Cusco .- The city of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and is one of the country’s most important tourist destinations. Among its cobblestone streets, you’ll discover Inca-era buildings, such as the Koricancha and the Palace of Inca Roca, alongside colonial Andean Baroque-style buildings like the Cathedral.
Where is Cusco located?
Location: South of Lima
Capital: City of Cusco
Distance: 1,650 km from Lima
Altitude: 3,999 m above sea level
Population: 1,171,503
Climate: The city of Cusco has a cool, semi-arid climate. The average annual maximum temperature is 19.6°C (67.3°F) and the minimum is 4.2°C (39.6°F). The rainy season is from October to March. Frosts (intense cold) are common between June and July.
How do I get to Cusco?
By Land: Lima-Arequipa-Cusco: 1,650 km (26 hours by car)
Lima-Nazca-Puquio-Abancay-Cusco: 1,131 km (20 hours by car); Puno-Cusco: 389 km (7 hours by car)
By Air: Regular flights from Lima (1 hour) and from Arequipa (30 minutes) to the city of Cusco.
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport. Av. Velasco Astete s/n.
By Rail: Regular service: Puno-Cusco: 384 km (10 hours); Cusco-Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo-Aguas Calientes
What activities can I do?
Cusco Plaza de Armas Tours
In Inca times, it was called “Huacaypata,” a Quechua word meaning “place of weeping” or “meeting place.” It was an important ceremonial site where the Inti Raymi, or Festival of the Sun, was celebrated every year. It was the place where Francisco Pizarro proclaimed the conquest of Cusco.
Tours of the Temple and Convent of Santo Domingo – Korikancha
According to chroniclers, Korikancha was one of the most impressive buildings of Inca Cusco; its interior walls were entirely covered with gold leaf, and it was the main temple of the Sun God. The convent houses a valuable art gallery with canvases from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Inca Trail Hike to Machu Picchu
This is one of the most important trekking routes in South America. Along the way, you’ll see numerous ravines and glacial streams. Among the twelve archaeological sites that can be seen are Qoriwayrachina, Patallaqta, Runkuraqay, Sayaqmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Intipunku, Intipata, and Wiñayhuayna.
The most popular route begins at kilometer 82 of the Cusco-Machu Picchu railway (40 km to reach the citadel of Machu Picchu).
Machu Picchu Citadel Tours
One of the 7 wonders of the modern world, it is located 120 km northeast of Cusco at an altitude of 4,200 m. Machu Picchu is a Quechua word meaning “Old Mountain,” also known as “The Lost City of the Incas.” It is one of the main and most beautiful archaeological sites in Peru and the world, boasting a spectacular natural landscape of flora and fauna, beautiful Inca constructions, and a complex divided into sectors: the agricultural and urban sectors.
Hike to Choquequirao
Located on the slopes of the Yanacocha volcano, 123 km from the city of Abancay, the Choquequirao archaeological site comprises nine sectors, including the religious center, the system of fountains and canals with aqueducts, and the gateways. It is distributed around a main esplanade or plaza and complemented by an agricultural terrace system on Choquequirao hill.
Where to Sleep?
Accommodation is available for all budgets, from US$12 per person per night to US$20 to US$200 per couple per night. More centrally located options include the Hotel Libertador, Monasterio del Inca, and Casa Andina 5 Estrellas, all of which are generally located in the city of Abancay. These are indicative prices and do not apply to peak seasons.