The city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, was placed on the World Cultural Heritage List by UNESCO in 1983, and is without a doubt one of the most important destinations in Peru. There are Incan buildings waiting for you to discover them among its cobble-stoned streets.
Cuzco The enchanting former Inca capital of Cuzco, means ‘navel of the earth’ in the Inca language of Quechua. Cuzco is centred around the Plaza de Armas, which is dominated by the Cathedral and La Compañia de Jesus Church. Cuzco’s cloistered arcades house many fine restaurants, bars and shops.
Sacsayhuaman Archeological Complex, just at 2 km / 1 mile northeast of Cusco This is the stage of the Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun every 24th June. It might well have been a religious structure, but for its location and style, the Spanish and the historians believe it was a military construction. The most important temple in Hanan Qosqo or Upper Cusco might have been located there, dedicated to Andean cosmology and to the worship of the Inti (sun), the Quilla (moon), Chaska (stars), Illapa (ray), and other divinities. It is described as massive for the size of some of its stones, which weigh between 90 and 120 tons.
*Qenko Archeological Complex, just at 3 km / 2 miles northwest of Cusco The Qenko or “labyrinth” is considered a holy place where ceremonies honoring the sun, moon, and the stars used to take place.
*Pukapukara Archeological Complex, located at 7 km / 4 miles northeast of Cusco It might have served as a tambo or rest and lodging area. According to the tale, each time the Inca was able to go to Tambomachay, he would be accompanied by a large cortège, which stayed at Pukapukara. The complex contains several rooms, inner plazas, aqueducts, vantage points, and pathways.
*Tambomachay Archeological complex, just at 8 km / 4 miles northwest of Cusco. The area covers about one hectare, and was made out of polygonal shaped set limestone. Tambomachay might have fulfilled an important religious function linked to water and the regeneration of the land. Some scholars believe it was built around 1500 A.D., closely linked with Pukapukara.
*Choquequirao Archeological Complex, located at 93 km / 58 miles from Abancay.a trekking to this place will take 4 days. The complex consists of nine archeological stone groups. There are hundreds of agricultural terraces, rooms, and irrigation systems. The buildings are constructed around a central promenade or main square, Choquequirao means: chuqui k’iraw or Cradle of Gold, it could be one of the lost Inca citadels in the VilcabambaValley where the Incas took refuge from the Spanish in 1536.
Tres Cruces, located at 109 km / 68 miles southeast of Cusco, This place is famous for the so-called “white ray” phenomenon that occurs when the sun rises over the horizon during the winter solstice (June, July). The light shines through the humid atmosphere and is distorted as if going through a prism. The effect causes three suns to appear, one of them seems to be jumping from one side to the other.Tres Cruces is a natural lookout located on the edge of the Manu Biosph
*Machupicchu, The Lost City of Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful and enigmatic archaeological sites in the world. Machu Picchu was originally completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs. Located high above the fast flowing Urubamba River, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation that will simply take your breath away.
