Nestled in the heights of the Andes mountain range, Cusco stands as a living testimony to the ancient Inca civilization, making it an undeniable jewel in Peru's cultural crown. As the oldest inhabited city in South America and the former capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco has a rich history, fascinating architecture, and a captivating mix of indigenous and colonial influences. Before you embark on your journey to this historic gem often referred to as the “navel of the world,” there are a few essential things you need to know. From mastering the art of photographic etiquette to acclimatizing to high altitude, this guide will ensure that your exploration of Cusco is nothing short of extraordinary.
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Prepare for altitude
At 10,954 feet (3,339 meters), Cusco is already higher than most European ski resorts. While some people are lucky enough to experience no symptoms, many travelers report feelings of nausea, headaches, dizziness, and restless sleep during the first few days. The best way to avoid this is to slowly acclimatize to the altitude. You can do this by traveling to Cusco by land for a few days and stopping in a few towns that are at a lower altitude, but higher than sea level. If you need to fly directly to Cusco, make sure Please drink plenty of coca tea when you land and take it easy for the first two days. If you know you have severe altitude sickness, it may be worth consulting your doctor for prescription medication.
Allow yourself at least two days before hiking the Inca Trail
The city is best explored on foot
We just told you to take it easy, but walking is a must in Cusco. Although there are plenty of taxis and buses around, the city center is relatively compact and easily explored on foot. Don't forget to bring comfortable shoes; these steep cobblestones were not made for pretty high heels.
The weather is changing
If you arrive between October and April, be sure to bring a rain jacket, as this is the rainy season in Peru. If you're here from May to September, you'll likely have clear, dry, and sometimes warm days, but temperatures can drop well below freezing at night. Regardless, at this altitude the weather can change quickly no matter what. period of the year. As gear stores in Cusco can be extremely expensive, be prepared with your own layers, waterproof items and decent shoes.
Photos of premises are rarely free
You won't need to be in Cusco long before spotting traditionally dressed women walking with their llamas and alpacas decorated with pompoms. These Andean women make a living from posing for tourist photos. If you photograph them, you must tip them, and many people can be very upset if you refuse. Either way, be sure to ask permission from any local – whether they do tourist photos or not – before taking a photo.
Start your haggling game
Cusco is a great place to buy handcrafted jewelry, textile and art, but to get the right price, you'll have to haggle hard. The traders here have a lot of practice, so they're pretty good at holding on. The trick? Shop around, get an idea of the going rate, and don't be afraid to walk away if the sale doesn't go the way you want. You'll soon know if your bid was too low if they kick you out of the store. .
It will take you longer than you think
With emphasis on Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, many visitors pass through Cusco far too quickly. If you've only given yourself a day or two here, chances are you'll miss all the quirks that make Cusco special. With tons of bars, Restaurantsmarkets and cafes to explore, as well as plenty of museums, colonial buildings, Inca ruins, and adventurous day trips to the nearby mountains, you can easily spend a week of fun here.
Since you're here, we'd like to share our vision for the future of travel – and where Culture Trip is headed.
Culture Trip was launched in 2011 with a simple but passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and discover what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful – and it's still part of our DNA today . We're proud that for over a decade, millions of people like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations written by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
We increasingly believe the world needs more meaningful and real connections between curious travelers eager to explore the world more responsibly. That's why we've carefully curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for unique experiences in three categories: Cultural trips, Train travel And Private trips. Our trips are suitable for solo travelers as well as couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Cultural trips are deeply immersive 5-16 day itineraries, which combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. OUR Train travel are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax while getting under the skin of a destination. OUR Private trips are completely personalized itineraries, curated by our travel experts specifically for you, your friends or family.
We know many of you are concerned about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways to broaden your horizons while minimizing harm or even providing benefits. We are committed to going as far as possible in organizing our trips while respecting the planet. That's why all our trips are fly-free, fully carbon offset – and we have ambitious plans to reach net zero emissions in the very near future.
