places to visit in cusco peru

Cusco is a beautiful city in the Peruvian Andes, and there are many things to see and do there. Here are a few of the most popular tourist destinations in Cusco⁚

• Machu Picchu⁚ This ancient Inca city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and for good reason. It’s a truly amazing place, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Cusco.
• Sacsayhuamán⁚ This Inca fortress is located just outside of Cusco, and it’s a great place to learn about Inca history and culture.
• Qorikancha⁚ This Inca temple is located in the center of Cusco, and it’s a beautiful example of Inca architecture.
• Pisac Market⁚ This market is held every Sunday in the town of Pisac, and it’s a great place to buy souvenirs and handicrafts.
• Ollantaytambo Ruins⁚ These Inca ruins are located in the town of Ollantaytambo, and they’re a great place to learn about Inca history and culture.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca city located in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and for good reason. Machu Picchu is a truly amazing place, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Cusco.

The city was built in the 15th century by the Inca emperor Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. It was abandoned about 100 years later, after the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Machu Picchu was rediscovered by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911.

Machu Picchu is located at an altitude of 2,430 meters (7,970 feet) above sea level. It is surrounded by lush vegetation and towering mountains. The city is divided into two main sectors⁚ the agricultural sector and the urban sector.

The agricultural sector is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. It contains terraces, irrigation canals, and other agricultural features. The urban sector is located on the upper slopes of the mountain. It contains temples, palaces, houses, and other buildings.

Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, and it is a must-see for any visitor to Peru.

Here are some tips for visiting Machu Picchu⁚

• Book your tickets in advance. Machu Picchu is a popular destination, so it’s important to book your tickets in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the peak season (June-August).
• Arrive early. Machu Picchu opens at 6⁚00am, and it’s best to arrive early to avoid the crowds. You’ll have more time to explore the ruins and take photos without having to deal with other tourists.
• Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Machu Picchu is located at a high altitude, so it’s important to stay hydrated and protected from the sun.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking at Machu Picchu, so it’s important to wear comfortable shoes.
• Be respectful of the ruins. Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it’s important to be respectful of the ruins and not damage them in any way.

Sacsayhuamán

Sacsayhuamán is an Inca fortress located just outside of Cusco, Peru. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cusco, and for good reason. Sacsayhuamán is a truly amazing place, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Cusco.

The fortress was built in the 15th century by the Inca emperor Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. It was used as a military stronghold and a religious center. Sacsayhuamán is famous for its massive stone walls, which are made up of huge blocks of stone that fit together perfectly without the use of mortar.

Sacsayhuamán is located on a hilltop overlooking the city of Cusco. It offers stunning views of the city and the surrounding mountains. The fortress is divided into three main sectors⁚ the lower sector, the middle sector, and the upper sector.

The lower sector contains the main entrance to the fortress. It also contains a number of terraces and courtyards. The middle sector contains the main temple of the fortress. The upper sector contains a number of storehouses and other buildings.

Sacsayhuamán is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in Peru, and it is a must-see for any visitor to Cusco.

Here are some tips for visiting Sacsayhuamán⁚

• Book your tickets in advance; Sacsayhuamán is a popular destination, so it’s important to book your tickets in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the peak season (June-August).
• Arrive early. Sacsayhuamán opens at 7⁚00am, and it’s best to arrive early to avoid the crowds. You’ll have more time to explore the ruins and take photos without having to deal with other tourists.
• Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Sacsayhuamán is located at a high altitude, so it’s important to stay hydrated and protected from the sun.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking at Sacsayhuamán, so it’s important to wear comfortable shoes.
• Be respectful of the ruins; Sacsayhuamán is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it’s important to be respectful of the ruins and not damage them in any way.

Qorikancha

Qorikancha is an Inca temple located in the center of Cusco, Peru. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cusco, and for good reason. Qorikancha is a truly amazing place, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in Cusco.

The temple was built in the 15th century by the Inca emperor Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui. It was dedicated to the sun god Inti, and it was the most important temple in the Inca Empire.

Qorikancha is famous for its gold-plated walls. The walls were once covered in gold, and the temple was said to be so bright that it was impossible to look directly at it.

The Spanish conquistadors looted Qorikancha in the 16th century, and they melted down the gold for its value. However, the temple’s walls are still impressive, and they give visitors a glimpse of the Inca Empire’s wealth and power.

Qorikancha is now a Dominican church, and it is still used for religious services today. The church is a beautiful example of Spanish colonial architecture, and it is worth a visit even if you’re not interested in the Inca history.

Here are some tips for visiting Qorikancha⁚

• Book your tickets in advance. Qorikancha is a popular destination, so it’s important to book your tickets in advance, especially if you’re traveling during the peak season (June-August).
• Arrive early. Qorikancha opens at 9⁚00am, and it’s best to arrive early to avoid the crowds. You’ll have more time to explore the temple and take photos without having to deal with other tourists.
• Bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Qorikancha is located at a high altitude, so it’s important to stay hydrated and protected from the sun.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking at Qorikancha, so it’s important to wear comfortable shoes.
• Be respectful of the church. Qorikancha is still a functioning church, so it’s important to be respectful of the people who are using it for religious services.