Famed Inca ruins, Machu Picchu, were in the news last week when torrential rains in the area caused flooding and landslides that temporarily stranded thousands of travelers. Once the skies cleared, helicopters were sent in to transport the wet and weary vacationers out of the area. Now the government has announced that Machu Picchu will be closed for up to eight weeks because the floods washed away entire sections of the rail line that provide access to the ancient site. The site itself was unharmed, but there is no way for people to get there.
While Machu Picchu is an incredible South America vacation destination, there is no need to cancel your Peru hotel reservation if you have a trip planned in the next eight weeks. There are enough archeological ruins and cultural opportunities in Cuzco, the closest city to Machu Picchu, to make the trip worth taking.
Here are some of my favorite Cuzco area attractions and activities:
Sacsayhuamán: These ruins on the northern outskirts of Cuzco would be a standout destination for world travelers if Machu Picchu weren’t just a few hours away. The scale of the stonework here is massive and awe-inspiring. Pronounced “sexy woman”, Sacsayhuamán is believed to have been both a religious temple and military garrison for the Inca. The hulking stones used to construct the outer walls of the site defy logic when you think about these 200 ton monoliths being moved into place with the simple tools available at the time. Placed together without the use of mortar, each stone fit perfectly into its groove.
Cuzco’s Historic Zone: The Zona Historico consists of a fascinating mix of both Inca and Spanish architecture. The town’s center, the Plaza de Armas, features two outstanding churches as well as a section of wall that is thought to be the foundation of an Inca Palace. You can see this meshing of Inca and Spanish culture most clearly at Qorincancha and Santo Domingo. Dedicated to the worship of the sun, Qorincancha was the most finely crafted temple in the Inca Empire. With walls lined with gold paneling, as well as gold statues and altars, it was a scene straight from the mythical El Dorado. After the Spanish arrived and looted the gold, the same hulking stone walls were used as the base for the Santo Domingo church.
Q’enko, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay: This trio of ruins located north east of Sacsayhuamán offers more glimpses into the lives of the Inca. Q’enko, the site of a giant altar in a hollowed out limestone outcrop, houses a fascinating network of caves, tunnels, and channels that make for fun exploration. Puca Pucara, a small fort or guardhouse, offers incredible views from its lofty vantage point. Tambomachay, located near a natural spring, consists of a masterfully hewn system of stone aqueducts and canals that lead down to ceremonial terraces and pools.
Shopping: With an altitude of just over 11,000 feet, Cuzco is a place where many people spend their first day or two in an oxygen-deprived haze. Taking in the sights and sounds of Cuzco’s markets, artisan craft stores, and antique shops is a perfect way to acclimatize. If that doesn’t work, you can always try some coca-leaf tea.
