What are the best places to visit in Cusco Peru?
Here we have some information that can help you to know a little about Cusco and its tourist attractions!
Cusco, also known as Qosqo, is the most visited city in Peru. Due to its history, this place was the capital of the Inca kingdom. It is located at about 3,365 meters (11,010 ft) above sea level. According to an Inca myth current at the time of the conquest, the founding Incas, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, emerged from lake Titicaca at the island of the Sun and the Moon, sent to earth by the solar deities to bring culture to a barbarous world. They founded their civilization and the Inca city of Cusco.
The Inca empire was called Tawantinsuyo (the four quarters of the earth), Cusco was its heart, and its exact center was considered to be the main square of the city. Most of Cusco’s Inca settlement was clustered on the ridge between the Tullumayo and Saphi rivers. Its tightly thatched and steeply pitched roofs gave the buildings an almost spired look. The streets were narrow stone alleys between high walls enclosing courtyards the size of city blocks
The Highlight of Cusco city center
Main Square, a big area to explore the ancient Inca & Spanish buildings with a lot of history, San Pedro Market, which allows you to know a little bit more about the local traditions, and the San Blas neighborhood, a great place to learn about textiles and paintings, also have great views of the Cusco valley. Museums: Cusco has many museums that show you the history before and after the conquerors. These museums also contain many Inca artifacts founded on different ancient buildings.
What is the best time to visit Cusco?
The location of Cusco makes it a totally different city compared to others in Peru and South America. Surrounded by mountains at 3,365 meters (11,010 feet), the best time to visit this beautiful city is:
• May to October: (Dry season with rarely rain) The temperature varied between 22°-26° Celsius (70° and 78° Fahrenheit); however, during the night it can descend to 7°C – 9°C (44°-48° Fahrenheit).
• November – Abril: (Rainy season with rare sunny days) Compared to the dry season, those months are not very cold, due to the temperature varying between 12°C – 21°C (53° – 69° Fahrenheit) and descending a little bit at night.
The great months to visit Cusco is May, June and September due the dry season and not very cold.
Adventure Tours and Expeditions
The region of Cusco has the most incredible landscape which offers a varied of adventure and expeditions.
Trekking/Hiking Tour
Peru and Cusco Region is a fabulous country for everything from day hikes to treks and backpacking. This is a wide-open country; there are no “Keep out” signs or barbed-wire fences. Very intrepid adventurers with a compass and map could reach the Peruvian coast if they wanted. The views are astounding, and the countryside is endlessly varied.
Day Hikes
Not lot of time required to visit some highlights of Cusco during the day tour hikes, we had selected some of the best destination for your:
Rainbow Mountain Tour
The famous Rainbow Mountain this you can visit in a day tour from Cusco enjoying the fascinating natural colors of the mountain, more of the travel companies depart around 4:00 to 4:30am and return Cusco about 4pm. However with Vidal Expeditions you will depart at 3:30am to avoid the crowds at this magical mountain, we usually return Cusco at 2:30pm. We also including everything for your satesfaction during this tour.
Humantay Lake Tour
Humantay Lake, a beautiful turquoise lake, located a few hours from Cusco, also available to visit this in a day tour from Cusco. It offers one of the most stunning view of a hidden gem in the Andes of Peru, its crystal color make unique lake surrounding by huge snow peak the conserve differen flora and fauna.
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
Palcoyo Mountain, an alternative rainbow mountain in Cusco, if you are looking for less visited places, this is well recommended for you, not many people visit this fantastic place, it offers the same colors that the classic Vinicunka mountain, but what makes different are that less people hike there, the walk is shorter, as the same the altitude lower.
Waqrapukara
This is the ultimate day tour in Cusco, one of the most spectacular Inca fortresses nestled at the top of the mountain near Apurimac Canyon. It offers different breathtaking views in the Andes and combines with the culture and history of the Incas. If you are in Cusco don’t miss out to explore this magical Inca fortress.
Multiday Treks in Cusco
Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The Inca Trail is justifiably famous but very heavily used. meanwhile there are dozens of other hikes and circuits in the area. Some less well known ones are suggested in the appropriate chapters. However since the Peruvian goverment had put regulation, this train been very well conserved, only a certain amount of hikers is allowed and to secure your spot, you must to book in advance.
Ausangate Trek
The Ausangate Trek circuit is a rigorous gem of a high-altitude hike. It hides incredible landscapes such as alpine lakes, snowy mountains, herds of alpacas, picturesque Andean communities, local traditions, and colorful mountains. This is the perfect trek for those who want to reconnect with nature.
Salkantay Trek
While the Salkantay Trek offers a combination of high mountain passes and cloud-forest environments, making it a great alternative hike for those who are looking for adventure. The most popular route is 5 days, including Machu Picchu on the last day.
Inca Jungle Trail
The Inca Jungle Tour was designed for adventure people who love to combine different sports activities before reaching the lost city of the Incas. It is a four-day trip through the high tropical jungle, where you will start descending from the Andes mountains by riding a bicycle, connect with the whiter rafting, hike in the forest, and discover the fascinating jungle. Ziplining and Machu Picchu are the most exciting activities during this trip.
Lares Trek is another hike that take you to explore the real Andean life visiting some local communities who still preserve their traditions. Choquequirao Trek, is the most challenging hike that you can find in Cusco, on this hike you will explore the most enigmatic landscapes surrounded by snow- capped mountains, cloud-forest and wildlife on the high Peruvian Jungle.
Adventure Tours
The Cusco region has lot of terrain that be use for different outdoor activities:
Mountain Biking
However, Cusco has terrifc routes for Mountain biking, with innumerable bikeable trails close to the city and many more starting a day’s drive away. It is easy to put your bike on the roof rack of almost any local bus and travel to trail heads. Different route for beginners and experienced people, downhill, enduro, or just a cycling path.
River Rafting
As the ancient Inca capital, Cusco, is an excellent base for kayaking and rafting on some of the wild Andean rivers. The following are the main rivers that run commercially out of Cusco: Sacred Valley River and great options for beginners or a family trip. The Santa Maria River is also recommended for beginners and experienced people with classes I, II, and III with some rapids. Apurimac River rafting is well known as the famous place to practice this activity due to the route being recommended for people who already have some experience in classes II-III-IV-V & V+.
Atv and Zip line
Around the last few years, these activities became popular, and there are many companies that offer a day tour combining ATV tours and ziplining with incredible views near the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Rock Climbing and Mountaineering
As Cusco is located in the middle of the Andes, there are multi-day tours that offers these activities, from rock climbing around Cusco to climbing snow mountain on the different Andean ranges over 5,000 meters, for some of these is required some experience.
Cultural Day Tours
Exploring the history of Cusco, you will have varied tours that will take you to discover the most incredible places. The Sacred Valley is one of the most famous tours that allows you to explore the iconic ancient buildings, Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero. Also, there is the option to visit the Salt Mines of Maras and the Moray archaeological site. The South Valley of Cusco offers some important highlights and allows you to visit less explored Inca buildings and colonial churches. The city tour of Cusco is another tour that must be on your bucket list because it will take you to visit the most important ancient buildings around Cusco city.
