Cuzco

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Cuzco Downtown The terrain in cuzco is steep, combining fertile inter-Andean valleys with impressive mountains that descend to the rim of the jungle where the temperature rises and the landscape is transformed through a variety of vegetation.

The city of cuzco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire, was placed on the World Cultural Heritage List by UNESCO in 1983, and is without a doubt one of the most important destinations in Peru. There are Incan buildings waiting for you to discover them among its cobble-stoned streets, ones like the Koricancha and the palace of Inca Roca as well as Andean Baroque structures from the Colonial Period like the Cathedral and the Church of the Company of Christ. In addition, you can visit the picturesque neighborhood of San Blas where the best artisans in the department have set up their workshops. This magical city also has an exciting nightlife with cafes, restaurants, and bars for all tastes. Just ten minutes away from the city, there are the massive walls of the Sacsayhuamán fortress, and a few kilometers from there, you find the archeological sites of Qenko, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay, Incan buildings constructed completely with stone.

There are also the towns of Písac, Maras, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo, which are spread throughout the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one hour from cuzco. From there, it is possible to catch the train to Machu Picchu. Another way of getting to the citadel is by following one of the Inca Trails, a spectacular network of pathways that snake their way among the snow covered mountains, rivers, and overwhelming countryside. This is one of the best trekking routes in the world, since scattered throughout it, you find remarkable archeological sites and areas rich in unique plant and animal species.

The enigmatic complex of Machu Picchu, the most important and beautiful legacy of the ancient Peruvian, is part of the Historic Sanctuary of the same name, which is also one of the few places in the Americas placed on both the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Lists by UNESCO. It is located high on top of a mountain and complements the exuberant nature that surrounds it, creating a one of a kind place in the world.

Main Square, cuzco
During the Inca Empire, the square was called Huacaypata, a Quechua word meaning “place of tears” or “meeting place”. It was an important ceremonial spot where the Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun was celebrated every year. It is also the place where Franciso Pizarro proclaimed the conquest of cuzco. After the Spanish arrived, the plaza changed. They erected stone arches and built the structures that surround it today.

Cathedral of cuzco
Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Sun. and Holidays 2:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
The building went through two construction stages: first, the Chapel of the Triumph was built on top of what used to be the temple Suntar Wasi (House of God); later, the cathedral itself was built over the remains of the palace of Inca Wiracocha. A Renaissance building in its majority, the interior decoration is rich in cedar and alder woodcarvings. The choir and the pulpit stand out for their beauty. An important collection of paintings from the cuzco School and silver wrought pieces are also kept there.

Templo de la Compañía de Jesús (Church of the Company of Jesus Christ)
Main Square
The original building was raised in 1571 on the grounds of the ancient palace of Inca Huayna Cápac, the Amarucancha. After the earthquake of 1650, it was rebuilt around 1688. The design and the façade are examples of Andean Baroque. The retable style entrance is decorated with medium size towers and the stonewalls are carefully worked. Once inside, the triple bodied upper altar with salomonic columns, the wooden pulpit, and numerous Baroque, Plateresque, and Churrigueresque shrines catch the eye. The most remarkable work of art is “El matrimonio de Martín García de Loyola con Beatriz Clara Coya“ (The Wedding of Martín García de Loyola with Beatriz Clara Coya).

Barrio de San Blas (San Blas Neighborhood)
4 blocks from the Main Square
It is one of the most picturesque areas in all of cuzco. It is called T’oqokachi or Salt Hole and is characterized by narrow, steep streets and beautiful Colonial houses. It is also known as the Artisans Neighborhood. In San Blas many families accommodate guests in their homes.

Church of San Blas
Plaza San Blas. Visiting hours: Mon. – Wed. and Fri. – Sun. 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. Mon. Sun. 2:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

Founded in 1560 during the Colonial period, it features a masterpiece in its wood carved Baroque pulpit, attributed to the Indigenous artist, Diego Quispe Tito.

