Cusco
Panoramic view of Machu Picchu - Cusco - Carlos Sala / PromPerú
Cross - Cusco
Mountain scenery in Cusco
Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, it is located 1,100 Kms southest of Lima and at 3,400 meters above sea level, it has a population of 300,000 inhabitants.
Among its more important archeological sites around the city we can mention Sacsayhuaman, Q'enqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay, all of them dating back to the Inca times. To the south of the city we find Tipón and Pikillacta, this last one from the Wari culture. Along the Sacred Valley of the Incas we can find Pisac and Ollantaytambo; following the Urubamba river we can find the famous citadel of Machu Picchu. To the west there is also the city of Choquequirao.
Of its colonial period we can find numerous examples as the Cathedral, the Jesuits Church and Santo Domingo, built atop the Qoricancha or Sun Temple form the Inca Empire and its many colonial houses.
There are many festivities in Cusco and surrounding areas, it's worth mention the Inty Raymi, celebrating the winter solstice, every June 24th, Corpus Christi, Our Lord of Qoylluriti,celebrated south in the heart of the Vilcanota Range and the Mamacha Carmen, every 16th of July, a festivity taken place in Paucartambo.
Many adventure sports can be practised in the Urubamba and Apurimac rivers, as well as in the Vilcanota, Urubamba and Vilcabamba ranges, as well as in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Manu National Park is also a place in the Amazon rainforest worth visiting for those interested in birdwatching and wild life viewing.
  
 
   
 
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