Inca Trail, Machu Picchu Tours, Peru Tours

Cuzco History
Long before the Incas occupied the Cuzco valley various indigenous groups had settled in the region. Most notable of these were the Sawasiras ,Antasayac, who farmed in the valley around 700-800 AD – they too constructed temples from the hard rocks of the surrounding mountains. The ruins of some of these still remain; others were built on top of and incorporated into the design of Inca Temples after they reigned in the region (ironically much in the same fashion as the Spanish would impose their own religious structures on to Inca foundations).
Despite a rich tapestry of pre-Incan culture in the region, the Inca’s developed another depiction of the founding of Cuzco. According to Inca legend, Manco Capac and his sister Mama Ocllo emerged from Lake Titicaca to travel across the Andes and found the city of Cuzco. They were sent by the Sun god Inti to find a suitable spot where they could sink a golden staff easily into the ground. The first place they found was the site of Cuzco and the early Inca people developed an economy around farming and weaving here, skills that were taught by Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo.
The expansion of the Inca Empire to incorporate other Andean peoples began with the reign of Pachacutek Yupanqui midway through the 1400’s. He swiftly gained political and religious control over the surrounding regions. He conquered other peoples both by force and by benevolent subversion, imposing Quechua as a common language and creating a state religion.
Cuzco was crafted as the center of his empire. As a part of the city’s development the buildings were transformed into grand stone structures with fantastic architecture that have lasted to this day. It became a thriving metropolis that could rival any Mesoamerican or European city of the time; the hub of an expansive empire that, at its largest, would stretch from southern Colombia to northern Argentina and from the Amazon to the Pacific.
Pachatutek masterminded Cuzco to resemble the shape of a Puma. Its head was the ferocious Sacsayhuaman, its heart was the Huacapata ceremonial square (now the plaza de Armas) its hips were Qoricancha (symbolizing the reproductive center of Inca religion) and its tail was at the junction between the two rivers Saphi and Tullumayo that had been redirected to provide water to the city.
This care and precision that was poured into Cuzco’s planning extended beyond animal imageary: at its height colonial Cuzco was an absolute masterpiece of urban planning, with the best architecture in the empire being saved for the sacred capital. Cuzco was divided into 4 quarters, each of which corresponded to one quarter of the Inca Empire: Chinchasuyu to the northwest, Antisuyu to the northeast, Qontisuyu southwest and Collasuyu to the southeast. The streets were lined with smartly constructed houses and temples; they ran straight and thin and with channels to guide rain waters and avert flooding.
The arrival of the Spanish turned Cuzco to a very different purpose. It became the key to extracting the wealth of the Incas; the immense quantities of gold and silver that the Incas had refined. The Spanish imposed their own leadership on the city in order to gain control of the vast population within the Inca domain, and to extract tribute from the various corners of the Empire. They stripped the city of any precious metal that could be found, destroying and melting down an unquantifiable amount of artwork and religious objects that had been crafted in gold and silver by artisans of the Empire. These were transported to the coast and loaded on to ships to be transported to Spain. Only through imagination can one contemplate how the city would have looked in its prime.
With the introduction of the new Capital city Lima and the shift in Spanish interest to Silver mines in the south (such as Potosi in Bolivia) Cuzco’s importance slowly dwindled, and it became a quiet provincial town of the republic for the following centuries firstly for the Imperial Viceroyalty of the Spanish Empire and subsequently for the Peruvian Republic, which became independent in 1821. 
To recognize this extraordinary cultural history, reflected in the unique architecture, UNESCO declared Cuzco a World heritage site in 1983.

Barrio de San Blas

This neighborhood housing artisans, workshops and craft shops, is one of the most picturesque sites in the city. Its streets are steep and narrow with old houses built by the Spanish over important Inca foundations. It has an attractive square and the oldest parish church in Cuzco, built in 1563, which has a carved wooden pulpit considered the epitome of Colonial era woodwork in Cuzco.The Quechua name of this neighborhood is Toq'ocachi which means the opening of the Salt Calle Hatun Rumiyuq This street is the most visited by tourists. On the street Hatun Rumiyoq ("Of the Old Rock") was the palace of Inca Roca, which was converted to the Archbishop's residence. Along this street that runs from the Plaza de Armas to the Barrio de San Blas, one can see the Stone of Twelve Angles, which is viewed as marvel of ancient stonework and has become emblematic of the city's history.

