Vilcabamba

The huge ecological sector of Vilcabamba is considered as one of the places of greatest diversity in flora and fauna. It occupies a big part of the mountain chain of Vilcabamba with mountains reaching from 5000 up to 6273 meters of altitude. In this region is the canyon of Apurimac (the deepest canyon in the world), a lot of viewpoints, four archeological constructions, 15 ecological floors as well as 104 microclimates – from thorn forests up to subtropical forests. The heights vary between 1550 meters of altitude at Playa Rosalina, 4600 at Choquetacarpo and 800 meters of altitude at Chihuanquiri. This big sector, from Cachora to Chihuanquiri, extends to 224 km.
The Vilcabamba district, for its grand historic legend, is recognized as the archeological district of the province of La Convención. Its name has its origin in Quechua words as “willka” which means sacred and “pampa” which meaning is plain, complies with the important signification “mystic – religious”, which had this place for our courageous Inca ancestors. It was from here, that the last Incas from the Willkapampa dynasty governed the huge Tahuantinsuyo Empire during the last 37 years of the heroic Inca resistance.
Vitcos o Rosapata
The last capital of the Empire of Manco Inca was in the sector of the archeological district of Vilcabamba, a strategically place with an amazing panoramic view over the whole valley. This important archeological site had been constructed by order of the great Inca Pachacutec. It consists of a lot of fortresses and corridors as well as an ample central place.
Yurac Rumi
Yurac Rumi, also well-known as “ñusta hispana” is an important cut rock with different compartments. This construction with different rooms for accommodation, terraces and irrigation channels reaching until the Inca bathes is located in the posterior part of Rosapata.
The old Vilcabamba or Espiritu Pampa
The old Vilcabamba, a mysterious and important citadel, located on the Vilcabamba circuit, is an other sample of the greatness of the Inca Empire. It was also built by order of the grand Inca Pachacuteq and was the last refuge of Manco Inca in the resistance fight. This archeological citadel of great historic value contains a lot of forts, corridors and water channels.
LucmaTemple
The Lucma Temple, a religious construction that dates from the year 1578 was constructed on Inca walls by catholic Spanish people. The temple is a mystic attraction, situated in the colorful town of Lucma, capital of the Vilcabamba district. In the environs are other important archeological vestiges as Inca Huarkana, Inca Tambo and Pinkolloncca, where the rebellious Incas had been kept prisoner.
Inti Raymi or Celebration of the Sun
God Inti or God Sun was the fundamental divinity in the epoch of the Inca Empire and was considered as the creator of the universe and all the life in this world. In honor of God Inti, the Incas celebrated the most impressive Inca ceremony, a celebration full of offerings as sacrifices; they requested his protection for the Inca Empire as well as a fertile earth, alimentation, light and warmness. This amazing, colorful ceremony was called Inti Raymi or Celebration of the Sun, celebrated every year in the month of June.
The sovereign Inca of the Empire, led the celebrations in his central part offering the sacrifice of a llama and the Willac Umo or the priest read the future in the innards of the sacrificed animal, announcing important coming events.
This ceremony of Inti Raymi, full of holiness, was shared with thousand of citizens and soldiers of the Empire, who arrived from all directions singing doxologies, while the Inca princesses offered to the assistants of the priest the sacred bread and the ceremonial chicha Ajha, which the sovereign Inca used to toast in honor of the creator, the God Sun requesting wisdom to govern and prosperity for his town, good harvests, light and shelter for the Empire.
The municipality district of Vilcabamba is promoting already for several years with the intention to remember this important celebration. The ceremony of Inti Raymi takes place on the principal place of the citadel Inca de Vitcos (Rosapata) every year the 24 of June. It is still the same place for the named celebration as it was at the time of last Incas of Vilcabamba governing the Inca Empire.
This important event becomes more and more interesting due to its great colors and impression, as well to its spectacle, which put you imaginary into other times and let you feel the cosmic energy of the brave Incas from Tahuantinsuyo.