Ñaupa Iglesia
Ñaupa Iglesia
4.5
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4.5
44 reviews
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17
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Jordy Senger
Wilton Manors, FL2 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Interesting point for those who like ancient puzzling stonework. Famous waka and the "portal". Very small site. It is NOT in walkable distance from Ollantaytambo. It is also better to ride from/to Pachar than to walk. Visit it if you have extra time in the area. Not an independent destination.
Written 28 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joaquín Randall
Ollantaytambo, Peru49 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
This unique sight offers us a mysterious view into the religious world of the Incas. Hike up through rough terracing that lead to the cave entrance, as you walk in you will see the main shrine that has been carved out of the stone in the mountain, sadly the top half of the rock was destroyed by colonial priests or modern day tomb raiders. The side wall has a large niche carved into it and at the far end you will see offerings of flowers and "despachos." Many locals and travelers still make offerings to Mother Earth and the Mountain Gods at this temple.
To get here you will need to go to Pachar from where you can hike or continue by car about 5 km up the Huarocondo Valley. You will notice the small train depot at the parking sight. Walk up the train tracks 50 meters and you will see the terracing on the right. If you have time you should visit the stone paintings of llamas known as Llama Pintay only a few minutes farther up river. Naupa Iglesia can tie in nicely with a visit to Perolniyoq past the village of Socma, for a perfect ending to this day grab a pint of IPA or Stout at the Sacred Valley Brewery when you get back to the highway.
To get here you will need to go to Pachar from where you can hike or continue by car about 5 km up the Huarocondo Valley. You will notice the small train depot at the parking sight. Walk up the train tracks 50 meters and you will see the terracing on the right. If you have time you should visit the stone paintings of llamas known as Llama Pintay only a few minutes farther up river. Naupa Iglesia can tie in nicely with a visit to Perolniyoq past the village of Socma, for a perfect ending to this day grab a pint of IPA or Stout at the Sacred Valley Brewery when you get back to the highway.
Written 13 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George S
Miami Beach, FL1,620 contributions
June 2018 • Solo
This is a relatively unknown archeological site often attributed to the Incas but on further inspection probably was a product of some higher civilization whose technology has been lost in history. It is located near the town of Pachar (where currently a road is being constructed which will cut the travel time from Cusco to the Sacred Valley almost in half). You have to walk along the railroad tracks for a kilometer or so and then climb some very steep stairs up a mountainside. Once you get there, the site is a wonder.
It consists of a large portal with a double false door carved or scooped into the side of the mountain . The precision of the carvings with straight 90 degree angles is astounding. There is at the site also a beautiful black basalt rock with three seats or rectangles carved into it - an altar (?), Also carved is a partial Inca cross - simply beautiful. Once again the precision of the angles and workmanship is phenomenal. Certainly this could not be accomplished by the Incas which had only bronze and stone tools. Modern technology would have trouble duplicating these carvings today. This leads one wonder which civilization was responsible for this work.
In any case, this site is often overlooked by tourists. We were the only ones there and felt like Indiana Jones. Though of course Machu Picchu, Olly, Pisac, Moray are more prominent, this site is intellectually fascinating as well. If you are interested in ancient civilizations or lost technology this site is not to be missed!
It consists of a large portal with a double false door carved or scooped into the side of the mountain . The precision of the carvings with straight 90 degree angles is astounding. There is at the site also a beautiful black basalt rock with three seats or rectangles carved into it - an altar (?), Also carved is a partial Inca cross - simply beautiful. Once again the precision of the angles and workmanship is phenomenal. Certainly this could not be accomplished by the Incas which had only bronze and stone tools. Modern technology would have trouble duplicating these carvings today. This leads one wonder which civilization was responsible for this work.
In any case, this site is often overlooked by tourists. We were the only ones there and felt like Indiana Jones. Though of course Machu Picchu, Olly, Pisac, Moray are more prominent, this site is intellectually fascinating as well. If you are interested in ancient civilizations or lost technology this site is not to be missed!
Written 4 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amancae
Bangkok, Thailand182 contributions
Nov 2017 • Friends
I went there with a group of friends, after reading about the site and seeing photographs of the nicely carved altars used probably for ceremonial purposes linked to the cult of the death. We had trouble to find the site as it was not properly signposted. Basically you have to cross the Pachar bridge, on the left on the road from Urubamba to Ollantaytambo, and continue on the road to Cusco and continue until a bridge where the railroad appear at your right. Walk with due care on the railroad for about 50 ms. And climb the terraces until the cave area uphill which is Naupa iglesia. Unfortunately after all our effort we found a drunk or drugged bunch of foreigners, led by and alleged anthropologist no doubt illegally working as such to take naive tourists there in association with an alleged shaman with a straw dog that attack other people approaching whilst they perform laughable rites of purification whilst sitting cross legged on a beautiful carved niche that possibly was used to set a mummy in the past so wearing and tearing the niche, burning marihuana and other herbs on this unique patrimonial site !!!!! in spite of a nearby warning prohibiting to do all these vandalic acts , not just on the grounds of archaeological preservation but also to prevent wild fires. Moreover, these despicable people had all their belongings spread on the impressive black polished carvings on the altar rock that sits at the entrance of the cave were they kneeled after their rite wearing a jaguar skin -a protected species no doubt illegally killed for their benefit- on their heads to "connect" .....
when we asked them to remove this items to take a photo their foreign leader and the shaman reacted aggressively towards us and refused to let us do so until they finished their rites but since they're were about six and each a took time to do their rites, we had to leave without taking photos. We went to the Police station in Ollantaytambo to tell our experience. Please do the same in case you encounter these people to preserve Ñaupa Iglesia and your right to visit it.
when we asked them to remove this items to take a photo their foreign leader and the shaman reacted aggressively towards us and refused to let us do so until they finished their rites but since they're were about six and each a took time to do their rites, we had to leave without taking photos. We went to the Police station in Ollantaytambo to tell our experience. Please do the same in case you encounter these people to preserve Ñaupa Iglesia and your right to visit it.
