Cusco or Cuzco (Peru) is the main city of the Cusco province and region with approx. 430 000 inhabitants. Its altitude is 3 400m above sea level. You will have to be careful with altitude sickness.
The site of Cusco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire between the 13th and 16th century. In 1983, it was declared by UNESCO a world heritage site.As a main city in Peru, the city has two side, the historical one and the regular one. Here we will discover the historical one called in Spanish “Centro historico”
Our trip there was in July 2019, meaning it was winter there. Yet the weather was great and we had beautiful and sunny days. Temperature was not too hot, not too cold.
In this article we will tell you all the best things we did in Cusco in 2 days as well as some the best things to do near Cusco or from Cusco.
Table of Contents
Where to stay
We stayed in a cool guesthouse, not to far from the city center of Cusco. Not only it was a comfortable double room with private bathroom but the view from the window was amazing. Plus, the owners where super Friendly, always available and it was one of our best breakfast in South America. In addition, we met cool people at breakfast.
Unfortunately, this hosting is not available anymore and we would now stay at:
Day 1
Mapping the day
Plaza de Armas
We begin our journey in Cusco at 8:30am. At this time, it was still cloudy and a bit cold. But after a while, sun appeared, and it became hot (enough to be in t-shirt).
We walked from “plaza” to “plaza” until we reached “La plaza de Armas” where we hanged around visiting the monument around like the cathedral. As the sun was high and warm, we sat in “cappuccino coffee”. A coffee shop located south of the square on the second floor. Great coffee and gorgeous view.
As we are in the historical center, we encounter many people wearing traditional clothes and having an Alpaca, Lama, baby or adult with them. They are a type of business and will gladly take a picture with you for 5 sol.
If you feel like you would like to get to know more about Cusco you can also consider the Half-Day City Tour
Plaza san Blas & Local market
We then headed to “La Plaza de San Blas”, a cute plaza north of the plaza de Armas. Actually, the complete San Blas district has a lot to offer and is worth strolling around.
Slowly we looked and found the “Mercado sans Blas”, a local market where fruits, veggies, meats are sold. But the best part is the smoothie bar. And there is not one but a bunch of them. We couldn’t resist it and sat for a Lucuma smoothie. The smoothie was really yummy, enough for two people and they had fixed price
Santo Domingo
Next stop is the “Santo Domingo” convent. This site is a mix between old Incas temple and a Convent. In it there is smaller temple on the site of the convent. As well some outer walls are still from the temple and can be easily spotted due to their structure and color. Many paintings are also present inside.
The Catholic convent was built on top of a sun temple.
Once we finished there, we kept strolling around, found some food and then headed back to our accommodation for the night. There are tonnes of great local restaurants around the city center. So, we just picked one randomly.
If you want to do more, you could consider visiting the Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary
Day 2
Map
July 2019, in Cusco for another day of adventure and our second day in south America.
We got ready and head off . We had quite the long breakfast talking with other travelers there. The weather was cloudy and a bit rainy but there was no need for an umbrella as it quickly stopped.
Shopping time
Tina wanted to buy poncho, or something made of wool for souvenir. Well, it isn’t that simple, and from what we found online there are many types of wool in Peru. Local wool is made not only from sheep but from also Llamas, Alpacas, Guanacos, or Vicuñas. And sometimes there are not 100% from one type but mixed. And of course, they all have a difference range of price.
After setting up our mind for 100% Alpaca wool, we went to the historical city center and strolled from shop to shop. Where we also received information about the wool quality. After having done many shops, we keep on our day without buying anything.
But finally, by the end of the day, we went back to one of the boutiques and bought one poncho we both really liked.
Coffee Shop
We hanged around the historical center of Cusco as it was impossible to see all of it the first day. Streets are going everywhere and nowhere but are all really cool. After a while, we made a first stop at “Peru bar cafe restaurant” near San Blas. The place was almost empty, and we sat upstairs where they had a little terrace with a great view.
Finishing our americano, we started to head toward “Christo Bianco”, thinking about going there on foot or by bus, when we saw an amazing coffee shop “Laggart café”, a super original place to stop. It is a mix between an art gallery and a coffee shop. The ambiance was cozy, and we could have stayed there the whole afternoon. As we felt a bit hungry, we tried olives empanadas and chicken one. With an amazing “torta de maracuya” for dessert.
We would definitely recommend Laggart café !
Christo Bianco
Our tummy full and taking into consideration that we could see “Christo Bianco”, we believed that the statue was not too far from us and decided to walk up there.
The way is quite easy to recognize. Follow the stairs up! We took our time as we realized that the stairs were quite hard and that we needed to make brakes.
