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The region Cusco is the most well known by its arecheaological site " Machu Picchu". Cusco is bordered by the Ucayali Region on the north; the Madre de Dios and Puno regions on the east; the Arequipa Region on the south; and the Apurimac, Ayacucho and Junin regions on the west. Its capital is the city of Cusco, the capital of the Inca Impire. Its elevation (Lowest town 532 m. Pilcobamba) (Highest town 4,801 meters Suyckutambi)
Cuzco is a city in southeastern Peru, it is the capital of the Cusco region, and it is near the Urubamba Valley (Sacred Valley) of the Andes mountain range. The city has a population of about 300,000. The altitude of the city, located on the eastern end of the Knot of Cusco, is around 3,500 m. (11,500 feet)
Cusco region is divided into 13 provinces which are composed of 107 districts. The provinces and their capitals are as follows:
Anta ( Anta ).
Acomayo ( Acomayo )
Calca ( Calca )
Canas ( Yanaoaca )
Canchas ( Sicuani )
Chumbivilcas ( Santo Tomás )
Cusco ( Cusco )
Espinar ( Yauri )
La Convención ( Quillabamba )
Paruro ( Paruro )
Paucartambo ( Paucartambo )
Quispicanchi ( Urcos )
Urubamba ( Urubamba )

Machu Picchu, located about 2,350 meters above sea level. It is one of the most important archaeological centers in South America and as a consequence the most visited tourist attraction in Peru. It is located 112 km away from Cusco. The space is composed of 140 constructions including temples, sanctuaries, parks and residences.
Its name Machu Picchu ( in Quechua language ) which means: old peak, old hill or huge hill. forgotten for centuries by outside world. It was brought back by the archaeological Hiram Bingham, who discovered it in 1911 and wrote a best selling work about it.
All of the construction in Machu Picchu uses the classic Inca architectural style of polished dry-stone walls of regular shape. The Incas were masters of this technique, in which blocks of stone are cut to fit together tightly without mortar. Many junctions are so perfect that even a knife fits between the stones. The Incas never used the wheel in any practical manner. How they moved and placed enormous blocks of stones is a mystery, although the general belief is that they used hundreds of men to push the stones up inclined planes. The Incas did not leave any documentation about that process, because the writing they employed, called Khipus, is yet to be concerned.
There are more than one hundred steps stone often completely carved in a single block of granite and a great number of water fountains, interconnected by channels and water drainages perforated in the rock, designed for the original irrigation system.
All visits to Machu Picchu at some point leave from Cusco, which can be reached via a domestic flight from Lima. Taking the tourist train from Cusco (which takes 3.30 hours to get Machu Picchu), you have several options.
The way to go to Machu Picchu. take the train to Machu Picchu in the morning, explore the ruins for a few hours and return to Cusco in the afternoon.The train terminates at Puente Ruinas Station, where buses take tourists up the mountain to Machu Picchu.
Another option is to hike the Inca Trail, on either a four-day or two day version, both of which are controlled by the government. They require travelers to be reasonably fit. The Inca Trail takes a few days, and involves sleeping in tents.
Another option is to stay overnight near the ruins. There are many hotels at nearby Aguas Calientes. Buses run from Aguas Calientes to the ruins through the day, an 8 km ride up the mountain (approximately one hour and a half by walking).
The Sacred Valley, is located at 15 km to the North of Cusco. It is at 27 km (1 hour) to the Northeast of Cusco and you can get there through an asphalted road in good conditions.
The term Sacred Valley of the Incas is used to refer to the valley of the Urubamba River, especially between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Its altitude is about 2,900 meters above see level. It is possible to get there by two asphalted roads: the first one is the most used leaving from Cusco by Chinchero (28km) to Urubamba (57 km). The second important road leaves from Cusco to the northeast towards Pisac (32 km) going next to the Vilcanota River up to the village of Calca (50 km) exactly in the heart of the valley. The first route is the most used due to its excellent conditions.
This Sacred Valley of the Incas is a valley in the Andes of Peru , close to the Inca capital of Cusco. It is fed by numerous rivers which descend through adjoining valleys and gorges, and contains numerous archaeological remains and villages. The valley was one of the empire’s main points for the extraction of natural wealth, and the best place for maize (corn) production in Peru. The Sacred Valley is generally understood to include everything between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, parallel to the Urubamba river or Vilcanota or Wilcamayu river, places in which you will see lots of archaeological sites.