Written 28 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew A
Reading, PA118 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
We are staying on the edge of town on Urubamba. We just walked up to the main drag, waived down the first white van (collectivo) I saw and my wife and I squeezed into a 12 passenger van that already had about 18 people in it. Maybe 8 miles later we were at Puente Pachar- the Bridge to Pachar. We mentioned ahead of time that we wanted to stop here, but it's a popular stop anyway. On your way out you hand the driver 2 soles (60 cents).
-cross the bridge
-turn right unless you want to walk through the center of town. Not much to see.
-in 2 blocks the railroad tracks go straight, you turn left to follow the main road
-go as far as you can and the road turns right, over a bridge and over rail tracks. You climb gently for a short while and then back down to meet the tracks at km 59. There is a lone rail car sitting here and you would park around here if you drove up.
-walk along the tracks for maybe 50 yards to the right. You will see the blue sign and terraced walls.
-45 minute walk to the base of the ruins from the bridge
-15 minute scramble up steep steps and switchbacks to the cave/ altar area.
Beautiful views, amazing stone artistry.
We did walk another 1/2 hour up the road to a blue sign marking the location of paintings of llamas and a cross on a stone cliff face across the small river- but they were not particularly impressive.
-cross the bridge
-turn right unless you want to walk through the center of town. Not much to see.
-in 2 blocks the railroad tracks go straight, you turn left to follow the main road
-go as far as you can and the road turns right, over a bridge and over rail tracks. You climb gently for a short while and then back down to meet the tracks at km 59. There is a lone rail car sitting here and you would park around here if you drove up.
-walk along the tracks for maybe 50 yards to the right. You will see the blue sign and terraced walls.
-45 minute walk to the base of the ruins from the bridge
-15 minute scramble up steep steps and switchbacks to the cave/ altar area.
Beautiful views, amazing stone artistry.
We did walk another 1/2 hour up the road to a blue sign marking the location of paintings of llamas and a cross on a stone cliff face across the small river- but they were not particularly impressive.
Written 1 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hearts_cafe
Cuzco22 contributions
June 2015 • Friends
Ok now to really appreciate this place you need to understand a bit of andean cosmovision. The Incas were aware of the importance of religion in relation to the stars and nature. Coricancha was the religious center and from there like if it was a huge sun it would expand in all directions twords each cardinal point in the empire each point had a different way of being represented in the physical plane it could be a waterfall,a river, a lake or a temple like here if your looking for a sacred place that hasen`t been under to much influence of the catholic conquest this probably one of the last examples of true Inca religion.
Written 28 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vjrechel
Lisbon, Portugal8 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
Small, but special site. Some say it's Incan but others believe it's much older.
Close to Ollantaytambo and worth a visit.
Close to Ollantaytambo and worth a visit.
Written 29 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kirstine2013
Albuquerque, NM786 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
Situated a short drive from the town of Pachar, just outside of Ollantaytambo, this cave like sacred site is certainly worth the climb along the well marked path from the rail tracks. The main beautiful altar was damaged by dynamite in the past but still retains powerful energy where you can balance masculine and feminine energies to experience oneness in the central portal. The portal cut into the wall on the right has 2 levels: one for your physical body to pass through and one for your spirit to pass through. At the back of the cave, is said to be the main portal where spirits pass between the dimensions. Quieting all expectations,helped me to experience their presence. .
Written 30 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mandy
Toronto, Canada167 contributions
May 2017 • Family
This site is a 20 minute taxi ride from Ollantaytambo town. The entrance to the hike is by the railroad. It's about half hour to hike to the cave. Some part of the hike is quite steep.
Many unanswered questions about this cave and very less information on this cave. There are 2 inverted V shaped carved rocks, one is the entrance, the other is smaller size at the inner end of the cave.
The location is very remote, we were the only visitors there during the time we visited. It's worth your time to explore and visit this site.
Many unanswered questions about this cave and very less information on this cave. There are 2 inverted V shaped carved rocks, one is the entrance, the other is smaller size at the inner end of the cave.
The location is very remote, we were the only visitors there during the time we visited. It's worth your time to explore and visit this site.
Written 26 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peru Eco Expeditions
Cusco, Peru66 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the stonemasonry that is exhibited in this cave. The altars are impeccable constructed and the hike up to the cave offers great views of the mountains & valley below. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is in the area!
Written 10 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hay tours para Ñaupa iglesias,cuánto esta? Y si no,cómo llego allí? Graciass
Written 25 March 2019
I would like to know how difficult the hike is to Naupa Iglesia? I have been to Peru many times but have never been to this site. My concern is I do have knee issues and I'm 69, on my last trip in 2015 did not do the hike to the Pisak ruins as I felt it was too much for me. I've done that hike several times in years past. Is this climb easier than getting to Pisak?
Written 5 January 2019
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