We took a day trip from Cuenca through beautiful countryside to Ingapirca, a town in Cañar Province, Ecuador which is named after an Inca archeological site just outside the town. Ingapirca means Inca Wall. These are the largest known Inca ruins in Ecuador.
At Ingapirca they developed a complex underground aqueduct system to provide water to the entire compound.
The stonework is beautiful – the green color is natural.
The Incas were not the first inhabitants of Ingapirca. It had long been settled by the Cañari indigenous people, who called it Hatun Cañar.
The most significant building is the Temple of the Sun, an elliptically shaped building constructed around a large rock. They worshipped both the sun and the moon.
The buildings are constructed in the Inca way without mortar in most of the complex. The stones were carefully chiseled and fashioned to fit together perfectly.
The Temple of the Sun was positioned so that on the solstices, at exactly the right time of day, sunlight would fall through the center of the doorway of the small chamber at the top of the temple. Most of this chamber has fallen down.
Homes and farms in the surrounding rugged countryside were accessible by footpath only.
The Inca Man in the rock
Carved rock
The weather changes there are usually within minutes of each other, calm and sunny one minute and rainy, windy, and cold another minute. The scenery was stunningly beautiful.
Another little cutie!
Meet You In The Morning 
Hi Merrill;
Wow! What a day trip! Very beautiful. But, at 12,000 feet that air must be really thin. Wonderful history throughout that region. Thanks for the tour.
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GeorgAnna, we’ve never experienced any discomfort or altitude sickness. Maybe we are acclimated! Wonder what we’ll feel when we land back at sea level?
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Great pictures. You look so great. If it were me on the trip I would not look so fashionable! It would be jeans, t-shirt, and a sweatshirt. plus my camera vest! Am so enjoying your trip!
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Thanks Jeanne! A simple scarf works miracles!
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Merril,
You look so good, and also happy. I check your blog every Sunday morning before heading off to church, and pray God’s protection over you continually. Travel has challenges, but what in life doesn’t?
You are making wonderful memories. Your photography is excellent.
Dorothy B.
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Hi Dorothy,
I AM happy! Thanks for faithfully reading and for your encouragement and prayers. We’ve been blessed not to experience any serious illness or problems. Thank the Lord for that!
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Good photos.
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Thanks for saying so! Happy travels.
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