Can you say Ollantaytambo?

We spent the morning of Day 5 in Ollantaytambo, a lovely, well-preserved Incan village where we had the chance to walk its streets, observe the innovative waterways, and climb its Temple of the Sun.

From the town square we could see some of the ancient structures high on the hillside.

Our guide took us through various areas of the settlement, pointing out the sacred waterfalls and other important elements of Incan culture.                                                                                         

Later we had an opportunity to climb the Temple of the Sun.

I made it part way up but decided I wasn't too proud to give up the climb. Luckily, I had a good vantage point when Henry climbed on.

Henry made it "to the toppest" while I shopped in the market and people-watched.

Just before lunch we returned to Casa Andina for a cooking demonstration.

After lunch, we had an opportunity to meet a shaman or native healer who demonstrated a ceremonial offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth).

In an animistic religion, everything in nature is alive: the rocks, trees, wind ,etc. Everything is based on reciprocity -- to pay back for what one receives.

After dinner, we watched a folkloric show. Dancers appeared out of the dark, most of them on stilts, moving gracefully across the grass.