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Cusco

Cusco

Cusco is without a doubt the most beautiful city in Peru and possibly South America. Once the heart of the Inca Empire, It was considered the navel of the earth, the capital of Tahuantinsuyo or the Inca Empire, an empire that at its peak stretched north to the south of Colombia, South to northern Chile and Argentina, and West across the Andes to the Amazon basin. Today Cusco is the modern-day starting point for visits to Peru’s most famous site, Machu Picchu.

Cusco

Cusco Tours with a Local Private Guide

Cusco is without a doubt the most beautiful city in Peru and possibly South America. Once the heart of the Inca Empire, It was considered the navel of the earth, the capital of Tahuantinsuyo or the Inca Empire, an empire that at its peak stretched north to the south of Colombia, South to northern Chile and Argentina, and West across the Andes to the Amazon basin. Cusco’s city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today Cusco is the modern-day starting point for visits to Peru’s most famous site, Machu Picchu.

The Incas were outstanding stonemasons and town planners. In Cusco, you will be able to observe the skill and exquisiteness of this work on the many walls that serve as foundations to colonial buildings. The colonial buildings themselves are among the finest in the Americas. The crisp air, the surrounding mountains, and the clear Andean sky provide the perfect backdrop to Cusco’s cobbled narrow streets, its lovely buildings and plazas, its many hidden treasures and churches. It is not only culturally fascinating and beautiful to look at, but also extremely pleasant to wander around and be in the city itself.

Best Cusco Guided Tours 

Make the most of your Peru trip and join us on one of our Cusco Tours with a Local Guide. Browse the top Experiences to explore on your trip to Cusco.

Cusco City - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Rainbow Mountain
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Experience our 5 Day Machu Picchu Tour and Rainbow Mountain with a private local guide 5-Day Machu Picchu Tour and Rainbow Mountain Package - Explore the best
  • Hiking
  • Local Culture
  • Archaeology
  • Train journeys
  • Scenic Vistas
5 days from
$ 990
Cusco City - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
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4 Day Machu Picchu Tour, The Best Tour Package by Local Guides Explore the best of Cusco, the Sacred Valley,  and the famed UNESCO site - Machupicchu on this
  • Hiking
  • Local Culture
  • Archaeology
  • Train journeys
  • Scenic Vistas
4 Days from
$ 820
Cusco Airport - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu
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Leisurely 3-Day Machu Picchu Tour & Sacred Valley from Cusco Airport Explore all the highlights of Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu on this amazing 3-day Pr
  • Hiking
  • Local Culture
  • Archaeology
  • Train journeys
  • Scenic Vistas
3 Days from
$ 740
Cusco Airport - Sacred Valley - Machu Picchu - Cusco city
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Relaxed 5 Day Machu Picchu Sacred Valley Experience with Local Guides Explore the best of Cusco, the Sacred Valley and the famed UNESCO site - Machupicchu on t
  • Local Culture
  • Archaeology
  • Family
  • Train journeys
  • Scenic Vistas
5 days from
$ 1090
Cusco - Sacred Valley Hike - Huaypo Lake
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Sacred Valley Hike Huaypo Lake, A Walk Through The Quinoa Fields Sacred Valley Hike Huaypo Lake Tour--Want to hike to go on an off-the-beaten path and explore
  • Hiking
  • Local Culture
  • Family
  • Culinary
  • Scenic Vistas
Full Day from
$ 120
Cusco - Pacchanta Village- Ausangate 7 Lakes
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Ausangate 7 Lakes Day Trip from Cusco Explore one of the Highest Mountains in Peru, Ausangate on a day trip from Cusco. Avoid the massive crowds with our exclu
  • Hiking
  • Local Culture
  • Wildlife
  • Culinary
  • Scenic Vistas
Full Day from
$ 160
Cusco - Upis Town - Yanacocha - Rainbow Mountain - Jhampa - Pacchanta Town
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Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain 5 Days, Mind-bending Scenic Vistas in Every Way! Visit a landscape shaped by the spectacular forces of wind and ice, trek th
  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Local Culture
  • Wildlife
  • Scenic Vistas
5 days from
$ 730
Cusco - Capuliyoc - Maranpata Town - Choquequirao
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Choquequirao Trek 5 Days, A Premium Journey in the Remote Regions of Cusco. Perched astride a high ridge promontory at 10,000 feet amongst the snow-capped peak
  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Archaeology
  • Scenic Vistas
5 days from
$ 750
Cusco - Upis Hot Springs - Lakes - Rainbow Mountain
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Experience the Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain 4 Days Premier Adventure! Ausangate Trek to Rainbow Mountain---A renowned adventure for very good reason, thi
  • Hiking
  • Camping
  • Local Culture
  • Wildlife
  • Scenic Vistas
4 Days from
$ 640
Pisac - Ollantaytambo - Maras salt mines - Moray - Chinchero
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Leisurely 2-Day Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco Airport to Ollantaytambo Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco Airport - Experience the best of the Sacred Valley and mak
  • Local Culture
  • Archaeology
  • Family
  • Scenic Vistas
2 Days from
$ 250

What to See & Do in Cusco

Cusco is an enchanting introduction to the Andean culture and the jumping-off point for both Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Browse the top attractions to explore on your trip to Cusco.

Qorikancha, the Incan Temple of the Sun. 

This was once the most sacred spot in Cusco, dedicated to the supreme Inca deity, Inti, the sun. At the time of the arrival of the Spanish, it was completely covered in gold. Today the gold is long gone, and atop the Inca base, you´ll find the colonial Santo Domingo Convent.

The Cusco’s Plaza de Armas.

The heart of modern Cusco, the Plaza the Armas, which was once known as Huacaypata, the place of tears, a fitting name for the site where Túpac Amaru II was quartered in the late 1700s after his unsuccessful Inca rebellion against the Spanish. Upon the bases of Inca palaces, the Spanish built arched passageways, churches and mansions. 

Cusco Cathedral

The history of colonial Cusco goes hand-in-hand with its churches, and none is more iconic than the Cusco Cathedral. It was built on the site of an Inca palace, using stones from that palace and Sacsayhuaman. Construction for the church began in 1560 and was completed nearly 100 years later in 1656. 

San Pedro Market

A visit to the vibrant San Pedro Market. It’s always a popular stop with guests to Cusco not just because of its vibrant riot of color and activity but also for the insight it provides into local life. Aside from handicrafts and native Andean grains and produce, there are also many products that surprise foreigners.

Sacsayhuaman 

Sacsayhuaman was the largest stone structure that the Inca Empire constructed. Built over 500 years ago it still stands tall today and houses the famous Inti Raymi festival every year in June. The stone boulders show the Inca style of architecture with blocks expertly cut and placed without the use of mortar.

San Blas Bohemian Neighborhood

Ascending some narrow from the Main square and twisting cobblestone street, we’ll make a stop in the small central plaza of the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, which has been the artistic district of Cusco since Inca times. Here we learn about the well-known local artist families and their fine works.

Culinary Adventures in Cusco

The Colored Mountain or Rainbow Mountain is a challenging high-altitude trek that rewards you with views that have made this trek Instagram famous. Colorful minerals in the soil stripe the mountain range in a natural rainbow of red, green, blue, and yellow.  

Cusco FAQs

Browse the most Frequently Asked Questions we often receive from our traveling guests. If your questions are not answered here, please do not hesitate to contact us via the Inquiry Form.

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Browse the top Sample Experiences to explore on your trip to Cusco.

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