Cuzco stands at 3326m about 2 miles above sea level and was the centre of the Inca civilization. The altitude makes it quite hard work to get about on foot and the temperature is cold at nights with frost in the mornings.
The Incas believed that Cuzco was the naval of the world, it sit surrounded by mountians in a depression that looks like a naval. The area around Cuzco has lots of Inca ruins and colonial buildings from the spanish conquistadors time.
Favourite spots:
The sacred valley is where the Incas built lots of temples including Pisac and Ollantaytambo. the temples all sit on the tops of hills, with terraces on the slopes of the hills. Pisac was the best of the ruins, even if it was the hardest to get to, a steep and whinding climb of 4km walk to the top. admission to Pisac is with a bolato ticket that costs 70 soles, about 35 pounds (sorry no pound signs on keyboards here) but this ticket allows you entrance to 16 different ruins and churchs in and around Cuzco.
What's really great:
The sceenery around the sacred valley was spectacular with the Urubamba river running through the gorge and high snow capped mountains in the distance. The sacred valley tour was a full days trip, that visits the ruins, churchs and small market towns for $10 US plus bolato ticket, bargain.
Accommodations:
My Hotel is the Teqsiqocha hostal on the street of the same name, a 2 mins walk from the Plaza de Armes. My room has its own bathroom with a hot shower and 2 double beds for 25 soles, 5 pounds a night.
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