Cuzco Capital of the Inca Empire

Andes Mountains - view from plane

Arriving in Cusco, view of Andes from plane

On January 5, 2008, we flew to Cuzco. Our flight was at 5: 25 AM, after 1 hr and 15 min we landed in Cuzco- Velazco Astete Airport. When we were landing I saw the Andes Mountains from the plane. While we were waiting for our bags, a group of musicians in the airport greeted us with local music.

Edwin told us that we had to move very slowly and with extreme caution as our bodies were adjusting to the change in altitude. We drove to our hotel “De la Villa Hermoza Hotel” where we were advised to rest for a while, catch some sleep, and let our bodies to started acclimatizing to the high altitude of Cuzco (approximately elevation 3326m/10,912ft).

In the afternoon we had our Cuzco City Tour. We visited the Qoricancha or Koricancha; “The Temple of the Sun”. In top of Qoricancha, is the Santo Domingo Catholic Church. This temple was dedicated primarily to Inti, the Sun God. We then went around the courtyard area where there were Incan stone walls that were along one side. Next we continued around and were shown excellent paintings displayed in the many side rooms off the cloister. Some paintings had unique Cuzco elements like, cuy (guinea pig) or conquistadors.

Church of La Compañia de Jesus

Korikancha Temple

The Front Part Of Capilla del Triunfo Cathedral Of Cusco Peru

The central courtyard in the Spanish convent

We also saw the Cathedral, which took almost a century to build. When we were in front of the Cathedral, there were two little girls that were playing. We took their picture and kept walking; but then they came after us demanded money for the picture that was taken.

Girls in from of the Cathedral

Saqsaywaman Women with her Llama on the ruins

We went to Sacsayhuaman (Saqsaywaman) fortress, which in Quechua means “Satisfied Falcon”, from this fortress it was possible to overlook all of Cuzco, which was designed into the shape of a lying down puma; the animal that symbolized the Inca dynasty. The structure is built with limestone blocks and even after the devastating earthquakes in Cuzco most of the fortress was left undamaged.

Sacsayhuaman

Photo From Sacsayhuamán Ruins, Cristo con Los Brazos Extendidos

After our long tour it was time to go back to the Hotel to get ready for dinner. We went to a nice restaurant. It was warm and we had quinoa soup and spaghetti. Then of course, I had “coca tea.” While we ate a Peruvian group played Andean music.

Feeling refreshed, we walked back to the hotel, but we stopped once in a while to admire the city of Cuzco at night.