Saqsaywaman

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"At Saqsaywaman, on the outskirts of Cuzco, I noticed alpacas grazing among the Inca citadel’s stonework, a charming and lively presence that animated the archaeological setting. The pairing of monumental masonry and local fauna made the site feel both grand and intimately connected to everyday Andean life." - Monisha Rajesh Monisha Rajesh Monisha Rajesh is a London-based travel journalist and author whose work has appeared in publications like Time and Vanity Fair. She’s written three books, "Around India in 80 Trains," "Around the World in 80 Trains," and "Epic Train Journeys." Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

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"I got to go to Peru and visit many parts of the country. To get to Peru and actually see what they made and what they built and be able to see Saqsaywamán and Machu Picchu; to see the domes in person that have stood the test of time."

"Just above Cuzco are four Incan ruins: Saqsaywaman, Q’enqo, Puca Pukara, and Tambomachay. Of the four, Saqsaywaman is perhaps the most astounding, particularly when your guide mentions that some of the huge stones used to build the city walls may weigh as much as 200 tons. To this day, no one really knows how the Incas, lacking wheels, were able to get these stones into place and keep them together without using mortar. Another Saqsaywaman highlight is the gorgeous views of Cuzco , which lies below. Tours typically combine all four ruins, and while they’re close by car, reaching them on foot takes time."

"Sacsayhuaman is an impressive Inca fortress on a steep hill that overlooks all of Cusco. The ruins are humongous, but archeologists believe that the original site was as much as four times larger. What remains today are the impressive outer walls constructed in a zigzag formation across three levels. As with many Inca sites, the walls are made from massive, irregularly-shaped boulders that stick together like a jigsaw puzzle without any additional support. The stones are laid together so tightly that a sheet of paper will not fit into many of the cracks. As the night comes down, this is a perfect location to appreciate the stars."

"Sacsayhuaman is an impressive Inca fortress on a steep hill that overlooks all of Cusco. The ruins are humongous, but archeologists believe that the original site was as much as four times larger. What remains today are the impressive outer walls constructed in a zigzag formation across three levels. As with many Inca sites, the walls are made from massive, irregularly-shaped boulders that stick together like a jigsaw puzzle without any additional support. The stones are laid together so tightly that a sheet of paper will not fit into many of the cracks. As the night comes down, this is a perfect location to appreciate the stars."