Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire and is now a UNESCO World Heritage city. It is the gateway to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and the great Andean treks.
Top sights in Cusco
- Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the Church of La Compañía.
- Qorikancha, the Inca Sun Temple beneath Santo Domingo convent.
- San Blas, the artisans’ neighbourhood.
- Sacsayhuamán and the nearby Inca sites.
- San Pedro Market for local food.
Altitude
Cusco sits at about 3,399 m (11,152 ft). Rest on arrival, drink water, eat light and leave strenuous hikes for your third day.