11º C (17º C maximum and -02º C minimum). Rainy season:
November to March.
Access Routes
By land
The most recommended is the Lima-Arequipa-Cusco route (1
650 km). The trip takes about 24 h by car.
There is also another route from Lima-Nasca-Puquio-Abancay-Cusco
(1 131 km). This trip takes about 26h by car.
Railroad
There is a train service linking Cusco to the cities of
Puno.
By air
There are daily flights from Lima to Cusco (about 1 h).
Historical Overview
According to the legend, Cusco, the sacred city and
capital of the Tahuantinsuyo empire, was founded around
the eleventh and twelfth century AD by Inca Manco Cápac,
who emerged from Lake Titicaca.
Cusco was the center of government of four large
administrative regions of the Inca empire that extended
over most of what is now Ecuador, Colombia, Peru,
Bolivia, Argentina and Chile.
The Inca society was an admirable example of political
and social organization. The Incas possessed vast
knowledge in the areas of architecture, hydraulics,
medicine and agriculture.
On March 23rd, 1534, Francisco Pizarro founded a Spanish
city upon the foundations of the Inca buildings which
makes Cusco a typical example of cultural fusion, which
has also inherited invaluable monuments and works of
art.
Important insurrections against Spanish domination took
place in Colonial Cusco such as the ones led by José
Gabriel Condorcanqui (Túpac Amaru II) in 1 780, the
Angulo brothers in 1 813 and Mateo Pumacahua in 1 814.
In 1 911, American investigator Hiram Bingham discovered
the impressive Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Today,
tourism and agriculture are Cusco’s main economic
activities.
Attractions in the City
The Main Square (Plaza de Armas) Known in Inca times as Huacaypata or the Warrior's
Square, this was the scene for many key events in
Cusco's history. It was here that the Inty Raymi or Sun
Feast was hosted every year; and it was also here that
Francisco Pizarro declared the conquer of Cusco. With
the arrival of the Spaniards, the square was fringed by
beautiful stone arches which remain in place to this day.
The Cathedral
Main Square. Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-12:00 and
14:00-17:00.
It was originally built on the site of the old temple of
Sunturwasi (House of God), in what is now the El Triunfo
church. It was built later on the top of the Palace of
Inca Wiracocha. Its façade and interior were both built
in Renaissance style. The interior is decorated with
cedar and alder wood carvings. To be noted are the
carvings by Martín Torres and Melchor Huamán. Of
particular value are the choir, the pulpit, the
engravings in the altars and furniture. Other highlights
include the paintings by important artists and embossed
silver work.
San Blas Quarter Located 4 blocks from the Main Square.
One of the most picturesque quarters in Cusco, known as
the Craftmen´s District, it houses the city's most
important popular artists. Colonial constructions of
great charm are built along Its narrow, steep streets.
There are family accommodations for tourists who are
allowed to share the well-known hospitality and
friendship of the Andean people as well as their customs
and food.
La Compañía de Jesús Church
Main Square, beside the Cathedral.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 6:00-9:00 and 18:00-21:00.
Formerly known as Amaru Cancha (The Snake's Fence), the
palace of Inca Huayna Cápac is a splendid stone
building. The splendid temple houses paintings such as
the one depicting the wedding of a nephew of Saint
Ignatius of Loyola with a native princess.
Amaru Cancha
Main Square. No admittance.
The former name of this street was Intiquijllu. It was
here that Inca Huayna Cápac lived. The area is partially
occupied by the Church of la Compañía de Jesús and the
San Antonio de Abad University.
La Merced Church and Convent
Calle Mantas. Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-12:00 and
14:00-17:00.
Founded in 1 536, it has a beautiful Baroque stonework
cloister. The sacristy houses a monstrance made of gold
and precious stones.
Santo Domingo Church and Convent / Koricancha Corner of Av. El Sol and calle Santo Domingo.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-17:00.
Spanish construction belonging to the Dominican Order
built upon the foundations of the Inca temple of
Koricancha or Temple of the Sun.
Koricancha (in quechua, site of gold) was the main
religious building of the Incas dedicated to the worship
of the Sun and whose walls, according to the
chroniclers, were plated with sheets of gold.
Magnificent blocks of finely carved stone were used in
its construction.
Santa Catalina Church and Convent Calle Santa Catalina Angosta.
Visits: during Mass hours.
Its architecture belongs to the last stages of
Renaissance with the presence of Roman-style arch.
Acllawasi Calle Loreto.
Visits: during Santa Catalina Convent's Mass hours.
House of the Virgins of the Sun. This place served as
home for selected women.
San Blas Church
Plazoleta San Blas. Visits: Monday to Saturday 14:00-17:30.
The oldest parish church in Cusco, San Blas is located
in the Craftsmen's quarter. Its impressive pulpit is an
outstanding example of woodcarving in pure Spanish
Baroque style.
San Francisco Church and Convent
Plaza San Francisco. Visits: Monday to Saturday 14:00-17:00.
The convent houses a huge 12 m x 9 m painting by Juan
Espinoza de los Monteros showing the Franciscan family
tree.
