Cusco - The Ancient Capital of the Inca Empire
Private visits to Inca temples, colonial cloisters, and living highland traditions - the beating heart of every great Peru journey.
Discover Cusco: Where the Inca Empire Meets Colonial Peru
Cusco is one of the most extraordinary cities on Earth - a living UNESCO World Heritage Site set at 3,400 meters in the Peruvian Andes, where the precisely fitted stone walls of the Inca Empire form the foundations of the colonial churches and mansions built over them. For more than a century, Cusco was the capital of Tawantinsuyu, the largest empire in pre-Columbian America, and its streets, temples, and palaces still radiate that civilization's power and sophistication.
Today, Cusco is Peru's most visited city and the gateway to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and the Inca Trail. But it is a fully rewarding destination in its own right: a vibrant city of roughly 450,000 people, with a celebrated culinary scene, world-class museums, extraordinary archaeological sites within walking distance of its center, and some of South America's finest boutique hotels.
At Epic Andean, our private Cusco tours reveal the city's extraordinary layers - the Inca masonry beneath every colonial building, the living highland traditions still practiced in nearby communities, a surprisingly sophisticated restaurant scene, and the quiet streets of San Blas before the city wakes. We design experiences that go far beyond the standard archaeological checklist.
Location
Elevation
Climate
Best Season
UNESCO
How to Get
Gateway to
Airport
Neighborhood
Southern Andes · 1,100 km southeast of Lima
3,400 m above sea level - acclimatization required
Dry (May-Oct) sunny & cool · Wet (Nov-Apr) green & mild
May–Sep (dry season) · Jun–Jul: Inti Raymi festival
Historic Centre declared World Heritage Site in 1983
1.5 h domestic flight from Lima · or 21h road from Lima
Machu Picchu · Sacred Valley · Inca Trail
Alejandro Velasco Astete · 20 min to Main Square
Historic Centre · San Blas · San Pedro Market
Top Attractions in Cusco
Sacsayhuamán Fortress
Perched on the hills above Cusco, Sacsayhuamán is one of Peru's most impressive Inca military and ceremonial complexes. Its massive limestone and andesite blocks - some weighing over 100 tons - were assembled with such precision that a sheet of paper cannot be inserted between them. A private guided visit at sunrise, before the crowds arrive, delivers the full dramatic impact of this engineering marvel alongside panoramic views over Cusco.
Qorikancha - Temple of the Sun
Once the most sacred site in the Inca Empire, Qorikancha was dedicated to Inti, the sun god, its walls reportedly sheathed in gold. The Spanish dismantled the gold and built the Convent of Santo Domingo directly over the Inca structure, creating one of the Americas' most striking layered buildings, where baroque colonial architecture rises from stonework of extraordinary quality. A private guided visit reveals both layers in depth.
Plaza de Armas & the Historic Centre
Cusco's main square is one of the most architecturally harmonious in South America - flanked by the Cathedral, built between 1560 and 1654 using stones from Sacsayhuamán, the Jesuit Church of La Compañía, and colonial arcades. Walking these streets with a knowledgeable guide reveals Inca foundations beneath virtually every colonial building, connecting the city's layers into one coherent story.
San Blas Neighborhood & Artisan Quarter
San Blas is Cusco's artisan quarter - a maze of narrow cobblestone streets climbing the hillside above the Plaza de Armas, lined with workshops where local artists practice traditional Andean crafts. Home to several of the city's finest boutique hotels and most creative restaurants, an early morning walk through San Blas, before the tour groups arrive, reveals its authentic character.
Altitude Acclimatization in Cusco
At 3,400 meters above sea level, altitude acclimatization is an essential part of any Cusco visit. Most travelers experience mild symptoms on arrival - headache, fatigue, breathlessness - that typically subside within 24 to 48 hours. Epic Andean designs every itinerary with acclimatization built in: we never schedule strenuous activities on your first day in Cusco, and we always recommend arriving from Lima at sea level rather than another high-altitude destination.
"Our team provides a full acclimatization briefing before your arrival in Cusco, covering hydration, diet, medication options - including acetazolamide and supplemental oxygen through our partners - and traditional remedies such as coca tea, used in the Andes for altitude relief for thousands of years.
Luxury Hotels in Cusco: Our Recommended Properties
Cusco's luxury hotel scene is among the most distinctive in South America, with historic properties woven into 16th-century monasteries, colonial mansions, and buildings still resting on Inca foundations. Epic Andean partners with Cusco's finest hotels, selecting each property for its location, service quality, and the authentic sense of history it brings to your stay.
Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection
Palacio del Inka occupies a privileged location in the heart of Cusco, directly across from the Koricancha Temple, blending centuries of history with refined modern luxury. The hotel is celebrated for its exceptional service, its acclaimed Inti Raymi restaurant showcasing Andean flavors, and its immersive design that integrates Inca walls and colonial architecture. With its spa inspired by ancestral traditions and proximity to Cusco’s vibrant historic center, Palacio del Inka consistently ranks among Peru’s most iconic heritage hotels.
Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel
Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel occupies a restored 16th‑century colonial mansion just steps from the city’s main square, blending historic grandeur with refined modern comfort. The property is noted for its exceptional service, its elegant rooms adorned with colonial art and contemporary amenities, and its intimate atmosphere that immerses guests in Cusco’s cultural legacy. With its privileged location and curated details, Aranwa Cusco consistently ranks among Peru’s most distinctive heritage hotels.
JW Marriott - El Convento Cusco
Hotel Monasterio rises from the foundations of an ancient Inca palace, transformed into a 16th‑century seminary and today one of South America’s most celebrated heritage hotels. Its walls echo centuries of history, blending colonial architecture with refined modern comfort. Guests enjoy exceptional service, elegant rooms with unique character, and views over Cusco’s rooftops or serene courtyards. With its acclaimed dining, curated amenities, and cultural resonance, Hotel Monasterio offers more than lodging - it is a destination where luxury meets soul.
Belmond Hotel Monasterio
Palacio del Inka occupies a privileged location in the heart of Cusco, directly across from the Koricancha Temple, blending centuries of history with refined modern luxury. The hotel is celebrated for its exceptional service, its acclaimed Inti Raymi restaurant showcasing Andean flavors, and its immersive design that integrates Inca walls and colonial architecture. With its spa inspired by ancestral traditions and proximity to Cusco’s vibrant historic center, Palacio del Inka consistently ranks among Peru’s most iconic heritage hotels.
Suggested Tours to Machu Picchu
Epic Andean invites you to experience Machu Picchu through carefully curated private journeys that reveal the citadel's timeless grandeur. Whether arriving by luxury train through the Sacred Valley or trekking the legendary Inca Trail, each itinerary offers a distinct perspective on this UNESCO World Heritage Site - privately guided, expertly paced, and designed to reveal its full spiritual and historical depth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Cusco
Begin Your Private Luxury Journey Through Peru
Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire, is a remarkable city where ancient stone walls meet elegant colonial architecture. It also serves as the gateway to some of the Andes' most extraordinary landscapes and archaeological sites.
Our specialists will design a journey that reveals the full cultural and historical richness of Cusco.