A Weekend In Cusco
Description:
There's a reason that Cusco and the Sacred Valley draw thousands upon thousands of visitors over the course of a year: it is jam packed with some of the most compelling historical sites, stunning landscapes and dreamy city scenes to be found anywhere in the world. Visitors with time to spare spend weeks, even months here while some people never leave. Everywhere you turn there is something new to absorb your imagination and captivate your senses. However not everyone has time to spare, and for that reason, this guide offers the best of Cusco's best, assuming that you plan to visit the unmissable Machu Picchu afterward. The one major drawback to spending just three days in town is the boleto turistico, the ticket that covers most of Cusco's attractions is valid for ten days. If you don't intend to come back to Cusco within ten days, consider buying a partial ticket which is valid for just one day and cram as much as you can into 24 hours! Welcome to Cusco, now get exploring!
Author: Matthew Barker
Day 1 - Cusco
If in Cusco on a weekend trip, time is of a premium so spend your first day taking in the entire historical center - or as much of it as you can in one day! You can do this on foot, or else take a cab - especially if the altitude is affecting you. Start at the Plazade Armas , formerly the centerpiece of the entire Inca empire, but which was converted into a magnificent display of Spanish culture following the arrival of the conquistadors. Pay a visit to the 450 year old Cathedral which is built from original Inca stonework and drop into the church of La Compania de Jesus whose brilliance was toned down by no less than the Pope himself who decreed in 1650 that no church should rival the splendor of the main Cathedral. From here it's a short walk to Plus Cafe, an intimate and cosy place for a drink, a bite to eat and a chance to rest your legs. After lunch check out the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a quiet site with an impressive collection of art from the 'Cusco School'. Afterwards head to the Avenida El Sol area and the church of Santa Domingo. Here you can compare the engineering skills of the Inca stonemasons and the Spanish church builders: despite suffering numerous earthquakes over the years, the original Inca walls are as good as new, while the colonial facades have been repaired and replaced numerous times since the Spanish built their first church here. For dinner, pay a visit to Cicciolina, for a typically Peruvian menu boasting specialities from the Cusco region, and spend the night in the Royal Inka hotel, an affordable yet elegant and welcoming hotel in the heart of the city.
1
Plaza de Armas
Location:
view in google mapsPlaza de Armas
Cusco, Peru
2
Inka Grill
Location:
view in google mapsPortal de Panes 115
Plaza de Armas
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
51 84 2629922
Valle del Bajo Huatanay
Location:
view in google maps35 from Cusco
Cusco, Peru
2
Saylla
Location:
view in google maps17 km SE of Cusco
Cusco, Peru
2
Tipon y Pucará Pucutupampa
Location:
view in google maps21 km SE of Cusco
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
51 84 23 53292
Catedral (La)
Location:
view in google mapsTriunfo
Plaza de Armas (north side)
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
51 842227812
Cicciolina
Location:
view in google mapsCalle Triunfo 393 2nd floor
2nd floor
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
84 239 5102
Hostal "Pensión Alemana"
Location:
view in google mapsCalle Tandapata 260
San Blas
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
51 84 2268612
Los Perros
Location:
view in google mapsTecsecocha # 436
Cusco, Peru
3
Compañía de Jesús
Location:
view in google mapsPlaza de Armas
Cusco, Peru
4
Plus Café
Location:
view in google mapsPortal de Panes 151
(2 do. piso)
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
51 84 23 26325
Santa Catalina
Location:
view in google mapsSanta Catalina Angosta 190
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
51 8422 60326
Santo Domingo
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida El Sol
(Plazoleta de Santo Domingo)
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
51 842220717
Baco
Location:
view in google mapsRuinas 465
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
51 84 2428088
Royal Inka I
Location:
view in google maps299 Plaza Regocijo
Cusco, PE
Phone:
51 84 222284Day 2 - Cusco
Get an early start and head up the steep hill to the San Blas neighborhood, stopping to catch your breath and admire the stunning views. Enjoy the bohemian atmosphere and meandering streets before stopping by at SanBlas church followed by a visit to Moni, a brilliant Peruvian/vegetarian restaurant. After lunch take a cab to one of the many archaeological sites in and around the city.Sacsayhuaman is probably the most popular ruin and has a long, bloody history as the fort from which the Incas put up their last major resistance to the Spanish invasion. Enjoy an evening meal in cafe Varayoc and relax with a Pisco Sour in El Muki.
1
San Blas District
Location:
view in google maps5 blocks north of Plaza de Armas
Begins roughly at Calle Choquechaca, as the neighborhood climbs into the hills
Cusco, Peru
2
San Blas Church
Location:
view in google mapsPlazoleta San Blas
Cusco, Peru
3
Moni Cafe Restaurant
Location:
view in google mapsSan Agustin 311
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
51 84 23 10294
Sacsayhuaman
Location:
view in google maps2 kms North of Cusco
Cusco, Peru
5
Huacoto
Location:
view in google maps35 from Cusco
Cusco, Peru
6
Phuyupatamarca
Location:
view in google mapsCamino Inca
Cusco, Peru
7
Cafe Varayoc
Location:
view in google mapsEspaderos 142
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
51 84 2324048
El Muki
Location:
view in google mapsSanta Catalina Angosta 114
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
51 84 253498Day 3 - Cusco
Beyond Cusco lies the emerald Sacred Valley, which is as rich in history as it is in stunning, lush landscapes. The Sacred Valley is literally studded with archaeological sites and quaint Andean villages, and can either be explored by organized tour from Cusco (plenty to choose from in town, shop around for the best deal) or independently by bus using Cusco and Urubamba as your hub. Salinas, Moray, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero are all popular sites, but perhaps the best destination is the small town of Pisac, known for its quaint colonial buildings and dominated by an Inca fortress built into the mountainside. You can walk up to the citadel from the village along a 2 mile (steep) path, or else take a cab. This is one of the best places to see the famous agricultural terracing that kept the Inca empire well fed. If visiting on a Sunday, be sure to save time for Pisac's weekly market which draws vendors from across the region. Smaller craft markets are held throughout the rest of the week. You can catch a bus to Pisac from downtown Cusco, or else take an organised tour from one of the many companies in town. After your long day in this gorgeous landscape, head back to Cusco and unwind in Baco, a pleasant and relaxed wine bar in central Cusco.
1
Sacred Valley of the Incas (The)
Location:
view in google mapsSacred Valley of the Incas
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
51 8426 3176 (Tourist Information)4
Baco
Location:
view in google mapsRuinas 465
Cusco, Peru
Phone:
51 84 242808