The 7 best places to visit in Cusco 2018

First: Machu Picchu

This is the principal attractive in our Cusco region, due that UNESCO had catalogued it as one of the 7 wonders worldwide, with more than 200 constructions among temples, palaces, astronomical observation centers and sacrificial altars with different architectural styles in some cases very rustics and in others, perfect walls in which even a needle cannot fit between each stone. Machupicchu nowadays very well known worldwide is located on Vilcanota mountain chain and the Peruvian andes, in which more than 600 years old a select group of Inca high society decided to build this big city that was mistakenly recognized as Inca lost city Paititi; in a site parallel to the valley in which is located this sanctuary. This discovery was published in August 2017 by local people of Sacramento zone, in Calca province, Cusco department.

Second: Sacsayhuamán Fortress

Without any doubt is very impressive how this rustic, but knowledgeable civilization could move gigantic stones with over 180 tons of weight, and even more impressive is how they could join them so perfectly using only simple tools such as chisels made of bronze alloys and hard stones such as meteorite stone, and making these kind of works is an intriguing mystery hidden in this fortress.

Nevertheless, the oral tradition of this zone tells that Sacsayhuaman is part of Cusco city due that its design has a puma shape and the head of this animal is Sacsayhuaman.  Also, these walls have zigzag forms in 3 levels and the superior portion exists the foundations of 3 towers that were known thank to Chronicles of some famous writers of colonial time.

Visit Sacsayhuamán, is worth it!

Third: Qoricancha Temple

This temple is known as well as Santo Domingo temple because it was constructed over a Catholic church, over inca enclosure foundations which were very resistant terrains. Qoricancha temple is the only place in which our visitors will appreciate the mixture of Andean and European styles, as this place keep the best enclosures of Inca civilization with a perfect work in which the only question is how these stone blocks were cut or how is this even possible?

We can appreciate as well the colonial constructions with decorative murals and paintings belonging to Cusquenian school which have a particularity: objects of inca culture or catholic elements as Last supper but including our guinea pig and corn instead the traditional.

Forth: Ollantaytambo

Starting from Cusco city by bus for 1.30 minutes, we arrive to Ollantaytambo: a little picturesque and touristic town. Ollantaytambo is born from a beautiful love story: Ollantay is the name of a inca warrior whom falls in love from an Inca princess which was in love of him too, but the Inca emperor was in disagreement with this relationship and for this reason the couple decided to escape to Sacred Valley of the incas in which the warrior built the Ollantaytambo fortress, to fight for his love. And this is the story of this magnificent archaeological site which amaze with its architecture and people, as some of them are direct descendants of incas. Another impressive fact is that granite blocks with which they built Ollantaytambo are not from this area but were transported more than 5 kilometers away from a quarry that is now known as Cachicata, where nowadays there are travel and tourism agencies offering 2 days hikes.

Fifth: Pisaq

This archaeologic complex is situated in the Sacred Valley of the incas, only 45 minutes away from Cusco city by bus. Here is located the most known artisanal market and in which our weaver sisters work with natural process their textiles, they also have silverwork, they produce this metal and arrange souvenirs for our visitors making more interesting our visit and of course the visit to Pisaq archaeological site, with a big extension as it almost covers all the mountain in which is situated. Also, there is the biggest unique cemetery with more than 2000 graves.

The visit of this archaeological site and typical market is included in the majority of tours offered by Cusco travel agencies.

This tour is highly recommended! Don’t miss it!

Sixth: Rainbow Mountain

This natural wonder is located 3 hours away by bus from Cusco and another 2 hours hiking until reach Rainbow Mountain, belonging to Pitumarca district or so called Cusipata.

This wonder is recent, but its marvelous surrounding colors and Red Valley which is aside of this mountain, makes this place extra especial. We will have as well, one of the highest peaks in Peruvian andes called Ausangate, considered a protector deity. During the hike, our visitors will enjoy the impressive views of Peruvian andes and wildlife of this zone as the habitat is perfect for our southamerican camelids (llamas, alpacas, waris, pacochas, etc) as well as their local people whom maintains their traditions and customs.

Visit the Rainbow Mountain which is only a step away from Cusco!

Seventh: Humantay Lagoon

This natural attractive is a new option for intrepid tourists whom like nature and a good opportunity to contact wildness as this lagoon is located 4300 m.a.s.l. and on foot of the snowcapped mountain Humantay, in the Vilcabamba mountain chain part of the Peruvian andes.

In order to reach Humantay, you will have to take a transport towards Mollepata town located 2.30 mins away from Cusco, here all the tourists make a brief stop for breakfast and then continue another hour by bus until reaching Soraypampa which is the end of the highway and the starting trekking point to Salkantay. The visit to Humantay lagoon takes another 2 hours approx. until arrive to turquoise colored lagoon and the impressive Humantay snowcapped mountain, here the tourist groups have some free time to walk or take a lot of photos.

The return is the same way, descending until Soraypampa again and boarding the bus back to Cusco.