Its climate is not so severe. As in any other place on this altitude, its climate has two seasons: rainy and dry season. Rainy season is between November and April. The heavy rain may fall suddenly and unfortunately we can not always enjoy a blue sky. But rainy season has its advantages as the hills are covered with thick grass and it is warm.
The weather from June to October the mornings are warm with brilliant sunshine, though it can get quite cool in the shade. At night temperatures can drop to 10ºC.
The weather from December to April showers and downpours are common, followed by bright, intense sunshine. We recommend to take a raincoat or umbrella to protect yourself from the rain.
Plaza de Armas known as Huacaypata, is which means cry or moan. Tradition says that it was designed by its founder, Inca Manco Cápac, as the symbolic center of the empire. There, Túpac Amaru and his wife, Micaela Bastidas and their children were executed for fighting against Spanish oppression.
The Temple of Sacsayhuamán. At a walking distance from the center, it has big walls of monumental stones distributed in zigzag and in three platforms that have an average of 360 meters (1,181 ft). There are stones of as much as 9 mt (30 ft) long and 5 mt (16 ft) wide. Sacsayhuamán is a walled complex near the old city of Cusco. Some believe the walls were a form of fortification, while others believe it was only used to form the head of the Puma that Sacsayhuamán along with Cuzco form when seen from above. Like all Inca stonework there is still mystery surrounding how they were constructed. Thanks to an as yet unexplained precision in stone-cutting, the structure is built in such a way that a single piece of paper will not fit between two stones. This precision, combined with the rounded corners of the limestone blocks, the variety of their interlocking shapes, and the way the walls lean inward (ubiquitous in Inca architecture), is thought to increase the ruins' incredible durability--devastating earthquakes in Cuzco have left it undamaged. The Spanish harvested a large quantity of rock from the walls of the structure to build churches in Cuzco, which is why the walls are in perfect condition up to a certain height, and missing above that point.
Tambomachay, known as the Baños del Inca (Baths of the Inca). Clear running water flows through the stairways, and it is said to have been a sanctuary for water worship.  Puca Pucará Red Fortress formed by terraces, stairways, turrets, urns, vaulted niches and platforms.

The Kenco Amphitheater. Built in rock, it is said to have been an Inca worship site. There are passages, canals, and stairways with stone engravings representing the puma, a sacred animal.
Barrio de San Blas. The quarter of San Blas is located a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas. It is well-known for housing the workshops of the most important Cusqueño artisans, such as, the Mendivil family, Olave and Mérida. The local church has a famous 400 years old pulpit, beautifully carved in a sole piece of wood.
Koricancha or The Temple of The Sun,constructed during the rule of Inca Pachacutec.
Among the churches and monasteries, the Cathedral, San Francisco, Santo Domingo, Santa Catalina, San Pedro, Santa Clara, La Compañía, San Cristóbal and La Merced are the most important. La Merced houses a famous 1720 gold monstrance weighing 22 kilos, encased with 1,805 diamonds and other 615 precious stones, such as rubies, topazes, and emeralds.
Among the mansions, the most outstanding are, Casa de los Cuatro Bustos, Casa de los Marqueses de San Juan de Buena Vista y Rocafuerte, Palacio del Almirante, and Casa Solariega, where the Inca Garcilazo de la Vega was born.
Oropesa. Known as the land of bread. The people are dedicated to cooking home-made bread in the most varied forms and flavors.
Piquillacta, an archeological pre-Inca construction of 63 hectares. It is geometrically surrounded by terraces and walls that withhold high and unique buildings. It is said that it served as a defense and food storage station.
Andahuaylillas. It is famous for its chapel constructed in 1580 and known as The Peruvian Sixtine Chapel. The external simplicity of the building contrasts with an interior housing Colonial Baroque style golden altars, murals, polychrome ceilings and paintings.
Pisac, is famous for its Sunday mass attended by the mayors of the surrounding villages typically dressed. Another atraction of Pisac is the Sunday market where people trade different things including the famous Pisac Ceramics. Don't wait the sunday Market.
