Huacas were not considered merely objects or places, but more specifically ... just like for the Inca before them, landscapes retain their sacred power.

Some 500 years ago, says Bauer, pilgrims journeyed here to worship at the steep outcrop, once regarded as one of the most sacred places in the empire: the birthplace of the Inca dynasty.

At over 6,000 metres, Mt Ampato is one of the highest mountains in Peru, and a place were the Inca used in one of their most dramatic and powerful religious ceremonies: human sacrifice.

Ollantaytambo, a historic town nestled in Peru's Sacred Valley of the Incas, was listed by The New York Times as one of the 52 Places to Go in 2025 for its blend of history, culture, and gastronomy.