Cuzco is a city that is blessed with so many ancient sites. With Machu Picchu on its door step, there is much to see and do in Cuzco both in the city itself and in its surrounding country side. Definitely the most exciting spectacles of the city are connected to its Incan past. People come from all over the world to walk the 24 mile Incan Trail to the ancient mountain city of Machu Picchu. This hike takes visitors across a variety of country side and truly connects them to the region. While visiting Sacsayhuamán brings visitors, inside Cuzco itself, face to face with Inca buildings. Yet more to do in Cuzco includes:
Sacsayhuamán
Northwest of Historic Center | Cuzco
Though often over shadowed by Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuamán is well worth a visit too. An ancient Incan Towered fortress Sacsayhuamán richly displays the exquisite Incan masonry while also provided wonderful vista views over the city of Cuzco. From the onset visitors to this fortress are besieged with questions, such as how the mammoth pieces of rock were actually placed in the proper positions? Other special things to see inside the fortress include the Inca throne room, the Esplanada – which is a parade platform where revelers of the Raymi Festival of the sun gather. Nearby to Sacsayhuamán is Tambomachay, which is a spring that was the bathing ground for the Incan elite. Sacsayhuamán is approximately 2 miles northwest of Cuzco’s city center; it can be reached by a 25 minute strenuous walk from Plaza de Armas. A tourist ticket, which provides access to 15 other Cuzco attractions, costing around $48 dollars US is required to enter the site. Sacsayhuamán is open Monday through Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Cusco-Aguas Calientes Railway
The most famous hike in Peru, if not in South America, is the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. A hearty four day hike the Inca trail will take you across miles and miles of different terrain and fantastic scenery. Travelers always rave about the wild life, the porters, the scenery, the challenge, and the cultural highlights they enjoy making the trip. Only 500 people are allowed on the Inca Travel at any one given time as to maintain it. Still though walking the trail will give you plenty of opportunity to meet other like minded travelers. Walking the Inca Trail requires trekkers to acquire a permit and to hire a licensed tour operator to lead their trip. A reputable service to use is Aventours.
