Cusco

Cusco profoundly mesmerizes visitors as the sacred ancient Inca capital and navel of their vast empire where massive precisely-cut stone walls fitted together without any mortar line steep cobblestoned streets, impressive Spanish colonial baroque churches deliberately built atop destroyed Inca temples asserting conquest, and challenging 3,400-meter (11,150-foot) altitude causes immediate breathlessness and lightheadedness before gradual acclimatization—yet literally every visitor willingly endures thin mountain air to reach nearby Machu Picchu's magnificent cloud-forest citadel, the ultimate pilgrimage. Once called Qosqo (the navel or center) of the mighty Inca Tawantinsuyu Empire ruling territories from Ecuador to Chile encompassing millions of subjects, Cusco (pop. approximately 430,000 in greater urban area) preserves extraordinary visible cultural layers spanning pre-Inca, Inca, Spanish colonial, and modern Peru: the famous 12-angled stone perfectly fitted in Inca wall showcases unmatched engineering mastery and earthquake-resistance, the grand Plaza de Armas' twin baroque cathedrals house immense colonial religious art collections built deliberately on Inca ceremonial grounds, and the atmospheric San Blas artisan quarter's steep narrow alleys host bohemian galleries, artisan workshops, and backpacker cafés where travelers recovering from altitude plan multi-day Inca Trail treks.

The altitude absolutely hits hard and affects everyone—for most travelers it's highly recommended to spend 2-3 days acclimatizing before serious trekking; drink coca tea, ascend gradually from sea level, take it easy on alcohol, and speak to a doctor in advance if you're considering prescription altitude medication (like acetazolamide) to prevent dangerous soroche (altitude sickness) causing headaches, nausea, and worse. The impressive Sacsayhuamán, usually visited on the Cusco Boleto Turístico (full ticket around S/130-150 for foreigners, with cheaper partial tickets approximately S/70 for specific circuits) features massive zigzag defensive ramparts looming above Cusco with enormous 200-ton limestone blocks transported from quarries 20+ kilometers away using methods and techniques still hotly debated by archaeologists and engineers. Popular Sacred Valley full-day tours (typically S/70-100 / approximately $18–$26 per person including transport, guide, sometimes lunch) visit Pisac's dramatic terraced ruins clinging to mountainside plus vibrant Sunday artisan market, Ollantaytambo's impressive fortress ruins where Incas actually defeated Spanish conquistadors in rare victory, and Moray's mysterious circular agricultural terraces creating microclimates for crop experimentation.

Yet Cusco's entire tourism economy centers fundamentally around providing Machu Picchu access: expensive train journey from Ollantaytambo (PeruRail or Inca Rail monopoly, roughly $124–$167 return for tourist class, Vistadome $151–$194 luxury Hiram Bingham $540+), mandatory bus from Aguas Calientes up switchbacks to ruins (about US$24 / S/90 / approximately $24 return for foreign adults, locals pay much less), and advance online entrance tickets (S/152-200 / roughly $40–$53 must book weeks or months ahead for limited daily permits, different circuits). Alternative classic multi-day treks: legendary 4-day Inca Trail (usually US$650–$900 / roughly $648–$918 book 6+ months ahead including guide, porters, food, camping), shorter 2-day versions (often US$450–$650 / approximately $454–$648), or alternative Salkantay or Lares treks avoiding permit hassles. The elevated food scene showcases Andean ingredients and traditional dishes elevated by Lima-trained chefs—tender alpaca steaks, traditional cuy (guinea pig, roasted whole looking at you), hearty quinoa soups, and rocoto relleno (stuffed spicy peppers) in Plaza de Armas restaurants catering to tourists, with strong pisco sours at high altitude hitting noticeably harder.

San Blas's charming steep alleys hide artisan galleries selling paintings and crafts, while bustling San Pedro Market sells bags of coca leaves, fresh fruit juices, local cheeses, and quinoa varieties. With chronic unavoidable altitude challenges, surprisingly cold nights year-round (5-15°C even in summer, heating uncommon), extensive tourist infrastructure and constant tours serving endless Machu Picchu pilgrims, costs higher than rest of Peru, and that necessary acclimatization time, Cusco delivers essential Inca heritage immersion—the mandatory multi-day base before attempting South America's most iconic archaeological trek and ancient wonder.