There is no simple way to explain the majesty of the imperial city. This captivating department gathers history, modernity and adventure with a mystique that wraps from the Cusquenian plaza de armas to the most distant attractions of the region. Fill up with energy in Moray, discover the impressive architecture of Ollantaytambo and Pisac and feel a little closer to the sky in the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. And not only that: the navel of the world is also full of contemporary art, an effervescent nightlife and adrenaline-filled activities in the sacred valley.
At present, people from all over the world, from all cultures, religions and socioeconomic levels are mixed in the main square of Cusco.Cusco is one of the most cosmopolitan and interesting cities in South America and is considered a World Heritage Site. Here we show you some places that you can not miss in your Cusco travel.
The complex covers 33 archaeological sites. The best known is Saqsayhuaman, it is presumed that its construction was of a religious nature, but because of its location and style it was considered by the Spaniards and chroniclers as a military building.
Qenko or Labyrinth is considered a sacred place. It is presumed that ceremonies were performed in honor of the Sun, the Moon and the stars. On the outside there is a semicircular amphitheater with trapezoidal niches and a monolith that simulates a puma, which measures six meters.
The complex has numerous enclosures, interior plazas, aqueducts, watchtowers and roads. It would have served as a tambo or place of rest and lodging. According to it is counted, every time that the Inca was arranged to visit Tambomachay, was accompanied by a great retinue that was staying in Puka Pukara. By their appearance they call it a fortress.
Tambomachay would have fulfilled an important religious function linked to water and to the regeneration of the earth. The place has an extension of approximately half a hectare and the material used for its construction was limestone with polygonal style rigging.
It is considered by the chroniclers as one of the most audacious Inca constructions. It dates from the 15th century. Stresses the Wiracocha Temple, with 100 m long and 20 m wide. It is composed of adobe walls supported on foundations of volcanic stone.
The complex also includes an area of housing for the Inca nobility and dozens of circular deposits for the storage of food.
Archaeological Park of Pisac: It is constituted by groups of archaeological remains among which stand platforms, aqueducts, roads associated with walls and portals, channeled water channels, cemeteries and bridges.
Chinchero Archeological Center: This site presents exceptional lithic expressions due to the monumentality and development of its architecture. It was built by Tupac Inca Yupanqui in 1480. Archaeological Ensemble of Ollantaytambo: It was built during the Inca period as a fortified area that includes a temple, platforms and an urban sector. Two sectors can be distinguished: one denominated Araqama Ayllu, zone linked to the cult and the religion; and the second Qosqo Ayllu, a group dedicated to housing.
Archaeological Ensemble of Moray: Moray was an important agricultural research center for the domestication, acclimatization and hybridization of wild species, which were adapted for human consumption. It is believed that each terrace reproduces the climatic conditions of different ecological zones, where 60% of vegetable species, three thousand varieties of potatoes, corn, etc. were produced.
Salineras de Maras: They are salt mines whose exploitation is as old as the Tahuantinsuyo. The inhabitants channel the saline water that emanates from the ground - from a water hole called Qoripujio - to pools where, due to the effects of the sun, it evaporates, leaving on the surface the salt that is then treated for sale in the local market.
Discover the Condor Sight Cusco, a privileged place to contemplate the magical flight of the Andean condor, the most representative bird of the region. The condor symbolized strength, intelligence and exaltation or exaltation. It was an animal respected by all those who lived in the Andes, since it not only brought good and bad presages
One of the most precious gifts that the Inca has given us is this suspension bridge that lies on the Apurímac River. Made from straw brava or ichu icho, this wonder is renewed year after year through a ritual executed by the communities of Winch'iri, Chaupibanda, Ccollana Quehue and Perccaro. Therefore, do not miss the opportunity to cross its 28 meters long which will make you live the adrenaline to the maximum in this beautiful Inca construction.
