In Peru, I hiked the Inca Trail and visited a number of archaeological sites, including Machu Picchu and other Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley near Cusco. I also visited the capital city, Lima. Best town: Ollataytambo, which is laid out in the original Inca grid formation, nestled between two mountains containing excellent Inca ruins. Best ruin: Machu Picchu, which is even more spectacular in person than in photographs due to its mind-boggling scale and mountainous environment. Best experience: Kusikancha, a small Inca site in the middle of Cusco, with friendly llamas and vicuñas, and a very playful alpaca. Best food: AlmaZen, an upscale vegetarian restaurant in Lima that achieves perfection in both flavor and presentation.
Cusco
This city was the center of the Inca Empire until it fell to the Spaniards in 1532. Both Inca and Spanish Colonial architecture are abundant throughout the city. Cusco, a World Heritage Site, is quite lovely itself; it's also a good base from with to explore the Inca sites in the region.
Plaza de Armas and Central Cusco
The Plaza de Armas is the main square in the center of Cusco, surrounded by fine examples of Spanish architecture, including the Cathedral and Compañía de Jesús. Cobblestone streets and restaurants abound in the City Center. The remains of an Inca temple wall can be seen on Hatun Rumiyoc, near the Plaza de Armas. The stonework of this and other Inca temple walls is impressive; the stones were cut so precisely that the walls were held together through friction. A 12-sided stone from the wall at Hatun Rumiyoc can be seen below.
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