INTI RAYMI
The Inti Raymi ("Festival of the Sun") was a religious ceremony of the Inca Empire in honor of the god Inti. It also marked the winter solstice and a new year in the Andes of the Southern Hemisphere. Since 1944, a theatrical representation of the Inti Raymi has been taking place at Sacsayhuamán (two km. from Cusco) on June 24 of each year, attracting thousands of tourists and local visitors.
During the Inca Empire, the Inti Raymi was the most important of four ceremonies celebrated in Cusco, as related by Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. The ceremony was also said to indicate the mythical origin of the Incas, lasting nine days of colorful dances and processions, as well as animal sacrifices to ensure a good cropping season. The last Inti Raymi with the Inca Emperor's presence was carried out in 1535, after which the Spanish conquest and the Catholic Church suppressed it. Some natives participated in similar ceremonies in the years after, but it was completely prohibited in 1572 by the Viceroy Francisco de Toledo, who claimed it was a pagan ceremony opposed to the Catholic faith.
In 1944, a historical reconstruction of the Inti Raymi was directed by Faustino Espinoza Navarro and indigenous actors. The first reconstruction was largely based on the chronicles of Garcilaso de la Vega and only referred to the religious ceremony.
The festival of Inti Raymi, which honours the sun-god, now attracts thousands of tourists each year to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire.
The festival was held in Cuzco and was attended by the four nations of Tahuantinsuyu. In Quechua, Inti Raymi, means "resurrection of the sun." Military captains, government officials, and the vassals who attended were dressed in their best costumes, and carried their best weapons and instruments.
Preparation for the festival of Inti Raymi began with a fast of three days, where also during those days there was no fire lit and the people refrained from sexual intercourse. This festival itself would last nine days, and during this time the people consumed massive amounts of food and drink. There were many sacrifices as well which were all performed on the first day. After the nine days everyone would leave with the permission of the Inca back to their states.
INCA TRAIL TOUR
The Inca trail is a great adventure for trekking lovers. The first day of the Inca trail leads along the Urubamba River, offering you spectacular views of snow – capped mountains. The second day is more challenging as you climb a 4.200 meter high pass, often covered in mist.
A stone path guides you through a dense cloud forest to Wiñay Wayna, passing several Inca ruins on the way. The sun is about to rise when you climb up to Inti Punku (Sun gate). As you sit and wait here, Machu Picchu awakens below you. Slowly the foggy curtain lifts above the ruins as the sunbeams warm this sacred place.
ITINERARY
Cusco - Chilca - Wayllabamba
Our guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco very early in the morning, to take a bus to the city of Chilca to begin your trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After approximately three hours walking you will stop for lunch. Then you will continue walking towards your first camp at Wayllabamba, on the way you will have a guided tour of the archaeological complex of Llactapata. Dinner and overnight in tents at the campsite.
Wayllabamba - Warmiwañusca - Pacaymayo
After breakfast, the toughest part of the trail begin, walking towards the highest point in the Inca Trail where you will have an unbelievable panoramic view of the whole area and will observe different types of microclimates. After a 3 hours walk you will reach the first pass, named Warmiwañiusca or Dead Woman's Pass, at approximately 4,200 m.a.s.l., here you will have a tremendous feeling of achievement mixed with relief on reaching the top. After lunch you will continue your walking down to Pacaymayo where you will camp and have dinner.
Pacaymayo - Puya Patamarka - Wiñay Huayna
After breakfast start the descent towards the second most important pass of the trail at 3,850 m.a.s.l. having a guided visit at the archaeological complex of Runkurakay and the Inca citadel of Sayacmarca. Continue your trekking towards Puya Patamarka (Cloud-level town), another important archaeological monument, where lunch will be served. After a short break you will continue walking to Wiñay Huayna (Forever Young) for a guided visit of this impressive archaeological complex with a spectacular setting. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Wiñay Huayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
After breakfast, you will have a very early start to arrive in time for sunrise at Machu Picchu.
