Cusco - What to See!

So, before I got going to Cusco I had no idea that there was so much to see and do! My Partner organised all the places to see and we found ourselves really loving Cusco. With so little time in Cusco here’s a bit of detail around the places we ended up, I have also included the other recommendations he found that we didn’t get time to go to.

1. Tours

Machu Picchu

So, obviously Machu Picchu is one of the reasons most people end up visiting Cusco in the first place. There are various ways to get to this beautiful site even for those who don’t hike. If its on your bucket list, make it happen!

Tour of Moray, Salinas de Maras and the Sacred Valley of the Incas

this is a great tour to take as well, I really enjoyed this as I got to see the Salt mines of Maras which I had no idea was part of this tour. There are many stop off’s on this tour:

Visiting the villages that surround the Sacred Valley with each having different beauties to discover like visiting locals. Pisaq, Chincheros, Ollantaytambo, Moray and Urubamba.

Cusco Walking Tour

There are many walking tours in Cusco! Go with the guys in the blue tops that are in the main centre next to the Cathedral – the tour we originally booked with another company in yellow tops was off the centre and we couldn’t find them.

Here’s where you will end up discovering the town in detail and seeing so much more. This tour is so great that they even take you to a Roof Top Bar where you receive a free pisco sour (Peruvian national drink), they tell you all the great places to shop along with discounts too.

San Pedro Market

Now this isn’t a must see and does smell a bit and if you are going for the jumpers, I don’t think you need to go out of your way to visit here if you don’t want to. Most of the jumpers and souvenirs you are looking for can also be found in the town and if you do go on the walking tour, the shop they do recommend you buy from really does have everything.

Places I didn’t get to visit and are also recommended:

Rainbow Mountain

Also, another great tour to take, I was contemplating on whether to go or not. Now I didn’t end up going because it would have been 4 back to back days of early mornings and hikes involved. Rainbow Mountain does look spectacular and if I was to go back would definitely try and visit. Remember this is also at a higher altitude than Machu Picchu at 5,000 meters above sea-level.

2. Places to Eat

Jacks Café

Queues! During the day this is a great spot for lunch, and you will find that there is a queue when going here and I would say it is worth it.

Chicha Resturant

This restaurant is great for its rooftop; however, you can’t actually dine on the rooftop, its great for a couple of drinks before dinner. We did end up having dinner here and to be honest I didn’t think that the food was that great (I didn’t really like much of the food in Peru).

Cicciolina

Now if you want to have a nice sit-down meal, this is a lovely restaurant and in the evening is also fully booked, so make sure if you are visiting in the evening that you book a table. We visited here just before flying back to Lima. This is a great place to try the Peruvian delicacies, Cuy (Guinea Pig) and Alpaca Steak as they come in small tasting portions.

  

Places I didn’t get to visit and are also recommended:

Marcelo Batata (Peruvian)

Pachapapa (Traditional Peruvian)

Republica Del Pisco (Peruvian/Latin)

Hanz Craft Beer Restaurant (Peruvian/Pub)

MAP Café (International New Andean)

Qespi (Peruvian)

Le Soleil (French)

Limo (Andean/Sushi)

Monkey Coffee (Breakfast)

JC's (Breakfast)

     3. Night Life

The Wild Rover Bar, Paddy’s Irish Pub & Norton Pub

So there’s more than one Pub in Cusco! With Paddy’s Irish Pub being at the highest altitude in the world at 11,156 FT. It’s a really fun atmosphere too. The Wild Rover Bar is also very cool with a great atmosphere. The Norton Pub is very good for the views of Cusco Town, as you can sit on the balcony and have a pint. There isn’t much room on the balcony and there isn’t too much happening inside the pub, so if you are to visit this one, I believe it would be for 1-2 drinks.

Mama Africa Club

Yes! If you want to learn a bit of Salsa dancing, then join the crowed in the club. Its open for you to join in or sit back and relax. They do a few sessions for people to follow along and then its free flow for all to enjoy the music and drinks, I would definitely recommend this club for a very authentic South American feel.

Indigo Bar

Pisco Sours, live band and Great Eats! This is an all in one and I did love this bar as it had such a great atmosphere.

Places I didn’t get to visit and are also recommended:

Limbus Rooftop Restrobar

Ukukus Club

So there you have it, Places to see, eat and Drink!