Church and Convent of La Merced
Calle Mantas. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. 8:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. and 2:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.

The Baroque church was built between 1657 and 1680. The sacristy holds its most precious treasure: an impressive gold and gemstones encrusted monstrance, 1,3 meters / 3 feet high and of 22 kilos. It is crowned with one large mermaid shaped pearl, considered the second largest in the world.

Church and Convent of Santo Domingo / Koricancha
Plaza Intipampa, corner of Avenida El Sol and Calle Santo Domingo. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 8:30 A.M. – 6:30 P.M. and Sun. 2:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.

The Koricancha was one of the most impressive buildings of Inca cuzco according to the historians: the glowing gilding of the interior walls illuminated what used to be the main temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun God. The Spanish built the church and Dominican convent on top of the original structure around 1534 but they collapsed during the earthquake of 1650 and were rebuilt around 1681. The convent possesses an art gallery of valuable seventeenth and eighteenth century canvasses.

Church and Convent of Santa Catalina
Calle Santa Catalina Angosta. Visiting hours: Mass times
These two buildings were raised in 1605 on what used to be the Acllahuasi or House of the Chosen Women (acllas were women designated to accomplish special tasks for the Inca). The architecture is late Renaissance and is characterized by the Roman arches. Inside, you can still see traces of the original construction. There is also an exhibition room for murals, fine metal works, textiles, sculptures, and altarpieces.

Santa Catalina Museum
Calle Santa Catalina Angosta. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. and Fri. 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Here they exhibit paintings, textiles, woodcarvings, and Colonial altarpieces. The best among them are Diego Quispe Tito’s paintings, the Arcade carpet, and religious ornaments made of gold and silver threads.

Church and Convent of San Francisco
Plaza San Francisco. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.
Founded in 1645, it has two façades and a single, old Spanish style stone tower. The monumental painting, 12 x 9 meters / 39 x 30 feet, by Juan Espinoza de los Monteros relating the genealogy of the Franciscan family is the highlight of the convent.

Palacio Arzobispal y Piedra de los Doce Ángulos
(Archbishop’s House and the Twelve-Angle Stone)
Intersection of Calle Hatunrumiyoc and Jiron Herrajes. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 8:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

This Vice-royal building with Arabic influence was raised on the foundations of the palace of Inca Roca. Presently, it is the main centre of the Museum of Religious Art. On Calle Hatunrumiyoc, you can see an old Inca wall that was part of the Inca Roca palace and demonstrates the admirable construction skill of the Inca in terms of polished and perfectly placed stones. The most remarkable part is the “Twelve-Angle Stone”, famous for the perfect work and assembling of its angles.

Palacio del Almirante (Admiral’s Palace)
Calle Cuesta del Almirante 153. Visiting hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. Sat. and holidays 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
It is an old mansion, which today is the site of the Inca Museum. It contains an important archeological collection that includes ceramic, fine metal, and textile pieces as well as mummies.

House of the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega
Calle Heladeros. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sat. 9:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M.
Born on April 12, 1539, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega was the son of the Spanish Captain Garcilaso de la Vega y Vargas and the cuzco princess, Chimpu Ocllo. He is the author of two works, “Comentarios Reales” (Royal Commentaries) and “La Florida del Inca” (The Inca Flower), both motivated by the necessity to recover the history of the Inca Empire. The house is the current location of the Regional Historical Museum that contains a collection of canvasses from the cuzco School.

Larco Museum of Pre-Colombian Art
Plaza Nazarenas 231. Telephone: (084) 23-3210. Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. and holidays 9:00 A.M. – 11:00 P.M.Ç
The mansion that shelters the museum was Kancha Inca in 1450, the house of the Conquistador Alonso Díaz in 1580, the home of Count de la Cabrera in 1850, and was completely restored to become the Museum of Pre-Colombian Art in June 2003. In its 11 rooms, 450 works of art are displayed that date from 1250 B.C. to 1532 A.D. These were selected from a group of 45.000 objects belonging to the collection of the Larco Archeological Museum in Lima.

