Cuzco Travel Guide Cuzco Travel Guide

Edition 2015



 

 

 
 

 



 

 

 

CuzcoCusco was the capital of the Inca Empire (1200s-1532). Many believe that the city was planned to be shaped like a puma[13]. The city had two sectors: the urin and hanan, which were further divided to each encompass two of the four provinces, Chinchasuyu (NW), Antisuyu (NE), Qontisuyu (SW) and Collasuyu (SE). A road led from each of these quarters to the corresponding quarter of the empire. Each local leader was required to build a house in the city and live part of the year in Cusco, but only in the quarter of Cusco that corresponded to the quarter of the empire in which he had territory. After Pachacuti, when an Inca died his title went to one son and his property was given to a corporation controlled by his other relatives (a process called split inheritance), so each title holder had to build a new house and add new lands to the empire, in order to own the land his family needed to maintain after his death.

According to Inca legend, the city was built by Sapa Inca Pachacuti, the man who transformed the Kingdom of Cusco from a sleepy city-state into the vast empire of Tahuantinsuyu. But archaeological evidence points to a slower, more organic growth of the city beginning before Pachacuti. There was however a city plan, and two rivers were channeled around the city. Archaeologists such as Larry Coben have suggested this city plan was replicated at other sites throughout the empire.

The city fell to the sphere of Huáscar in the division of the empire after the death of Huayna Capac in 1527. It was captured by the generals of Atahualpa in April 1532 in the Battle of Quipaipan, and nineteen months later by the Spaniards (see battle of Cuzco).


Post-Columbian Cusco
“ We can assure your majesty that it is so beautiful and has such fine buildings that it would even be remarkable in Spain. ”
—Francisco Pizarro

The first Spaniards arrived in the city on November 15, 1533. Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro officially discovered Cusco on March 23, 1534, naming it the "Very noble and great city of Cusco". The many buildings constructed after the Spanish conquest are of Spanish influence with a mix of Inca architecture, including the Santa Clara and San Blas barrios. The Spanish undertook the construction of a new city on the foundations of the old Inca city, replacing temples with churches and palaces with mansions for the conquerors. During the colony, Cusco was very prosperous thanks to the agriculture, cattle raising, mining as well as the trade with Spain. This allowed the construction of many churches and convents, and even a cathedral, university and Archbishopric. Often, Spanish buildings were juxtaposed atop the massive stone walls built by the Inca.

A major earthquake in 1950 badly destroyed the Dominican Priory and Church of Santo Domingo, which were built on top of the impressive Coricancha (Temple of the Sun). The city's Inca architecture, however, withstood the earthquake. Many of the old Inca walls were thought to have been lost after the earthquake, but the granite walls of the Coricancha were exposed, as well as many walls throughout the city. While some wanted to restore the buildings to their colonial splendor, a contingent of Cusco citizens urged city officials to retain the exposed walls. Eventually they won out. Cusco was also hit by a major earthquake in 1650.


Republican era
Peru declared its independence in 1821 and the city of Cusco maintained its importance within the administrative structure of the of the country. Upon independence, the Department of Cusco was created and at the time maintained authority over territory extending to the Brazilian border. The city of Cusco was made capital of the department and subsequently became the most important city in the south-eastern Andean region.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the city's urban sprawl spread to the neighboring districts of Santiago and Wanchaq.

In 1911, explorer Hiram Bingham departed from the city, subsequently re-discovering the ruins of Machu Picchu.

The most wanted Peru Travel Packages in our website.
 

 

 
General Information

Archeological Sites

Museums and Traditions

Cuzco Travel Information

Cuzco Peru

Cuzco Museums

  CUZCO
  SACRED VALLEY
  MACHUPICCHU
  HISTORY OF CUSCO
  THE TAHUANTINSUYO
  GENERAL HISTORY
  ARCHITECTURE
 
  TIPON
  PIKILLACTA
  PISAQ
  OLLANTAYTAMBO
  MARAS & MORAY
  CHINCHEROS
 
 
  MUSEUMS
  ARTS & GRAFTS
  TRADITIONAL FESTIVITIES
  TRADITIONAL DRESS
  MUSIC & DANCES
  GASTRONOMY
 
 
     
Churches

Others Interesting

Tip's

Cuzco History

Cuzco Tourist

Cuzco Machu Picchu

  CATHEDRAL
  SANTA CATALINA
  LA MERCED
  SAN FRANCISCO
  SAN BLAS
  SAN PEDRO
  COMPANY OF JESUS
 
  TRANSPORT
  RESTAURANT
  AUTO WORKSHOPS
  GAS STATION
  HOSPITALS
  Videos
  Cusco Hotels
  Cusco Tours

 
  WEATHER
  FAQ'S
  FESTIVITIES CALENDAR
 
 
     
 
 
