About Cusco

In Peru we experience living History because its customs and traditions persist over time. Peru's rich past reaches back to the earliest civilization in the entire American continent, millennia before the development of the Inca culture and the height of cities such as Cuzco. Bandurria, north of Lima, is more than 5,000 years old (contemporary to Egyptian and Mesopotamian societies), therefore it is the earliest society recorded in the Americas.

Later, different cultures developed throughout Peru, such as the Paracas, Nazca, Mochica, Tiahuanaco and the most known and representative of all - the Inca culture – that, during its period of greatest expansion, came to take up the territory of present-day Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina. Its huge buildings are just an example of the grandeur of this society. Citadels such as Machu Picchu and Choquequirao, as well as many other archaeological sites, many located in the city of Cuzco and its surroundings, are just examples of the level of development and knowledge in architecture and engineering of the Incas.

With the coming of the Spanish to Peru in the sixteenth century, the Viceroyalty of Peru was established in the name of the Spanish Crown, making it the most important colony of the Spanish Empire in America, due mainly to the riches that were to be extracted from its mines.

In 1821, General José de San Martín proclaimed the independence of Peru, but the Viceroyalty continued to operate until 1824, when the Viceroy José de la Serna surrendered to the forces of Antonio José de Sucre following the Battle of Ayacucho.

CITY TOUR & NEARBY RUINS

This wonderful city will show you the amazing colonial city built on the foundations of Inca palaces. You will visit the "Koricancha" or Temple of the Sun where you can value the incredible masonry of the Incas, the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) and the Cathedral carved woodworks, altars and paintings. You later drive to the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a colossal monument overlooking Cusco; to the underground cave and temple of Kenko, and to Tambomachay, known as the Bath of the Incas.

SAN PEDRO MARKET

Great place to shop where the locals do for everyday products such as vegetables, meats, cleaning products, and loads more. It is only a ten minute walk from the Plaza de Armas.

CRISTO BLANCO

The white Christ statue that overlooks Cusco from a hill. It is 8 meters tall and at night it is as if Christ was standing in the sky.

MOLINO
A huge market that offers shopping of all sorts such as clothes at cheap prices, shoes, DVD´s and electronics.