4 Seasons of Winter - The Trail to Machu Picchu

South America is rich with history and culture. Peru has a history dating back to 3,000 years B.C. and does not just include the Inca Empire. Many different civilizations thrived throughout the country. The earliest communities flourished in the valleys between the Andes and the arid coast, the Andean highlands, and the Amazon. One of the first civilization in Peru, and one of the oldest civilizations in the world, was the Norte Chico.

The Inca Empire

Inca Empire spanning from modern day Chile to Ecuador and including Peru. — Map of the extent of the Inca Empire and their royal road network. From Cambridge University

While they weren’t the only pre-Colombian civilization, The Incas grew from a small tribe to the largest empire in South America. From humble beginnings in the Cusco Valley during the 11th century, the Inca Empire grew to encompass the area from Chile to Ecuador. This expansion occurred between 1438 and 1500. If you read the full version of this period in Incan history, lots of drama, betrayal, and fighting occurred. Check it out, here. It really is an old school soap opera.

Machu Picchu was built as the royal estate in 1459 by Pachacuti. The royal road network, including the Inca Trail, was also established during this period. The royal road network was an essential component of their economy and culture.

Incan Culture and Economy

The Inca had no written language system and their economy was based in textiles. They developed a unique weaving technique that is slowing disappearing from the world today. The Inca were also known for their artistic maps, engineering abilities, and ornate use of natural minerals. Additionally, corn beer was a staple of their social scene and is still prominent today in Peru.

Religion in the Inca Empire was complex and culminated in the worship of the sun and the earth. Pachamama is the goddess of the earth and fertility, while Inti is the sun god. The most well known religious temple is The Sun Temple in Cusco. Many other temples can be found throughout the extent of what was once the Inca Empire. The Inca also practiced sacrifice, both human and animal, for important occasions.

Guinea Pigs (Cuy)

Lets talk about Guinea Pigs. Many of us see them as cute little pets. However, for over 5,000 years Guinea Pigs were an important part of pre-colonial diets in Peru. The Inca rulers utilized them as a source of protein. Guinea Pigs were also used by the Inca in fortune telling ceremonies and as sacrifices.

Today, Guinea Pigs are considered a delicacy in throughout South America, including Peru, Ecuador, and Chile. It is not uncommon to find street vendors selling “Cuy”. In Peru, these little guys get their own national holiday, the 2nd Friday in October.

Spanish Rule in Peru

Map of Peru — *Map from* *smartraveller*

Civil war began to break out in the Inca Empire, and around that time the Spanish arrived in South America. The Spanish used the civil war to kidnap, and eventually execute, the Inca Emperor and split the large empire. By 1534, Cusco had been captured, and in 1535 Lima, “City of Kings”, was founded on the coast. Between 1535 and 1572, the independent Inca State existed in the remote mountainous region of Peru in the Amazon.

Lima

In 1542 the Spanish established Lina as the viceroyalty of Peru. Shortly after Peru became the primary source of Spanish wealth and power in South America. Lima served as the religious, cultural, commercial, and justice center of Peru. There are many historic palaces and churches throughout Lima, which now serves as the capital of Peru.

Independent Peru

Peru remained under Spanish rule until 1824, when they gained their Independence. For Peru, Independence came with many difficulties. Throughout the 1800s there were power struggles, expensive wars, and the need for social and economic reforms. During the 1900s, the government went through periods of dictatorship, military rule, and democracy. Today the Peruvian Government remains a volatile democracy.