The conquest of Guarco

In the fifteenth century, the curaca of Guarco was renowned for his bellicosity. His valley was defended by several fortresses and a surrounding wall that stood in the way of any attack.
The Inca armies had followed the road from the sierra along the river bed and had easily obtained the surrender of the small kingdom of Lunahuaná. Quite different was the attitude of the Guarcos, who resisted during three or four years.

In this attack one can observe the first Inca strategies that were ineffective, as they only fought in winter due to a fear of summer heat. This allowed the coastal tribes to regroup and consolidate their positions.
Chroniclers relate that the chief of the Guarcos was a very beautiful woman, whose coquetry made the colla so jealous that she asked the Inca to leave the quenching of the rebellion in her hands.
Amused by this, the sovereign agreed. The colla sent an embassy to the curaca assuring her that she would retain her position and that all she asked was to be able to celebrate a great festivity in honor of Mama Cocha, the sea. Once the whole population had put out to sea, the Incas entered Guarco silently, taking over the deserted kingdom.

Tupac Yupanqui enters Pachacamac

The young Inca co-regent arrived with his troops at Pachacamac, but approached the sanctuary as a pilgrim after going on a prolonged fast. The prophecy of the oracle promised him many triumphs and new conquests.
Despite his devotion, the prince ordered the building of a Sun temple to be called Punchao Cancha or Daylight Enclosure, to counteract the influence of the god Pachacamac, god of night and darkness. The temple had to be higher than the old coastal sanctuary to show the superiority of the Sun. The priests had no choice but to obey the Inca.

Southward expansion

After a time, the young Inca decided to try his luck in the jungle region, perhaps so as to ensure a supply of coca. For the purpose, he divided his forces into three armies, and with great effort they penetrated the Amazonian jungle on an expedition of conquest (Sarmiento de Gamboa, chap. 49). According to the chronicler, the inhabitants of Collasuyo took advantage of the rumors that Tupac Yupanqui had died to rebel.
Once Tupac was apprised of the situation, he hurriedly left the jungle to march against the collas. After squashing the uprising and showing his powerful army in Charcas, he headed for Chile to conquer the southern region. After a few years, Tupac made a triumphal return to Cusco. His brother Otorongo Achachi, who he had left in the jungle to pacify the region and enforce Cusco organization on the locals, was waiting for him. Together they made a triumphal entry into Cusco.

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