After an one hour walk through the forest towards the Inti Punku or the Gate of the Sun, also known as the Entrance Gate to Machu Picchu, where you will have the most impressive panoramic view of the citadel. Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, three-hours guided tour around the citadel, visiting the main sites and monuments. After the tour you will have free time to wander around, and then you will meet with the rest of the group to drive by bus down to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, transfer by train to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco transfer to your hotel. End of our services.
Our services include:
- Private transport to km 82
- Return from Aguas Calientes to Cusco in a tourism train
- Bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
- Transfer from the train station to your hotel.
Camping equipment:
- High quality spacious igloo tents
- foam mattresses
- dinner tent
- bathroom tent
- cooking tent
- Tables and chairs
Team:
- One cook and assistant
- Professional bilingual guide
- Porters for equipment and personal luggage
Max 10 kg per person, a personal porter carries for 2 people
Food:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner with snacks during the trek,
coffee and tea. Mineral water is not included
Entrance fee: For the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
Not Included:
- Other meals / drinks.
- Tips
The city of Cusco offers you a great variety of experiences.
Let us design a tour for you.

The Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire was a process through which a group of Spaniards led by Francisco Pizarro succeeded in toppling the Inca Empire in the early 16th-century, as part of the discovery and conquest of the new world. They took advantage of a recent civil war in the empire (between the groups of the brothers: Atahualpa and Huascar) to capture the ruling monarch, Inca Atahualpa in the city of Cajamarca on November 16, 1532. In the following years the conquistadors managed to consolidate their power over the whole Andean region, repressing successive indigenous rebellions until the establishment of the viceroyalty of Perú in 1542 and the fall of the resistance of Vilcabamba in 1572.
By the early 16th century, the Inca empire had seen many years of strong leadership under Huayna Capac. However, the emperor and his designated heir, Ninan Coyuchui, died probably of smallpox. The ensuing war of succession between the Panakas (royal lines) weakened the Inca leadership and contributed to its speedy downfall. At the centre of the conflict were the two main contenders, Huascar and Atahualpa, who were both sons of Huayna Capac.
Huascar may have been proclaimed the new emperor, though no records remain to confirm that he was indeed the intended heir. Huascar was known for his cruelty and came close to murdering his sister and mother. Nonetheless, he was well-liked in the southern regions of the empire. Atahualpa, on the other hand, was chosen to govern the northern territory known as the Kingdom of Quito, which was located in modern-day Ecuador and southern Colombia.
After a few years of relative peace, war broke out between the two brothers. It is estimated that 100,000 people were killed in this bloodthirsty dispute. After many struggles, Atahualpa finally defeated Huascar. Atahualpa himself teetered towards insanity and treated the losers terribly. Many had stones dropped on their backs to cripple them, fetuses were ripped from wombs and bodies were stuck on spikes for display, and nearly 1,500 members of the royal family were cut up in front of Huascar, including his own children.
After sending Huascar to prison, Atahualpa took the throne. He paid a terrible price for his cruelty. It was at this critical moment that the Spanish conquistadors under Francisco Pizarro arrived.
ARRIVAL OF PIZARRO
Francisco Pizarro and his brothers (Gonzalo, Juan, and Hernando) were attracted by the news of a rich and fabulous kingdom.
They arrived to Inca territory in 1531, which they called Peru. According to historian Raúl Porras Barrenechea, Peru is not a Quechuan nor Caribbean word, but Indo-Hispanic or Hybrid.
After three long expeditions, Pizarro established the first Spanish settlement in northern Peru, calling it San Miguel de Piura. On July 1532. Pizarro sent his fellow conquistador, Hernando de Soto, to explore the land.
CAPTURE OF ATAHUALPA
Atahualpa offered to fill one room with gold and two with silver for his freedom.

After his victory over his brother, Atahualpa began his march from Quito to claim the Inca throne in Cusco. Atahualpa had heard tales of "white bearded men" approaching his territory. Some people say that Atahualpa sent messengers with presents to Pizarro and his men to induce them to leave, and others say that it was Pizarro who sent a messenger to Atahualpa requesting a meeting. However, that Atahualpa met with Pizarro voluntarily.
