The city of Cusco or Qosqo was the Empire of the Incas, is the main tourist destination of Peru and one of the most important in South America. Cusco is considered a magical city because when you arrive and walk around the Plaza de Armas you will be imbued with its mysticism, culture, colonial churches and much more. Cusco is located on the valley of the Huatanay River, in the southern highlands of Peru, and owes the name “navel of the world” (Qosco in Quechua) to having been the center of a vast network of roads that went to each of the four regions that formed the “four parts of the world or Four of Its” according to the Andean cosmovision. Cusco is also a colonial city, with splendid churches and old houses. Many consider that it is, precisely, that special mixture that makes it a charming and attractive city for all visitors.
The city of Cusco, former capital of the Inca Empire, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983 and is undoubtedly one of the most important destinations in the world.
Among its main archaeological monuments we can mention the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Quenqo, the archaeological site of Tambomachay, among other sites of archaeological and tourist importance. The past of the Spaniards still conserves important architectural remains of colonial style, among them the Cathedral Basilica, the temple and the convent of La Merced, the church of the company of Jesus, the pulpit of San Blas, the churches of Santa Catalina. , Santa Clara and San Cristóbal, Santo Domingo, and museums and paintings of the Cusqueña School.
Due to the impressive beauty of its archaeological monuments, cusco has been, deservedly, declared as the “Archaeological Capital of South America”, in an Americanist congress held in Argentina, in the year of 1993. And in 1993, the state Peruvian through the congress declares the city of Cusco as the “Historical Capital of Peru”.
Among its cobbled streets are Inca buildings, such as the Qoricancha and the Inca Roca Palace, along with colonial buildings of Andean Baroque style, such as the Cathedral and the Church of the Company; You can also visit the picturesque neighborhood of San Blas, where the workshops of the best artisans of the department can be found.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas that was said to be the Inca’s private garden, an hour from Cusco, extends the towns of Pisac, Maras, Chinchero and Ollantaytambo, from where it is possible to take the train to Machupicchu. Another way to get to the citadel of Machupicchu is by following one of the trails of the Inca Trail, a spectacular network of paths that meander among snow-capped mountains, rivers, and breathtaking landscapes. This is one of the best trekking routes in the world, because through it, impressive archaeological sites and areas rich in unique species of flora and fauna are dotted.
Land Route: The city of Cusco can be reached by the following means:
Lima – Arequipa – Cusco: 1, 494 km of route, with a duration of 24 hours approx. by bus This is the most recommended route to get to this city.
Lima-Nazca-Puquio-Abancay-Cusco: 1 136 km (20 hours by car approx.).
Puno – Cusco: 389 Kms, 7 hours by car.
By flight: There are daily air transportation services that operate from Lima to the Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco; 45 minutes approx. Of flight.
Another recommended air route to reach the city of Cuzco is: Arequipa – Cusco, which lasts 30 min. approx. Of flight.
Railway: There is a railway network linking the cities of Arequipa – Juliaca – Puno – Cusco.
