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In Cusco, you should visit the city's Baroque buildings from the Spanish colonial period and the preserved Inca stone walls; in Machu Picchu, the ancient monoliths in the upper and lower cities and the alpacas scattered throughout the Andes are the most important scenery.
The ancient city of Cusco lies in the fertile valleys of the Eastern Andes, at an altitude of 3,410 meters in the Peruvian Andes. Surrounded by towering mountains and lush forests, it boasts a pleasant climate. It is known as the "Crown Jewel of the Andes." Known as the "Lost City of the Incas," it is South America's most important archaeological center and, consequently, Peru's most popular tourist attraction. In 1983, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it one of the few remaining sites in the world to combine both cultural and natural beauty.
The dry season in Central and South America is the best time to travel, which is from May to September each year. The best time to travel to Peru is from August to October.
Machu Picchu
There are 140 buildings, including temples, altars, parks, and residences, as well as numerous fountains and a comprehensive water conservancy system. The canals and sewers are ingeniously connected to the irrigation system, and scholars have confirmed that Machu Picchu's irrigation system is designed to allow water from the sacred spring to flow through each room in sequence.
Countless small details of Inca architecture are crucial to the complete restoration of this lost city: doors and windows are trapezoidal, corners are rounded, and the corners of rooms are slightly tilted inwards; the walls are not completely vertical, but are connected in rows, and the stones are so precisely joined that even a piece of glass cannot be inserted. All of these designs make the entire structure more solid.
Plaza de Armas
This site was the center of the Inca Empire and the venue for important ceremonies. During colonial times, the Spanish, rather than destroying it, built a church around it and constructed a stone arcade around the plaza. Today, although the plaza is less than half its original size, visitors can still see the distinct architectural styles of the Inca and Spanish colonial periods.
Reshui Town
The small town at the foot of Machu Picchu, also called Machu Picchu Town, is 6 kilometers away from Machu Picchu. It takes 1.5-2 hours to walk to Machu Picchu and circumambulate the mountain.
As it's the gateway to Machu Picchu, it's become a popular tourist destination. There's a wide selection of restaurants and accommodations, all with good facilities. Prices are a bit higher than in Cusco, but not outrageously so. Aguas Calientes does have hot springs, but most are open-air and can be quite cold.
Cusco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire and is considered the archaeological capital of the Americas. It has a rich blend of Inca and Spanish colonial architecture and serves as the gateway to Machu Picchu.
Cusco is located in southeastern Peru, in the Andes. It is accessible via Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport. Within the city, taxis and walking are common. For nearby sites, buses, trains, or guided tours are recommended.
Most sites are open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The dry season from May to September is the best time to visit for hiking and sightseeing.
The Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico) covers multiple archaeological sites and costs around 130–200 PEN depending on sites included. Tickets can be bought at official counters or online.
For Machu Picchu and train tickets, booking at least 2–4 weeks in advance is recommended. For local Cusco sites, advance booking is optional.
3–5 days are recommended to explore Cusco city, nearby archaeological sites, and the Sacred Valley.
Guided tours are widely available in English, Spanish, and other languages. Audio guides are available for some museums and sites.
Start at Plaza de Armas, visit the Cathedral and Qorikancha, explore San Blas, then take a day trip to Sacsayhuamán and the Sacred Valley.
Some museums and cultural centers offer evening tours and performances. Festivals like Inti Raymi provide special night events.
Peak season is June–August. To avoid crowds, visit on weekdays during the shoulder months (April–May or September–October).
Facilities are widely available, including restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, public toilets, and water stations at main tourist sites.
Some sites have uneven terrain and stairs. Elderly and disabled visitors may face challenges, but main city areas and museums are accessible.
Cash (Peruvian Sol) is widely used; credit cards are accepted in many restaurants, hotels, and larger shops. Mobile payments are less common.
Vegetarian and vegan options are available in most modern restaurants; halal options are limited.
Yes, typical souvenirs include alpaca textiles, handwoven blankets, jewelry, ceramics, and traditional Andean crafts.