Atahualpa and his forces met with the Spaniards in Cajamarca on the evening of November 15th. Rather than meeting with Atahualpa himself, Pizarro sent Hernando de Soto, Vincente de Valverde and a native interpreter Felipillo to speak with the Inca leader. De Soto spoke with Atahualpa for a while and told them that they were sent by King Charles I of Spain. They also said they came in peace and were prepared to serve him against his enemies. Atahualpa didn`t believe their behavior. In fact he knew of their earlier atrocities against the nuns dedicated to serve the god Inti in his temple. He did however agree to meet with them in the city the next day.
De Soto noticed the sight of his horses were unnerving some of the Inca's attendants so with an incredible display of horsemanship, he performed the tricks an experienced horseman would do. He stopped short of the Inca with the horse just inches away from Atahualpa. This told the Spaniards that they were not dealing with a fearful one like Moctezuma II in Mexico and it gave them even more fear the night of the 15th and early on the 16th. However, it gave Pizarro the idea he needed to win Peru.
The next morning, Pizarro had his men strategically placed around the square where they were to meet. When Atahualpa came with 4,000 unarmed soldiers and attendant, Friar Valverde spoke with him about the Spanish presence in his lands as well as engaged in a poorly executed attempt to explain to him about the Catholic religion, an attempt which was certainly not helped by an unskilled translator. After doing so, he offered Atahualpa a Bible in the expectation that he and his men would immediately convert to Christianity or be considered an enemy of the Church and of Spain by the Spanish Crown.
The Inca-Spanish confrontation in the Battle of Cajamarca left thousands of natives dead. Atahualpa stated that he was no one's vassal and asked where they got their authority to do this. A popular but widely disputed legend states that Valverde pointed to the Book saying that it contained God's word and handed it over to Atahualpa. Supposedly, when the Inca was presented with the Book he shook it close to his ear and asked "Why doesn't it speak to me?" Having literally never seen a book before, then threw the unfamiliar object aside. Supposedly, this is what gave the Spanish a reason to attack, starting the Battle of Cajamarca on November 16, 1532. Though the historical accounts relating to these circumstances vary, the true motivations for the attack seemed to be a desire for loot and flat out impatience, in that the Inca did not adequately understand the Conquistadores' demands. Pizarro took the Inca captive and demanded a lofty of sum of precious metals to be exchanged for Atahualpa.
Although largely unarmed, the fact that a small number of Spanish troops were able to defeat the thousands Inca warriors at Cajamarca is attributable to many factors, among them that the Spanish had horses. The fact that the Inca Empire had a highly centralized chain of command correlated with the emperor's well being or military victories created a fictional perception of how the various gods perceived the Inca to either soldiers or commoners alike, which meant that not only the advent of the Spaniards holding the emperor hostage effectively paralyzed the empires' forces for a time. The Spanish weapons included heavy metal swords and shields, some had guns and perhaps cannons; the Inca's weapons were by far inferior to those of the Spaniards. The Inca used heavy cloth, wood, and leather for their armor, and their weapons were made of sharpened stones and wood that they used as spears as well as bows and arrows. Nevertheless, there were many more Incas than Spaniards; this added to the Inca's inability to comprehend the threat of the Spanish.
The Incas were eventually defeated due to inferior weapons, 'open battle' tactics, disease, internal unrest, and the capture of their emperor. Some of the same factors contributed to the success of similar, small Spanish bands against the Aztecs and other Andean civilizations. However, ensuing hostilities like the Mixtón Rebellion, Chichimeca War, and Arauco War would require that the conquistadors sometimes ally with friendly tribes in these later expeditions. Many of the guns used by the Spaniards were obsolete and clumsy to use in the close-combat situations that the Spanish found themselves in, and most natives adapted in 'guerilla fashion' by only shooting at the legs of the conquistadors if they happened to be unarmored.
During Atahualpa's captivity, the Spanish, although greatly outnumbered, forced him to order his generals to back down by threatening to kill him if he did not. According to the Spanish envoy's demands, Atahualpa offered to fill a large room with gold and promised the Spanish twice that amount in silver. While Pizarro ostensibly accepted this offer and allowed the gold to pile up, he had no intention of releasing the Inca; he needed Atahualpa's influence over his generals and the people in order to maintain the peace.
