Cusco and Ruins all around

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Before writing about my trip to Machu Picchu, I’d like to talk about Cusco and its surroundings, because many people come to Cusco just as a quick stop-over before making their ways to Machu Picchu. It’s a shame because Cusco and its surroundings offer much more than just tacky souvenir shops and Spanish conquistador churches at the central square. As many people know, Cusco was THE capital of Inca Empire which ranged as far north as Columbia and as far south as the current northern Chile and Argentina. As the former capital of the huge and powerful empire, Incas built many large scale buildings (which are now ruins much like Machu Picchu) near Cusco. You can count eight major ones just within an hour of drive from Cusco (you can actually buy a discount ticket which allows you to visit all of them in a week, which is a great deal).

I particularly liked Pisac --- its magnificent cliff hanging location took my breath away, emotionally AND physically. It’s an exhausting climb through a steep trail to the cliff-hanging ruins, in a high altitude environment. Many people were resting, sweating drench wet half way through the climb. It easily takes all day visit this ruin because of its size and tough climbs that are required, but it’s totally rewarding when you get finally treated with panoramic views at the top. I’m not sure why very few tourists to Cusco visit this ruin.

I upload photos from all these ruins near Cusco (along with random photos during my 3-weeks stay at Cusco).

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