Convent and Church of la Merced

Its foundation dates from 1536. The first complex was destroyed by the earthquake of 1650 and the rebuilding of the church and convent was completed in 1675. Its cloisters of Baroque Renaissance style, choir stalls, colonial paintings and wood carvings are highlights of a visit to this church, now a popular museum and tourist attraction.Also on view is an elaborate monstrance made of gold and gemstones which weighs 22 kilos and is 130 cm (51.18 in) in height.

Cuzco Cathedral

The first cathedral built in Cuzco is the Iglesia del Triunfo, built in 1539 on the foundations of the Palace of Viracocha Inca. Today, this church is an auxiliary chapel of the Cathedral. The main basilica cathedral of the citywas built between 1560 and 1664. Stone was used as the main material, which was extracted from nearby quarries, although some blocks of red granite were taken from the fortress known as Sacsayhuamán. This great cathedral, of Renaissance plan interior presents late-Gothic, Baroque and plateresque interiors, and has one of the most outstanding examples of colonial goldwork. Its carved wooden altars are also important.The city developed a distinctive style of painting known as the "Cuzco School", and the cathedral houses a major collection of local artists of the time.

Plaza de Armas

Known as the "Square of the warrior" in the Inca era, this plaza has been the scene of several important events in the history of this city, such as the proclamation by Francisco Pizarro in the conquest of Cuzco. Similarly the Plaza de Armas was the scene of the death of Túpac Amaru II, considered the indigenous leader of the resistance.The Spanish built stone arcades around the plaza which endure to this day. The main cathedral and the Church of La Compañía both open directly onto the plaza.The Plaza de Armas of the city of Cuzco, Peru at night.

Church of la Compañía

This church, whose construction was initiated by the Jesuits in 1576 on the foundations of the Amarucancha or the palace of the Inca Huayna Capac, is considered one of the best examples of colonial baroque style on the American continents. Its façade is carved in stone and its main altar is made of carved wood covered with gold leaf. It was built over an underground chapel.This church has a valuable collection of colonial paintings of the Cusco School.

Koricancha and Convent of Santo Domingo

The Coricancha (Quri Kancha) was the most important sanctuary dedicated to the Sun god Inti at the time of the Inca Empire. This temple was named the site of gold because all its walls were covered with gold leaf by the Incas.With this structure as a foundation, colonists built the Convent of Santo Domingo, in the Renaissance style. The building, with one baroque tower, exceeds the height of many other buildings in this city.

Sacsayhuaman

to the north of Cuzco, is another imposing example of Inca architecture. The ceremonial center was for years thought to be a military fortress built to safeguard the city from possible attacks by the Antis, an invading force from the East. After careful inspection of the layout, however, it is now believed to be a sanctuary and temple to the Sun, which actually rises opposite where the Inca’s throne was once located. After Inca priests were excavated from the site in 1982, the hypothesis that the venue was a ceremonial location was strengthened further. The exact function of the site will probably continue to be disputed, but what is heavily admired is the architecture of Sacsayhuaman. The slabs used to build the center interlock together so perfectly that it is impossible to fit a piece of paper in between any two blocks, despite the fact they are a variety of various shapes and sizes. A little way further outside of Cuzco on the route to Pisaq in the Sacred Valley is Tambomachay, which is said to be a the sacred bathing spring of Inca rulers and their royal women, although its exact purpose is under question: other theories pose that it was a resting place for the Inca, a hunting ground, or the site of a water cult. The site consists of a number of fountains and large ceremonial stone bath known as the Bath of the Inca.

Puka Pukara.

is just opposite Tambomachay and is composed of several chambers which are supposed by many to have functioned as a hunting lodge or guard post to the sacred valley. This is nicknamed the red fortress due to the fact that it is built of stones that emanate a pink tinge. The complex contains agricultural terraces, stairways, tunnels and watchtowers.

The temple of Qenqo.

meaning 'zigzag' appears to have functioned as an amphitheater. The temple gets its name from the number of channels that criss-cross the stone work. These channels probably carried either sacrificial Chicha or blood for the purpose of appeasing the gods and divination.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas

