🏔️ Cusco: capital of the Incas and paradise for tourists

Any guidebook you use while visiting Peru will definitely advise you to go to the main tourist city of the country – Cusco. And this will really be a good point in your travel plan around the country.

We can say that this is not only the main city for travelers to Peru, but also a city with incredible energy. If you're looking for a place where big things happened or a place to recharge, then you should definitely head to this mountain town. But before starting your trip, be sure to visit the capital of Peru, Lima, for a few days. You can read about this charming city here.

How to get there

Since the pandemic, opportunities to get to Cusco have been significantly reduced. Currently, the local airport accepts flights only from Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and other Peruvian cities. Therefore, the best and most convenient option is to get here directly from the capital of the country. Of course, the most convenient option is an airplane. Just one hour and you are there.

An advantage to this method of transportation will be the opportunity to see the Andes from above. But this can also be called a minus. After all, flying over the mountains is accompanied by strong turbulence. Another way is by bus. However, if you choose this type of transport, you will have to spend a whole day on the road! Moreover, the route goes through the mountains, that is, the constant change in altitude is unlikely to allow you to travel in comfort.

What to see 

Cusco is a city located in the Andes, which for several centuries was the capital of the Inca Empire. In addition, this is a city of incredible beauty, where you can spend more than one hour looking at the many beautiful buildings. 

In the very center of the city is the main square of Cusco – Plaza de Armas. Once here, you may not notice how time flies. It's incredibly beautiful here. It seems that in the distance the square is surrounded by the majestic Andes, on which the houses of local residents are located. And when darkness comes, these houses turn into thousands of lights. 

In the main square of the city there are several buildings significant for Cusco: the Cathedral Basilica, the Church of the Society of Jesus, the chapels of Loreto, San Ignacio de Loyola, Del Triunfo and the Sagrada Familia.

The basilica contains many important images, more than 100 paintings and 50 sculptures. The Church of the Society of Jesus was built in 16 years, which is almost a record time for building a temple. And the dome and altar of the church are the highest in the city.

Of course, the most famous statue of Christ is in Rio. But Cusco also has its own sculpture of Jesus hugging the city. Although it is not as big as in other cities, the mountain on which it is located offers an incredible view of the city. You can get to the mountain by taxi, but you will have to cover the remaining 400-500 meters to the observation deck on your own. Another option is to buy a bus tour ticket. In this case, you will be taken straight to the top.

On the way to the statue of Christ, you can see another iconic place for Cusco – Sacsayhuaman. This is an ancient Incan fortress city. It consists of a huge number of giant boulders that stand on top of each other, without being connected by any solution. And you can imagine that these walls withstood a powerful earthquake, from which the entire city suffered greatly.

And if you go up or down into the city on your own, you will certainly come across the Cathedral of San Cristobal. The entire wall of the temple has remained since ancient times, since the Spanish builders decided not to destroy it.

The Chocolate Museum is located very close to the Plaza de Armas. And here you can learn the history of chocolate from antiquity to modern times, as well as participate in the creation of the product. There is also a cafe in the museum where you can try a bunch of things with the choco prefix. For example, chocolate tea, hot chocolate, candy with nuts or raisins, and even chocolate wine!

The Dodecagonal Stone is an artifact that is a national treasure. At one time it was part of the Inca palace, and now forms a wall of the palace of the Archbishop of Cusco.

Useful tips

Cusco is cool throughout the year, but the weather is also very changeable. Therefore, be sure to stock up on warm clothes both for walking and for sleeping. Since houses may not have a heater.

Do not forget that the city is located at an altitude of 3400 meters above sea level. And, accordingly, you are 3400 meters closer to the sun, be sure to stock up on sunscreen and glasses. You can get burned even in cloudy weather.

You should not plan trips to other attractions in the first 2-3 days. After arriving in Cusco, it is best to give your body a couple of days to adapt to the altitude.

And you can find local delicacies here.