Microclimates

YPeru has several microclimates within the country, but it also can have several microclimates in the same area. It is definitely a place to dress in layers, temperatures fluctuate frequently throughout the day.

We started off today with a drive to Moray. Here we saw remarkable circular terraces, 4 in total. As this site has been investigated it is felt they were built as an Inka agricultural experiment. All areas get maximum sunlight, and the temperature from terrace to terrace can change by 3-4 degrees C 

. This allowed a variety of crops to be planted. An irrigation system was also put in place when the terraces were built. Recently archeologists discovered pottery bowls with a variety of pollen, they feel the pollen was kept to help create stronger plants for the area, the original genetic engineering of plants.

Here we walked around the terraces and saw a variety of plants, birds and butterflies, it was very serene.

Next we went to the Urubamba Valley to visit the home of Katrina to learn about her wool felting.it was a very interesting and laborious process, but the end results were beautiful, she makes the most beautiful hats among other things. Her home was lovely with lush gardens (a tropical microclimate), quiet area and a lovely home, she has a St. Bernard and a black cat who curl up together to sleep.

A brief break for lunch at a beautiful restaurant along the Urubamba river. Again beautiful gardens, with llama and alpaca out back and parrots in the front.

Now time for more exercise! To Ollortaymbo, a narrow section of the Sacred Valley. Here there are more terraces with a slightly different configuration and at the top is the Temple de Sol.

Up 242 'stairs' with remarkable views all around us. The rock of the stairs and path were beautiful colours of blue, pink, grey, gold. Once we reached the top to see the Temple, there are 5 large Quartz sones weighing between 70 and 100 tons each built as a perfect wall. These large stones are thought to come from a mountain approximately 9 km away, how the Inka were able to get them down a mountain then to the top of the terraces is truly a mystery. Now we had to go down the stairs!

Now off to the train station to head to Agua Calientes to spend the night, before we head for Machu Picchu.

Sorry no pictures, Internet access isn't great here.