December 26 – December 29: Cusco

Peru, my love! This wonderful country has held a special fascination for me since my childhood. Seeing Machu Picchu with my own eyes had been a lifelong dream, which I finally realized in 2017. Back then, I extensively visited this wonderful country and so I was hesitating if I should include it at all in the current trip or not.

It wasn’t until the second-to-last day in the Galápagos that I finally convinced myself that Machu Picchu would more than justify a second visit. And so, I added a brief stop in Cusco to my itinerary.

Now that I am here, I question my own sanity for ever considering not re-visiting Peru while being so close. It remains one of the most wonderful countries on earth, absolutely worth revisiting, with stunning scenery, fascinating Inca ruins, and amazing food! A special nod to alpaca meat, which is the most tender meat I can recall knowing, as well as other culinary highlights such as ceviche, lomo saltado, and pisco sour.

Cusco is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, located at the border of the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon rainforest at an altitude of 3,400 meters. Its charming cobblestone streets are flanked by Inca-built structures and colonial churches. The city boasts a rich cultural heritage, with several museums and churches to explore.

You can visit Sacsayhuamán, an important Inca site situated on a hill overlooking Cusco, which is accessible by foot from the city. If you haven’t noticed the altitude yet, you certainly will as you make your way up there!

Cusco is also close to many of Peru’s highlights, including Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, and the Sacred Valley. Additionally, both Arequipa and Puno (Lake Titicaca) are reachable within a few hours by bus.

Most museums are conveniently situated around the Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s central square. Sacsayhuamán is a 30-minute walk from there, and you’ll find many tour operators in the center to help organize trips to more distant points of interest.

For longer distances within the city – such as from the airport to the center – you can use Uber, which works well and is inexpensive here. You could even use Uber to get up to Sacsayhuamán if you don’t feel like walking.

I took two day trips to places I skipped on my previous visit due to time constraints – the Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain. Be aware that Machu Picchu is not doable as a day trip, but more about that later.

• Sacsayhuamán: An impressive Inca archaeological site located on a hill overlooking Cusco, known for its massive stone walls and panoramic views of the city.
• Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): A stunning, colorful mountain that requires a challenging hike but rewards visitors with breathtaking views of its multicolored layers.
• Sacred Valley: A region filled with picturesque landscapes, Inca ruins, and traditional villages, including highlights like Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Moray.
• Inca Trail: A multi-day trek through the Andes, leading to Machu Picchu and offering breathtaking scenery and ancient ruins along the way. I did the 4-day trek back in 2017 and it was an extraordinary experience which I can only highly recommend. The hike takes you up to an altitude of 4200 meters on the second day, but you descend that same day still below 3000, so altitude sickness should actually not be an issue.
• San Pedro Market: A bustling market offering local produce, traditional food, and handicrafts, perfect for soaking in Cusco’s vibrant atmosphere.
• Coricancha (Temple of the Sun): A former Inca temple that was converted into a colonial church by the invaders or colonists (depending on your perspective), showcasing a fascinating blend of Inca and Spanish architecture.

Cusco pictures: