The Boleto Turístico is the best way to see the many tourist sites in an around Cusco and the Sacred Valley. It is valid for 10 days, and is available to purchase at any site. The cost is S130, (about £26). It is non transferable and non extendable. Partial tickets for fewer sites are also available.

We visited most of the Inca ruins, but we left out a lot of the museums.

IN CUSCO:

The Q-orikancha (not included in the tourist ticket. Cost is S10 (about £2)).

The Q- orikancha was the most important ceremonial centre of the Incas. It was a temple to the sun-god Inti and as such much of the incredibly fine stonework was covered in gold. Q’orikancha means “Golden Enclosure”. Before the conquistadors came on the scene, there was also a garden made entirely of precious metals and stones in which there were miniature plants and animals. The Convento de Santo Domingo was built over the remains of the Q’orikancha, and much of the temple structures were plastered over. These have now been revealed and the incredibly fine stonework is on show to the public.

Inca stone on Hatun Rumiyoq street (free).

This is the famous 12 sided stone in the wall of what was an Inca palace.

Pachacutec Monument (Boleto Turístico).

The monument to Pachacutec is a modern museum dedicated to the Inca Pachacutec who was the driving force in creating the Inca Empire. The museum is a tower of several levels, each containing interesting facts. There is a viewing platform at the summit, with a good 360 degree view of the city.

CLOSE TO CUSCO – good for a day trip from Cusco.

Sacsaywamán (Boleto Turístico).

Sacsaywamán is the great fortress overlooking Cusco, said to form the teeth of the puma that is the shape of the city. The site is impressive but only a fraction of its glory remains, as its stones were used to build much of colonial Cusco. Some huge rocks remain, weighing in excess of 300 tonnes. Visiting can easily take a few hours as, as well as the battlements, there are various carved rocks and tombs to explore.

Q’enqo (Boleto Turístico).

Q’enqo is a large carved rock huaca, also with underground sacrificial caves.

Pukapukara (Boleto Turístico).

Puka Pukara is a lookout point/hunting lodge with amazing views of the glaciers overlooking Cusco.

Tambomachay (Boleto Turístico).

A small ceremonial bath with impressive waterfalls.

SACRED VALLEY

Pisac (Boleto Turístico) – good for a 1 day trip from Cusco.

Pisac is about an hour’s drive from Cusco. The town of Pisac is very compact and contains an extensive craft and food market. We were there for the celebrations of the Virgen del Carmen, so instead of the market there was a rowdy procession and party containing all sorts of traditional costumes and music. Pisac also has an Inca citadel which it situated on the mountainside which towers above the town. We hiked around this site last year, taking in the breathtaking views up and down the valley below. There is also a well-preserved ceremonial centre to the site including a sun gate.

Ollantaytambo (Boleto Turístico) – good for a half day trip if you are in the area, otherwise a day trip from Cusco.

We stopped at Ollantaytambo on our way back from visiting Machu Picchu the day before. Ollantaytambo is an Inca fortress and ceremonial centre built on the steep mountainsides. There are also immense tambos which were Inca storehouses.

Moray & Maras (Boleto Turístico) – good for day/half-day trip from Cusco.

Moray is the experimental Inca agricultural centre where the Incas were said to be testing how a variety of crops would perform at different altitudes and temperatures. The site looks like a series of amphitheatres. The Salinas de Maras are incredibly picturesque salt evaporation ponds used since Inca times.

Tipón (Boleto Turístico) – good for a day trip from Cusco.

Tipón is about an hour to the east of Cusco on the Cusco-Puno road. It is a dramatic series of irrigated agricultural terracing. Much of the water systems are visible and working today, including canals and aqueducts. Tipón as a town is also famous for its guinea pig restaurants, so we had to have a cuy chactado lunch – guinea pig roasted under a hot stone!