Located in the southeastern region of the Andes mountain range, the city of Cusco is Peru’s main tourist destination and one of the most important in the world. Called by the Incas “house and dwelling of the gods” (hence the origin of its popular nickname “Sacred City”), the city of Cusco became the capital of one of the largest pre-Columbian empires: the Tawantinsuyo. Its name in Quechua, Qosqo, means “navel of the world,” because a vast network of roads that connected practically all of South America departed from it. A mestizo and colonial city, with splendid temples and mansions built on finely carved stone foundations, and with a rich cuisine made up of dishes that masterfully combine native and Spanish products. A land of great landscapes, rich history and fascinating geography, Cusco is undoubtedly a city that every traveler longs to know.
Tourist Attractions
Historic Center
Called in Inca times Huacaypata or “warrior’s square,” the main square of the city of Cusco is an urban space full of historical resonance, around which, as in the past, the life of the city is organized. There you will find the Cathedral, one of the most impressive buildings in the city, built with large blocks of red granite extracted from the Sacsayhuaman fortress; and the Church of La Compañía, considered one of the best examples of colonial Baroque in the Americas.
Koricancha and the Santo Domingo Convent
The convent was built on top of the spectacular Koricancha or “place of gold,” the most important temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun, whose walls were covered with sheets of gold. This temple was built using polished stone structures from the Inca sanctuary as its base, the most finely worked stonework in Cusco.
San Blas Neighborhood
Known as the artisans’ neighborhood, San Blas is one of the most picturesque places in the city. Its narrow, steep little streets zigzag between old houses built with Inca stone walls and peaceful little squares. The neighborhood also has one of the most beautiful views of the city and is home to the workshops and shops of the most renowned Cusco artisans.
Sacsayhuaman
An impressive example of Inca military architecture, this fortress was built with large granite blocks and dedicated to protecting the city of Cusco from attacks by invaders from the east. Sacsayhuaman consists of three large terraces stacked in a zigzag pattern and bordered by enormous stone walls up to 300 m long.
A visit to the Sacsayhuaman area, besides its fortress, also includes three more archaeological complexes: Tambomachay, the main shrine dedicated to the element of water, known as the Inca Baths; the Puca Pucara fortification, an Inca military center; and the Quenko Amphitheater, a clear example of the mystical character of the people of that era.
Sacred Valley of the Incas
Just an hour’s trip from the city, the Urubamba River Valley or Sacred Valley of the Incas is a beautiful setting of picturesque villages, impressive terracing and archaeological sites of great importance. Since Inca times it has been Cusco’s agricultural pantry and today it is famous for having the largest corn kernels in the world.
It covers the area between the Inca towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, and thanks to its mild climate and distinctive geography, it is the ideal destination for adventure sports.
Pisac
Located 33 km from the city of Cusco, Pisac has an “old town” made up of Inca archaeological remains where you can see an irrigation system, an astronomical observatory, a sundial or Intiwatana, and terracing; and a “modern town” with a strong colonial character. Its Sunday market attracts thousands of visitors and locals from remote hamlets, dressed in their colorful traditional clothing.
Ollantaytambo
Located 21 km from Urubamba, the town of Ollantaytambo is called the “Living Inca Town” because its inhabitants preserve very ancient customs and traditions. In the vast archaeological site located on the hill overlooking the town, notable buildings include the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Hall, the Incahuatana and the Princess’s Baths. It was an important administrative center that probably also served military functions, as shown by its walls and towers.
