“It had been just over an hour since the aircraft had taken off from Lima, the capital of Peru. As we approached the moment of landing in the city of Cusco, a different feeling of ecstasy and mystery gripped everyone on the plane. It was as if, flying over the Andes Mountains, a dimensional portal had opened. Even the turbulence felt different upon arriving at the ancient capital of the Inca Empire.” Welcome to the magical and enchanting atmosphere surrounding Cusco and all its visitors. In this blog, we’ll share a little about the myths and legends in the Peruvian Andes.
Walking through the narrow streets of Cusco, every part of the historic city is imbued with a peculiar Andean mysticism. Ornaments, small objects that appear here and there, and specific places and images remind us that we are in an ancient capital of legends, myths, heroes, and gods. This is the essence of Andean spirituality, based on their deities, the beings of nature.
In the Andean worldview, our Mother Earth is Pachamama, one of the principal deities in Bolivian and Peruvian Andean cultures. She is understood as a living being that gives life, sustenance, and assistance and is present all over the Earth. The awareness of Pachamama proposes the search for an ideal energetic balance that sustains ecosystems. The Inca trilogy represents their view of the world, composed of the condor, the puma, and the serpent.
This trilogy, represented in many structures in Cusco and the Temple of the Three Windows in Machu Picchu, symbolizes the world of the gods, the living, and the dead. In the pantheistic conception of the Inca world, the Sun, the Moon, the Earth, plants, animals, and everything around them are divine beings with life. Their main gods are the Sun (Inti), the Earth (Pachamama), the Moon (Killa), lightning (Illapa), the mountains (Apus), and many other divinities. From here, the myths and legends of the Peruvian Andes arise, a bridge to the essence of this place and its people.
- Who Created the World? Viracocha
- The Birth of the Inca Civilization
- The Protector of Lake Titicaca
- The City in the Shape of a Puma
- The Mysterious Tunnels of Qoricancha
- Atahualpa’s Head
- Atahualpa’s Treasure
- The Mystery of Machu Picchu
- The Ayar Brothers and the Legend of Creation
- Who is Inti, the Sun God?
- The Curse of Pachacámac
- The Charms of Alpaca Wool
- The Apus: Protectors of the mountains
- The Tragic Love Story of Pitusiray and Sawasiray
- The Hidden Treasure of Paititi: Myth or Legend?
- You might be interested in:
Who Created the World? Viracocha
Viracocha, the creator god, was known before the rise of the Incas and is present in the stories of the ancient inhabitants of the Andean lands. According to legend, after a great flood that destroyed the previous world, he emerged from the waters of the highest lake in the world, Lake Titicaca. He is said to have recreated humanity from stones, molding the first men and women.
Viracocha didn’t stop there. He traveled through the Andean mountains, teaching people how to cultivate, build, and live harmoniously with nature. After completing his mission, the legend says he disappeared, walking over the waters of the Pacific Ocean, promising to return in times of scarcity and need.

The Birth of the Inca Civilization
Millions of years ago, Wiracocha, creator of the universe, gave life to his two children, Mama Ocllo (daughter of the Moon) and Manco Cápac (son of the Sun), in Lake Titicaca. They were sent with the divine mission of establishing a kingdom on Earth. Together, they were tasked with finding a place to build their empire.
When they arrived in the Andean highlands, Manco buried his staff in the ground, which opened and absorbed it. Thus, the city of Cusco, “the navel of the world,” was founded. For years, this was chosen as the capital of the Inca Empire, a powerful and advanced civilization.

The Protector of Lake Titicaca
Another legend surrounding Lake Titicaca speaks of a mythical creature known as “Kusillo,” considered the guardian of its waters and protector of the local fishermen. The locals believe that Kusillo appears in the form of a giant fish.

The City in the Shape of a Puma
It is said that the city of Cusco was built in the shape of a puma. Indeed, if we analyze it, we can see the well-defined outline of this animal, with the Head being the Sacsayhuamán Fortress, an iconic and incredible place in itself! The entire Cusco region is shrouded in mysteries.

