Researchers have just discovered, in the Atacama desert (north of Chile), an astronomical calendar built by the Inca empire! It is located on the ancient network of roads, which spans from western Argentina, north of Chile until Colombia!
Astronomical Calendar Discovered
Really a major finding. The empire also ruled a good section of today’s Chile, and they built a large, complex structure of roads to connect and control the territory, which was called Qapac Nan. Nowadays the Trails to Machu Picchu use those very paths, the ones laid to interconnect the Cusco region.
The objects found in the desert north of Chile are called saywas, short stone towers strategically placed in order to give much needed astronomical information. The concrete findings of the multidisciplinary research team are the following:
- Two of the saywas exactly align with the Autumn equinox (March 21st in the Southern hemisphere)
- Two other saywas exactly align with the Winter solstice (June 21st in the Southern hemisphere)
Overall, the saywas are indeed astronomical devices used to plan and mark important activities for the Incas; as an example, the Winter solstice meant the beginning of their lunar year, which in turn signaled the beginning of the sowing season (agriculture was Incas’ most important economic resource). Astronomers who joined the research team could not help noticing the choice of the area for building the saywas calendar complex was quite precise, for it is really close to the present-day observatory!
Researchers discover an Inca calendar in the Atacama desert.
The Cusco Inca Trails
These are already quite renowned worldwide among hikers! The Cusco region Trails cover sections of the Qapac Nan which were meant to interconnect Cusco City, Winaywayna, Machu Picchu and so on. You will hike across majestic landscapes, planes and valleys, canyons, snowies and green mountains, fantastic Inca archaeological sites, camping at nights and enjoying a pure air, healthy, energetic environment. And finally the amazing arrival and tour of the Machu Picchu citadel (which has its own saywa, called the Intihuatana ”ties the Sun”).
TOUR IN PERU is an expert travel operator for all Inca Trails. The Classic 4-Day Trail and the Short 2-Day are subject to availability, you must start booking actions with good advance, because permits sell out quickly. On this website we keep a calendar updated in real time. You can also contact us for any inquiry.
Our other premier Inca Trails: the Lares Trek (4 days), Salkantay Trek (5 days), Inca Jungle (4 days) and the brand new Choquequirao Trek (4 days, Machu Picchu’s “sister citadel”) are available daily, all year round. You will find another saywas along the way. Please check the descriptions on this website.
You will find so many wonders along the Trails! Do the hiking research and contact us for booking your next traveling adventure!
