The former capital of the Incas is a must if you travel to Peru. While only modest traces of the Inca Empire remain, the city displays its glorious colonial dwellings in a stunning high-altitude site.

At an altitude of 3,400 m, the city of Cuzco is really special! The town is surrounded by mountains, nestling in a high valley in the exact spot where in the 11th century the Incas established their capital. Despite the fact they were there for five hundred years, the vagaries of history have meant that the palaces and fortifications and the very traces of the reigns of Pachacutec and Atahualpa have all but disappeared, with the exception of the evocative stone walls which can be seen in the streets of Loreto and Hatun Rumiyoc. The city is known today for its colonial charm. Its character lies in its superb buildings with sculpted wooden balconies, delightful little cobbled squares, the reflections of the roof tiles and the grace of the Plaza de Armas, the nerve centre of a city hemmed in by the profuse Baroque ornamentation of its cathedral and its Church of the Society of Jesus. Busy, lively, a kaleidoscope of colour and sound, the heart of Cuzco beats to the rhythm of its markets, its shops, its street scenes and its local crafts. This atmosphere is especially noticeable in the town squares and the neighbourhood of San Blas, famous for its old white houses with blue doors and balconies and its authentic hustle and bustle. In Cuzco the visitor can stock up on arts and crafts (ponchos, miniature altarpieces, musical instruments…) before setting off, no doubt, to nearby Machu Picchu.

Cusco’s surroundings

The Machu Picchu Citadel

The Machu Picchu Historical Reserve is located at 2400 mts above sea level, just 112 km (70 miles) from the City of Cusco, in a magical place that fascinates through its vast archaeological remains, geological formations, unique flora and fauna, and spectacular cloud forest. The most remarkable part of the reserve is the archaeological site of Machu Picchu where travelers may choose to reach by following the one- to five-day Inca Trail hike (camping along the route).

The Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Sacred Valley of the Incas offers privileged climate, beautiful sceneries, and picturesque villages at a moderate altitude. Travelers should not miss the opportunity to experience some of the finest Inca sites, local artisans markets and the natural warmth of the people, in a relaxing countryside. Those also interested in more adventurous activities, such as climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking and river rafting, will be totally wrapped up by this catching environment.

The Amazon Rainforest

Located just 30 minutes away by plane from Cusco, the Madre de Dios region is surrounded by National Parks with easily accessible virgin tropical rainforests. The Tambopata reserve offers a wealth of biodiversity, such as birds, insects, monkeys and otters, as well as diverse plant life. Travelers will have the chance to visit the beautiful, mirror-like Lake Sandoval, or visit an indigenous Southeastern Amazon family to learn about their customs and traditional daily living.