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- Destinations
- South America
- Peru
- Cusco
Cusco
The sacred capital of the Inca Empire and known to the early
Incas as the 'navel of the world', Cusco is the oldest continuously
inhabited city in South America. Gateway to the ancient citadel of
Machu Picchu, the city is filled with the Inca legacy, evident in
the straight cobbled streets lined with the remains of exquisite
stone walls built by the Incas, examples of ancient stonework
incorporated into the structure of colonial churches and buildings,
and the Quechua-speaking descendants of the Incas that fill the
streets with their bright dress and colourful handicrafts.
A vibrant and exciting city, it is one of South America's
biggest tourist destinations with a thriving traditional culture,
ancient ruins, archaeological treasures, and magnificent colonial
architecture. Chief among its attractions are the Inca Trail
(culminating at the magnificent hidden city of Machu Picchu), the
villages and archaeological ruins in the nearby Sacred Valley, and
the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán overlooking the imperial
city.
Despite its popularity, Cusco remains relatively unspoiled and
its beautiful setting in the Andean mountains, at an altitude of
11,000ft (3,400m), is guaranteed to leave visitors breathless.
Cobbled streets run steeply up the hills and are lined with quaint
whitewashed houses, steps are bordered by craft stalls watched over
by traditionally dressed indigenous women, and elevated church bell
towers offer fantastic views over the red-tiled roofs.
The heart of the city is the stately Plaza de Armas, dominated
by the Cathedral and framed by colonial arcades and wooden
balconies that house souvenir shops, restaurants, bars and tour
agencies. Flying over the Spanish colonial structures around the
plaza is the Peruvian national flag together with the rainbow
coloured flag of the Inca Empire, emphasizing the unique blend of
the ancient, colonial and modern day Peru that characterises the
spectacular city of Cusco.
Visitors can enjoy the attractions of the city and surrounding
areas at a reduced rate by taking advantage of the Cusco Tourist
Ticket, which costs US$10 and allow entry to 16 sites within a
10-day period. The ticket can be bought at any of the sites, which
include Puca Pucara, Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay, Qenko, the
Cathedral, San Blas, the museum of Santa Catalina, the site museum
at Qorikancha, the museum of regional history, the museum of
religious art, the museum of the municipal palace, Chincheros,
Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Tipón and Pikillaqta.
Information & Facts
Climate
Cuzco has a sub-tropical highland climate characterised by dry,
temperate weather. There are two defined seasons; the dry season
(April to October) and the rainy season (November to March). The
dry season is sunny and mild, with temperatures averaging around
55°F (13°C), while the wet season is slightly colder with average
temperatures of around 53°F (12°C). Incidentally, Cuzco has the
highest ultraviolet light level on Earth.
Language
Spanish and Quechua are the official languages, but many
other dialects are spoken. English is spoken only in major tourist
centres and hotels.
Money
The official currency is Nuevo Sol (PEN) divided into 100
céntimos. Visa is the most widely accepted credit card, but all
major international credit cards, including Diners Club and
MasterCard, are accepted in many, but not all, establishments.
Outside Lima facilities may be more limited. Travellers cheques may
also be difficult to exchange in small towns and villages, and
travellers are advised to have cash on hand. US Dollars are the
easiest currency to exchange and plenty of restaurants, hotels and
shops in the main cities accept dollars for payment.
Casas de cambio(exchange bureaux) often give better rates
than hotels and banks and can be found in any town on the tourist
circuit. ATMs are available in the main cities.
Time