Any guidebook you use when visiting Peru will definitely recommend visiting the country's main tourist city, Cusco. And it really will be a good stop on your itinerary around the country.
It can be said that this is not only the main city for travelers in Peru, but also a city with incredible energy. If you are looking for a place where great events took place, or a place where you can recharge your batteries, then you should definitely visit this mountain town. But before you start your trip, be sure to spend a few days in Peru's capital, Lima. You can read about this charming city here.
How to get there
After the pandemic, the options for getting to Cusco have been significantly reduced. Currently, the local airport only accepts flights from Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and other Peruvian cities. Therefore, the best and most convenient option is to travel here directly from the country's capital. Of course, the most convenient option is to fly. It only takes an hour to get there.
The advantage of this mode of transportation is the opportunity to see the Andes from above. However, this can also be considered a disadvantage, as flying over mountains is accompanied by significant turbulence. Another option is to travel by bus. However, if you choose this mode of transportation, you will need to spend an entire day on the road. What's more, the route goes through the mountains, which means constant changes in altitude, making for a rather uncomfortable journey.
What to see
Cusco is a city located in the Andes, which was the capital of the Inca Empire for several centuries. It is also a city of incredible beauty, where you can spend hours admiring the many beautiful buildings.
In the very center of the city is Cusco's main square, Plaza de Armas. Once you arrive here, you may not notice how quickly time flies. After all, it is incredibly beautiful here. It seems as if the square is surrounded by the majestic Andes in the distance, dotted with the houses of local residents. And when darkness falls, these houses turn into thousands of lights.
The main square of the city is home to several buildings of significance to Cusco: the Cathedral Basilica, the Church of the Society of Jesus, and the chapels of Loreto, San Ignacio de Loyola, Del Triunfo, and Sagrada Familia.
The basilica houses many important images, over 100 paintings, and 50 sculptures. The Church of the Society of Jesus was built in 16 years, which is practically a record time for the construction of a temple. 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 embracing the city. Although it is not as large 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 walk the remaining 400-500 meters to the observation deck on your own. Another option is to buy a ticket for a bus tour. In this case, you will be taken directly to the top.
On the way to the statue of Christ, you can see another landmark of Cusco — Sacsayhuaman. It is an ancient Inca fortress city. It consists of a huge number of giant boulders stacked on top of each other without any mortar. And you can imagine that these walls withstood a powerful earthquake that severely damaged the entire city.
And if you go up or down to the city on your own, you will definitely come across the Cathedral of San Cristóbal. An entire wall of the temple has remained since ancient times, as Spanish builders decided not to destroy it.
The Chocolate Museum is located very close to Plaza de Armas. Here you can learn about the history of chocolate from ancient times to the present day, as well as participate in the creation of the product. The museum also has a café where you can try a variety of chocolate-based items. For example, chocolate tea, hot chocolate, candies with nuts or raisins, and even chocolate wine!
The twelve-sided stone is an artifact that is a national treasure. It was once part of the Inca palace, and now forms part of the wall of the Archbishop's Palace in Cusco.
Useful tips
Cusco is cool throughout the year, but the weather is very changeable. Therefore, be sure to bring warm clothes for both walking and sleeping, as houses may not have heating.
Don't forget that the city is located at an altitude of 3,400 meters above sea level. This means you are 3,400 meters closer to the sun, so be sure to stock up on sunscreen and sunglasses. You can get sunburned even in cloudy weather.
It is not advisable to plan trips to other attractions during the first 2-3 days. After arriving in Cusco, it is best to give your body a couple of days to adjust to the altitude.
And you can find out about local delicacies here.