Sacsayhuaman Archeological Complex
2 km / 1 mile northeast of cuzco (10 minutes by car). Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. and holidays 7:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

The area contains thirty-three archeological sites. The most famous is Fort Sacsayhuaman. It might well have been a religious structure, but for its location and style, the Spanish and the historians believe it was a military construction. The most important temple in Hanan Qosqo or Upper cuzco might have been located there, dedicated to Andean cosmology and to the worship of the Inti (sun), the Quilla (moon), Chaska (stars), Illapa (ray), and other divinities. It is described as massive for the size of some of its stones, which weigh between 90 and 120 tons. This is also the stage of the Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun every 24th June.

Qenko Archeological Complex
3 km / 2 miles northwest of cuzco (15 minutes by car). Visiting hours: Mon. – Sun. and holidays 7:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

The Qenko or “labyrinth” might date from around 1500 A.D. It is considered a holy place where ceremonies honoring the sun, moon, and the stars used to take place.

Pukapukara Archeological Complex
7 km / 4 miles northeast of cuzco (30 minutes by car or 2 hours on foot)
The complex contains several rooms, inner plazas, aqueducts, vantage points, and pathways. It might have served as a tambo or rest and lodging area. According to the tale, each time the Inca was able to go to Tambomachay, he would be accompanied by a large cortège, which stayed at Pukapukara. It is also called a fort because of its fortified-city appearance.

Tambomachay Archeological complex
8 km / 4 miles northwest of cuzco (35 minutes by car)

Tambomachay might have fulfilled an important religious function linked to water and the regeneration of the land. Some scholars believe it was built around 1500 A.D., closely linked with Pukapukara. The area covers about one hectare, and was made out of polygonal shaped set limestone.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
It was part of the Inca highway system (Qhapaq Ñan) and is one of the most important South American trekking routes. Along the hike, you can see several gorges and streams that originate from glaciers. There are twelve archeological monuments along the trail, such as Qoriwachayrachina, Patallaqta, Runkuraqay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, Intipunku, Intipata, and Wiñayhuayna.

The starting point of the trip varies according to the trail you wish to take. The most popular route starts around kilometer marker 82 of the railroad cuzco – Machu Picchu (40 km / 25 miles from the citadel itself). Another possibility, shorter in time, is called the Sacred Trail, and begins at kilometer marker 104 of the railroad.

Awanakancha South American Camelids Theme Park
23 km / 14 miles from cuzco in the district of Taray. Telephone: (084) 23-1473. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.awanakancha.com
Camelids such as llamas, vicuñas, and alpacas are to be seen there in their native environment. They also demonstrate how to make clothing from the wool fibers of the animals. In addition, you can see native flowers and some Inca-built agricultural terraces.

Acomayo: The 4 lakes route

107 km / 66 miles from cuzco (2 hours by car) to the town of Pomacanchi then drive 3 km / 1 mile farther to Lake Pomacanchi (10 minutes by car).

It is situated in the Upper Vilcanota River. Lake Pomacanchi is the first on the circuit. Its maximum depth is 140 meters / 459 feet. Around the lake, you will find grassy plains, some medicinal plant species (totora, mirimi, etc.) and fish (trouts, silver fish, huitas, ccarachis, ch’iñis, and carps). The next lake, named Acopia, is small and is located close to the village of the same name. The flora and fauna are nearly identical to those of Pomacanchi. The third one is Asnaqocha, Quechua for “bad smelling lake”, and possesses little vegetation and animal life. It is the highest on the circuit (3750 masl / 12.303 fasl). The last lake of the route is Lake Pampamarca, home to a large variety of wildlife like flamingos and ducks due to the amount of totora reeds around its shores. Sport fishing is especially popular there.

