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TOURIST INFORMATION
CUSCO |
| GENERAL DATA |
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Location:
The department of Cusco is located in the southeastern
region of Peru
Area:
71 891 km2
Capital:
Cusco
Altitude:
3 395 msnm
Average
annual temperature: 11º C (maximum17º
C and minimum -2º C). The rainy season runs from
November through March. |
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| ACCESS ROUTES |
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By land:
The most recommended is the Lima-Arequipa-Cusco route
(1 494 km). The trip takes about 24 h by car.
By railroad: There
is a train service linking Cusco to the cities of Puno
and Arequipa.
The trip along the Arequipa-Juliaca-Puno-Cusco route (735
km) takes about 23 h.
By
air: There are daily flights from Lima to Cusco
(about 1 h). |
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| HISTORICAL OVERLOOK |
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According to the legend, Cusco, the sacred
city and capital of the Tahuantinsuyo empire, was founded
around the eleventh and twelfth century AD by Inca Manco
Cápac, who emerged from Lake Titicaca.
Cusco was the center of government of four large administrative
regions of the Inca empire that extended over most of
what is now Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina
and Chile.
The Inca society was an admirable example of political
and social organization. The Incas possessed vast knowledge
in the areas of architecture, hydraulics, medicine and
agriculture.
On March 23rd, 1534, Francisco Pizarro founded a Spanish
city upon the foundations of the Inca buildings which
makes Cusco a typical example of cultural fusion, which
has also inherited invaluable monuments and works of art.
Important insurrections against Spanish domination took
place in Colonial Cusco such as the ones led by José
Gabriel Condorcanqui (Túpac Amaru II) in 1 780,
the Angulo brothers in 1 813 and Mateo Pumacahua in 1
814.
In 1 911, American investigator Hiram Bingham discovered
the impressive Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Today, tourism
and agriculture are Cusco’s main economic activities. |
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| ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY OF CUSCO |
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The Main Square
(Plaza de Armas)
Known in Inca times as Huacaypata or the Warrior’s
Square, this was the scene for many key events in Cusco’s
history. It was here that the Inty Raymi or Sun Feast
was hosted every year; and it was also here that Francisco
Pizarro declared the conquer of Cusco. With the arrival
of the Spaniards, the square was fringed by beautiful
stone arches which remain in place to this day.
The Cathedral
Main Square.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00.
It was originally built on the site of the old temple
of Sunturwasi (House of God), in what is now the El Triunfo
church. It was built later on the top of the Palace of
Inca Wiracocha. Its façade and interior were both
built in Renaissance style. The interior is decorated
with cedar and alder wood carvings. To be noted are the
carvings by Martín Torres and Melchor Huamán.
Of particular value are the choir, the pulpit, the engravings
in the altars and furniture. Other highlights include
the paintings by important artists and embossed silver
work.
San Blas Quarter
Located 4 blocks from the Main Square.
One of the most picturesque quarters in Cusco, known as
the Craftmen´s District, it houses the city’s
most important popular artists. Colonial constructions
of great charm are built along Its narrow, steep streets.
There are family accommodations for tourists who are allowed
to share the well-known hospitality and friendship of
the Andean people as well as their customs and food.
La Compañía
de Jesús Church
Main Square, beside the Cathedral.
Visits: Monday to Sunday 6:00-9:00 and 18:00-21:00.
Formerly known as Amaru Cancha (The Snake’s Fence),
the palace of Inca Huayna Cápac is a splendid stone
building. The splendid temple houses paintings such as
the one depicting the wedding of a nephew of Saint Ignatius
of Loyola with a native princess.
Amaru
Cancha
Main Square.
No admittance.
The former name of this street was Intiquijllu. It was
here that Inca Huayna Cápac lived. The area is
partially occupied by the Church of la Compañía
de Jesús and the San Antonio de Abad University.
La Merced Church and Convent
Calle Mantas.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00.
Founded in 1 536, it has a beautiful Baroque stonework
cloister. The sacristy houses a monstrance made of gold
and precious stones.
Santo
Domingo Church and Convent / Koricancha
Corner of Av. El Sol and calle Santo Domingo.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-17:00.
Spanish construction belonging to the Dominican Order
built upon the foundations of the Inca temple of Koricancha
or Temple of the Sun.
