Vitcos, Archaeological site in Vilcabamba District, Peru
Vitcos is an archaeological site set on a mountain ridge in Cusco Department, with ruins of stone structures, agricultural terraces, and ancient canals scattered across the terrain. The site showcases the Inca construction methods and settlement patterns.
The site emerged in the 16th century as a refuge for Inca nobility resisting Spanish conquest. It functioned as a key stronghold until the early 1570s.
The site held deep spiritual meaning for the Inca people who gathered here for ceremonies and daily rituals. Visitors can observe how religious spaces were organized within the settlement layout.
Reaching the site requires taking a bus from Cusco to Vilcabamba, then hiking through forested terrain with a local guide. A guide is essential for navigation and interpreting the ruins.
The ruins were known locally as Rosaspata until explorer Hiram Bingham connected them to historical records in 1911. This link between local memory and archaeological research reveals how past knowledge remained embedded in the landscape.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