Was undoubtedly a key area of settlement to the Incas. Its agreeable climate and fertile plains make a rare and fruitful combination for the high Andes. It was also the route to the jungle and therefore an area with access to the fruits and plants of the tropical lowlands. Pisac Most people visit Pisac to see the market on Sunday, but there are smaller markets  on both Tuesday and Thursday. However Pisac is a pretty village and has plenty of small handicraft shops and is worth a visit on any day of the week. Pisac Ruins. A vital Inca road once snaked its way up the canyon that enters the Urubamba Valley at Pisac. The citadel, at the entrance to this gorge, now in ruins, controlled a route which connected the Inca Empire with Paucartambo, on the border of the eastern jungles. Set high above a valley floor patch-worked by patterned fields and rimmed by vast terracing, the stonework and panoramas at Pisac's Inca citadel are magnificent. Terraces, water ducts and steps have been cut out of solid rock, and in the upper sector of the ruins, the main Sun Temple is equal of anything at Machu Picchu. Above the temple lie still more ruins, mostly unexcavated, and among the higher crevices and rocky overhangs several ancient burial sites are hidden. Urubamba (Quechua: Urupampa which means "Flat land of Spiders") is a small town in Peru, located near the Urubamba River under the snow-capped mountain of Chicón. The town is located near a number of significant ruins of the Inca Empire, and frequently houses tourists visiting those sites and the same time here you can enjoy the more delicious typical food . Ollantaytambo is a town and an Inca archaeological site in southern Peru some 60 kilometers northwest of the city of Cusco. It is located at an altitude of 2,792 meters (9,160 feet) above sea level in the district of Ollantaytambo, province of Urubamba, Cusco region. During the Inca Empire, Ollantaytambo was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuteq, who conquered the region, built the town and a ceremonial center. At the time of the Spanish conquest of Peru it served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui, leader of the Inca resistance. Nowadays it is an important tourist attraction on account of its Inca buildings and as one of the most common starting points for the three-day, four-night hike known as the Inca Trail. Around the mid-15th century, the Inca emperor Pachacuteq conquered and razed Ollantaytambo; the town and the nearby region were incorporated into his personal estate. During the Spanish conquest of Peru Ollantaytambo served as a temporary capital for Manco Inca, leader of the native resistance against the conquistadors. He fortified the town and its approaches in the direction of the former Inca capital of Cusco, which had fallen under Spanish domination. In 1536, on the plain of Mascabamba, near Ollantaytambo, Manco Inca defeated a Spanish expedition blocking their advance from a set of high terraces and flooding the plain. Despite his victory,however, Manco Inca did not consider his position tenable so the following year he withdrew to the heavily forested site of Vilcabamba.In 1540, the native population of Ollantaytambo was assigned in encomienda to Hernando Pizarro.In the 19th century the Inca ruins at Ollantaytambo attracted the attention of several foreign explorers, among them.

Chinchero

Is a small Andean Indian village located high up on the windswept plains of Anta at 3762m about 30km from Cusco. There are beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the snow-capped peak of Salkantay dominating the western horizon. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its major claim to tourism is its colourful Sunday market which is much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac. The village mainly comprises mud brick (adobe) houses, and locals still go about their business in traditional dress.The village may have been an important town in Inca times. The most striking remnant of this period is the massive stone wall in the main plaza which has ten trapezoidal niches.  The construction of the wall and many other ruins and agricultural terraces (which are still in use) are attributed to Inca Tupac Yupanqui who possibly used Chinchero as a kind of country resort. Entrance to the main plaza and ruins requires a 'boleto turistico'.In the main plaza an adobe colonial church, dating from the early seventeenth century, has been built upon the foundations of an Inca temple or palace. The ceiling and walls are covered in beautiful floral and religious designs. The church is open on Sundays for mass.Half an hour's walk from the village brings you to Lake Piuri which once fed Cusco with water. It takes about 3 hours to walk around the lake passing through small picturesque villages.

Maras and Moray

is located at an altitude of 11,090 feet above sea level Maras is located at a distance through the Izcuchaka-Chequered road of 48.10km through the road of Cusco - Chinchero of 48.88 ( this is the most used).In the town of Maras, one can appreciate the change of the glaciers of the Sacred Valley and the Vilcabamba valley. Nowadays this district safes an important attractive from the Pre-Hispanic period, in the town one can see the arch from the colonial times, from the noble in the century of XVI and XX. Maras was the force pass for the mule drivers that transport tropical products and especially the coca leaves from the jungle, to satisfy the needs of the city of Cusco and the country. It has a church that was made out of adobe, typical from architecture religious of the small towns, in this altar one can find a cross made out of granite, the interior of the church they have paintings from the school of art of Cusco representing all of the apostles, who’s painter was Don Antonio Sinchi Roqa Inca, who was born in Maras and painted all of this with much enthusiasm for his church. Moray (3,500 meters) lies 74 km from the city of Cusco.It is famous for its sunken amphitheater, made up of four circular terraces which appear to disappear into the earth like an artificial crater.The site was apparently an Inca agricultural research station designed for experimenting with crops at various altitudes (some of which run down to depths of 100 meters).It is believed that the terraces, built over containing walls filled with fertile earth and watered by complex irrigation systems, enabled the Incas to grow more than 250 plant species.