Koricancha (in quechua, site of gold) was the main religious
building of the Incas dedicated to the worship of the
Sun and whose walls, according to the chroniclers, were
plated with sheets of gold. Magnificent blocks of finely
carved stone were used in its construction.
Santa
Catalina Church and Convent
Calle Santa Catalina Angosta.
Visits: during Mass hours.
Its architecture belongs to the last stages of Renaissance
with the presence of Roman-style arch.
Acllawasi
Calle Loreto.
Visits: during Santa Catalina Convent’s Mass hours.
House of the Virgins of the Sun. This place served as
home for selected women.
San
Blas Church
Plazoleta San Blas.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 14:00-17:30.
The oldest parish church in Cusco, San Blas is located
in the Craftsmen’s quarter. Its impressive pulpit
is an outstanding example of woodcarving in pure Spanish
Churrigueresco style.
San
Francisco Church and Convent
Plaza San Francisco.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 14:00-17:00.
The convent houses a huge 12 m x 9 m painting by Juan
Espinoza de los Monteros showing the Franciscan family
tree.
The Archbishop’s
Palace
Corner of calle Hatun Rumiyoc and Jr. Herrajes.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-11:00 and 15:00-17:30.
At present a religious art museum, this colonial construction
with Arab influence was built upon the foundations of
the palace of emperor Inca Roca
The
Admiral’s Palace
Calle Cuesta del Almirante 153.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-17:00.
Seat of the Inca museum that houses a large variety of
archaeological remains found in the Cusco area including
pottery, textiles, gold and silver articles and Inca mummies.
The House of the Four
Busts
Calle San Agustín 400.
No admittance.
Colonial-style mansion which shows in its façade
four busts, a coat of arms and a small shield.
House of Inca Garcilaso de
la Vega
Calle Heladeros s/n.
Visits: Monday to Saturday 8:00-17:30
This house belonged to the renowned chronicler. Built
over an Inca terrace, it is a unique example of colonial
architecture. At present, the seat of the Regional Historical
Museum, the house keeps paintings from the colonial Cusco
School.
Kiswar Kancha
Located in the Main Square.
No admittance.
Beside the church of la Compañía de Jesús.
It was the home of Inca Huiracocha.
Hatunrumiyoc
Calle Hatun Rumiyoc.
No admittance.
Two blocks from the Main Square. It was the home of Inca
Roca and one of its walls, which faces the street of the
same name, features the famous 12-cornered stone. |
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| OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY |
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Sacsayhuamán
At 2 km and about 10 minutes drive or 25 minutes walk
from Cusco, this huge Inca fortress is built on three
overlapping platforms, each of them over 360 m long. These
platforms are connected by stone stairways and access
doors, one of which is 9 m high and 5 m wide.
Kenko
At 3 km and about 15 minutes drive from Cusco, it is said
to have been a worship site. There is a huge 5,9 m high
stone block that looks like a puma. There are also passages,
canals and stairways with stone engravings representing
animals.
Puca Pucará
At 6 km and about 20 minutes drive or 2 h walk from Cusco,
it was an administrative and military center formed by
terraces, stairways, passages, turrets and vaulted niches
Tambomachay
At 7 km and about 25 minutes drive from Cusco. Known as
the Inca Baths, this site was meant for the cult of water.
THE SACRED VALLEY OF THE
INCAS
The Valley of the Urubamba or Vilcanota river; the valley
includes the following towns:
Pisac
At 32 km and just 1 h drive from Cusco, this town is
very reputed for its market fair, its irrigation system
and astronomic observatory. Other highlights include
the Intiwatana and the terraces.
Yucay
At 68 km and 1 h 30 minutes drive from Cusco on a beautiful
fertile and tempered-climate valley. Some highlights
of this locality include the Palace of Inca Manco Sairy
Túpac Segundo. Yucay was an important Inca agricultural
production center.
Calca
At 50 km and about one hour’s drive from Cusco,
Calca attracts visitors because of its beautiful landscapes
enhanced by the Pitusiray and Sawasiray snow-capped
mountains. This province houses the archaeological complex
of Huchuy Qosqo, the thermal-medicinal baths of Machacancha
(sulphur baths) and Minasmoqo (cold carbonated waters).
