Cuzco, Peru: A gateway to Machu Picchu

For those who want to explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu or the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the city of Cuzco in Peru is a great place to base their stay. In fact, the city itself offers a host of activities for South American travelers.

Cuzco has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its unique place in Incan history. Travelers will be amazed at the ancient architecture that still exists in the city. However, they'll still find a bustling nightlife along with tasty Peruvian cuisine.

But beyond the city of Cuzco, the true jewel of the region is Machu Picchu, an Incan citadel built into the terraced side of a mountain. Travelers begin by hiking up an Incan footpath to reach the site. There are tons of archaeological artifacts to explore here, such as royal tombs, a temple, and the ruins of houses. But most of all, visitors will marvel at the sheer engineering ingenuity it took to create such a marvel.

And once back in Cuzco, travelers can book a number of hiking, biking and climbing trips into the mountain ranges surrounding the famous site.

See also ...

• Experience a mesh of cultures in Blumenau Brazil
• Peru Travel Planner

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