The jewel of the Andes
Cuzco (Cusco, in Peru), from quéchua Qosqo ou Qusqu, means the center of the world. The eternal Imperial town which rests over 3.400 meters high challenges time and solemnity. Undoubtless, an incredible experience on the threshold of Machu Picchu, the sanctuary of travelers coming from all over the world.
Legends attribute the foundation of Cuzco to the Inca Manco Capac in the XI and XII centuries. After the end of the Empire in 1532, Spanish conquerer Francisco Pizarro invaded and sacked the town. Most Inca buildings were destroyd by Catholic clergy with the goals of ending the Inca civilization and building the new Christian churches and other administrative buildings with its stones and bricks, thus imposing their superiority in Europe. UNESCO has declared the town – which nowadays has about 300 thousand inhabitants – and especially its historical center as Heritage in December 9th, 1983.
Its starting point couldn´t be different: the Arms Square is the town´s epicenter where all neighborhoods end up into. Surrounded by the Cathedral and a church, the square also has pubs, restaurants and travel and exchange agencies around (being more recommended to exchange money in Av. del Sol). Among all the districts, San Blas stands out. With art workshops (painting classes are highly recommended), inns and cafés, it is a unique place to lose and find yourself.
Museums such as the Kusicancha or the Korikancha (the Sun Temple, one of the most sacret spots to Inca people) with their stone walls served as a foundation for the construction of the Convent of Santo Domingo. The palaces of Amautas and Ñustas, as well as the Sacsayhuaman Fort are only examples of a universe filled with traces of incalculable preciousness. The 12-angle Stone, in Hatum Rumiyoc Street, is a gift from the ancient Incas.
Another interesting spot is the San Pedro Central Market. Divided by sectors, it impresses with its amount of flowers, juices, coffee, cocoa, llama fetuses used in religious ceremonies and the butchery (which I would not recommend to sensible tourists).
For those who are after exclusive programmes, there are places which offer herbal rituals (Ayahuasca or San Pedro) and ceremonies to Inca entities. The coka tea is a good ally to fight soroche, also known as altitude sickness – a problem suffered by many in the first few days there.
One thing you won´t have trouble finding is a place to sleep. There are options for all tastes and bank accounts, from sumptuous hotels to basic hostels. Many of these places also work with travel agencies and money exchange.
Besides Machu Picchu, which certainly deserved a full article, it is possible to visit towns such as Pisac, Chinchero, Poroy, Tipón and the vale of the Urubamba river, getting to Ollantaytambo - starting point for the Inca Trail, which leads to Machu Picchu after a 4-day walk.
Tips
When visiting Cuzco, avoid the months from December to February (the rain period). The ideal would be to travel in June, when there are many popular parties happening there, including the Inti Raymi (The Day of the Sun, a sacret Inca celebration). The temperature is the same all year round – hot up to sunset and cold after that. The town has many stores which sell special mountain clothes – perfect for the gelid nights.
If you are thinking of going to Machu Picchu, there are several ways of transport. You might go by train, leaving from Cuzco or Ollantaytambo; you may walk, as there are packages of 2 and 4 days length; or you can drive there, which is the cheapest option, although probably the longest one.
I would say it is a nice idea to spend the night in Águas Calientes and leave early the next day in order to avoid massive arrivals of other tourists at noon. You can also book visits to Lake Titicaca and to the Manu Forest, one of the richest ones when it comes to the variety of animal species.
Night life is certainly one of the most heterogeneous and crazy ones in the continent. There are options for everyone and some of them go on and on until the sun is up. In San Blas you´ll find the more peaceful and quiet spots; whereas near Arms Square are the more agitated ones. That is not to mention some popular bars in which the local beer is drunk warm and hygiene is not something they care much about.
Among all the options I would recommend the pub La Oveja Negra, with live music in Arco-Íris Street; restaurants Cicciolina in Triunfo Street (which serves Italian food with home-made pasta and trout sushi) and Quinta Eulalia (which serves traditional dishes, especially meat) in Choquechaca Street. Almost all restaurants in Cuzco offer economic and varied menus.
When looking for a place to spend the night, hotel Corihuasi is a great option, a nice, small hotel overlooking the town. If you have some extra time, it might be a good idea to learn a bit of Spanish. Cuzco has several schools for foreigners, such as Amauta, in Suécia Street.
