Cusco is a colorful city in the Peruvian Andes known for Inca archaeological remains and Spanish colonial architectures. Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire until it was conquered by the Spanish in 1532. It is impressive to see how the original cobblestone walkways, stone-walled alleys, and colonial architectures are still in excellent condition with slight changes to these days. No wonder that Cusco is now a UNESCO world heritage site. You will also find many great Inca archeological sites in and around Custo city, the Sacred Valley, and of course, the world’s wonder Machu Picchu.

Cusco is a compact and very walkable city, with Plaza the Armas being the center of everything. You could easily explore the main central city on foot in half day. But Cusco is surrounded by beautiful mountains, hills, and valleys. It makes Cusco an excellent base because there are many day trips available from there. Some of the best day trips are Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, and Lake Humantay. Yes, it is possible to visit Machu Picchu as a day trip from Cusco. Though I wouldn’t recommend it for families with young kids… because it is a very long day, tiring, and kinda rushed.

One important thing to know, Cusco is located at a high altitude of 11,152 feet (3,399 meters) above sea level. Surprisingly, Machu Picchu is lower than Cusco at 7,792 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level. Please be aware that 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝-𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 is a real thing. You may feel shortness of breath, dizziness, and some discomfort in the body when you first landed in Cusco. Some people may not feel anything at all, and some people may experience the worst reactions. If you have any health concerns, consult with your family doctor before leaving is a good idea. It is advisable to take things easy and rest on the first day to help your body acclimate. Drinking coca tea and/or chewing coca leaves is well-known to combat altitude sickness. Coca makes it easier for your bloodstream to absorb oxygen, fights fatigue and headaches, and ease your stomach. Almost every hotel and restaurant in Cusco provides coca tea. Ask the hotel staff if you didn’t see it.

I hope to inspire you to visit Cusco – a historic colonial town. This 𝘾𝙪𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙂𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚 will help you plan a great trip to Cusco and its surroundings. Including how to get there, top things to do, best places to go, where to stay, and tips for traveling in Peru. Whether you are a family, solo traveler, a couple, or traveling with friends, you could use this guide. Scroll down below for more travel tips, guides, inspirations, itineraries, safety tips, money-saving tips, and more. Happy exploring!