Tipon: an Inca terraforming masterpiece

Located near Cusco, Tipon isn’t mind-blowing like Machu Pic’chu or Ollantaytambo. But it is an amazing place.

I realize I’ve been kind of slamming the Incas: not because they were incapable of the megalithic work they built on, which is technologically more advanced than anything we can do even now, but because of the “stupid history” that gives them credit for work they could not possibly have done.

I didn’t show it yesterday, but here’s the side of the cave opposite the megalithic “portal.” Megalithic “altar” behind the dude with the hat.

Umm, not quite megalithic.
Umm, not quite megalithic. Not complaining, just saying.

Tipon has a number of well-watered terraces, a collection of microclimates. But your first introduction is a small gurgling waterfall.

Tipon. Cusco, Perú

Channeled from another waterfall.

Tipon. Cusco, Perú

And then you realize there are many of them, on every wall, every corner.

Tipon. Cusco, Perú

Our guide, shaman Dr. Theo Paredes, urged us to pay attention to the distinct sounds of each. When I observed many empty streams (the walls above and to the left), he explained that work was being done on the aqueduct from the source, 2 km away. I could only imagine that with all flowing, the atmosphere must be magic. As it was, all who visited left feeling energized.

Near the very top, the water enters through four streams. Simple, yes?

Tipon. Cusco, Perú

No! The water enters as one stream, which is divided into two streams, which recombine to one stream, which is then fanned out into four channels (that is not just perspective; the final four streams are farther apart at the end than the beginning).

Tipon. Cusco, Perú

As Theo tried to explain, what’s going on here is a profound understanding of energies we tend to ignore. Given his credentials —  struck by lightning twice, first time at age 11 — I am happy to accept his word that more is happening here than I perceive.

Tipon, Peru

So it was a place of healing as well as agriculture. And it wouldn’t have been monochromatic — amazing to imagine the effect of the water and geometry with the terraces planted in vibrant colors. Why not?

tulips

2 thoughts on “Tipon: an Inca terraforming masterpiece

  1. I thoroughly enjoyed the photos and interesting information from your vacation. How blessed/lucky you were to have had such a wonderful opportunity. Thanks for posting. I was so impressed by the Paracas elongated skulls, your expose on Ika stones, your photos contrasting the stonework at Machu Pic’chu, the massive stones with Lego-like protrusions at Ollantaytambo, the strange portals and dizzying heights, and most impressive – the terraced gardens of Tipon – how beautiful. I can imagine those terraces planted in red and gold amaranth, black corn, purple potatoes, and fields of pink quinoa. Wow!

  2. Thanks Norma! I really appreciate your feedback.

    Though I’ve never considered myself a “tour” person, in this case traveling with Brien Foerster’s HiddenIncaTours.com provided a wealth of insight, from him and his amazing contacts, that I would never have had otherwise. For example, that Tipon was colorful — that suggestion from Theo Paredes was a revelation that transformed the entire experience. Wow indeed.

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