Inca Trail
The Incas built a vast network of roads to communicate with the four regions of their empire, called the Qhapaq Ñan or Inca Trail. It consisted of stone paths suitable for two or three people with llama caravans, where rivers were crossed by hanging bridges and slopes were overcome with staircases and ramps. Today, many remains of this ancient network survive in Peru and are still used by farmers, with one of the most impressive stretches being the one connecting Cusco and Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most important trekking routes internationally, which can be hiked in 4 days / 3 nights or 2 days / 1 night. During the 40 km route, hikers pass through different altitude zones and varied ecosystems between 2600 and 4200 meters above sea level, allowing them to enjoy stunning landscapes, countless species of flora and fauna in their natural habitat, and important archaeological sites, before reaching the spectacular ruins of Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu
The citadel of Machu Picchu, a World Heritage Site, is Cusco’s most important tourist attraction. It is located 3.30 hours by train from the city, or 4/2 days on foot via the Inca Trail. Discovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham, this citadel is considered one of the most extraordinary examples of landscape architecture in the world. Perched on top of a mountain overlooking the deep canyon of the Urubamba River, in the middle of the tropical jungle, it served both as a center of worship and astronomical observation and as a private estate of the family of Inca Pachacutec. It consists of two large areas: an agricultural one, formed mainly by terraces and food storage facilities; and an urban one, featuring the sacred zone with temples, plazas and mausoleums worked to perfection.
The lush cloud forests that cover the steep slopes and mountains are home to countless species of wildlife and wild flora, notably orchids, bromeliads and tree ferns.
Salkantay
Located in the Cusco region, Salkantay or “Magic Mountain” (6,271 meters above sea level) is the high point of a trekking circuit that combines the majesty of a stunningly beautiful natural setting with the appeal of the world’s most famous pre-Hispanic remains: Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail. The route begins along the old Inca road carved into rock leading to the citadel of Machu Picchu, and crosses a mountain pass between the majestic snow-capped peaks of Salkantay and Umantay (5,917 meters above sea level), continuing along the Aobamba river ravine until reaching the archaeological site. Along the way you can enjoy unique views of most of Cusco’s most beautiful mountains.
Choquequirao
Located at 3104 meters above sea level in the Vilcabamba valley, the citadel of Choquequirao or “Cradle of Gold” is considered the last refuge of the Incas against the Spanish conquest. Nestled deep in the Cusco jungle, it was an important city due to its socio-political and economic role in the exchange of goods between the coast, the highlands and the jungle.
The complex consists of nine architectural stone groups distributed around an esplanade or main plaza. It is a set of dwellings, sacred enclosures, storerooms and aqueducts, surrounded by impressive terracing and set on the summit of a mountain overlooking the Apurimac river valley. Despite its remote location, the citadel was strategically connected to the rest of the empire through the intricate network of the Inca Trail, which today remains the only access route to this spectacular site.
Maras
Maras is a small town located 40 km from Cusco, whose main attraction, besides its colonial church, are the salt mines or salt pans that captivate visitors with their sheer size. Used since pre-Columbian times, the salt is extracted through an ancient drying system in which salt water is exposed to the sun in pools until it evaporates, leaving the salt on the surface, which is then processed for sale. The view of the complex, made up of approximately three thousand pools, is spectacular. The local residents show visitors their ancestral techniques and allow them to take part in the harvesting.
Moray
The Moray archaeological complex (3500 meters above sea level) is famous for its sunken amphitheater, formed by four circular terraces that seem to disappear into the puna grasslands. Apparently, the site served as an Inca agricultural research center dedicated to experimenting with crops across the different altitude levels of its plots (some more than 100 m deep). The terraces, built on retaining walls filled with fertile soil and irrigated through complex irrigation systems, allowed for the cultivation of more than 250 plant species.
Pikillacta
Built during the height of the Wari culture (500 – 900 AD), this large urban and ceremonial center, covering almost two square kilometers, rises as a massive complex of stone and mud structures on a hill overlooking the beautiful Lucre Lagoon. Pikillacta or “city of fleas” is perhaps the largest pre-Inca city in the region, which apparently was also part of a military garrison.
Andahuaylillas
Located 40 km from Cusco, it is one of the most beautiful colonial towns in the region. It has a lovely plaza dominated by leafy pisonay trees and old mansions. The Church of San Pedro de Andahuaylillas is the area’s main attraction, since its artwork has earned it the nickname “Sistine Chapel of the Americas”; it was built in the 17th century and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its interior, richly decorated with mural paintings, is incomparable, housing paintings from the Cusco School and Baroque carved wood altars.