Cuzco & the Sacred Valley
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Overview
For Incas, Cuzco was the belly button of the world. A visit to this city and its nearby ruins tumbles you back into the cosmic realm of ancient Andean culture – knocked down and fused with the colonial imprint of Spanish conquest, only to be repackaged as a thriving tourist center. The capital of Cuzco is only the gateway. Beyond lies the Sacred Valley, Andean countryside dotted with villages, high-altitude hamlets and ruins linked by trail and railway tracks to the continent's biggest draw – Machu Picchu.
01 / Attractions
Must-see attractions
The Sacred Valley
This wonderful new museum takes visitors into the world of the fascinating pre-Colombian civilizations that came before the Inca. It acknowledges the…
Cuzco
This newish museum exhibits 360 pieces from Machu Picchu taken by Hiram Bingham's expeditions and recently returned by Yale University, including stone…
Parque Arqueológico Choquequirao
Cuzco & the Sacred Valley
Translating as 'Cradle of Gold,' this remote Incan site (3050m) in the Vilcabamba mountain range over the Apurimac canyon bears a strong resemblance to…
Cuzco
An excellent way to explore the fascinating Inca cosmovision. They defined constellations of darkness as well as light, used astronomy to predict weather…
Cuzco
A squatter on the site of Viracocha Inca’s palace, the cathedral was built using blocks pilfered from the nearby Inca site of Sacsaywamán. Its…
Cuzco
If you visit only one Cuzco site, make it these Inca ruins forming the base of the colonial church and convent of Santo Domingo. Once the richest temple…
Cuzco & the Sacred Valley
This immense ruin of both religious and military significance is the most impressive in the immediate area around Cuzco. The long Quechua name means …
Ollantaytambo
Both fortress and temple, these spectacular Inca ruins rise above Ollantaytambo, making a splendid half-day trip. (Admission is via the boleto turístico…
02 / Plan with a local
03 / Articles
Latest stories from Cuzco & the Sacred Valley
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Art and Culture
Taste and distinction: Food and culture in southern PeruSep 1, 2023 • 6 min read
Tips & AdviceCan I hike the Inca Trail in 2022? Here's what you need to knowMar 23, 2022 • 11 min read
Festivals & EventsInti Raymi: South America's Inca solstice celebrationMay 22, 2019 • 3 min read
Sustainable TravelCould Machu Picchu's new airport threaten sustainable tourism at the ancient Inca site?May 16, 2019 • 3 min read
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