Cusco - Your first step on the way to Machu Picchu

The historic centre of the city of Cusco, Peru

Cusco is our starting point, for the amazing 10 day adventure in Peru, on the Salkantay Trail, to the city of Machu Picchu. We stay here for a day, after arrival in Peru, and it’s a place worth getting to know.

Until the end of the 16th century, and the arrival of the Spanish, Cusco was the Inca captial in Peru. It was, and still is, a highly important place for the indigenous peoples of Peru - of which the Quechua and Mesito make up the vast majority of the population. Fortunately it was equally important to the Spanish who, for better of worse, ensured if held on to its important status a hub for the rest of southern Peru - a status that continues to the modern day.

Cusco is positioned in the south east of Peru, in the Andes region known as the Sacred Valley. It’s a perfect gateway to the rest of the area, and historically it was a trading centre, for agricultural products (mainly maize) which continues, but today tourism is the backbone of the economy.

For visitors it’s a marvel of architecture, of both pre-Colombian Peru, and Spanish styles. The huge blocks that make up the historic city are still in place. Massive churches and cathedrals have been built on top of a lot of the ruined Inca buildings, which is not unusual to Peru.

The iconic Roca St, in Cusco, Peru

Cusco has been named a UNESCO World Heritage City, the Cultural Heritage of the Nation, and Archeological Capital of the Americas, amongst many other plaudits. Within the city there a dozens of museums, galleries, religious sites, shops, restaurants and cafés.

Cusco Cathedral

It’s a perfect place to relax, and acclimatise to the elevation on your first day. At 11,200ft (3400m) the thinness of the air can take some getting used to, so before starting your Salkantay Trail trek to Machu Picchu, we plan a day of resting.

Enjoy Cusco, it’s your first taste of Peru with Epic Escapes, and we want this to be as rewarding as every other part of your time with us. For more information, check out our page on top 10 place to visit in Cusco, and take a look at the official Peru Tourism page, that calls Cusco ‘The favourite city in Central America’