• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-883000468325
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "peru/cuzco",
      "destination": "Cuzco",
      "title": "cuzco",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Cuzco",
      "continent": "South-America",
      "region": "Cuzco-&-the-Sacred-Valley",
      "country": "Peru",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }

Cuzco

Peru

South America Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.


Shop Book
Macchu Pichu sunset

Getty Images/Flickr RF

Overview

Welcome to the navel of the world. The undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas, Cuzco is the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city and the gateway to Machu Picchu. Cosmopolitan Cuzco (also Cusco, or Qosq’o in Quechua) thrives with a measure of contradiction. Ornate cathedrals squat over Inca temples, massage hawkers ply the narrow cobblestone passages, a rural Andean woman feeds bottled water to her pet llama while the finest boutiques sell pricey alpaca knits.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Cuzco? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your Peru trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Peru: Roots of the Rainforest in 12 Days

12 days / 11 nights

highlights

  1. 1Watching the vibrant flutter of colorful macaws as they feast on the Amazon’s macaw clay lick
  2. 2Seeing the Amazon rainforest — and hearing the life within — on a guided nocturnal tour
  3. 3Uncovering the secrets of the Lost City of the Incas on a visit to Machu Picchu
from $5,100

per person

Explore more trips

Must-see attractions

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-661799777908
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "peru/cuzco",
      "destination": "Cuzco",
      "title": "cuzco",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Cuzco",
      "continent": "South-America",
      "region": "Cuzco-&-the-Sacred-Valley",
      "country": "Peru",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-482350848667
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "peru/cuzco",
      "destination": "Cuzco",
      "title": "cuzco",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Cuzco",
      "continent": "South-America",
      "region": "Cuzco-&-the-Sacred-Valley",
      "country": "Peru",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Cuzco

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-348980372433
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "peru/cuzco",
      "destination": "Cuzco",
      "title": "cuzco",
      "type": "City",
      "city": "Cuzco",
      "continent": "South-America",
      "region": "Cuzco-&-the-Sacred-Valley",
      "country": "Peru",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }