Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Tours, Peru Tours

Museo Inka
Address: Tucuman at Ataud, Cusco, Located inside a building known as the 'Admiral's House', since it was once the residence of Admiral Francisco Aldrete Maldonado, the Museo Inka actually stands on ancient Inca foundations and despite serious damage from a number of earthquakes over the years, including the 1650 earthquake, the building remains one of the city's most impressive colonial houses. Inside the museum is an especially grand stairway, overlooked by many curious mythical creatures. The Museo Inka is regarded as the very best that Cusco has to offer in the way of Inca culture and is crammed full of wonderful artefacts, such as gold and metal works, textiles, pottery pieces, mummies, 'quero' drinking vessels and other important archaeological finds. Look out for the very ornate ceilings and the Andean weavers, who often demonstrate their handicraft skills within the courtyard area. Cusco museum open: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 17:00, Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00.

Casa Garcilaso de la Vega / Museo Historico Regional (Museum of Regional History)

Address: Plaza Regocijo, Calle Heladeros, Cusco, The Casa Garcilaso de la Vega is a particularly historical colonial building and amongst the first of its kind to be built in Cusco. Formerly the residence of the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, a famous Inca-Spanish historian who is buried at the cathedral, the architecture of the Casa Garcilaso is very traditional in its appearance. Inside, visitors will enjoy the displays of pottery, silver and gold pieces. Cusquenan art from mainly the 17th and 18th centuries is also on display, while various seasonal events are worth looking out for, being staged in the auditorium room. Cusco museum open: Monday to Saturday 08:00 to 17:30. Entrance with 'tourist ticket' only

Museo de Historia Natural (Natural History Museum)
Address: Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru, The Natural History Museum is known locally in Cusco as the Museo de Historia Natural and is managed by the university. Various preserved animals originating from this part of Peru are displayed here. Although this attraction should never really appear at the top of places to visit, lovers of reptiles may be interested to see the extensive collection of some 150 different snakes from the Parque Nacional Manu. The entrance to the Museo de Historia Natural is often a little hard to find and stands next to the La Compania de Jesus church, off the Plaza de Armas.open: Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 13:00, 15:00 to 18:30

Museo del Sitio de Qorikancha
Address: Avenida El Sol, Cusco, Peru,Situated alongside the church of Santo Domingo, the Museo del Sitio de Qorikancha is a small and intriguing, underground archaeological museum. Exhibits are based around the Inca and pre-Inca cultures, and include plenty of interesting pieces. The entrance is sited on the Avenida El Sol.Cusco museum open: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:30, Sunday - 08:00 to 13:00 Cusco museum admission: entrance with 'tourist ticket' only

Museo de Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón (Manuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum)
Address: Aguas Calientes, Peru, The Museo de Sitio Manuel Chávez Ballón is to be found directly below the Machu Picchu mountain, close to the Puente Ruinas, where it serves as an important archaeological site museum for the Cusco region. Whilst this museum may be fairly small in size, its contents are well displayed and focus on the actual discovery on Machu Picchu, along with its excavation and fascinating history. A short video presentation is on hand, with the main exhibits including a number of artefacts (many are currently housed at Yale University in Connecticut, USA). If you have time, do check on the neighbouring botanical gardens, where orchids and native Peruvian flora are to be found flourishing.Cusco museum open: Wednesday to Monday - 09:30 to 16:00