Cusco: Capital of the Incas, Gateway to the Sacred Valley
At 3,400 metres above sea level, Cusco is where most journeys to Machu Picchu begin—but it is far more than a staging post. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, today it’s a blend of Inca stonework, Spanish colonial plazas, and bustling markets. Cusco makes the perfect hub: a place to acclimatize, explore, and branch out into the Sacred Valley and beyond.
UNESCO World Heritage in the Cusco Region
City of Cuzco (inscribed 1983)
Once the heart of the Inca Empire, Cusco is remarkable for the way two civilizations are built into the same stones. Inca foundations of tight-fitted granite blocks underpin colonial cathedrals, convents, and plazas, making the city itself a living palimpsest of conquest and continuity.
Why it’s inscribed. Cusco represents an outstanding example of urban continuity. The Inca capital’s original plan and masonry survive beneath later Spanish construction, illustrating a dramatic cultural fusion that still defines the city today.
What to see. The Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) with the Santo Domingo convent above it; the Cathedral and Plaza de Armas; the artisan quarter of San Blas; and the cyclopean walls of Sacsayhuamán fortress on the hillside.
How to visit. Cusco is the regional hub, accessible by air from Lima and other Andean cities. The WHS core is walkable; allow 2–3 days to explore its museums, churches, and surrounding ruins.
Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System (inscribed 2014)
Stretching across six countries and thousands of kilometres, the Qhapaq Ñan was the lifeline of the Inca world. Radiating from Cusco, it connected high passes, valleys, and coast, binding together one of the largest empires in pre-Columbian America.
Why it’s inscribed. The Qhapaq Ñan is a masterpiece of engineering and organization, showing how the Incas adapted roads to extreme Andean landscapes while sustaining trade, governance, and communication across vast distances.
What to see. Near Cusco, you can walk short segments of Inca stone paths in the Sacred Valley or around Tambomachay and Sacsayhuamán. The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is also part of this WHS, though permits are limited.
How to visit. Easy walks are accessible from Cusco and the Sacred Valley; full treks (like the Inca Trail) require advance booking with licensed operators.
Interested in more World Heritage Sites? See our World Heritage Sites search.
Getting Around Cusco & the Sacred Valley
While Cusco itself is compact and walkable, reaching its surrounding ruins and the Sacred Valley requires a mix of transport. Expect to combine walking, local buses, colectivos (shared taxis), trains, and organized tours depending on your plans.
- Within Cusco: The historic centre is best explored on foot. Streets are narrow, often cobbled, and traffic is slow. Taxis are inexpensive for short hops, but negotiate fares before setting off. Rideshares operate but are less common than in Lima.
- To Nearby Ruins: Sites like Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, and Tambomachay can be reached by taxi or on foot (Sacsayhuamán is a 20–30 minute uphill walk from the Plaza de Armas). Local buses also run towards the “Sacred Valley road.”
- To the Sacred Valley: Frequent minibuses and colectivos leave Cusco for Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo. They’re the cheapest way to travel, though cramped. Private taxis or tours offer more flexibility and can combine multiple stops in one day.
- Trains to Machu Picchu: Rail services to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) depart from Poroy (near Cusco) or Ollantaytambo. Most travellers take a bus or taxi from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, then board the train.
- Altitude & pacing: Cusco sits at 3,400 m (11,150 ft). Build in rest time, avoid rushing between sites, and use colectivos or taxis if the hills prove tiring.
Day Trips & Sacred Valley Excursions
Machu Picchu (Star Satellite)
The crown jewel of Peru, Machu Picchu sits at 2,400m — notably lower than Cusco (3,400m) — on a ridge high above the Urubamba River. Most visitors arrive by train to Aguas Calientes and then take a bus up to the citadel. Others trek in via the Inca Trail or one of several alternative routes. Entry is strictly timed, with separate permits required for climbing Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Read full guide →
Sacred Valley
A fertile corridor between Cusco and Machu Picchu, dotted with Inca sites and Andean villages. Highlights include Pisac’s terraces and market, Ollantaytambo’s fortress, and the Maras salt pans. Urubamba and Ollantaytambo make quieter overnight bases if you prefer to stage closer to Machu Picchu.
Cusco’s Own Satellites
On Cusco’s doorstep are Sacsayhuamán fortress, Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), and the artisan quarter of San Blas. The San Pedro Market is perfect for tasting Andean staples—quinoa, potatoes, corn varieties—alongside fresh juices and local snacks.
Moray & Maras
Moray’s concentric agricultural terraces, thought to be an Inca experimental farm, sit close to Maras, where salt has been harvested from evaporation ponds since pre-Inca times. Both can be visited on a single day trip from Cusco or the Sacred Valley.
Rainbow Mountain
A high-altitude trek (~5,200m) revealing striated mineral colours in the Andes. Demanding due to thin air, but increasingly popular. Best tackled after acclimatizing several days in Cusco.
Food & Drink
Cusco and the Sacred Valley offer a mix of traditional Andean dishes and modern fusions. Try cuy (roast guinea pig), lomo saltado (Peruvian stir fry), and aji de gallina (chicken stew in a creamy sauce). Wash it down with chicha morada (purple corn drink) or mate de coca, a herbal tea that locals swear helps with altitude.
Practical Information
- Altitude: Cusco 3,400m — spend 1–2 days acclimatizing before hikes.
- Coca Tea: Hotels and restaurants across the Andes commonly serve coca tea (mate de coca) to ease altitude discomfort. It’s a traditional local remedy, mild in strength, but note it can trigger a positive result in some drug tests.
- Getting There: Flights from Lima and other Peruvian cities arrive at Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport. Trains and buses fan out into the Sacred Valley.
- When to Visit: Dry season (May–Sep) offers clear skies; rainy season (Nov–Mar) is greener, quieter, but wetter.