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One-time capital of the extensive Inca Empire, this city is one of the best places in Peru to witness the glory of this ancient civilization. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the nearby ancient citadel of Sacsayhuaman. Cusco retains the ruins of many pre-Columbian buildings in addition to many impressive Spanish colonial edifices. The picturesque center of the city was built on pre-Columbian foundations, and features many historic plazas, streets and churches, as well as many present-day artisans, workshops and craft shops.
From the 13th to the 16th century, Cusco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire. Today, Cusco is honored with the title of Historical Capital of Peru. In fact, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1983 and nearly 2 million visitors flock to Cusco annually to delve into its rich past.
Magnificent ruins from the ancient Inca civilization and beautifully maintained Spanish colonial buildings and monuments adorn Cusco city. Finding out where the best tourist spots are and getting around to them takes quite a bit of logistical pre-planning. You are better able to make the most of your trip if you book one of the many convenient and well-organized Cusco tours.
There are many fascinating multi-day tour packages through Peru that let you fit in a trip to Cusco. Many Cusco tours from Lima begin by giving you a day or two to explore the capital city’s fascinating mix of the old and new before you head out on your Cusco adventure. While in Lima, you can explore the magnificent architecture of its colonial buildings or browse the displays in one of its captivating museums. Visitors to Lima can explore the catacombs below San Francisco Church where over 70,000 bodies are buried.
Day trips from Cusco to the many nearby ruins and scenic spots are quite popular, and the most popular of all is a day trip to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.
Gaze back in time upon the splendor of the Inca Empire as you enter the Lost City through the Sun Gate. Beautifully preserved ruins of palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and roughly 150 houses help you understand and appreciate the Inca way of life.
Machu Picchu tours from Cusco take you there on comfortable sightseeing buses, but for the more adventurous travelers there are Cusco Inca Trail tours to Machu Picchu. You start in the unbelievably verdant Urubamba Valley and make your way through jungle and hilly terrain past other little-known ruins and tunnels.
The heart of the Inca Empire was formed by Cusco, Machu Picchu and the beautiful Sacred Valley. A Cusco Sacred Valley tour is usually a part of Peru tours through the area. The Sacred Valley holds many Inca ruins, Pisac being one of the most outstanding among them.
Your tour will take you to the ancient hilltop Inca citadel overlooking the fertile Sacred Valley. The traditional markets of Pisac are great places to purchase authentic handmade souvenirs and get caught up in the rich culture of the indigenous people.
Cusco is not only the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, but also the perfect passageway to explore the rest of Peru. One of the most popular attractions from Cusco is Lake Titicaca.
South America’s largest lake and quite possibly its most beautiful, Lake Titicaca sits high in the Andes Mountains on the Peru-Bolivia border. Its amazingly blue waters are attributed to its great depth. Lake Titicaca is a popular tourist spot and many visitors come to see the ruins on its islands and interact with the indigenous people who still retain much of their Inca culture.
From Lake Titicaca, many tours continue on to Peru’s neighbour, Bolivia. You can book a tour package to travel to Bolivia and enjoy breathtaking mountain views as you travel from Lake Titicaca to Bolivia’s capital, La Paz. On Witches Street you can interact with the friendly locals and purchase souvenirs to “ward off evil spirits.” While in La Paz, take the time to enjoy a Peña show featuring Andean music and dance with local musicians playing on traditional instruments.
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