Canas: Q'eswachaka Hanging Bridge

110 km / 68 miles southeast of cuzco to Combapata (1 hour and 30 minutes by car). From there, travel another 31 km / 19 miles to the hanging bridge (45 minutes by car)

This 33-kilometer (21-mile) long and 1-meter (3-feet) wide bridge is the perfect spot to see the Apurimac River Canyon in all its splendor. Every second Sunday of June, about 1000 local people come to weave it with braided straw of ichu grass and chachacomo, a process that takes three days. The task, which predates the Incas, uses traditional techniques and is executed in the framework of ritual ceremonies and dances performed by the family members of the area. The bridgework finishes on the fourth day giving way to singing and dancing.

Canchis: Raqchi

Raqchi (3485 masl /11.434 fasl) a small town of farmers and potters, which social organization has adapted to a new experimental tourism program.

Raqchi Archeological Complex
117 km / 73 miles from cuzco (2 hours by car)
Built in the fifteenth century, it is considered by the historians to be one of the most audacious Inca constructions. The remarkable Wiracocha temple, 100 meters (328 feet) long and 20 meters (66 feet) wide is made of adobe walls built on top of volcanic stone foundations. The complex also includes a residential area made for the Inca nobles and dozens of circular warehouses to store food.

Calca

Village of Pisac
32 km / 20 miles northeast of cuzco (1 hour by car)
Pisac is well known for its craft market, but there are also Inca archeological remnants: an irrigation system, an astronomical observatory, a solar clock and calendar (Intiwatana), and agricultural terraces.

City of Calca
50 km / 31 miles north of cuzco (1 hour and 15 minutes by car)
You find the Huchu’y Qosqo or Little cuzco archeological vestiges there, as well as the Machacancha medicinal hot springs (sulfurous waters), and Minasmoqo (cold, sparkling waters). The snow capped mountains Pitusiray and Sawasiray intensify the beauty of the landscape.

La Convención: Quillabamba and Choquequirao

Quillabamba
210 km / 130 miles northwest of cuzco (6 hours by bus)
At 1050 masl / 3445 fasl, the capital of the province is an important trade centre in the Lares and La Convencion Valleys. The main economic activities are the growing of coca leaves, coffee, cacao, and fruit. The city was founded on July 25, 1857. The valley microclimate makes it an ideal location for sports.

Choquequirao Archeological Complex
93 km / 58 miles from Abancay (Department of Apurimac) is the village of Cachora. Then, travel another 30 km / 19 miles (2-days hike, walking an average of 8 hours a day)
Choquequirao (chuqui k’iraw or Cradle of Gold) could be one of the lost Inca citadels in the VilcabambaValley where the Incas took refuge from the Spanish in 1536. The complex consists of nine archeological stone groups. There are hundreds of agricultural terraces, rooms, and irrigation systems. The buildings are constructed around a central promenade or main square.

Paucartambo and the Tres Cruces lookout

Tres Cruces
109 km / 68 miles southeast of cuzco, take the partially tarred highway (3 hours by car) to the Paucartambo from where you must travel 45 km / 28 miles to the Tres Cruces Lookout (2 hours and 30 minutes by 4x4 vehicle on a rough road)

Tres Cruces is a natural lookout located on the edge of the Manu Biosphere Reserve. This place is famous for the so-called “white ray” phenomenon that occurs when the sun rises over the horizon during the winter solstice (June, July). The light shines through the humid atmosphere and is distorted as if going through a prism. The effect causes three suns to appear, one of them seems to be jumping from one side to the other.

Quispicanchi: Oropesa, Pikillacta and Andahuaylillas

Village of Oropesa
24 km / 15 miles southwest of cuzco (30 minutes by car)
Oropesa is traditionally known as the “Land of Bread”. People maintain several homemade ovens dedicated to the baking the flavorful country bread called “chutas”.

