Last day in Cusco & ruins of Sacsayhuamán (20.03.2022)

After the impressions of Machu Picchu, we had planned a more relaxed day for today. A small addition to yesterday is a restaurant recommendation, namely Organika. The concept is that all vegetables come from their own cultivation. The restaurant has a great atmosphere where you immediately feel comfortable, very attentive service, and most importantly, a creative and delicious selection of dishes. We had high expectations and were not disappointed, it was simply top!

After sleeping in and enjoying a leisurely breakfast, we decided to hike to the ruins of Sacsayhuamán on the recommendation of our guide from Machu Picchu, Hermo. These ruins are located in the northwestern part of the city, about a 25-minute walk from Plaza de Armas (main square). The ruins cover a total of 3 hectares and are located even higher than the old town of Cusco, at an altitude of 3,700m. We chose the cheapest option to visit them, which costs 70 Soles (around 18€).

At the entrance, there are also numerous (self-proclaimed) guides. If you want to delve deeper, it is advisable, but we decided to explore the site on our own. What immediately catches the eye are the huge stones that have been (perfectly) processed and where individual stones can weigh between 90-125 tons (!) and reach a height of 5 meters. During the construction, commissioned by Inca ruler Pachacutec, who also started Machu Picchu, up to 20,000 people are said to have been involved, and about 40% of the original structure still remains. The Spaniards destroyed large parts of this mighty complex, which served not only as a defensive wall but also as a religious site. One of the most recognized historians of the country, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, writes in his chronicles about the greatest architectural achievement of the Inca (before Machu Picchu!)

In any case, we were impressed by the site and can definitely recommend it for a visit to Cusco, especially on days when acclimatization takes place. Another nice aspect of the site is that it offers sensational views of the city, as can be seen in the photos. For example, the iconic cross that can be seen from almost everywhere in the old town can only be accessed by paying the entrance fee to this site. If you don't want to pay for a view, an alternative would be the nearby "White Christ" statue.

After the hike, we strolled into the old town to try a recommended ice cream place. At Qucharitas, you can create your own ice cream (base, flavor, toppings, cone) or enjoy nitrogen ice cream and other dessert variations. A magical place for young and old and really great ice cream! Refreshed by the ice cream, we continued to explore the old town and also discovered the "highest" Irish pub in the world run by an Irishman, there is truly something for everyone ;-).

In the evening, after the very good experience at Organika restaurant, we went to the sister restaurant Yaku. With live music in the courtyard (courtyards are extremely common in the gastronomy here!), heated with small charcoal stoves and heaters, we were served great food again, including alpaca fillet, which we can highly recommend to all non-vegetarians. The meat is tender and delicious and comes closest to the taste of beef.

In summary, we must say that in terms of culinary experiences, Cusco has impressed us with its great and creative cuisine. Of all the places in Peru (and actually throughout the trip), Cusco remains in our memory as the "hub" of great restaurants. For all foodies, we strongly recommend taking enough time to explore this wonderful city, as there is so much culinary delight to discover!

The Daily Two:

Insight: The ruins of Sacsayhuamán have deeply impressed us today. How these structures were created by human hands still remains partly a mystery to this day. For more in-depth information, you can read more facts here or watch a video

Moment of Joy: Excellent ice cream was rare on our journey, so we particularly enjoyed delicious ice cream at Qucharitas today, specifically vanilla-blueberry and coconut-chocolate-brownie flavors.