CUSCO — alohadeys

Cusco was actually the capital of the Inca Empire and the archeological remains can be found all over the city. A place full of historic buildings, cobblestone streets and cafes with little balconies, you can’t help but feel like you’ve stepped back in time a bit. ⁣

How to get there:

I flew into Lima, Peru and then took a domestic flight straight to Cusco. It was a short flight a little over an hour. Pro tip: Make sure to take your altitude sickness medication prior to flying to Cusco! The elevation is no joke (11,000ft)!

Where to stay:

I stayed in the cutest Airbnb that I highly recommend— to live like a local! We had the sweetest housekeeper who helped us with where to go and even set up transportation easily. It was very clean inside and I felt very safe there with the privacy it came with. They also provided clean filtered drinking water along with coca leaves for tea which was a must to stay hydrated and help with altitude sickness in that high elevation.

What to do

Day 1:

The first thing I did was explore Plaza de Armas! It is the main square of Cusco and a must see for any tourist. You can shop, eat, and drink there! Not to mention, you will see many baby goats and alpacas roaming around which I loved! Check trip advisor to top places to eat— I recommend trying a traditional Peruvian meal, coffee, and Pisco sour!

Day 2:

Spent the morning having breakfast and then headed to explore the Sacsayhuaman (Saqsaywaman) ruins! A fortress-temple walled complex in the northern outskirts of Cusco, it is known as the former capital of the Inca Empire. Its about a 10 min taxi ride for the main square or you can hike up about 45min. From the area itself, you will get an epic view over all of Cusco. You will be amazed seeing the walls of the ruins, another unique example of Inca architecture and how each stone fits perfectly together.