Is Cusco a city?

Cusco is not just a city; it is a historical gem considered one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. Its original name, "Qosqo", means navel of the world in Quechua, reflecting its role as the political, spiritual, and cultural center of the Inca Empire.

Today it is known as the Archaeological Capital of America, and you just have to walk through its streets to understand why: ancient Inca constructions coexist with colonial churches and create a unique setting with a story to tell and a culture to discover.

Travelers from all over the world come to Cusco to explore its main attractions, such as Sacsayhuamán, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and, of course, the star destination: Machu Picchu.

Cusco: ancient capital of the Inca empire

Cusco was the capital of the powerful Inca Empire, the political, spiritual, and administrative center of a civilization that dominated much of South America. From here departed the Qhapaq Ñan, the famous Inca roads that connected the four regions of the Tahuantinsuyo. Hence its original name in Quechua, Qosqo, which means navel of the world.

During the colonial era, the Spanish conquerors built churches and palaces over the ancient Inca temples, resulting in a unique city where stone walls coexist with Baroque architecture. A notable example is the Coricancha, an ancient temple of the Sun, over which the Santo Domingo convent was built.

Important fact: Cusco was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983, in recognition of its extraordinary historical and cultural value. Furthermore, during the Inca period, the city was considered sacred, and those who visited it were received with respect, as entering was a privilege.

Location

Cusco is in the southern part of the Andes Mountains in Peru. The city of Cusco is located at 3,399 m.a.s.l (11,151 ft). The most important snow-capped mountains in the region are Ausangate and Salkantay. The Vilcanota River runs through almost the entire Sacred Valley of the Incas, including the town of Aguas Calientes. Cusco also has its jungle region, where the Incas knew how to build important cities like Choquequirao and Machu Picchu.

What to do in the imperial city of Cusco?

Visit the Historic Center – Visiting the center of Cusco is like visiting a giant museum. In its streets you can see Inca temples and colonial churches. The city is also famous for its nightlife and the diversity of tourist services such as restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, etc.
Visit Sacsayhuaman – The archaeological complex of Sacsayhuaman is made up of several archaeological buildings such as Qenqo, Pucapucara, Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman itself, a fortress with walls made of huge rocks weighing up to 120 tons. During the tour you can also see tunnels, walls, platforms, paths, altars, water channels and much more.
Visit Coricancha – The most important temple of the entire Inca empire was Coricancha (even more important than Machu Picchu). The walls of this enclosure are the most finely carved in the empire. Before the arrival of the Spanish, it was covered with sheets of gold and silver. Later, it was looted and the invaders built the church of Santo Domingo on its walls.
Go to the Sacred Valley of the Incas – Next to Cusco is one of the most fertile and beautiful areas of the region: the Sacred Valley. There, the Incas built cities, temples, terraces and palaces. Today, the tourist towns of Pisac, Chinchero, Maras, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo are settled in this area. Visitors can enjoy its landscapes, visit its archaeological sites and even practice adventure sports.
Go to the Southern Valley of Cusco – To the south of the city of Cusco there is a fertile valley where the Incas built important temples such as Tipón and Racchi. The first Incas emigrated from the south to Cusco. There is also an important city of the Wari culture (pre-Inca) called Piquillacta. The South Valley is also famous for its exquisite typical dishes such as cuy chactado or chancho al horno.
Visit the Mountain of 7 Colors – A few years ago, the melting of a part of the Ausangate snowy mountain revealed a unique landscape of various colors produced by the minerals found there. The Mountain of 7 Colors or Vinicunca is today one of the main attractions of Cusco. It is more than 120 kilometers from Cusco and more than 5 thousand meters high (16,404 ft). Despite the cold and the altitude, hundreds of tourists come there every day.
Visit Machu Picchu – Definitely the main tourist attraction of Cusco is Machu Picchu. This citadel is located almost 100 kilometers from the city, after a trip by car and train. The Inca city is located in the jungle region of Cusco. It is famous for its beautiful landscapes, mysterious constructions and hiking trails such as the Huayna Picchu mountain and the Machu Picchu mountain.
Hiking the Inca Trail – One of the most famous hiking routes in the world is the Inca Trail. The trails on this trek were built by the Incas several centuries ago. The Inca Trail connects Cusco with Machu Picchu after 4 days of hiking and 3 days of camping. On the last day you arrive at the Inca city through the ‘Sun Gate’ (Intipunku), an ancient entrance gate used by the Incas.

Where to start your visit to Cusco?

If you take into account that most tourists spend 4 days in Cusco, you can follow the following itinerary:

Day 1: Cusco City Tour – After resting from the trip to Cusco, you can get to know the city in the afternoon on a ‘City Tour’ that includes the Cathedral, Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay. This way you can better acclimatize to the high altitude of the city.
Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas – The Sacred Valley is a great option since its attractions are not at a high altitude, which allows you to better adapt to the climate and altitude. The tour of the valley lasts almost the whole day. You can visit Pisac, Urubamba, Chinchero, Ollantaytambo or even Maras or Moray. Adventure sports are also an option.
Day 3: Machu Picchu – Visiting Machu Picchu in 1 day is an option if you don’t want to spend a night in the town of Aguas Calientes. To get there you have to travel by train and bus for approximately 4 hours. Most tourists visit the Inca city on the third or second day of their visit to be better adapted to the altitude and not suffer from the symptoms of altitude sickness.
Day 4: Rainbow Mountain – On the last day, after several days of adaptation to the altitude of Cusco, it is a good idea to take a hike to the Rainbow Mountain. If you don’t want to walk in such high and extreme places, you can choose another less demanding alternative such as the South Valley of Cusco. There are also other similar hikes such as to the Humantay lagoon.

The Best Cusco Trek & Tours

Cusco offers spectacular landscapes and routes that leave unforgettable memories. Among intensely colored mountains, deep valleys, and archaeological sites full of history, walking its paths is one of the best ways to enjoy the region. The altitude, changing climate, and diverse ecosystems make each trail a unique experience, with physical challenges and views that are worth the effort. Here are some very popular treks in Cusco: