Back to Cusco

A visit from our friend Steven provided a great excuse to go back to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.
Though starting in Cusco is difficult because of the altitude (higher than the other two areas), it is a great place to visit. The back streets of the old town are endlessly interesting, with Inca stonework, cobbled streets, and colorful people and places. It's also a very lively city, with lots of festivals and people coming and going. And everywhere around the city are amazing Andes mountains.


Sacsayhuaman, an Inca fortress that sits above the city of Cusco, with amazing stonework.

The back streets of San Blas, the artsy neighborhood of Cusco.

This is the Mercado Central, where you can purchase anything from underwear to flowers, bread, and pigs' heads.