CUSCO

Destination guide of the city of Cusco: Where to go and what to see?

Cusco City

Cusco is a city that was the capital of the Inca Empire and is known for its archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architecture. The Plaza de Armas is the center of the ancient city, with carved wooden balconies and ruins of Inca walls. The Santo Domingo Convent, in baroque style, was built over the Inca Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) and has archaeological remains of Inca stonework. Other equally well-known attractions are: the neighborhood of San Blas and its temple, the Church of the Company of Jesus, the House of the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and the House of the Admiral.

Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley has become in recent years, one of the most important destinations in South America, it is the Urubamba River Valley and is known worldwide as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The valley is home to beautiful traditional Andean villages from the colonial era, where you can find ancient Inca settlements scattered throughout the valley, in the middle of mountains belonging to the chains of the Andes.

Ollantaytambo

Considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Peru and South America, Ollantaytambo is located 97 km from the city of Cusco. It was, during the time of the Incas, a fortified city, with temples, urban, agricultural and defense walls. It is known that the Inca city of Ollantaytambo served as an administrative control point. After the Spanish invasion, it became one of the favorite places of the viceroys. Today, it is considered that after Machu Picchu, the town and ruins of Ollantaytambo contain the most impressive Inca masonry in Peru.

Urubamba

Urubamba is one of the thirteen provinces that make up Cusco. It was one of the main agricultural centers of the Inca Empire.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas, also known as the Urubamba River Valley, is a must for tourists; from hiking, horseback riding, canopy, among other activities. Before ending the tour of Urubamba, do not forget the traditional souvenir of the town: a piece of pottery. There are many galleries that offer tours and demonstrations that will teach you about traditional and contemporary Andean styles of pottery.

Pisac

Pisac is located 33 km from the city of Cusco and is the gateway to the Sacred Valley. It is world famous for its handicraft market and its impressive archaeological remains, located on a mountain above the city. This city was a kind of capital of the region at the time of the Incas, very important for its excellent location and fertile land. The Inca and colonial constructions that are exhibited in its territory are admirable for their great structure of polished stone, assembled to perfection.

Maras Moray

The pools you are about to see are not filled with snow. There are 5000 salt extraction pools, built during the Inca period, taking advantage of a saline water spring and the Qaqawiñay mountainside. These, also called salt mines, are filled every 3 days during the dry season and gradually evaporate when the crystalline salt evaporates. The salt mines of Maras is one of the 4 places in the world where you can get pink salt. To get to this salt mine you can do it from the city of Urubamba.

Machu Picchu

Built during the first half of the fifteenth century, Machu Picchu is divided into two main areas: the agricultural area that includes a vast network of terraces or artificial terraces, and the urban area formed by various buildings and squares among which are the temples of the Sun, the Three Windows, the condor and the main temple.

Machu Picchu is a magical place, discovered more than 100 years ago by an American professor named Hiram Bingham, with an impressive architecture. Its gigantic stones cause great amazement to its visitors. It has a temperature that can range from -2°C to 21°C (-2°F to 70°F).

It is said that it was a sacred place of cultivation and a place to observe astronomical events.

Firstly, within the different zones of Machu Picchu, the worship of its gods (among them the most important was El Inti, considered the most significant deity in Inca mythology) is one of the most impressive of all. Secondly, Machu Picchu was used for the cultivation of coca leaves, fruits, vegetables, among other foods since it has a good climate for planting. Finally, its location allows you to witness a great number of event.