Salt mines of Maras

Impressive complex of exploitation of salt, located in the landscape named Qoripujio, at a distance of 4km from the town of Maras. It has salt mines; these mines were exploited since Inca times like a way to exchange economic value. From Maras one can visit the salt mines through a narrow path, here once can find itself with mules that still carry salt that is extracted from the natural salt mines.

Tipon

25 Km / 16 miles southeast of Cuzco (45 minutes by car) on the tarred Cuzco – Puno highway, taking the turnoff near kilometer marker 20,5. According to legends, Tipon is one of the royal gardens that Wiracocha ordered to be built. It is made up of twelve terraces flanked by perfectly polished stonewalls and enormous agricultural terraces, canals, and decorative waterfalls that, along with the native flowers of the area, offers the visitor a stunning vision. The site is composed of different sectors: Tipon itself, Intiwatana, Pukutuyuj and Pucará, Cruz Moqo, the cemetery of Pitopujio, Hatun Wayq´o, among others.

Pikillaqta

The Peruvian site of Pikillacta is an enormous set of ruins belonging to the Wari empire. The site is located in the Lucre Basin of Peru at the east end of the valley of Cuzco, some thirty kilometers from the capital city of Cuzco.The word Pikillacta means "flea city" in Quechua; its original name is unknown. The site covers an area of nearly 2 square kilometers, including an enormous rectangular enclosure with hundreds of separate rooms, some small and plain, some large enclosures and compounds, some richly decorated. Some of the rooms contained human remains, and based on that, Pikillacta is thought to represent a ritual facility for the practice of ancestor worship.One of the most interesting aspects of Pikillacta (and there are numerous) is the hydraulic works that connect the water resources of the site to terraces and cultivable fields in the Lucre Basin, including canals, reservoirs, causeways, and aqueducts. This complex set of features allowed intensive agriculture of maize, potatoes and other crops.The purpose of Pikillacta was pretty clearly not residential--in fact, it appears to have been used only sporadically. Excavator Gordon McEwan believes the primary function of the site was administrative. Pikillacta, says McEwan, was a device used by the Wari Empire to control its subjects by controlling the location and context of the Wari religious ceremonies.

Machu Picchu

(Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmatʃu ˈpitʃu], Quechua: Machu Pikchu [ˈmɑtʃu ˈpixtʃu], "Old Peak") is a pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above sea level. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuteq (1438–1472). Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is perhaps the most familiar icon of the Inca World.The Incas started building the "estate" around AD 1400, but abandoned it as an official site for the Inca rulers a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Although known locally, it was unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Since then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction. Most of the outlying buildings have been reconstructed in order to give tourists a better idea of what the structures originally looked like.By 1976, thirty percent of Machu Picchu had been restored. The restoration work continues to this day.Since the site was never known to the Spanish during their conquest, it is highly significant as a relatively intact cultural site. Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide Internet poll. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its three primary buildings are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu. In September 2007, Peru and Yale University almost reached an agreement regarding the return of artifacts which Yale has held since Hiram Bingham removed them from Machu Picchu in the early 20th century. In November 2010, a Yale University representative agreed to return the artifacts to a Peruvian university.

Manú National Park

is a biosphere reserve located in Madre de Dios and Paucartambo, Cusco. Before becoming an area protected by the Peruvian government, the Manú National Park was conserved thanks to its inaccessibility. The park remains fairly inaccessible by road to this day. In 1977, UNESCO recognized it as a Biosphere Reserve and in 1987, it was pronounced a World Heritage Site. It is the largest National Park in Peru, covering an area of 15,328 km². The Biosphere Reserve includes an additional 2,570 km², and a further 914 km² are included in a "Cultural Zone" (which also is afforded a level of protection), bringing the total area up to 18,811 km². The park protects several ecological zones ranging from as low as 150 meters above sea level in parts of the Southwest Amazon moist forests to Peruvian Yungas at middle elevations to Central Andean wet puna at altitudes of 4200 meters. Because of this topographical range, it has one of highest levels of biodiversity of any park in the world. Overall, more than 15,000 species of plants are found in Manú, and up to 250 varieties of trees have been found in a single hectare. The reserve is a destination for birdwatchers from all over the world, as it is home to over 1000 species of birds, more than the number of bird species found in the United States and Canada combined. It is also acclaimed as having one of the highest abundances of land vertebrates ever found in Latin American tropical forests.