Also, it was our second day at this altitude, so we were still not used to it. We took our time but fortunately we made it. Hehe!
Once up the stairs, we followed the road toward the statue. The view is gorgeous, and all of Cusco can be seen.
Sacsayhuamán
After a few pictures of Christo Bianco and the cityscape we walked behind the statue to reach the fortress of Sacsayhuamán.
Don’t forget to bring cash with you as the entrance fee of the site is 70 sol for one ticket that gives you access to 4 sites (Sacsayhuamán, Qenko, Pura Pukara and Tombomachay). We didn’t have any cash, but we were lucky and exchanged money with two guys that came at the same time as us there.
We were then on our way in and through the fortress which is the first site. It is composed of three parts, the main fortress, a meadow in the center and another ruins part.
The ruins are impressive regarding the size of the rock placed there. It was first built around the year 1100 and expended in the 13th century. The fortress or citadel is build using boulders put together without mortar. Its altitude is 3 701m above sea level.
In the meadow, a group of Alpacas are running wild. It is worth going to them as they are peaceful and beautifully dirty 😊. We didn’t touch them but manage to take some nice pictures near them. A couple that was there told us that they tried to touch one of them and it spitted on them
Qenko, Puka Pukara, Tombomachay
Once we visited everything in the citadel, we returned at the entrance to go to the next spot: Qenko, an archeological site and one of the largest holy places in Cusco region. To reach it, we past behind the small kiosk and joined the road and followed it for 15min. On the right side of the road, you will also find a field with Vicuñas.
From Qenko, the next stop is Puka Pukara, ruins of a past military fort made of large walls, terraces and staircases. It was part of the defense system of Cusco and the Inca Empire. This site is further and the best way to reach it is to take the small blue and white bus called “Huerto”. It cost 1 sol per person.
From Puka Pukara, the final stop is Tombomachay, ruins of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through terraced rock. The function of this site is not clear, it could have been an outpost or a spa. To reach it, walk down the road for 5min.
At the end of the 4th site, we tooke the Huerto bus back to Cusco for 1 sol each. It is a 10 to 15min ride. The driver told us where to do down. And once out of the bus, we simply walked straight for approx. 850m to reach back San Blas.
To finish our day in Cusco, we went for a yoga class and a great vegan dinner at Green point. But that’s up to you and for another post.
Things to do around Cusco
Secret Valley
The Sacred Valley in Peru, nestled between the Andean mountains, is a stunning region rich in history and culture. Once the heart of the Inca Empire, it is home to breathtaking landscapes, ancient ruins, and vibrant traditional villages. Popular destinations within the Sacred Valley include Ollantaytambo, Pisac, and the Moray terraces. With its mystical energy and rich cultural heritage, the Sacred Valley is a must-visit for anyone exploring Peru.
This is the route you may take on day 3 when you are going toward the Machu-Picchu, or you can also visit it from Cusco: Sacred Valley & Maras Salt Mines Tour with Lunch
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is an ancient Inca city perched high in the Peruvian Andes. Rediscovered in 1911, this breathtaking site remains a symbol of the Inca Empire’s ingenuity and mystery. With its stunning stone structures, terraced hillsides, and panoramic mountain views, Machu Picchu is a must-see destination for history enthusiasts, hikers, and nature lovers alike. The journey to this iconic archaeological site is as incredible as the destination itself.
Machu Picchu is a must to do in Peru, and while we would recommend that you go there early, if time is missing, you can also do it from Cusco: Full-Day Group Tour of Machu Picchu.
If you have time, you made a special article about it.
Rainbow Mountain
Rainbow Mountain, or Vinicunca, is a striking natural wonder located in the Peruvian Andes. Known for its vibrant, multicolored slopes, the mountain has become a popular destination for trekkers and nature enthusiasts. The vibrant hues of red, pink, orange, and green are a result of mineral deposits that have formed over millions of years. Accessible via a challenging hike, Rainbow Mountain offers breathtaking views and an unforgettable experience, making it one of Peru’s most remarkable landscapes to explore. That’s something we missed, and if you want to be sure to see it, this excursion would be a good call from Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Day Trip and Red Valley (Optional)
Humantay Lake
Humantay Lake is a stunning turquoise-colored lake nestled in the Peruvian Andes, near the town of Mollepata. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, including the majestic Humantay peak, this lake offers one of the most picturesque landscapes in Peru. A popular trekking destination, the hike to Humantay Lake is challenging but rewarding, providing breathtaking views of the lake’s vibrant waters and the surrounding mountains. It’s a must-see destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers exploring the Sacred Valley and beyond.
This incredible lake can be visited from Cusco: Humantay Lake with Breakfast and Buffet Lunch
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller
