The remote and lofty setting of Machu Picchu, perched high upon a mountainside in the Sacred Valley, makes it impossible to simply drive there. Instead, your path to or from this ancient wonder will involve taking a train to/from Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo) – a town that has blossomed around the station at the base of the valley.
The 7 best places to visit in Cusco
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, perfectly lined walls without the need of any mortar substance in which even a needle cannot fit between each stone.
Machu Picchu nowadays is very well known worldwide, it's located on the 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 the 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.
Moreover, the significance of Sacsayhuaman extends beyond its architectural marvels. It serves as a testament to the ingenuity and engireering prowess of the ancient Inca civilization. The precision with which the stones were cut and fitted together reflects a sophisticated understanding of geometry and craftsmanship.
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, it's worth it!
Third: Qoricancha Temple
This temple, also known as Santo Domingo Temple, its part of the Catholic church, built over the most important inca temple of its time. Qoricancha temple is the only place in which our visitors will appreciate the mixture of Andean and European styles, as this place keeps the best enclosures of Inca civilization with a perfect work in which the only question is how these stone blocks were cut, assembled or how is this even possible?
It's also noted as the main point from where all the roads of the Empire surged from, and where they all returned by conforming the Qhapaq Ñan (or road of power/or of the powerful from it's Quechua translation).
Visitors can also appreciate a golden plaque that depicts the ancient inca cosmogony illustrated in it, it was also interpreted by Santa Cruz de Pachuti in it's chronic.
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 an Inca warrior who falls in love with Cusi Coyllur, an Inca princess, who reciprocates his feelings. However, the Inca emperor opposes this relationship, leading the couple to escape to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
There, the warrior builds the Ollantaytambo fortress to fight for his love. This is the story behind this magnificent archaeological site, which amazoes with its architecture and people, as some of them are direct descendants from the 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 now known as Cachiccata, where nowadays many people visit its summit to visit the Sun's Gate or Intipunku located there.
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 that go to the Sacred Valley 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 reaching Rainbow Mountain, belonging to the 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 South American 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. (14.107 feet) 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.
Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley in 3 Days
No time for your travel and want to know the most important of the Incas city? You can do that, 3 days, Inca Trail (Short version), Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley. Kick off your adventure from your cozy Cusco hotel. Beyond Ordinary: Explore more tourist sites than any other tour company. Tailored for You: Enjoy full flexibility, crafting your unique journey.
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