The Archbishop's Palace Corner of calle Hatun Rumiyoc and Jr. Herrajes.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-11:00 and 15:00-17:30.
At present a religious art museum, this colonial
construction with Arab influence was built upon the
foundations of the palace of emperor Inca Roca
The Admiral's Palace Calle Cuesta del Almirante 153.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-17:00.
Seat of the Inca museum that houses a large variety of
archaeological remains found in the Cusco area including
pottery, textiles, gold and silver articles and Inca
mummies.
The House of the Four Busts Calle San Agustín 400.
No admittance.
Colonial-style mansion which shows in its façade four
busts, a coat of arms and a small shield.
House of Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Calle Heladeros s/n.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-17:30
This house belonged to the renowned chronicler. Built
over an Inca terrace, it is a unique example of colonial
architecture. At present, the seat of the Regional
Historical Museum, the house keeps paintings from the
colonial Cusco School.
Kiswar Kancha
Located in the Main Square. No admittance.
Beside the church of la Compañía de Jesús. It was the
home of Inca Huiracocha.
Hatunrumiyoc Calle Hatun Rumiyoc.
No admittance.
Two blocks from the Main Square. It was the home of Inca
Roca and one of its walls, which faces the street of the
same name, features the famous 12-cornered stone.
Outskirts of the City
Sacsayhuamán
At 2 km and about 10 minutes drive or 25 minutes walk
from Cusco, this huge Inca fortress is built on three
overlapping platforms, each of them over 360 m long.
These platforms are connected by stone stairways and
access doors, one of which is 9 m high and 5 m wide.
Kenko At 3 km and about 15 minutes drive from Cusco, it is
said to have been a worship site. There is a huge 5,9 m
high stone block that looks like a puma. There are also
passages, canals and stairways with stone engravings
representing animals.
Puca Pucará At 6 km and about 30 minutes drive or 2 h walk from
Cusco, it was an administrative and military center
formed by terraces, stairways, passages, turrets and
vaulted niches
Tambomachay At 7 km and about 35 minutes drive from Cusco. Known
as the Inca Baths, this site was meant for the cult of
water.
THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
The Valley of the Urubamba or Vilcanota river; the
valley includes the following towns:
Pisaq At 32 km and just 1 h drive from Cusco, this town is
very reputed for its market fair, its irrigation system
and astronomic observatory. Other highlights include the
Intiwatana and the terraces.
Yucay At 68 km and 1 h 30 minutes drive from Cusco on a
beautiful fertile and tempered-climate valley. Some
highlights of this locality include the Palace of Inca
Manco Sairy Túpac Segundo. Yucay was an important Inca
agricultural production center.
Calca At 50 km and about one hour's drive from Cusco,
Calca attracts visitors because of its beautiful
landscapes enhanced by the Pitusiray and Sawasiray snow-capped
mountains. This province houses the archaeological
complex of Huchuy Qosqo, the thermal-medicinal baths of
Machacancha (sulphur baths) and Minasmoqo (cold
carbonated waters).
Urubamba At 78 km and about 1 h 25 minutes drive from Cusco
following the Pisaq route, and 57 km and about 45
minutes drive following the Chinchero route, this town
is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley. It was
another pre-Hispanic agriculture center. A fertile and
friendly zone where it is possible to stay overnight to
start several excursions.
Ollantaytambo Archaeological park at 97 km, and two-and-a-half
hours drive from Cusco. The Ollantaytambo area, known as
Valle de Tambo, spreads along the bank of the Vilcanota
river up to Machu Picchu, featuring multi-colored fields
of maize crops.
Oropesa At 24 km southwest of Cusco and about 30 minutes
drive from the city. It could be called the Land of
Bread due to its many ancient domestic ovens still used
for making an excellent farm-style bread.
Piquillacta These ruins belonging to the Wari (pre-Inca) culture
are located 30 km south of Cusco, about 45 minutes
drive. The site was built to fend off military attacks
and as a produce warehouse.
Andahuaylillas Located 39 km south of Cusco and just 1 h drive, its
church was founded in 1 580. Its simple façade is in
sharp contrast with the expressive richness of the
Colonial Baroque art found inside (gold-leaf-covered
altars, frescoes, paintings and polychromed ceilings).
CHINCHERO, MARAS CIRCUIT Chinchero Located 28 km from Cusco at 3 772 masl, this Inca
archaeological complex has also a Colonial church with
paintings from the Cusqueña School. Barter is a common
activity in Its typical Sunday market.
Maras Located 48 km north of Cusco and about one hour's
drive, Maras was a very prosperous community in Colonial
times and has a church and several big houses bearing
the coats of arms of indian noblemen. The population is
engaged in farming and irrigation activities,
particularly sowing and harvesting.
Moray Located 9 km from Maras and about 25 minutes drive,
Moray, an experimental Inca farming station, features
slightly elliptical terraces.
Salineras (Salt Pans) Located 10 km from the town of Maras and about 30
minutes drive or 2 h walk, these famous salt mines have
been exploited since Inca times.
