You can feel the thin air at the exit of the airport. Cusco, the former capital of the Inka empire, lies 3.400m above sea level. It is sunny warm at 20°C in the afternoon. Also it is the provincial capital of the eponymous Andean province Cusco. The Centro histórico with the spanish colonial buildings is classified as a UNESCO world heritage site like Lima.
Cusco by night: The cathedral at Plaza de Armas
The houses and buildings along the streets from the airport into to town centre do not have high gloss façade but rather a mix of architecture developed out of necessity. Partially unfinished. It is crowded and noisy. The air filled with car exhaust. The city was destroyed 90% by the earthquake in 1950.
Templo de la Compania de Jesus
After arriving and having a short break in the hotel we go out into the lively nightlife of Cusco. The historic centre and the narrow streets take us uphill to San Blas. Lots of tourists from overseas. Endless bars, restaurants, exchange bureaus, travel agents, ATMs and street vendors. Every 5m you get an offer for massage, souvenirs, cigarettes and the likes. Not too intrusive, but quite annoying repeatedly over the time.
The upscale cafés on upper floor
Over the years the town has suffered multiple belligerent conflicts and earthquakes. It was destroyed and reconstructed. The foundation wall of the Inka buildings have survived this destruction. New buildings are erected above the Inka foundation.
Low price option on the streetside
This means that the narrow streets of the old town, partially released for one way car traffic, was established by the Inkas centuries ago.
An open-air concert in San Blas, the artist quarter
The Inka empire was dated from 13th to 16th century. Before the Spanish conquest it reached the largest territorial expansion: in the north up to today Quito, Ecuador, in the south up to Santiago de Chile and in the east extended into Colombia.
“Mr Cuy”, a cuy restaurant at Plaza de Armas: Cuy al horno, guinea pig in oven
An eventful day comes to the end.
Our accommodation in Cusco
It is a bit chillier in the evening and damp in the room. Without an electric heater it would be uncomfortable.