Urubamba
At 78 km and about 1 h 25 minutes drive from Cusco following
the Pisac route, and 57 km and about 45 minutes drive
following the Chinchero route, this town is located
in the heart of the Sacred Valley. It was another pre-Hispanic
agriculture center. A fertile and friendly zone where
it is possible to stay overnight to start several excursions.
Ollantaytambo
Archaeological park at 97 km, and two-and-a-half hours
drive from Cusco. The Ollantaytambo area, known as Valle
de Tambo, spreads along the bank of the Vilcanota river
up to Machu Picchu, featuring multi-colored fields of
maize crops.
Oropesa
At 24 km southwest of Cusco and about 30 minutes drive
from the city. It could be called the Land of Bread
due to its many ancient domestic ovens still used for
making an excellent farm-style bread.
Piquillacta
These ruins belonging to the Wari (pre-Inca) culture
are located 30 km south of Cusco, about 45 minutes drive.
The site was built to fend off military attacks and
as a produce warehouse.
Andahuaylillas
Located 39 km south of Cusco and just 1 h drive, its
church was founded in 1 580. Its simple façade
is in sharp contrast with the expressive richness of
the Colonial Baroque art found inside (gold-leaf-covered
altars, frescoes, paintings and polychromed ceilings). |
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| CHINCHERO, MARAS CIRCUIT |
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Chinchero
Located 28 km from Cusco at 3 772 m.a.s.l., this Inca
archaeological complex has also a Colonial church with
paintings from the Cusqueña School. Barter is
a common activity in Its typical Sunday market.
Maras
Located 48 km north of Cusco and about one hour’s
drive, Maras was a very prosperous community in Colonial
times and has a church and several big houses bearing
the coats of arms of indian noblemen. The population
is engaged in farming and irrigation activities, particularly
sowing and harvesting.
Moray
Located 9 km from Maras and about 25 minutes drive,
Moray, an experimental Inca farming station, features
slightly elliptical terraces.
Salineras (Salt Pans)
Located 10 km from the town of Maras and about 30 minutes
drive or 2 h walk, these famous salt mines have been
exploited since Inca times.
Interactive Tourism project:
- Interactive Tourism in the Sacred Valley, this
program comprises three communities in the Sacred
Valley: Pumahuanca, a community that offers visitors
the possibility to learn the Andean cultivation techniques
along with the local population; the Salineras de
Maras where tourists intervene in the process of salt
extracting, from a series of more than three thousand
pools dating back to pre-Hispanic times; and lastly,
Yucay, a locality where agrotourism is practiced in
an environment dominated by a system of Inca terraces
(former personal possession of Inca Huayna Cápac)
and complex hydraulic technology that reveal its historic
and agricultural importance.
- Ancient Routes of Ollantaytambo, made up of a menu
of circuits linking spots with archaeological, landscape
and cultural value located in Ollantaytambo, the living
Inca city. The routes lead to:
- Pumamarca (pre-Inca fortress with an impressive
view of the Patacancha valley.)
- Wílloc (peasant community heiress of
the ancient post-Inca ayllus).
- Cachiccata (where the stone quarries used to
build some of Ollantaytambo’s buildings
are located),
- Páchar (former hacienda with an interesting
archaeological site.)
- The deposits of Cerro Pinkuylluna.
- Lake Yanacocha (the water that used to feed
the archaelogical complex was channeled from here.)
HISTORICAL SANCTUARY OF
MACHU PICCHU
This stone citadel located 112 km from Cusco, was discovered
by Hiram Bingham in 1 911. The citadel was built on
a very special spot covered in vegetation between two
mountains: the Machu Picchu (old mountain) and Huayna
Picchu (young mountain), at the foot of which meanders
the Urubamba or Vilcanota river (lower jungle featuring
abundant flora and fauna).
The site comprises military constructions, plazas, temples
and agricultural terraces. The citadel can be reached
by train (3-4 hours) or by helicopter (25 minutes flight),
plus a 20 minute bus ride. It is possible to walk along
the Inca Trail, one of the most famous trekking routes
in Peru, starting from km 88 of the railway up to the
citadel. Organized groups depart from the town of Chilca,
at km 76 of the railway. |
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| FOLKLORE |
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| Cusco is characterized by its various folklore
expressions, notably the dance of the Chunchos, the Qollas,
the Carnival of Cusco, the Dance of the Doctorcitos, the
Dance of the Negritos, the Contradanza, the Saqra K’achampa,
the Saqsa chilenos, the Panadero, among others. |
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| HANDICRAFTS |
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| Cusco’s textiles date back from ancient
times, as well as its ceramics. The artisans of the District
of San Blas, among them, the Mendivil’s with their
peculiar religious images, Edilberto Mérida with
his sculptures, Antonio Olave and Gregorio Béjar
with their Niños Manuelitos enjoy general recognition
in art circles. |
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| GASTRONOMY |
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Food forms part of the friendly atmosphere
found by tourists. Chicherías and picanterías
are no longer private sites for Cusqueños and,
as everything in the city, they are now centers of attraction.