HISTORICAL SANCTUARY OF MACHU PICCHU This stone citadel located 112 km from Cusco, was
discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1 911. The citadel was
built on a very special spot covered in vegetation
between two mountains: the Machu Picchu (old mountain)
and Huayna Picchu (young mountain), at the foot of which
meanders the Urubamba or Vilcanota river (lower jungle
featuring abundant flora and fauna).
The site comprises military constructions, plazas,
temples and agricultural terraces. The citadel can be
reached by train (3-4 hours) or by helicopter (25
minutes flight), plus a 20 minute bus ride. It is
possible to walk along the Inca Trail, one of the most
famous trekking routes in Peru, starting from km 88 of
the railway up to the citadel. Organized groups depart
from the town of Chilca, at km 76 of the railway.
Folkore
Cusco is characterized by its various folklore
expressions, notably the dance of the Chunchos, the
Qollas, the Carnival of Cusco, the Dance of the
Doctorcitos, the Dance of the Negritos, the Contradanza,
the Saqra K'achampa, the Saqsa chilenos, the Panadero,
among others
Handicrafts
Cusco's textiles date back from ancient times, as well
as its ceramics. The artisans of the District of San
Blas, among them, the Mendivil's with their peculiar
religious images, Edilberto Mérida with his sculptures,
Antonio Olave and Gregorio Béjar with their Niños
Manuelitos enjoy general recognition in art circles.
Gastronomy
Food forms part of the friendly atmosphere found by
tourists. Chicherías and picanterías are no longer
private sites for Cusqueños and, as everything in the
city, they are now centers of attraction.
The typical dishes include: - Kapchi (lima bean or mushroom casserole or soup
with potatoes, milk, eggs and cheese.) - Chicharrón con mote (pork cracklings served
with separated mature corn or maize kernels.) - Humitas (steamed sweet corn dough stuffed with
cinnamon and raisins, wrapped in maize leaves). - Tamales (steamed corn dough stuffed with meat,
wrapped in banana leaves). - Chuño cola (a soup based on meat, rice,
chickpeas and chuño or potato flour). - Lawa (soup based on fresh corn, lima beans, dry
chili peper and a variety of mint known as huacatay.) - Adobo (pork marinated with chicha and species,
cooked in a covered saucepan). - Olluco con carne (casserole based on ollucos
and cured llama meat).
Festivities
Qoyllority (May)
Traditional and solemn Andean-Catholic festivity, it is
a mass pilgrimage to snow-capped mountains, including a
procession and benediction, folkloric dances and bands
of musicians, fireworks, symbolic market of Alacitas.
This festivity takes place at 4 000 masl. Corpus Cristi (June) Solemn procession of the monstrance and the images
of the 16 patrons accompanied by bands of musicians and
folkloric groups and gastronomical specialties such as
Chiri uchu or Llaqway uchu. One of the most important
religious festivities of the year. Inti Raymi (June) The Sun Festival is held on the impressive Fortress
of Sacsayhuamán. The celebration includes a performance
to show gratitude to the God Sun. Several cult and
appreciation activites are carried out during the entire
celebration and when the sun is on the west, the Inca
orders withdrawal. Nuestra Señora del Carmen (July) Traditional presentation of 16 folkloric dances with
a special program by every group of dancers. It is
considered the best folkloric expression in the region. Santuranticuy (December) Handicrafts fair held in Cusco's Main Square. During
this event, Artists, following the tradition of Andean
fairs, spread their blankets out on the sidewalks to
display their products. Here tourists can find all types
of handicrafts such as wood carvings, ceramics and
altarpieces.
Services
Airports
Aeropuerto Internacional Velasco Astete, Cusco.
Av. Velasco Astete s/n.
Phone: (084) 22-2611.
Regional Tourism and Industry Office
Av. de la Cultura 734, 3er piso, Cusco.
Phone: (084) 22-3701.
Fax: (084) 22-3761.
E-mail: dritcus@terra.com.pe,
cusco@mitinci.gob.pe
Oficina de Information Turística
Portal Mantas 188, Cusco.
Phone: (084) 26-3176.
Open: L-V 8:00-18:00, S 8:00-14:00
tourist information and assistance
Peru features a tourist information and assistance
service called iPerú where visitors can ask about
official tourist information on Peru, as well as
assistance if the tourist feels the service paid for was
not provided as advertised.
E-mail:
iperu@promperu.gob.pe
Plaza de Armas
Portal Carrizos 250
Phone: (084) 25-2974 / 23-4498
Open: Monday to Sunday 08:00-20:00
E-mail :
sptcus@tsi.com.pe
Lima Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez
Arrival lounge / main hall
Phone/fax: (01) 574-8000 / 574-6900
24-hour service
E-mail:
sptijch@indecopi.gob.pe
San Isidro
Jorge Basadre 610, Lima 27.
Phone: (01) 421-1583 / 421-1227 / 421-1627 / 421-1546.
Open: Monday to Sunday 9:00-18:00
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