Cusco is a city in south-eastern Peru, located in the Andes at about 3400 meters above sea level. Cusco is the capital of the region of Cusco and the population amounts to little more than 400 000 inhabitants.

Cusco region is one of Peru's most visited tourist destination with about 2 million visitors annually and is known worldwide for its well-preserved historic Inca city of Machu Picchu and has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Cusco with Chilean destination Lake Llanquihue was the first South American destinations to attend and complete the GSTC Early Adopters Program.

Food and drinks

The Peruvian cuisine is featured in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest variety and diversity of traditional dishes in the world. This is partly due to the pre-Colombian heritage of the Incas, Amazon, Spain and Africa to French, Cantonese, Japanese and even Italian cuisine. It is estimated that there are more than two thousand different soups and more than 250 traditional desserts along the Peruvian coast. Some typical dishes of Cusco include Timpo and Chuno Coke.

Attractions

• Machu Picchu
• Inca Trail
• The Cathedral in Cusco
• Centro Histórico de Cusco

Weather and climate

In Cusco, the climate is dry and temperate, divided into two clear seasons. From May to September is the dry season with plenty of sunshine. The coldest month during the dry period is July when the average temperature is usually around 10 degrees. The rainy season is from October to April with the most precipitation in January. Most tourists go to Cusco during the dry period, as it provides opportunities to explore the area.