Sign in with Facebook"Cusco - Capital of the Inca Empire" Top 5 Page for this destination Cuzco by jadedmuse
Cuzco Travel Guide: 233 reviews and 522 photos
Cusco is a charming city that really marries together European colonial with ancient indigenous elements, resulting in fabulous architectural monuments, ruins, cathedrals, temples and artwork. It was the beloved capital of the ancient Incan empire - and it is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere.
Cusco sits at approximately 11,000 feet of altitude (3360 meters?). We arrived in Cusco around 7:00 am, and from our pre-travel material, I knew we were supposed to go immediately to our hotel, drink coca tea, and then lie down so that we could give our bodies a better chance to acclimate. As it was, we'd be acclimating over an almost three day period. But......overcome with excitement together with my general hard-headedness, I decided to explore the town immediately, instead of napping. Naps are for old farts and fat people. I was neither, so I didn't see how that rule applied to me.
Boy, was that a mistake! I literally ran up and down the hilly town, delighted to be on my own with nothing but my vivid imagination and the opportunity to observe the city and its inhabitants as they awakened from the night's slumber.....I snapped photos of women dressed in colorful ponchos and strangely shaped hats, children leading llamas down an alley - I entered art galleries and textile boutiques, watched people set up their looms as they began to weave; I chatted with shopkeepers and even bought a necklace and a piece of woodwork. I marvelled at finally seeing up close, actual painting styles and portraits hailing from the Cusco School of Art (which is not a "school" per se, it's a style that is unique to Peru, with an interesting history (see my "Local Customs" tip) and internationally reknown by art critics.) I was running on adrenaline and magic!.
Oblivious to what lay ahead of me in terms of pain and agony, I recall skipping back down the cobbled streets, past the beautiful cathedral in the main square and back to our hotel in time to change and get ready for our afternoon bus tour. Yeah, I'd had my magical moments (four solid hours) of solitude and unfettered exploration, so I was in a more generous mood to tolerate the legions of what I considered to be "tourists" (vs "travelers" which is how I consider myself!)
By the time I reached the hotel, my head was pounding. At first I attributed it to the fact that I hadn't eaten since the previous day - so I made myself a coca tea and nibbled on some local pastry and waited for the headache to go away.
I was able to join the bus tour which included such fantastic Cusco sites as Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman, and Tambomachay. But after the second stop, I was so dizzy and nauseous I mostly stayed on the bus and prayed for the pain to go away. I spent that night alternately crying and throwing up!
I was pretty weak the next day but the headache had subsided somewhat. Nothing that some GIANT CORN (see my "Local Customs tip") and fresh avocados couldn't cure!
I was back to my normal self by the time we departed for our magical 4- day Inca Trek to Machu Picchu.
Reviews (23)
Ceramics and Woodwork
Shopping
(3)
You'll find intricately carved woodwork pieces in many shops in Cusco, as well as interesting pottery and ceramics. more travel advice
Hand Made Jewelry
Shopping
(3)
Kind of New Age feel to it, very cool proprietor. Jairo the shopkeeper is also an artist, and he's got all kinds of... more travel advice
Carpets, Tapestries, Sweaters
Shopping
(3)
You'll find all kinds of great buys in the way of carpet and tapestries woven out of llama wool - as well as beautiful... more travel advice
Read "Deep Rivers"
Favorites
(1)
Note: I know I included this in my Macchu Picchu section, but I thought it was important enough to share it... more travel advice
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Warnings Or Dangers (7)
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Things to Do (6)
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Comments (33)
Hello!! I was wondering about the acclimation you experienced. How much time would you expect it takes to feel alright? I'm only able to go to Cusco for 3 days and I want to make sure i'll get to see Machu Picchu!
Merpanda, tks for the comment on Matic Hands guy. Good to know and somehow not all that surprising. I may go back and review that tip and add in your "buyer beware". Gracias! M
The guy at Magic Hands is also a scam artist. If he tries to sell you an expensive amulet to heal your energy problem or gives you a mood meditation beware! He uses the same stories on everyone.
Hi nice page on Peru. I´m considering a 4-day trip to Cusco, do u think it´s too short? How did u get to Cusco from Lima, Bus? How long?? Thanks
ahalan achoti! Okay, giant corn, altitude sickness, Coca tea, Pisco Sour - achla! But what about FRUIT'S ADDICTED people??? this new page is thirsty for fruity stories/ pics: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/8e04c/#TL
You saved me from altitude sickness by virtue of this VT page! I am forever in your debt.
I really enjoyed your Cuzco pages.You did a great job
fantastic presentation & site.... Bravo
Cuzco is an amazing place--thanks for sharing it with V.T. I think I experienced a bit of altitude sickness when visiting Chile...
Hi Michele! What a wonderful page about Cusco! Makes me want to go back there! Excellent work. Rainy greetings from Southern Finland, Sini
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