cusco

The ancient Inca capital of Cusco Peru was planned out in the shape of a puma: the head of the puma is the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which overlooks the city; the puma’s heart is the Qoricancha, or Temple of the Sun; and its body is formed by the converging rivers, Tullumayu and Huatanay.

Located only a few steps above the Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s Plaza San Blas is one of its most intriguing neighborhoods, with its narrow cobblestoned streets, a myriad of art galleries and quaint local shops, and a picturesque central fountain bordered by Inca stone walls.

San Pedro Market is where locals and visitors alike are greeted by an amazing array of products, including fresh produce, local meats (including goat’s head, a popular delicacy), a variety of herbs and natural medicines, and much more. Fresh juices, served on the spot, are available for a few Peruvian soles. 

When you see Andean folks in Cusco Peru walking around carrying heavy loads with seemingly little effort, it’s because people who have lived at this altitude for generations show an increased ability to carry oxygen in their blood cells. The cardiovascular capacity of high-altitude dwellers is greater than that of their sea level counterparts. 

In Cusco Peru Just off the Plaza de Armas, on Hatun Rumiyoc Street, you can observe still-standing Inca architecture, including the renowned 12-sided stone, which is an example of the expertise of the stoneworkers of old: it is carved very specifically to fit precisely into the wall surrounding it.