 
Package Tour Duration Hotels Highlights
PERU EXPRESS PACKAGE TOUR 8 Days and 7 Nights Basic, Tourist, First or Luxury  Class Lima , Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno
ENIGMATIC PERU 8 DAYS TOUR 8 Days and 7 Nights Basic, Tourist, First or Luxury  Class Lima city tour, Nasca lines, Cusco, Machu Picchu
ANDEAN PERU EXCURSION 10 Days and 9 Nights Basic, Tourist, First or Luxury  Class Cusco, Machu Picchu, Indian markets, Titicaca Lake, Sun Island, Uros and Taquile islands
MAGIC PERU 10 Days and 9 Nights Basic, Tourist, First or Luxury  Class Nasca Lines, Cusco, Machu Picchu, indian markets, Titicaca lake, Uros and Taquile islands
TRAVEL  FROM LA PAZ BOLIVIA TO LIMA PERU 11 Days and 10 Nights Basic, Tourist, First or Luxury  Class La Paz, Tiwanaku, Sun Island, Puno, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu

INTI RAYMI  2012 TOUR

11 Days and 10 Nights

FIXED DEPARTURE DATE JUNE 19, 2012

Basic, Tourist, First or Luxury  Class Cusco, Machu Picchu, Indian markets,Inti Raymi festival, Titicaca Lake, Sun Island, Uros and Taquile islands
RUNNING 2 KINGDOMS: SIPAN AND MACHU PICCHU 12 Days and 11 Nights Basic, Tourist, First or Luxury  Class Lima city tour, Tomb of the Lord of Sipan, Trujillo, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
TRAVEL TO “PERU’S SWITZERLAND”AND MACHU PICCHU 12 Days and 11 Nights Basic, Tourist, First or Luxury  Class Lima city tour, Huaraz, Llanganuco lake, Chavin de Huantar, Pastoruri snow mountain, Cusco, Machu Picchu
JAUNT ROYAL PERU 12 Days and 11 Nights Basic, Tourist, First or Luxury  Class Lima city tour, Chiclayo: Lord of Sipan, Trujillo, Puerto Maldonado, Cusco, Machu Picchu.
TRIP AROUND MACHU PICCHU & GALAPAGOS ISLAND 13 Days and 12 Nights Tourist, First or Luxury  Class Cusco, Machu Picchu, Indian markets, Galapagos Islands
FROM THE HEIGHTS OF MACHU PICCHU TO THE CHILEAN PATAGONIA 14 Days and 13 Nights Tourist, First or Luxury  Class Santiago, Vina del mar, Cusco, Machu Picchu, inca trail hike
TRIP TO ENCHANTED GALAPAGOS ISLANDS & CHALLENGING  INCA TRAIL 14 Days and 13 Nights Tourist, First or Luxury  Class Galapagos cruise tour, Cusco, Inca Trail hike up to Machu Picchu
MEETING PERU & BOLIVIA 15 Days and 14 Nights Basic, Tourist, First or Luxury  Class Lima & Ica city tour, Nasca lines, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno, Uros, Taquile, La Paz
HIGHLANDS PERU AND GALAPAGOS ISLANDS 15 Days and 14 Nights Tourist, First or Luxury  Class Cusco, Machu Picchu, Titicaca Lake, Galapagos Islands
 
 

May we help you?
Simply fill out and submit the below form and we will suggest the right trip for you! 
(free service, emails are NOT released to third parties)
*Mandatory

* Full Name

* Your Email:
Your E-mail address please check the spelling carefully otherwise we will be unable to contact you

* Nationality

Travel days
 


Please indicate which places would you like to visit, select the items by clicking on the check boxes.

TOUR PACKAGES TO THE COAST

Lima Colonial And Modern
Ica, Paracas, Nazca
Trujillo, Chiclayo ( Lord of Sipan)
Tumbes, Piura ( Beaches )
Galapagos Island - Ecuador
San Pedro de Atacama Chile

TOUR PACKAGES TO THE MOUNTAIN

Arequipa
Colca Canyon
Machu Picchu by Train
Cusco City and sacred Valley
Inca Trail Hike 4 Days
Titicaca Lake
Sun Island - Bolivia
Huaraz ( Chavin )
Chachapoyas ( Kuelap )

TOUR PACKAGES TO THE JUNGLE

Rainforest
Amazon River ( Iquitos )

COMBINED WITH THIS COUNTRIES

Argentina
Brasil
Costa Rica
Honduras
Mexico

 

* Number of Adult

* Children under 11 years old

Note: Discounts may apply so specify the age of children

* Student with International Student Identity Card ( ISIC )

Note: Discounts may be apply

* Choose your accommodations

Choose you room type
Travel preferences and interests

* Intended Month of Travel

* Guide Tours

Note: Discounts may be apply



 

Requests
Enter below any comments, questions or special request you find relevant to have better trip.

** Also enter your daytime number if you would like to be reached by phone or skype

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

Cuzco.info
Copyright
© 2015- All rights reserved