunrise over Machu Picchu” is such an evocative phrase that it’s no surprise that so many travelers are seduced by its promise. The fourth day of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu begins at 4am precisely so that hikers will arrive at the Intipunku sun gate in time to enjoy a panoramic view of Machu Picchu Citadel as first light hits. Many a traveler who’s arrived at Aguas Calientes by an alternative hike or by train will also wake up at around 4am, with the aim of hiking up to the ruins in the darkness, or competing for a seat on the first bus up, in order to watch first light hit the ruins as well. Is the hurry worth it- or are their better times of day to visit?

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A Year of Change for Pirwa Colonial Hostel

August 28, 2015 Pirwa

Pirwa Colonial underwent a series of renovations and changes in the last year, and we think that the hostel is much improved for it! The biggest change at Pirwa Colonial this last year is that the bar has been moved to the first floor of the hostel. This doubled the size of the TV/game lounge, which now has that entire space upstairs to itself. The lounge is equipped with a 60-inch flat screen TV, musical instruments, bean bags, picnic tables and upholstered chairs for seating, darts, table games, and a billiards table. The stand offering pizzas, burgers, juices and other fast food offerings is still located upstairs. There is a balcony where you can sit with a view of Plaza San Francisco and San Francisco church as well.

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Picturesque Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

August 24, 2015 Pirwa

The town of Ollantaytambo, located along the Patakancha River about an hour and a half from Cusco, is one of the most popular draws in the scenic Sacred Valley of the Incas. Ollantaytambo boasts a lively market, expansive ruins, and picturesque adobe homes arranged alongside cobblestone streets which themselves date back to the time of the Incas. It’s no wonder that the town has become an obligatory stop for those on tours of the Sacred Valley or en route to Machu Picchu.