Machu Picchu is a thousand-year-old Inca citadel nestled in a mountain. In Machu Picchu - Peru there are temples, platforms and water channels. Its construction was built with large blocks of stone joined together, without the use of amalgam. Machu Picchu - Peru was declared a Historical and Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco in 1981 when it was recognized as an important political, religious and administrative center of the Inca period.
Its name translated into Spanish means Old Mountain. It has also been called the Lost City of the Incas because it was a mystery until it was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
The best season is to do it in the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi 2020 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.
This incredible Inca Trail Peru treks is part of the Qhapaq Ñan network. For that reason, to travel the Inca Trail Peru treks is to observe the seasons of the year in a few days: from a moderate cold to an extreme cold, from a warm temperature to an intense heat.
The Inca Trail Peru treks departs from Cusco is a challenge for the adventurers, and as a reward for their effort is to reach Machu Picchu in a magical sunrise, when the sun's rays come down from the mountains to reveal the harmony between man and nature. The Inca Trail Peru treks is one of the most important trekking routes in South America. In the route there are numerous streams and courses of waters of glacial origin. Among the twelve archaeological monuments that can be seen include: Qoriwachayrachina, Patallaqta, Runkuraqay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Intipunku, Intipata and Wiñayhuayna.
Choquequirao, Peru could be one of the lost citadels in the valley of Vilcabamba Peru, where the Incas took refuge from 1536. The complex consists of nine stone architectural groups, with hundreds of platforms, rooms and irrigation systems The buildings are distributed around an esplanade or main square.
This mountain range is the first sister of the now famous Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain but with better accessibility. Its more than nine thousand natural hectares have a color similar to the rainbow, which gives it a cheerful and at the same time mystical atmosphere. In addition, in your journey you will appreciate a forest of stones, ideal for nature lovers. This attractiveness is relatively new and many people of the region did not know it, since before it was covered by snow, which did not allow to see its coloration. However, because of global warming, the snow has disappeared and now it is possible to appreciate the range of colors that are in Palcoyo.
If your thing is to enjoy nature and trekking, this place is ideal. Humantay, is a snow-covered mountain that is part of the Andean mountain range and gives rise to the formation of this splendid lagoon that, due to its unique turquoise color, generates the interest of foreign and national visitors. The walk to the place will make you feel a sense of peace and tranquility thanks to its natural beauty that you will run into.
With a mystical air, the lagoon is visited by shamans and tourists from all over the world to leave offerings to the Pachamama, deity that represents mother Earth in the Inca culture. Through the placement of stones (apachetas), an offering is offered to the Pachamama thanking him for having successfully arrived at the lagoon, as well as for asking him to accompany them on their journey.
According to the inhabitants, the Humantay mountain is the youngest son of the Apu Salkantay, and they would be in charge of rationalizing and distributing the water that comes down from its snows to the populations that live at the foot of these impressive snowcapped mountains.
It is ideal for the practice of adventure sports, especially for those who like trekking and glacier climbing. This high Andean area is surrounded by turquoise lagoons like the Sibinicocha: a water mirror of 8 km.
The sunsets and sunrises in the vicinity of the Ausangate circuit are wonderful natural spectacles.
The National Park has been recognized as a core area of the Biosphere Reserve in 1977 and in 1978 as a Natural World Heritage Site.
This National Park is a natural and protected area for sighting birds such as the Orinoco goose, the golden-headed quetzal, the white-throated jacamar, the Andean toucan, the gallito de las rocas (national bird of Peru), among others.
The Manu Peru amazon also protects 10% of the plant species in the world. A single hectare of the forest in the Manu Peru amazon can house more than 220 species of trees, 1 000 species of birds, 1 200 butterflies and 200 mammals. It is probably the protected park with the greatest biological diversity in the world.
In this area, not only the fauna and flora or its beautiful landscapes are of interest. In its surroundings live populations grouped in more than 30 peasant communities that maintain Quechua as their mother tongue.
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