Hotels in Cuzco

The historic capital of Peru, Cuzco or Cusco, was the capital of the Incan Empire; it remains a place of international pilgrimage as the point of departure for the obligatory visit to Machu Pichu. Cuzco can boast of having one of the richest and most interesting histories in the world, one that has left the city and surrounding area a great cultural legacy. It is believed that the toponymy comes from the Quechua, which left everything in this area replete with enchantment and tradition.
Cuzco and the country of Peru obtained independence in 1821, and although Cuzco was at this time no longer the capital, (which had transferred to Lima), it continued to be an important point of local and regional development as the local capital. As in many Andean cities, development was of particular importance during second half of the 20th century.
Increasing touristic interest in Cuzco is due, to a great extent to its deeply-rooted traditions, its immortal culture and its rich array of pre-Columbian antiquities, leading the city to be declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. The main points of interest in the city of Cuzco are the Sacred Valley of the Incas, in the valley of Urubamba: with its matchless historical wealth, which is truly one of the main reasons to visit the country. Other attractions are the coricancha or Temple of the Sun, the district of San Blas for its rich crafts, the Ajilla Wasi, the church of Merced and the Cathedral.
But apart from the enchanting contrasts offered by the city, the environs of Cuzco—that is, the Incan ruins—offer something more. Cuzco is the primary point of departure for the many archaeological groups that visit Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuamán and in particular, Machu Pichu, an old Incan town, that must certainly not be missed; it has been declared a World Heritage Site and is one of the seven wonders of the world.