Cusco Holidays
Why you should visit Cusco
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The gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, Cusco is the capital of the Inca Empire
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Built on Inca foundations, Cusco offers a beautiful combination of stone arches, balconies and pretty terracotta roves
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Participate in the ancient Inti Raymi festival over the summer solstice in June, re-enacted amongst the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman
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Explore the traditional Indian markets, selling alpaca and llama goods and visit the local artisans
Our specialists 'Must Do'
As with Machu Picchu, Cusco needs little introduction, but there are many places that are often missed as tourists rush through to Machu Picchu. Head up to San Blas, Cusco's bohemian district, visiting the Inka museum and continue further up to pass artisans in their workshops. Stay in a typical Cuscquenan colonial house for an authentic experience with fantasitc personal service!
Our Peru specialist, Emma likes to venture off the main streets of Cusco away from the tourist, where she captured the image above of a typically dressed Peruvian lady carrying her flowers home.
A little more about Cusco
Cusco is a stunning combination of ancient Inca and colonial Spanish influences. Attractive churches, monasteries and convents are interspersed with perfectly perserved Inca walls, doorways and arches. Elaborate pulpits and gold-leafed altars contrast with colourful Quechua street vendors, lilting panpipe music and frequent parades and festivals. Of particular interest is the temple of the sun Koricancha (courtyard of gold in Quechua), which was said to be the most sumptuous temple built by the Inca Empire as it was purely dedicated to Inti, the sun.
The main attraction is the Baroque church of Santo Domingo with its exquisite stonemasonry, and following the restoration of both buildings after the earthquake in 1953 a large cloister was removed revealing not one but four original chambers of the temple. Whilst visiting the Koricancha do take time to visit the Textile Museum of Cusco, run by a lady who helps to continue Peru's heritage of the backstrap loom and works closely with villages in the Sacred Valley, to which we can organise local artisan visits.
Emma, our Peru specialist has visited Cusco several times and believes the Inka museum in San Blas is definitely worth visiting, and also recommends purchasing a Boleto Turistico ticket which allows entry to many of the attraction in this area if you have time. Head to the MAP cafe inside the Pre-Colombian Art Museum for a lovely option for lunch or dinner.
Activities from Cusco are endless and range from horseriding, white-water rafting, trekking, visiting weavers villages, nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman and Q'enko.
When to go
Cusco can be visited almost year round, but please note access to the Sacred Valley, Inca Trail and Machu Picchu is much harder in January, and in February the Inca Trail is closed.
Peru has two main seasons, rainy and dry. The latter being between November to March. November, December and March are shoulder seasons and are similar to our spring, with the possibility of rain but can be a lovely time to visit when it is generally quieter. April to May is our specialist, Emma's preference as it is just after the rainy season and the highlands are lush with plenty of orchids.
For more information on your holiday to Cusco or Peru, or for more advice on your holiday to Peru, please contact Emma on 01285 885 333.