Pisac, Peru

At the entrance to the valle sagrado, about 10,000 feet above sea level in the western Andes, the ruins of Pisac have stood above the Inca capital (modern day Cuzco) for centuries. The enormous terraces and fortress-like walls fill up most of the remote mountaintop.

The view from the ruins high atop the mountain is breathtaking, as is the elevation. The jagged peaks of the Andes gouge through passing clouds and perforate the tranquil blue skies.
A small 'micro'--basically an old minivan converted into somewhat of a mass transport vehicle--takes you from the small village market below and up through the winding roads clinging to the mountain's edge. Once there, a long steep walk to the ruins offers the road-weary traveler an opportunity to view the ruins from different angles, have moments of solitude and bewilderment among the majestically carved city, and sweat out some of the unreasonable amounts of Cusquena cerveza and vodka happily handed out all night and morning in the international tourist friendly city below.