Many travelers pass through Cusco en route to Machu Picchu, but this compelling city deserves more than a short stop-over. Cusco is one of the most vibrant cities in Latin America.

An Incan City at Heart

Cusco is situated in the heart of the Andes Mountains, at an altitude of approximately 11,150 feet (3,400 meters) above sea level. Hundreds of years ago, Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire. This powerful civilization ruled a large part of South America before being displaced by the Spanish in the 16th Century.

Cusco fell on hard times after the Spanish conquest, but the discovery of Machu Picchu in the early 20th century signaled the beginning of a renaissance for the city which later received declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The innumerable delightful amount of churches and convents are testament to the city’s unique conservation, beginning with the churches throughout the central historic district and the Cathedral in particular as the most striking example.  Between independent travelers and private tours, Machu Picchu and Cusco attract more than one million international visitors every year.

The city is proud of its Incan heritage, with modern Cusco blending ancient traditions with influences from its Spanish settlers. You can sense the city’s rich history as you wander through its old colonial streets building that were constructed using the foundation of Incan stonework and architecture. You’ll find numerous excellent museums all over the city, dedicated to the mixed cultural heritage that has made Cusco such a unique, fascinating place to visit.

Take a Tour of Cusco

In 1950, a terrible earthquake struck Cusco, seriously damaging over half of the city’s buildings. Although numerous colonial churches and adobe houses were left in ruins, almost all of the city’s Inca sites remained intact.

Some notable Inca sites in the city include Koricancha, which was once the most important temple in the Incan Empire; as well as Sacsayhuaman, a citadel found on the northern outskirts of the city.

A compact and open city, Cusco’s appeal is further enhanced by its walkability. It’s easy to stroll between various sites, soaking up the city’s infectious energy as you go. Cusco’s narrow colonial streets are a sea of noise, color and smells, making a stroll through the city an intense yet wonderful experience.

Cusco is also home to some of Peru’s finest restaurants and services. Although Lima is recognized as the country’s Mecca for foodies, Cusco is not far behind. Cusco’s restaurants are using traditional ingredients and techniques to create modern interpretations of classic Peruvian dishes. With Gaston Acurio’s Chicha leading to way, the city’s talented chefs are enticing more and more visitors to come to Cusco as much for its food as anything else.

Cusco also offers some of the top hotels in the country. Unique accommodations like Hotel Palacio Nazarenas and La Casona are redefining luxury travel in Peru, and are consistently voted among the best places to stay in South America. Cusco’s innovative hotels and attractive restaurants add a cosmopolitan flair to the city, while its rich customs and intriguing historical sites connect it to the past allowing the city to strike a perfect balance between history and traditional culture.

We can help you plan a rewarding stop in Cusco as part of your personalized trip to Peru. Meet one of our friendly travel designers and contact us today to get started!

One of the questions our customers most frequently ask is about how to combine adventure and luxury travel in Peru. The answer is that you’ll find these two travel styles often complement one another more than you might think, particularly in Peru.

This country is a natural playground but also offers extensive upscale facilities that make it possible to pamper yourself at the end of an active day. From Amazon luxury cruises to “sky lodges” perched on top of mountains, Peru offers endless opportunities to mix elegance with exploration. Let’s take a look at a few sample itinerary suggestions to give you a better idea of how you can experience authentic, glamorous adventures on your private luxury Peru tour.

Lima

Known as the City of Kings, Lima is Peru’s cosmopolitan capital. Take a tour of the city’s colorful historic district (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), visit magnificent and ancient pre-Colombian archeological sites, browse boutiques and art galleries for high-quality handicrafts, or explore exotic food markets. We can arrange private cooking classes, ceviche-making classes, or tastings of local specialties. Treat yourself to a meal at one of the city’s world-renowned restaurants, such as Central, Gaston y Astrid, or Maido.

