The Cusco region in Peru, known for its impressive landscape and rich cultural history, also offers remarkable biocultural diversity. Stretching from the majestic Andes in the highlands to the deep gorges of the Urubamba Valley, this area encompasses a variety of ecosystems and habitats. The flora ranges from characteristic Andean plants like Queñua trees and Puya Raimondii to the diverse plant species of the cloud forest. The fauna is equally diverse, including endemic species such as the spectacled bear and the Andean condor, as well as a wealth of bird species like hummingbirds and toucans. The indigenous peoples of the region, such as the Quechua and the Asháninka, have developed a close relationship with nature over centuries, preserving traditional knowledge about the use and protection of the environment. Despite challenges from climate change and tourism, the protection and preservation of this biocultural diversity remain crucial for the future of the Cusco region and the well-being of its inhabitants.
🌄🚌 This picture was taken in Huertahuayco, during my bus ride from Ica (Atacama Desert) to Cusco (Andes). The election posters were for the regional and local elections in 2018.
When I started using Instagram, I just came back from my best trip ever. I spontaneously traveled alone through Peru for 16 days and took a few thousand photos.😄🇵🇪❤️
👀 Until then, I had only used Instagram passively. I had a little problem because its name means "instant camera telegram" and from my point of view that's how it was primarily used. But that didn't fit my needs well... 🧃🐌
💡This is how I came up with the idea of a timeless Instagram, led by a giant sloth. It's so relaxed, grounded and full of adventure.😜
🕵️ The posts have been spread across the years and - unfortunately - Instagram deactivated the guides in December, but you can still view all Peru posts on my website (link in bio) at any time. Simply click on “Topics” and then “Peru” in the menu.
There might be a few more pictures to come. Sometime.
Sacred garden of the Coricancha temple. Spanish chroniclers describe it as a garden of golden plants with leaves of beaten gold, stems of silver, solid gold corn-cobs and 20 life-size llamas and their herders all in solid gold. Also many other animals like colibris, snakes, butterflies and even spiders formed a detailed garden of gold and silver. Gold was considered the "sweat pearls of the sun" and silver the "tears of the moon".🌞🌚
Coricancha "The Golden Temple" with Convent of Santo Domingo above. The Coricancha was the most important temple in the Inca Empire. It was destroyed during the Conquista. It must have been very impressive with lots of gold decorations. The remains form the foundation of the convent. There is a museum inside which also includes art collections (Cusco School and contemporary art). The green area is the sacred garden. The man in the white shirt is just leaving a small archaelogical museum, which is located directly under the garden.
That's on my way from Santa Teresa (Machu Picchu) to Cusco (capital of the Inca Empire). I traveled with a colectivo, that's what the collective buses are called in South America. The whole trip was an adventure. A little later, when it was already dark, we stopped in the middle of a winding road somewhere in the mountains. We had to push the bus for it to start again. Most of the other passengers, although native, hardly spoke Spanish. Not every Peruvian speaks Spanish as a mother tongue. Quechua is the most spoken language in some regions. When we finally arrived in Cusco, it was after midnight. I remember how excited I was when I finally got to the hostel.😁
I took many blurry photos during my 18 hour bus ride from Ica to Cusco. Here we drove through the Limatambo District in the Cusco Region at an altitude of around 2,600 meters. The people in the district are mainly indigenous citizens of Quechua descent.
West of the village of Maras are these unusual Inca ruins. Their depth, design and orientation creates a temperature difference of as much as 15°C (27°F) between the top and the bottom. The purpose is uncertain, but it may have been used for agricultural experiments. It has been discovered that the soil of the terraces comes from different places. The Inca have produced countless varieties of potatoes, quinoa and corn. Until 50 years ago, potatoes and barley were grown here.
The Pachacutec Monument in Cusco includes a small museum and you can enjoy the view from above. Pachacutec transformed the Kingdom of Cusco into the Inca Empire. He is probably the most popular Inca and you will find portraits throughout the country.
In the sacred valley of the Incas are these salt ponds. Traditionally, the salt mines have been available to any person of the community wishing to harvest salt. The size of the salt pond assigned to a family depends on the family's size.
In the sacred valley of the Incas are these salt ponds. Traditionally, the salt mines have been available to any person of the community wishing to harvest salt. The size of the salt pond assigned to a family depends on the family's size.
