Deatail of Machu Picchu's awesome architecture (Photo PromPerú)

Located in the south-eastern part of the Andes, Cusco is Peru's main tourist destination and one of the most important in the Americas. Known by the Incas as the "home of gods", Cusco became the capital of one of the largest pre-Columbian empires: the Tahuantinsuyo. Its name in Quechua, Qosqo means "Navel of the world", which derives from when the city served as a hub for a vast network of roads interconnecting virtually the whole of South America, from the southern part of present day Colombia to the northern part of what is now Argentina. Furthermore, Cusco is also both a mestizo and colonial city, with splendid churches and manors built on foundations of elaborately carved stone.

Modern day Cusco features both Inca ruins -such as the fortress of Sacsayhuamán or the Koricancha temple- and colonial baroque churches and mansions. Furthermore, it is the gateway to an infinite number of natural, archaeological, and cultural attractions, from the mysterious and magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu to the colourful villages of the Urubamba valley. The latter, best known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas, is a concentrate of Inca monuments, breathtaking natural landscapes, and perfect mountain trails and rivers for the practice of adventure sports.

Given the city's unmatched beauty, historical worth, and rich entertainment offer, it is no surprise that Wanderlust magazine's readers considered Cusco the best tourist destination worldwide (The Wanderlust Travel Awards 2005), a distinction the ancient Inca city has obtained four times since 1999.

The Cusco region has two very distinct seasons. One of these is the rainy season, which runs from November to March with an average temperature of 12º Celsius. The dry season, which would be the recommended time to visit, is characterized by cold nights, sunny days and an average temperature of 9º Celsius. Due to the location of the city (3,250 masl), soroche, or altitude sickness, is something to be wary of. Rest and light food are recommended for the first day of your visit, and warm clothing is vital at night, as are sunscreen lotion and hats during the day.

Source: PromPerú (Comission for the Promotion of Peru) et al.