The typical dishes include:
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Kapchi (lima bean or mushroom casserole
or soup with potatoes, milk, eggs and cheese.) |
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Chicharrón con mote (pork cracklings served
with separated mature corn or maize kernels.) |
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Humitas (steamed sweet corn dough stuffed with
cinnamon and raisins, wrapped in maize leaves). |
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Tamales (steamed corn dough stuffed with meat,
wrapped in banana leaves). |
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Chuño cola (a soup based on meat, rice,
chickpeas and chuño or potato flour). |
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Lawa (soup based on fresh corn, lima beans, dry
chili peper and a variety of mint known as huacatay.) |
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Adobo (pork marinated with chicha and species,
cooked in a covered saucepan). |
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Olluco con carne (casserole based on ollucos and
cured llama meat). |
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| FESTIVITIES |
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Qoyllority (May)
Traditional and solemn Andean-Catholic festivity, it is
a mass pilgrimage to snow-capped mountains, including
a procession and benediction, folkloric dances and bands
of musicians, fireworks, symbolic market of Alacitas.
This festivity takes place at 4 000 m.a.s.l.
Corpus Cristi (June)
Solemn procession of the monstrance and the images of
the 16 patrons accompanied by bands of musicians and folkloric
groups and gastronomical specialties such as Chiri uchu
or Llaqway uchu. One of the most important religious festivities
of the year.
Inti
Raymi (June)
The Sun Festival is held on the impressive Fortress of
Sacsayhuamán. The celebration includes a performance
to show gratitude to the God Sun. Several cult and appreciation
activites are carried out during the entire celebration
and when the sun is on the west, the Inca orders withdrawal.
Nuestra Señora
del Carmen (July)
Traditional presentation of 16 folkloric dances with a
special program by every group of dancers. It is considered
the best folkloric expression in the region.
Santuranticuy (December)
Handicrafts fair held in Cusco’s Main Square. During
this event, Artists, following the tradition of Andean
fairs, spread their blankets out on the sidewalks to display
their products. Here tourists can find all types of handicrafts
such as wood carvings, ceramics and altarpieces. |
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| SERVICES |
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Airport
Aeropuerto Internacional Velasco Astete, Cusco.
Av. Velasco Astete s/n.
Phone: (084) 22-2611.
Land Transport
Terminal
Asoc. Simón Herrera.
Phone: (084) 22-4471.
Railroad Transport
PeruRail Corp.
Estación Wanchaq, Av. Pachacútec s/n.
Phone: (084) 23-8722 / 22-1992
Health Centers
Cusco
Hospital Regional.
Av. de la Cultura s/n.
Phone: (084) 22-3691.
24 hour service.
Centro Médico Municipal.
Av. Micaela Bastidas s/n, Wanchaq.
Phone: (084) 22-4272.
24 hour service.
Quillabamba
Hospital Quillabamba.
Calle General Gamarra s/n
Phone: (084) 28-2918.
24 hour service.
Sicuani
Hospital de Apoyo Sicuani
Urb. Manuel Callo Zevallos.
Phone: (084) 35-1020.
24 hour service.
Police Stations
Calle Saphi 100.
Phone: (084) 24-9654.
Handicrafts Markets
Feria Artesanal de San Blas
Barrio de San Blas.
Open: Sunday 10:00-18:00.
Mercado Popular de Pisaq
District of Pisaq.
Open: Sunday 10:00-18:00.
Feria de Chincheros
District of Chincheros.
Open: Thursday 10:00-18:00.
Post Office
Av. El Sol 800.
Phone: (084) 22-4212 / 24-8352.
Open: Monday to Saturday 7:30-20:00, Sunday 7:30-14:30. |
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