The exquisite colonial city of Cusco sits at 13,000 feet above sea level in the heart of the Andes. One of the continent’s most striking cities, it is the launch pad for hikes to Machu Picchu, adventures into the Sacred Valley and to the lesser-known Pisac, Sacsayhuamán and Ollantaytambo ruins.

We have a long-standing passion for Cusco. We’ll tell you which museums are really worth visiting; which chefs are causing a sensation; the best rooms at our favourite boutique hotels; the most imaginative guides; and where to pick up beautiful Peruvian textiles at local prices.

To acclimatise to the altitude, we recommend spending a few nights in the Sacred Valley, just outside Cusco. Then on to explore the ancient Inca villages and fortresses, and lesser visited archaeological sites in the foothills of the Andes. These mountains lend themselves perfectly to outdoor adventures. We can arrange hiking, mountain-biking and white-water rafting along the Urubamba River, and riding Peruvian Paso horses through the lush valley, meeting with local communities and learning about their traditions.