Sign in with Facebook"The center of the Empire" Top 5 Page for this destination Cusco by SirRichard
Cusco Travel Guide: 1,204 reviews and 2,246 photos
Cuzco (also known as Cusco) was the capital of the Tahuantinsuyo, what we know as "Inca Empire", though this word Inca means "king", so is used wrong when refering to that culture. This empire was spread from nowadays Colombia to Chile, all along the Andes and reached its peak in the 15th century, just before Spanish "conquerors" arrived in 1531 and extinguished it.
Anyway, if you wanna visit the (let's call it) INCA culture, Cuzco should be your basecamp. From here you can visit the ruins of the Sacre Valley, Machu Picchu and some remains you will find around the town.
Cuzco's heart is the "Plaza de Armas" where you can find the Cathedral and the "Compañía de Jesús" church, among other remarkable buildings. Cuzco's historical center can be visited by foot, but there are many slopes and stairs, so take it easy.
As Cuzco is located at 3.326 meters above the sea level, if you arrive by plane, you must count on 2-3 days to get used to altitude. In those days, you have to take it easy, real slow. Otherwise, you will suffer "soroche", the altitude sickness.
I spent 2 days here before starting the Inca Trail. Had a little headache on those 2 days, but the 3rd day I was in gear again, ready for the trekking! Drinking or chewing coca leaves may help though...
Reviews (27)
Inca Trail reserve in advance
What to Pack
(2)
If you want to do the Inca Trail, you have to book in advance, at least 2 months before, as the entrance to the Park... more travel advice
Local eating (Central Market)
Restaurants
(4)
At the rear part of the Central Market you will find an area with many popular food stalls, some serving breakfasts,... more travel advice
Coca leaf
Local Customs
(1)
Local people use to chew coca leaf here, or drink it like coca tea. Coca is not cocaine (though the drug comes from the... more travel advice
Soroche (altitude sickness)
Warnings Or Dangers
(1)
Cuzco is located very high in the Andes (3326 m) so for average people it may be a little difficult to breath here. You... more travel advice
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Things to Do (8)
See All The church of the Society of Jesus -
Favorites (4)
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Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All The view from Hostal Resbalosa -
Hotels (2)
See All Hostal Resbalosa
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Cusco Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "Cusco and the Sacred Valley"
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- "The center of the Empire"
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- "Cusco - "Navel of the Earth""
- "A window on Cuzco"
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Comments (6)
after uzbekistan this is the next destination, if all goes well of course! great page joaquin!
Hi Joaquin. Nice little page on Cuzco. I will go there one day when I have $$$$ and also overcome my fears of getting Soroche. :)
Man that sounds awesome. I could go for that pain. About the coca leaves. Do you feel an actual numbness? Do you feel it helps in the altitude?
Wow, great page! I don't think i would be able to handle the altitude though... But with a little coca leaves help? Who knows :)
Great pages,lovely photos,nice one
Nice page... Cusco is probably, with Arequipa, one of the most splendid cities in Peru...
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