Pikillacta
30 km / 19 miles south of cuzco (45 minutes by car)
This is a pre-Inca city which cultural height was reached between 800 A.D. and 1100 A.D. in the period corresponding to the Huari regional confederation. It constituted the doorway to the SacredCity of the Incas. It features long, straight streets and big, rectangular city blocks full of buildings. It is surrounded by walls and there are spherical buildings in the western part. The flagstone and mud mortared walls are high and their foundations taper as they rise.

Temple of Andahuaylillas
36 km / 22 miles from cuzco (1 hour by car)
Known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas, it was built in 1580 and features a simple façade contrasted by the Baroque interior with its gilded altars, walls, paintings, and polychromatic ceilings.

Tipon Archeological Complex (3316 masl / 10879 fasl)
25 km / 16 miles southeast of cuzco (45 minutes by car) on the tarred cuzco – Puno highway, taking the turnoff near kilometer marker 20,5.
According to legends, Tipon is one of the royal gardens that Wiracocha ordered to be built. It is made up of twelve terraces flanked by perfectly polished stonewalls and enormous agricultural terraces, canals, and decorative waterfalls that, along with the native flowers of the area, offers the visitor a stunning vision. The site is composed of different sectors: Tipon itself, Intiwatana, Pukutuyuj and Pucará, Cruz Moqo, the cemetery of Pitopujio, Hatun Wayq´o, among others.

Urubamba: Chinchero, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu

City of Urubamba (2871 masl / 9419 fasl)
78 km / 48 miles northwest of cuzco on the route to Pisac (1 hour and 25 minutes by car). Another route is the one via Chinchero (57 km / 35 miles or 45 minutes by car)
It is located in the heart of the SacredValley. Before the Incas, it was a very important agricultural center. Today, the economy is based on farming and tourism, and the city itself is known for being one of the friendliest in the valley. Good tourist services are available in Urubamba.

Village of Chinchero (3772 masl / 12.375 fasl)
28 km / 17 miles northwest of cuzco (45 minutes by car)
A must see is the Colonial church where beautiful paintings of the cuzcoSchool are kept. Every Sunday, the farmers and businessmen gather to exchange their products in a fair where they still barter. There are important archeological vestiges in the area.

Village of Maras
48 km / 30 miles northwest of cuzco (1 hour by car)
During the Vice royal period, it was a very important town. This can be seen in the church and mansions that feature the coats of arms of the Indigenous nobility on their fronts. Farming is the main economic activity.

Yucay
68 km / 42 miles north of cuzco (1 hour and 30 minutes by car)
According to the legends, the town was the personal property of Huayna Cápac. In earlier times, it was considered a very important agricultural and hydraulic technology center. Here, you can admire the palace of Inca Manco Sayri Túpac.

Moray Archeological Complex
9 km / 6 miles northwest of Maras (25 minutes by car)
There are four slightly elliptical agricultural terraces, that the people call muyus. The largest structure is 45 meters / 148 feet deep, and the average height of each terrace is 2 meters / 3 feet. Many think that this place was an important agricultural experimentation center for the Incas. Through the use of concentric terraces and because the temperature is different in each of their level, all the ecological tiers found in the confines of the Tahuantinsuyo Empire would have been reproduced in this complex.

Maras Salt-mines
10 km / 6 miles from Maras (30 minutes by car or 2 hours on foot)
Also called Salinas de Maras, these salt-mines have been used since the Tahuantinsuyo. The people channel the salt water that bubbles to the surface from a spring called Qoripujio towards men-made wells. From the exposure to the sun, the water evaporates and the salt remains on the surface to be transported later to the market to be sold. The view of this complex of nearly 3000 wells is spectacular. The local people happily demonstrate the ancient techniques to visitors, even allowing them to participate in them.

