Tourist Information
• Capital: The city of Cusco.
• Location: In the central and southern zone of Peru, 1,494 km from the city of Lima.
• Altitude: 3,399 meters above sea level.
• Climate: Cold and dry climate, with an average annual temperature of 11°C. The rainy season is from November to April.
• Extension: 71,892 Km2.
Cusco (Qosqo in Quechua), means navel of the world, and is one of the largest regions of Peru. Its geographical location has allowed it to develop agriculturally, standing out in the cultivation of corn, quinoa, barley, potatoes, tea and coffee. Nowadays, Tourism is its main source of income, due to the great archaeological wealth left by the Tahuantinsuyo empire and the passage of the Spanish. It is without a doubt, the city that preserves the most beautiful and important archaeological monuments of Peru and America, including Macchu Pichu, thus being the first tourist destination in our country, an important tourist destination for those who appreciate the impressive Inca architecture; carried out with originality and perfection the works in stone. In its surroundings there are many Inca and Colonial archaeological remains such as the archaeological site of Macchu Picchu, located 130 km northeast of the city of Cusco, 600 m approx. on the Urubamba River. Within this Inca citadel a total of 150 houses is calculated; one-room houses, highlighting the solar clock (or Intihuatana), an astronomical observatory that was built in a strategic place in the citadel, from where the Incas could observe the movements of the sun.
Among its main archaeological monuments we can mention the fortress of SacsayHuamán, Ollantaytambo, Písac, Kenko, the Acllahuasi, the archaeological complex of Tambomachay, among other sites of archaeological and tourist importance. Important architectural remains of colonial style are still preserved from the past of the Spanish, among them the Cathedral Basilica, the temple and the convent of La Merced, the church of the company of Jesus, the pulpit of San Blas, the churches of Santa Catalina , Santa Clara and San Cristóbal, Santo Domingo, and museums and paintings of the Cusqueña School.
It was founded on March 23, 1533, by the conqueror Francisco Pizarro, thus converting the city of Cuzco into a mestizo and colonial city.
In 1911, the American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered the Archaeological Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
Due to the impressive beauty of its archaeological monuments, Cusco has been, deservedly, declared as the “Archaeological Capital of South America”, in an Americanist congress held in Argentina, in the year of 1993. And in 1993, the state Peruvian through congress declares the city of Cusco as the “Historical Capital of Peru”.
How to get to Cuzco
By land: The city of Cuzco can be reached by the following means:
» Lima – Arequipa – Cusco: 1,494 km of route, with a duration of 24 hours approx. by bus This is the most recommended route to reach this city.
» Lima-Nazca-Puquio-Abancay-Cusco: 1,136 km (approx. 20 hours by car).
» Puno – Cusco: 389 Kms, 7 hours by car.
By Air:
There are daily air transport services that operate from Lima to the Velasco Astete Airport (10 minutes from the city of Cusco), and 45 minutes approx. of flight.
Another of the recommended air routes to get to the city of Cuzco is: Arequipa – Cusco, which lasts 30 min. approx. Of flight.
Railway:
There is a railway network that connects the cities of Arequipa – Juliaca – Puno – Cusco and Quillabamba.
Distance from Cusco to:
Other cities of Peru
• Abancay 199 Kilometers
• Arequipa (Cusco – Combapata – Cusco) 515 Kilometers
• Ayacucho. 597 kilometers
• Huancavelica 838 Kilometers
• Huaraz 1,512 Kilometers
• Ica 802 Kilometers
• Lima (Lima – Arequipa – Cusco) 1,494 Kilometers
• Moquegua 731 Kilometers
• Born 663 Kilometers
• Pisco 879 Kilometers
•Fist. 384 Kilometers.
Cities within the Cusco Region
• Acomayo 104.5 Kilometers.
• Ant 26 Kilometers.
• Traces 50 Kilometers.
• Paucartambo 109 Kilometers.
• Paruro 64 Kilometers.
• Quillabamba 210 Kilometers.
• Santo Tomás 240 Kilometers.
• Sicuani 138 Kilometers.
• Urcos 46 Kilometers.
• Urubamba 76 Kilometers.
• Yanaoca 165 Kilometers.
• Yauri 241 Kilometers.
Gastronomy
The city of Cusco has a wide range of typical dishes, a great heritage from its ancestors. Trying these delicious dishes is a way to get to know the city. Among its main typical dishes are:
» Spicy potato with fried guinea pig.
» Kapchi.
» Chiriuchu.
» Cuy Cusqueño style.
» Timpo or pout.
” Chicharrón with mote.
” Humitas.
” Tamales.
» Chuño tail.
» Lawa.
» Marinade.
» Olluco with meat.
» Cuy or rabbit pepián.
” Stuffed hot pepper.
To drink, we recommend the authentic Andean drink, the traditional chicha de jora, of course you cannot leave the city without first having tried the delicious and refreshing local beer.