Cusco in Peru

Located in the midst of the Andes Mountains in the Southeastern region of Peru, Cusco, sometimes spelled “Cuzco”, is an impressive archaeological area that also happens to be home to more than 350,000 individuals. Situated at about 11,000 feet above sea level, the city of Cusco became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. The “Historical Capital of Peru” and the governmental capital of the Cusco Region, this city is rich in Inca history and remains one of the top tourist attractions in the country.

Prior to the arrival of the Incas in the 13^th century, the area was inhabited by the Kilke people. However, by the 1200s, it had become the unofficial capital of the Inca Empire. The old city was cleverly crafted and had two sections, each divided into four provinces. Two rivers ran through Cusco and it is often believed that the town was constructed in the shape of a puma, a sacred Incan animal.

Francisco Pizzaro and the Spaniards invaded Cusco in 1533 and went on to destroy many of the notable Incan temples and other buildings there, building Catholic churches and a number of palaces in their places, often using the old Inca structures as foundations because of their strength and amazing construction.

Today, visitors to Cusco can view a few remains of the Inca Empire, including the Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun, and a royal palace as well as a Kilke site or two. There are several notable Spanish colonial buildings to visit as well, including the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Domingo.

Many companies offer tours of the city that usually combine walking and riding on a tour bus, allowing guests to see all the pertinent sites of the city and usually a few beyond the city limits as well. The train that heads to Machu Picchu also leaves from Cuzco so many visitors make the city their base when planning a trip to this sacred Inca site.

Within the city, guests can find plenty of places to stay. You won’t, however, find a lot of “chain” hotels here (at least not those familiar to most Americans) but there is quite a selection of privately-owned facilities ranging from about two to four stars. Most are quite affordable though amenities are scarce.

Cuzco is also host to quite a few festivals during the course of the year and these are fun times to visit the city, which is dry from about April to October and can be quite rainy for the remainder of the year. Carnival takes place before the season of Lent and is actually quite subdued compared to similar occasions in countries like Brazil. The Festival of the Velacuy Cross, held in May or June, celebrates the Catholic Church in general. Secular events include a beer festival in May, which is gaining international notoriety, and the Qoyllor Ritt´I, an ice festival that takes place on the slopes outside the city. Some festivals also pay homage to the city’s rich Inca history. The hotels fill up quickly during some of these events, so plan accordingly if you hope to visit during those times.

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