Ollantaytambo Archeological Complex
97 km / 60 miles northwest of cuzco (2 hours and 30 minutes by car)
The Incas built it as a fort that included a temple, agricultural terraces, and an urban area. There are two distinct sectors: Araqama Ayllu, the religious and worship zone, and Qosqo Ayllu, the residential area. Ollantaytambo was an important administrative center with probable military functions if one considers the walls and towers.

There are also traces of ancient roads and aqueducts. The town of Ollantaytambo is called a LivingIncaTown since the inhabitants maintain very old practices and customs. From Ollantaytambo, you can visit the village of Willoc, where the Quechua-speaking inhabitants distinguish themselves from the rest of the region by wearing red clothing that identifies them as members of a unique family.

Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary
110 km / 68 miles northwest of cuzco (4 hours by train) to the village of Machu Picchu and then another 8 km / 5 miles to the citadel (20 minutes by bus)
Machu Picchu is an impressive Inca citadel placed on the side of a mountain. Its Quechua name means “Old Mountain”, but it is also known as “the Lost City of the Incas” since it remained hidden from the West until discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911.

It was built in the fifteenth century, and is attributed to the Inca Pachacutec. The archeological complex is divided into two zones that are contained within approximately twenty hectares. On the sides of the mountain, you can see up to four meters high (13 feet) agricultural terraces. Several plazas and buildings, the most important being the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana or solar clock and calendar, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Main Temple and the Condor Sector, make up the urban sector. There is also an impressive monolith of carved stone, three meters high (10 feet) and seven meters wide (23 feet) at the base, named the Sacred Stone. In order to build Machu Picchu, the Incas had to use blocks of stone brought from long distances. The finish of the walls features different quality levels and techniques. One of the highest quality walls is the central one of the MainTemple where the stones fit together perfectly.

The Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary in not only a priceless archeological site, it is also associated with rich animal and plant life. In 1983, UNESCO placed it on the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Lists.

Useful Information

Altitude
Capital: cuzco (3399 masl / 11.156 fasl)
Altitude: Lowest point: 532 masl / 1745 fasl (Pilcopata)
Highest point: 4801 masl / 15.751 fasl (Suyckutambo)

Climate
The city has a semi-dry and cold climate. The annual average maximum temperature is 19.6ºC (67.3ºF) and the minimum is 4.2ºC (39.6ºF). The rainy season starts in November and ends in March, and it is the time when the mountains are covered in green. Between June and July is the time of the intense cold (heladas) even with occasional snowfalls.

Access Routes
By land: Lima – Arequipa – cuzco: 1650 km / 1025 miles (26 hours by car)
Lima – Nasca – Puquio – Abancay – cuzco: 1131 km / 703 miles (20 hours by car)
Puno – cuzco: 389 km / 242 miles (7 hours by car)
By air: Daily flights to cuzco from Lima (1 hour) and Arequipa (30 minutes)
By train: Regular service from Puno: 384 km / 239 miles (10 hours)

Distances From The City Of Cuzco
Acomayo (Province of Acomayo) 104,5 km (65 miles) / 3 hours
Anta (Province of Anta) 26 km (16 miles) / 30 minutes
Calca (Province of Calca) 50 km (31 miles) / 1 hour and 15 minutes
Yanaoca (Province of Canas) 165 km (103 miles) / 3 hours
Sicuani (Province of Canchis) 138 km (86 miles) / 2 hours
Santo Tomás (Province of Chumbivilcas) 240 km (149 miles) / 10 hours
Yauri (Province of Espinar) 241 km (150 miles) / 7 hours
Quillabamba (Province of La Convención) 210 km (130 miles) / 6 hours
Paruro (Province of Paruro) 64 km (40 miles) / 2 hours
Paucartambo (Province of Paucartambo) 109 km (68 miles) / 3 hours
Urcos (Province of Quispicanchi) 46 km (29 miles) / 40 minutes
Urubamba (Province of Urubamba) 78 km (48 miles) / 1 hour and 25 minutes