Atahualpa feared that if Huascar came into contact with the Spanish, he would be so useful to them that Pizarro would no longer need Atahualpa and have him killed. To avoid this, Atahualpa ordered Huascar's execution, which took place not far from Cajamarca according to some chronicles. Others mentioned that Huascar had been previously killed in battle, and a few others that Huascar was killed before Pizarro's arrival.
In the end, this tactic was futile; months passed, and as it became clear to Atahualpa that the Spanish did not intend to free him, he began to call on his generals to launch an attack on the Spanish. Still outnumbered and fearing an imminent attack from the Inca general Rumiñahui, the Spanish began to see Atahualpa as too much of a liability. He was charged with 12 crimes, the most grave being attempting to revolt against the Spanish, practicing idolatry.
REBELLION AND RECONQUEST
The situation went quickly downhill. As things began to fall apart, many parts of the Inca Empire revolted, some of them joining with the Spanish against their own rulers. Many kingdoms and tribes had been conquered or persuaded to join the Inca empire. They thought that by joining the Spaniards, they could gain their own freedom. But these native people never foresaw the massive waves of Spaniard imigrants coming to their land and the holocaust that they would bring upon their people. After Atahualpa's execution, Pizarro installed Atahualpa's brother, Tupac Huallpa, as a puppet Inca ruler, but he soon died unexpectedly, leaving Manco Inca Yupanqui in power. He began his rule as an ally of the Spanish and was respected in the southern regions of the empire, but there was still much unrest in the north near Quito where Atahualpa’s generals were amassing troops. Atahulapa's death meant that there was no hostage left to deter these northern armies from attacking the invaders. Led by Atahualpa’s generals Rumiñahui, Zope-Zupahua and Quisquis, the native armies inflicted considerable damage on the Spanish. In the end, however, the Spanish succeeded in re-capturing Quito, effectively ending any organized rebellion in the north of the empire.
Manco Inca initially had good relations with Francisco Pizarro and several other Spanish conquistadors. However, in 1535 he was left in Cusco under the control of Pizarro’s cousins Juan and Gonzalo, who so mistreated Manco Inca that he ultimately rebelled. Under the pretense of performing religious ceremonies in the nearby Yucay valley, Manco was able to escape Cusco.
Spaniards executing Tupac Amaru, the last Inca of Vilcabamba, in 1572.Diego de Almagro, originally one of Francisco Pizarro's party, returned from his exploration of Chile, disappointed in not finding any wealth similar to that of Peru. King Charles I of Spain (Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) had awarded the city of Cuzco to Pizarro, but Almagro attempted to claim the city nonetheless. Manco Inca hoped to use the disagreement between Almagro and Pizarro to his advantage and organized the recapture of Cuzco during the spring of 1537. The siege of Cuzco was waged until the following spring, but was ultimately unsuccessful in it's goal of destroying the Spaniards. The Inca leadership did not have the full support of all its subject peoples and further more, the degrading state of Inca morale coupled with the superior Spanish siege weapons soon made Manco Inca realize his hope of recapturing Cuszo was failing. Manco Inca eventually withdrew to Vilcabamba after only 10 months of fighting, and therefore, the Spanish reinforcements from the Indies arriving under the command of Diego de Almagro eventually took the city once again without conflict.
After the Spanish regained control of Cuzco, Manco Inca and his armies retreated to the fortress at Ollantaytambo. When it became clear that they were outnumbered and defeat was imminent, they retreated further to the mountainous region of Vilcabamba, where the Manco Inca continued to hold some power for several more decades. His son, Túpac Amaru, was the last Inca. After deadly confrontantions, he was murdered by the Spanish in 1572.
The Spaniards destroyed almost every Inca building in Cuzco, built a Spanish city over the old foundations, and proceeded to colonize and exploit the former empire.
In total, the conquest took about forty years to complete. Many Inca attempts to regain the empire had occurred, but none had been successful. Thus the Spanish conquest was achieved through relentless force, zealous fanaticism and deceit aided by factors like smallpox and a great communication and cultural divide. The Spaniards displaced most of the Incan past and imposed the Spanish culture on the native population.
A struggle for power opposed Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro and resulted in a long civil war. Almagro was killed. Then Almagro's descendants venged his death by killing Pizarro. Despite the war, the Spaniards did not neglect the colonizing process. Its most significant act was the foundation of Lima in January, 1535.