The Mysterious Tunnels of Qoricancha
Between the Temple of the Sun and the Church of Santo Domingo, there are said to be several secret tunnels built by the Incas, connecting to the most unexpected places, such as Lake Titicaca. One legend tells of an island called Amantaní, located in the highest navigable lake in the world, where a tunnel is believed to connect it to Qoricancha in Cusco. If true, imagine a tunnel passing beneath Lake Titicaca, stretching over 424.6 km!
Atahualpa’s Head
The last Inca emperor also has an impressive legend. Atahualpa, captured and executed by the Spanish in 1533, is said to have had his Head buried in the city of Cusco. The purpose was for the Earth to eventually rebuild his body so he could return and free the empire from those who did not respect his people.
Atahualpa’s Treasure
Another legend involves Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor before the arrival of the Spanish. The legend says he promised to fill one room with gold and two with silver in exchange for his freedom, but the Spanish conquistadors betrayed him and executed him, though not before receiving the treasure. Many believe this lost treasure is still hidden somewhere in Peru, waiting to be found.
The Mystery of Machu Picchu
Those who believe that Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, is merely an impressive archaeological site cannot imagine the numerous mysteries and legends surrounding this citadel. What could have led the Incas to abandon Machu Picchu so abruptly?

The Ayar Brothers and the Legend of Creation
Another legend tells of the creation of the ancient capital of the Inca Empire: the legend of the Ayar brothers, mythical figures, and direct descendants of Inti, the Sun God. Four brave brothers with unique abilities, whose names were Ayar Manco, Ayar Cachi, Ayar Uchu, and Ayar Auca, emerged from Pacaritambo.
Together, they embarked on an epic journey, guided by a mysterious golden staff given to Ayar Manco in a dream by Inti. The power of this stuff was to indicate the exact place to find the promised land.
After a path full of challenges and transformations, Ayar Manco and Ayar Auca finally arrived at a plain in the Cusco Valley, where the staff sank into the ground, marking the sacred place. Thus, the foundation of the Inca civilization was born, a place chosen to house one of the greatest empires of all time.
Who is Inti, the Sun God?
Inti, the Sun God, is the central figure in Inca mythology and one of the main gods worshiped in Cusco. The legend tells us that Inti created the Incas and granted them power and wisdom to rule their empire. The worship of Inti influenced the political and social structure of the Inca Empire. It was responsible for constructing essential temples and iconic structures in Cusco, such as Qoricancha, the temple dedicated to him.

The Curse of Pachacámac
Pachacámac is an archaeological site in Peru dedicated to a god of the same name. According to legend, the priests of Pachacámac could foresee the future, but no one could know the content of their prophecies. Thus, the city’s destruction by an earthquake is attributed to a curse cast by the priests.
The Charms of Alpaca Wool
You probably already know that alpaca wool is an integral part of Peruvian culture, but did you know it has its legends? Tales indicate that alpacas were considered sacred animals by the Inca culture, and their wool was used in special rituals to attract good luck and ward off evil.

The Apus: Protectors of the mountains
According to Andean traditions, the mountains are living beings accompanied by spirits called Apus, responsible for protecting communities and their visitors. Since the time of the Incas, it has been believed that the mountains are inhabited by powerful spirits tasked with ensuring the balance between humans and nature. Among the most revered Apus are the Ausangate Mountain, near Cusco, and the Salkantay Peak, which dominates the southern horizon of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
To this day, the Apus is invoked and honored in agricultural and religious ceremonies throughout the region through offerings such as coca leaves, chicha (a fermented corn drink), and other gifts presented to the mountain before starting a trek, planting or building a house. These rituals reflect the deep spiritual relationship between the Andean people and the forces of nature.

The Tragic Love Story of Pitusiray and Sawasiray
In the Sacred Valley of the Incas, there are two snow-capped mountains whose legend is one of the saddest told in the Andes: the tragic love story of two young lovers named Pitusiray and Sawasiray. According to legend, they faced the wrath of the gods and their families, who did not allow their union.
The couple fled to the mountains, hoping to live in peace, but they were unsuccessful. They were pursued by warriors sent by their parents. They were punished and transformed into two snow-capped mountains, condemned to see each other forever, separated for eternity.
Those who pass through the Sacred Valley, near Calca, can see the Pitusiray and Sawasiray mountains, standing opposite each other. They are considered symbols of true love and sacrifice. Each year, in October, Calca celebrates the Uno Raymi festival, which honors this legend with parades, dances, and traditional ceremonies.

The Hidden Treasure of Paititi: Myth or Legend?
The legend of Paititi, which has captured the imagination of explorers and adventurers for centuries, tells of a fabulous treasure hidden in the Peruvian jungle, an undiscovered remnant of the wealth of the Inca Empire. The search for Paititi’s treasure is a quest for material riches and a journey into the heart of the legends and myths surrounding the Andes, further fueling the fascination with the unknown and the mystery in the Cusco region.
Have you been to Peru or counting the days you will visit? Get ready: the country will surprise you magically and captivatingly. You will probably remember our blog when you encounter the legends and myths of Andean culture. We would love to know which legend you liked the most or which you think best represents Cusco. Do you know of any legend that isn’t mentioned in this blog? Tell us about it!

Leave A Reply