Cusco

Visited 21 July and again 29–31 July

Inca stonework and ruins in Cusco, 21 July
Plaza de Armas in Cusco, with the cathedral, a garden of flowers, and a hillside sign reading Viva El Peru behind

Architecture

Much of what stands out walking through Cusco is the stonework — the same tight-fitting, mortar-free technique seen at Machu Picchu. See the Incan technology page for more on how it was actually done.

Agricultural terraces

Many incan ruins have inconic large steps that are said to be agricultural patches carved into mountain-sides. This mountain-side had some old incan steps that look to be used currently for farming!

Rows of agricultural terraces carved into a hillside outside Cusco, seen through eucalyptus trees

Cusco was also the start and end point of the Salkantay trek, and see the itinerary for when each visit happened.