Cusco

Ancient capital of the Inca Empire, where colonial churches sit atop Inca stone walls; Sacsayhuamán's giant stones, the lanes of San Blas and a day trip to Rainbow Mountain.

Cusco lies in the Andes of southern Peru at an elevation of about 3,400 m. It was the capital of the Inca Empire (in Quechua, "the navel of the world"); the Spanish built churches and mansions on Inca stone walls, the old town was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1983, and the city is the starting point for Machu Picchu.

Key areas: ① The old town: the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Church of the Society of Jesus, the Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha), Hatunrumiyoc Street with its twelve-angled stone, the San Blas craft district, San Pedro Market and several museums, all linked on foot; ② The northern ruins: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay and the White Christ statue, reached by taxi or on a half-day city tour; ③ The southeast "South Valley": the Tipón irrigation terraces, the Wari-culture site of Pikillaqta, and the church of Andahuaylillas, known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas"; ④ The high mountains beyond: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) and Palccoyo, which require a day tour leaving early in the morning. The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are covered as a separate destination, "Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu," and usually require a night in Ollantaytambo or Aguas Calientes.

Seasons: May–September is the dry season, sunny with big day-night temperature swings, and the Inti Raymi sun festival on June 24 is the liveliest time; November–March is the rainy season, with afternoon rain. Getting there: the flight from Lima to Cusco takes about 1.5 hours, and the airport is about 15 minutes from the old town. Most sites require the Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC), and churches have a separate religious ticket. We recommend 3–4 days. Notes: altitude sickness is the biggest risk, so on your first day slow down, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and try coca tea; UV radiation is strong and mornings and evenings are cold, so bring sun protection and warm clothing; carry soles (Peruvian currency) in cash for small towns and markets, and watch for pickpockets in crowds.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries