Cusco Incan Empire

Cuzco (or in quechua, Qosqo) was the religious and governmental capital of the Inca Empire which flourished in ancient Peru between c. 1400 and 1534 CE. The Incas controlled territory from Quito to Santiago, making theirs the largest empire ever seen in the Americas and the largest in the world at that time. We enjoyed staying at the Inca Royal Hotel, walking the Plaza de Armas, visiting the Museo de Choco and also a wax museum of Hollywood Icons. This city was classy, clean and muy bonita! The Statue of Pachacuti is featured in the center of the Plaza de Armas fountain. Pachacuti was the ninth ruler of the Kingdom of Cusco and later the Emperor of the Inca Empire. Pachacuti began the expansion of the Inca Empire from the valley of Cusco to a large part of western South America. Some say that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for him. Cusco was one of the main highlights of this trip and is a city we would love to return to. Check out the chocolate mini Machu Picchu!