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, Lima is an excellent base for surfing the action packed Pacific Ocean, cycling though bustling streets, and paragliding along the cliff hanging coastline of the Costa Verde. Embark on a rafting excursion to one of the nearby towns, such as Lunahuana or Huancaya. Huancaya also offers great opportunities for rainbow trout fishing.

However you choose to spend your days in Lima, you’ll appreciate finishing them at one of the city’s high-end hotels, such the Miraflores Park Hotel or Hotel B, Lima’s first luxury boutique hotel.

 Sacred Valley

Embark on a four-day trek along the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Your private guide and porters will escort you on this spectacular hike through the Andes. Walk in the footsteps of the Inca, exploring their fascinating structures and taking in stunning views of the surrounding mountains and jungle along the way. At the end of each day, enjoy superb cuisine, soothing treatments performed by a private masseuse, and accommodation in deluxe tents. After arriving at Machu Picchu, explore the ruins with your private guide and spend one night at the Sanctuary Lodge. Return to Cusco in style via the opulent Hiram Bingham train.

Spend a night at the spectacular Skylodge Adventure Suites. The Skylodge is accessed by an exciting 1,312-foot (400-meter) climb by via ferrata or zipline. Touted as the world’s first hanging lodge, the Skylodge is a transparent hanging bedroom which offers a 300-degree view over the Sacred Valley. Suites feature solar-powered lighting, high-quality mattresses, and down pillows. Gourmet meals with wine pairings are included in the price of a package.

Cusco

As part of your personalized luxury trip to Peru, your guide will lead you through Cusco and its narrow streets, providing insight into the city’s eclectic Inca and Spanish heritage. You can visit local markets, art galleries, boutiques, and artisan workshops. If time allows, you can also include trips to important archaeological sites found on the outskirts of the city, such as Sacsayhuaman. Your evenings will be spent dining at some of Cusco’s top restaurants.

Relax in comfort in one of the Cusco’s ultra-luxe hotels before embarking on thrilling excursions horseback riding, mountain biking, or hiking in the nearby valleys and mountainsides. Go paddle boarding at Piuray Lake, which sits over 9,842 feet (3,000 meters) above sea level.

For hikers, there’s many more trekking options in this region a part from the Inca Trail. Consider taking on the Salkantay Trek around the mountain of Salkantay (6,271m – 20,574ft). There’s also Ausangate (6,384m – 20,944ft), another sacred snow-covered peak, which offers a convenient looping trail. On a clear day, you can spot Ausangate dominating the southern horizon of Cusco.

Amazon

If you’ve always dreamed of an Amazon luxury tour, consider a voyage on a luxury yacht expedition: The MV Aqua or the MV Aria. One of the best river tour expeditions in the World, starts in Iquitos, the largest city in the world accessible only by boat or airplane.

These five-star yachts will redefine your expectations of traveling by boat. All feature deluxe suites with eco-sensitive stone bathrooms and air-conditioning. Huge picture windows allow guests to admire the river scenery outside while relaxing on their California King-Size beds. Dine on meals using local ingredients prepared by some of Peru’s top chefs.

Smaller launch boats transport you on wildlife-viewing excursions to see pink river dolphins, caiman, and colorful birdlife. These fine boats all feature comfortable padded seating, with the observation deck of the MV Aria also including an outdoor Jacuzzi.

Another remarkable base for luxury tours of the Amazon is Iquitos’ Treehouse Lodge. This lodge offers a wonderful opportunity to experience the magic of sleeping in a tree, without sacrificing on comfort.

These unusual tree house accommodations offer cozy beds with crisp white linens, as well as cool water showers, eco-friendly bathrooms, and protective mosquito netting. The tree houses are surrounded by a transparent layer of mosquito netting, which allows for unobstructed views of the surrounding natural scenery and wildlife. Fantastic meals, which emphasize local ingredients, are served in the main lodge.

These are just a few examples of the ways to combine life-changing adventures and swish amenities in Peru. Contact Kuoda Travel today to learn more about these itineraries and other options for luxury travel in Peru.