After a long bus journey from Puno that stretched across the entire day filled with scenic stops and endless winding roads we finally arrived in Cusco late in the evening. Tired but excited, we checked into our accommodation before heading straight out for a quick wander around the main square.
Plaza de Armas, the heart of Cusco, was simply breathtaking. The colonial buildings and grand cathedrals were beautifully illuminated, their reflections shimmering on the rain kissed cobblestones. There was a light drizzle in the air, just enough to give the square a magical sparkle under the glow of the streetlights. Even though we were exhausted from the journey, that first glimpse of Cusco made it all worth it.
We kicked off the next morning with breakfast, then took a slow stroll through the streets, soaking in the energy of the city. The blend of Incan stonework and Spanish colonial architecture gave Cusco a unique charm, and every alley seemed to whisper stories of the past.
At some point, we decided to grab a Starbucks coffee because, why not? Well, turns out that was a terrible idea. Both Ali and I got guts ache from it. The irony wasn’t lost on us, after days of eating at tiny local spots that looked like they’d never seen a health inspection, we had fine. But one Starbucks coffee nearly knocked us out. Lesson learned stick to the hole in the wall eateries.
We joined a walking tour to properly explore Cusco’s history. The guide was fantastic, weaving tales of Incan legends and colonial conquest as we wandered through the city’s cobbled streets.
One of the most fascinating things we learned was how the Incas designed their walls not just with precise stonework that has withstood centuries of earthquakes but with hidden figures built into them. The most famous of these is the shape of a puma, a sacred animal to the Incas, which is still visible today in the ancient walls of Cusco.
Unfortunately, I had to bail before the tour ended due to some urgent toilet requirements (likely still Starbucks related), but Ali powered through to the end. Later in the evening, she ended up feeling even worse, so it was a rough end to what should have otherwise been an amazing day.
Now, as we settle in for the night, we’re gearing up for tomorrow’s adventure taking a taxi out to the Sacred Valley. Despite the sickness setbacks, Cusco has already made a strong impression on us. From its breathtaking main square to its deep rooted history, we’re excited to see what the next few days bring, after we visit Mecca Picchu we have a few days to kill so might just end up back here
(no more Starbucks though)
