The city of Cusco, capital of the department of the same name, lies in the Huatanay River valley in the southern highlands of Peru. Cusco in quechua means "navel of the world", for its city, capital of the Inca empire, or Tawantinsuyo, was the hub of a network extending to each of the four suyus, or regions, that formed the "four parts of the world" according to the Incas' world view. The Incas believed Cusco to be a dwelling place of the gods and it is certainly one of the most fascinating cities in the Peruvian Andes. Its unique architecture of European styles set against with the solid grandeur of Inca foundations highlights the beauty of a city with a dazzling past and despite strong Spanish influence the city maintains an unmistakably Andean air. It is called the archaeological capital of South America, as its proximity to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu makes it one of the world's principal travel destinations.
The main attractions are the Main Square, the Cathedral, La Compañía Church, La Merced Convent and Church, Koricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo, San Blas Quarter, Hatun Rumicoy Street, Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Sacred Valley, Pisac, Chincheros, Ollantaytambo, Tipon, Moray, The Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Piquillacta, Paucartambo, Choquequirao, Andahuaylillas and Maras.
The average temperature is 41ºF (5ºC) through 68ºF (20ºC), and the city is at 11,151 feet (3,400 meters) above sea level.
The main festivities of the city are:
- January 1: Entrega de Varas
- January 20: Chiaraje
- March - April: Easter
- May 5: Crosses Fiesta
- May: Qoyllur Rit'i
- June 24: Inti Raymi
- June: Corpus Christi
- July 16: Virgen del Carmen
- October 10: Virgen del Rosario
- December 24: Santuranticuy
Best Tours including a Cusco visit:
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Hotels in Cusco:
