Cusco is considered to be the Archaeological Capital of the Americas.  Nestling in a remote valley 3,360m above sea level, Cusco is a beautiful city where the indigenous culture has blended with the modern western influences to form a truly unique tourist Mecca.
Most visitors arrive with the intention of moving on towards Machu Picchu, either by trekking for 4 days along the Inca Trail, or taking the 4 hour train journey.  But Cusco’s seductive beauty soon weakens their resolve and most travelers end up staying much longer than first planned. 
The first thing to hit the newly arrived visitor are the Inca walls; enormous granite blocks perfectly shaped to fit together jigsaw-like without the aid of mortar beds. Many of these walls provide the foundation for later Spanish additions.  But it is a tribute to the Inca’s skilled masonry that these walls have withstood countless earthquakes and tremors, whilst the colonial architecture they support has collapsed and had to be rebuilt several times following seismic disturbance.
Arriving in Cusco from the coast, you'll immediately notice the thin crisp mountain air, a result of the City's high altitude. The first day in particular should be spent quietly relaxing and taking things easy as you gently acclimatize.  Plan to spend at least 3 days in and around Cusco before starting any serious trekking such as the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.  This is an ideal opportunity to see some of the stunning architecture Cusco with a tour of the City or a visit to the nearby Inca Ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Pucapucara and Tambomachay.  A classic excursion from the town is a day trip out to the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas including a visit to the traditional Indian market at Pisac, the beautiful village of Ollantaytambo and the small village of Chinchero located high up in the mountains.