All you have to do now is to pick a date, a good company and book your tickets to one of the most magical destinations in the world!
Legends attribute the foundation of Cuzco to the Inca Manco Capac in the XI and XII centuries. After the end of the Empire in 1532, Spanish conquerer Francisco Pizarro invaded and sacked the town. Most Inca buildings were destroyd by Catholic clergy with the goals of ending the Inca civilization and building the new Christian churches and other administrative buildings with its stones and bricks, thus imposing their superiority in Europe. UNESCO has declared the town – which nowadays has about 300 thousand inhabitants – and especially its historical center as Heritage in December 9th, 1983.
Its starting point couldn´t be different: the Arms Square is the town´s epicenter where all neighborhoods end up into. Surrounded by the Cathedral and a church, the square also has pubs, restaurants and travel and exchange agencies around (being more recommended to exchange money in Av. del Sol). Among all the districts, San Blas stands out. With art workshops (painting classes are highly recommended), inns and cafés, it is a unique place to lose and find yourself.
Museums such as the Kusicancha or the Korikancha (the Sun Temple, one of the most sacret spots to Inca people) with their stone walls served as a foundation for the construction of the Convent of Santo Domingo. The palaces of Amautas and Ñustas, as well as the Sacsayhuaman Fort are only examples of a universe filled with traces of incalculable preciousness. The 12-angle Stone, in Hatum Rumiyoc Street, is a gift from the ancient Incas.
Another interesting spot is the San Pedro Central Market. Divided by sectors, it impresses with its amount of flowers, juices, coffee, cocoa, llama fetuses used in religious ceremonies and the butchery (which I would not recommend to sensible tourists).
For those who are after exclusive programmes, there are places which offer herbal rituals (Ayahuasca or San Pedro) and ceremonies to Inca entities. The coka tea is a good ally to fight soroche, also known as altitude sickness – a problem suffered by many in the first few days there.
One thing you won´t have trouble finding is a place to sleep. There are options for all tastes and bank accounts, from sumptuous hotels to basic hostels. Many of these places also work with travel agencies and money exchange.
Besides Machu Picchu, which certainly deserved a full article, it is possible to visit towns such as Pisac, Chinchero, Poroy, Tipón and the vale of the Urubamba river, getting to Ollantaytambo - starting point for the Inca Trail, which leads to Machu Picchu after a 4-day walk.
Tips
When visiting Cuzco, avoid the months from December to February (the rain period). The ideal would be to travel in June, when there are many popular parties happening there, including the Inti Raymi (The Day of the Sun, a sacret Inca celebration). The temperature is the same all year round – hot up to sunset and cold after that. The town has many stores which sell special mountain clothes – perfect for the gelid nights.
If you are thinking of going to Machu Picchu, there are several ways of transport. You might go by train, leaving from Cuzco or Ollantaytambo; you may walk, as there are packages of 2 and 4 days length; or you can drive there, which is the cheapest option, although probably the longest one.
I would say it is a nice idea to spend the night in Águas Calientes and leave early the next day in order to avoid massive arrivals of other tourists at noon. You can also book visits to Lake Titicaca and to the Manu Forest, one of the richest ones when it comes to the variety of animal species.
Night life is certainly one of the most heterogeneous and crazy ones in the continent. There are options for everyone and some of them go on and on until the sun is up. In San Blas you´ll find the more peaceful and quiet spots; whereas near Arms Square are the more agitated ones. That is not to mention some popular bars in which the local beer is drunk warm and hygiene is not something they care much about.
Among all the options I would recommend the pub La Oveja Negra, with live music in Arco-Íris Street; restaurants Cicciolina in Triunfo Street (which serves Italian food with home-made pasta and trout sushi) and Quinta Eulalia (which serves traditional dishes, especially meat) in Choquechaca Street. Almost all restaurants in Cuzco offer economic and varied menus.
When looking for a place to spend the night, hotel Corihuasi is a great option, a nice, small hotel overlooking the town. If you have some extra time, it might be a good idea to learn a bit of Spanish. Cuzco has several schools for foreigners, such as Amauta, in Suécia Street.
All you have to do now is to pick a date, a good company and book your tickets to one of the most magical destinations in the world!
Author : Rafael Paniagua
Posted in: 10/16/2017
Last modified: 11/27/2017
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