A journey through the historical capital of Peru, a destination that combines ancient history, living traditions, and spectacular landscapes.

Geography: A Meeting of Mountains and Valleys
Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, is strategically located on the eastern slope of the Peruvian Andes at 3,399 meters above sea level. This privileged location turns Cusco into a kind of geographical hinge that connects the mountainous highlands, the Amazon rainforest, and the extensive Andean plateau, creating a mosaic of landscapes of extraordinary beauty and diversity.

Its great mountains combine with high plateaus, undulating pampas, deep valleys, and Amazonian plains, forming a natural scenery of contrasts that has served as a foundation for the development of important cultures such as the Incan.

The Cusco region is characterized by a varied geography that includes:

• The Sacred Valley of the Incas: Formed by the Urubamba River (formerly known as Willcamayu or “Sacred River”), which winds between imposing mountains. This fertile valley houses important archaeological sites and traditional villages.
• The Vilcanota Mountain Range: Where the impressive Vinicunca mountain (Mountain of Seven Colors) and the imposing snowy Ausangate (5,630 m) are located, considered a deity or “Apu” in the Andean worldview.
• The Vilcabamba Mountain Range: Which cradles the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu, now recognized as a Wonder of the Modern World.
• High jungle zones: In the northern region, with tropical climate and lush vegetation, belonging to the Amazon basin.

The department of Cusco borders to the north with the jungles of Junín and Ucayali; to the west, with the jungle of Ayacucho and the highlands of Apurímac; to the south, with the heights of Arequipa and Puno; and to the east, with the extensive Amazon plain of Madre de Dios.

The main rivers that cross the region are the Urubamba, the Vilcanota, and the Apurímac, feeding the rich biodiversity of these varied ecosystems.

The climate of Cusco is divided into two clearly marked seasons:

• Dry season (April to October): Characterized by sunny days with temperatures that can reach 22°C and cold nights that descend to 0°C. It is the ideal season for tourism.
• Rainy season (November to March): With frequent precipitation, especially intense in January and February. The landscapes turn greenish and the rivers increase their flow.

 

Cusqueñan Gastronomy: A Feast for the Senses
Cusco cuisine represents a fascinating encounter between Inca tradition and Spanish influence, creating a unique gastronomy that uses native ingredients such as native potatoes (of which Peru has more than 3,000 varieties), corn, quinoa, and various Andean herbs.

Emblematic Dishes

• Chiri Uchu (Cold Chili): Considered the flagship dish of Cusco and the star culinary art of Corpus Christi. This gastronomic creation combines roasted guinea pig, charqui (dried meat), chorizo, fresh cheese, toasted corn, seaweed (cochayuyo), and rocoto pepper. Its name comes from Quechua and literally means “cold chili,” as it is served at room temperature.
• Baked Guinea Pig: A traditional Cusqueñan dish with roots in pre-Incan history. The guinea pig is an animal that has been a fundamental part of the Andean diet for millennia. It is baked whole and typically served with potatoes, salad, and chili.
• Kapchi de Setas: Traditional stew made with seasonal wild mushrooms, potatoes, broad beans, cheese, and milk, creating a creamy and comforting texture.
• Timpu or Puchero: A traditional dish of Cusqueñan gastronomy, synonymous with abundance and flavor, which is usually prepared especially during the Carnival season. It includes various meats such as lamb, beef, and chicken, slowly cooked with vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and corn.
• Chairo: Traditional Andean soup prepared with charqui, chuño (dehydrated potato), vegetables, and aromatic herbs. It was consumed by peasants who walked long distances to their jobs, as it is highly nutritious.

 

Traditional Beverages

• Chicha de Jora: Fermented corn beverage, direct heritage of the Incas. Its preparation continues to be a ritual in many Andean communities.
• Frutillada: Variant of chicha de jora that includes macerated strawberries, popular during the carnival season.
• Mate de Coca: Infusion of coca leaves that helps combat altitude sickness and is a fundamental part of daily life in the Andean heights.
• Té Piteado: Herbal infusion mixed with pisco or aguardiente, ideal for cold Cusqueñan nights.

 

Gastronomic Experiences

• San Pedro Market: The central market of Cusco, incredibly, its construction was directed by Gustave Eiffel! Here you can try exotic fruits, fresh juices, and various typical dishes.
• Andean cooking classes: Numerous establishments offer the opportunity to learn how to prepare traditional Cusqueñan dishes.
• Pachamanca: Ancestral method of cooking underground that is carried out in communities of the Sacred Valley, where meats, potatoes, and herbs are cooked with hot stones.

 

Essential Tourist Sites

In the City of Cusco

• Plaza de Armas: The best place to begin any visit to Cusco. In Inca times, it was called “Huacaypata,” a Quechua word meaning place of crying or meeting. Today it is surrounded by colonial arches, the Cathedral, and the Church of the Company of Jesus.
• Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun): The most important sanctuary of the Inca Empire, whose walls were covered with gold. On its foundations, the Convent of Santo Domingo was built after the Spanish conquest.
• San Blas Neighborhood: Known as the artisans’ quarter, with cobblestone streets, traditional workshops, and the Church of San Blas, famous for its wooden pulpit.
• Sacsayhuamán: Impressive Inca ceremonial fortress located on the outskirts of the city, built with enormous stone blocks perfectly assembled without mortar. The Inti Raymi is celebrated here annually.
• San Pedro Market: Nerve center of local life where you can experience authentic Cusqueñan culture through its food stalls, crafts, and traditional products.

 

In the Sacred Valley

• Pisac: Located just 34 kilometers by road from the city of Cusco, it is one of the most representative towns of the Sacred Valley of the Incas due to its beautiful mountainous geography. Famous for its artisanal market and its impressive archaeological complex with agricultural terraces.
• Ollantaytambo: Living Inca town with an extraordinary archaeological complex. It was the last Inca bastion of resistance against the Spanish conquerors and today serves as a starting point for the train to Machu Picchu.
• Moray: Inca agricultural laboratory with concentric circular terraces that created microclimates to experiment with crops from different ecological levels.
• Maras Salt Mines: Thousands of terraced salt ponds on the slope of a mountain that have been exploited since pre-Inca times, creating a surrealist landscape of white color.
• Chinchero: Located just 30 kilometers by road from the city of Cusco and situated in the highest part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is surrounded by mountains and two lagoons: Huaypo and Piuray. The town is known for its Sunday textile market and its ancestral weaving techniques.

 

Natural and Archaeological Wonders

• Machu Picchu: The unmissable Wonder of the world that rises imposingly between the jungle and the Andes. This Inca citadel built in the 15th century is the most important tourist destination in Peru and one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the world.
• Mountain of Seven Colors (Vinicunca): Mountain formation with vibrant mineral layers located at 5,200 meters above sea level. This spectacular geological phenomenon has become one of the most popular destinations in Cusco in recent years.
• Humantay Lagoon: A natural attraction located at the foot of the snow-capped mountain of the same name, in the foothills of the Salkantay snow-capped mountain. Its turquoise waters surrounded by snowy mountains create a dreamlike landscape.
• Red Valley of Pitumarca: A natural landscape located near the Mountain of the 7 Colors. The slopes and peaks of this site are dyed red due to a mineralization process millions of years ago.
• Choquequirao: Hidden from the passage of centuries, entangled between the enchantment of the jungle and the mountain, this Inca city is considered “the sister of Machu Picchu” and is only accessible after a demanding trek of several days.

 

Traditions and Festivities
The cultural richness of Cusco is manifested in its numerous traditions and festivities that combine pre-Hispanic and Catholic elements, creating a unique syncretism:

• Inti Raymi (June 24): The Festival of the Sun was the most important festival in Inca times. It was celebrated on the occasion of the winter solstice—the solar new year—for a people whose main object of worship was the god Inti (the sun). It is currently recreated each year in the fortress of Sacsayhuamán.
• Qoyllur Rit’i: A religious and cultural pilgrimage that takes place annually in May or June. Thousands of pilgrims, many of them dressed in typical costumes, head to the sanctuary of the Lord of Qoyllur Rit’i, located in the heights of the Sinakara snow-capped mountain. This festival combines Catholic elements with ancestral Andean beliefs.
• Corpus Christi: It is characterized by the entry of fifteen saints and virgins who come from various places to process to the Cusco Cathedral, where they pay homage to the Body of Christ. During this celebration, which usually takes place in June, the traditional Chiri Uchu is consumed.
• Lord of the Earthquakes: Holy Week in Cusco has as its central day Holy Monday, the date on which the Sworn Patron of Cusco, the Lord of the Earthquakes, goes out in procession. This venerated image is considered the most important in the city.
• Virgin of Carmen of Paucartambo: One of the most fervent and celebrated festivities that pays tribute to the image of the virgin through difficult dance steps and music. It is celebrated from July 15 to 17 in the town of Paucartambo, two hours from Cusco.

 

Living Traditions

• Payment to Pachamama: This is the veneration of Pachamama, deity of the earth, which takes place at emblematic sites in the city, such as Sacsayhuamán, every first of August. This ancestral ritual seeks to thank and ask for blessings from Mother Earth.
• Traditional textiles: Communities such as Chinchero maintain ancestral techniques of dyeing with natural dyes and weaving on backstrap looms, transmitting knowledge dating from pre-Hispanic times.
• Cusqueñan carnivals: They are an ancestral festivity celebrated during February or March, combining elements of the Catholic religion with the Andean worldview. They represent a complex cultural manifestation that encompasses several aspects, including the celebration of fertility, thanksgiving to Pachamama, and community union.
• Santuranticuy: Traditional festival that means ‘Sale of Saints’ in the Quechua language. This festival is celebrated every December 24 through an artistic fair where images of virgins, saints, and other Christian figures with Andean characteristics are sold.

 

Practical Tips for Travelers

Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness
The altitude of Cusco (3,399 m) can cause “soroche” or altitude sickness in many visitors. To prevent it:

• Gradual arrival: If possible, acclimatize first in cities at lower altitude such as Lima or Arequipa.
• Quiet first day: Avoid intense physical activities during the first 24-48 hours.
• Coca tea: This traditional infusion helps combat the symptoms of soroche.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol during the first days.
• Light food: Consume easy-to-digest meals during the acclimatization process.

 

Best Time to Visit

• High season (June-August): Dry and pleasant climate, ideal for outdoor activities, but with greater influx of tourists and higher prices.
• Mid-season (April-May and September-October): May is the best month to go to Cusco because there are still not too many tourists and the weather is pleasant.
• Low season (November-March): Greater probability of rain, but greener landscapes and fewer tourists. Some trekking routes, such as the Inca Trail, close in February for maintenance.

 

Transportation

• Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport: Connects Cusco with Lima and other Peruvian cities. Flights are usually cheaper if booked in advance.
• Trains: Through services like PeruRail, which travel Andean landscapes connecting Cusco with Machu Picchu. It is advisable to book several weeks in advance, especially in high season.
• Buses and colectivos: Economical option to move between towns of the Sacred Valley. They depart from terminals such as Pavitos for Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo.
• Taxis: Available throughout the city. It is important to agree on the price before starting the trip.

 

Tourist Ticket
The tourist ticket is mandatory to access several essential places in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. There are different modalities:

• Integral ticket: Valid for 10 days for all included sites.
• Partial tickets: To visit specific groups of attractions. It can be purchased at the COSITUC office in Cusco or at the entrance of archaeological sites.

 

Recommended Luggage

• Layered clothing: Temperatures can vary drastically between day and night.
• Sun protection: High SPF blocker, sunglasses, and hat (UV radiation is intense at altitude).
• Comfortable footwear: Essential for walking on cobblestone streets and archaeological sites.
• Light raincoat: Especially if traveling in the rainy season.
• Basic medications: Include painkillers and medications for altitude sickness if necessary.

 

Recommended Routes

3-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Cusco City – Historic center, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán
2. Day 2: Sacred Valley – Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo
3. Day 3: Machu Picchu

 

5-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Cusco City – Acclimatization and historic center
2. Day 2: Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay
3. Day 3: Sacred Valley – Pisac and Ollantaytambo
4. Day 4: Moray and Maras Salt Mines
5. Day 5: Machu Picchu

 

7-day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Cusco City – Acclimatization
2. Day 2: Historic center of Cusco, Qorikancha
3. Day 3: Sacsayhuamán and nearby archaeological sites
4. Day 4: Pisac and Urubamba
5. Day 5: Moray, Maras Salt Mines, and Ollantaytambo
6. Day 6: Machu Picchu
7. Day 7: Mountain of Seven Colors or Humantay Lagoon

 

Accommodation: Options for Every Budget

Luxury and Boutique

• Belmond Palacio Nazarenas: Former colonial palace converted into a 5-star hotel.
• Inkaterra La Casona: First Relais & Châteaux in Peru, in a 16th-century mansion.
• JW Marriott El Convento Cusco: Luxurious hotel built on Inca and colonial foundations.

 

Mid-Range

• Hotels in the historic center: Many housed in restored colonial mansions.
• Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza: Good location near the Plaza de Armas.
• Casa Andina: Peruvian chain with several properties in Cusco.

 

Budget

• Hostels in San Blas: Bohemian neighborhood with affordable options.
• Family accommodations: Especially on secondary streets of the center.
• Lodges and hostels: Concentrated around the Plaza de Armas, ideal for backpackers.

There is no simple way to explain the majesty that Cusco represents. This region brings together history, modernity, and adventure with a mystique that envelops from the Cusqueñan Plaza de Armas to the most remote places. Visiting the ancient Inca capital is immersing yourself in a world where each stone tells a story, each dish is a sensory experience, and each festivity is an explosion of color and tradition.

Cusco is much more than the gateway to Machu Picchu; it is a destination with its own identity whose legacy lives on in the cobblestone streets, in the faces of its inhabitants, and in the traditions that endure despite the passage of time. Whether you’re looking for adventure, history, culture, or gastronomy, Cusco has something to offer every traveler. Qhapaq ñan! (Good journey in Quechua!)