Skip to main content
The Pope's RouteLeon XIV
Cusco
Back to the routeSeat Cusco · Southern highlands

Cusco

The Navel of the World

Ancient capital of the Inca Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cusco is Peru's most iconic tourist destination, gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

November 15 — 16

01 · Apostolic Itinerary

VisitCircuit

The main points of the journey in this city.

Cusco
  1. 10:00Plaza de ArmasHoly Mass in the heart of the Inca Empire
  2. 14:30SacsayhuamánMeeting with Andean peoples

Papal Route Map

Cusco · Southern highlands

6 kmTotal distance
2 hEstimated time
2Points of interest

Estimated — not officially confirmed

Main venuePlaza de Armas of Cusco
View map and detailed access

02 · Visual Record

Gallery

03 · Heritage and Tourism

What to visitnearby

Must-see tourist spots near the route.

Machu Picchu Historic SanctuaryCusco

Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary

Impressive stone citadel built on the peaks of the Andes, this world wonder astonishes with its perfect Inca architecture hidden among lush green mountains.

Urubamba

Plaza Mayor in CuscoCusco

Plaza Mayor in Cusco

Historical and vital heart of the ancient Inca capital, this majestic colonial plaza is surrounded by beautiful stone portals, temples and a lively tourist atmosphere.

Cusco

SaqsaywamanCusco

Saqsaywaman

Imposing megalithic fortress situated on a hill, this colossal Inca complex impresses with its gigantic stone blocks perfectly assembled without using any mortar.

Cusco

Qorikancha Temple and Santo Domingo ConventCusco

Qorikancha Temple and Santo Domingo Convent

Maximum sacred temple of the Inca empire, this enclosure exhibits finely worked polished stone walls that were later adapted to build the colonial Catholic convent.

Cusco

San Blas NeighborhoodCusco

San Blas Neighborhood

Picturesque and steep artisan neighborhood of narrow streets, this sector stands out for its traditional imagery workshops, white colonial houses and beautiful urban viewpoints.

Cusco

The Twelve-Angled StoneCusco

The Twelve-Angled Stone

Architectural jewel of Inca engineering on Hatun Rumiyoc street, this famous millimetric rock stands out for its geometric perfection with twelve exact angles without any space.

Cusco

Q'enqoCusco

Q'enqo

Mysterious ritual and ceremonial center carved directly onto a large limestone rock formation, this archaeological complex preserves underground altars and sacred Inca channels.

Cusco

Puka PukaraCusco

Puka Pukara

Ancient defensive military and control construction built with reddish stone, this strategic Inca fort offers beautiful panoramic views towards the entire surrounding valley.

Cusco

Inka MuseumCusco

Inka Museum

Located in an elegant 16th-century colonial mansion, this important museum exhibits a valuable collection of goldsmithing, mummies, ceramics and textiles of the Andean civilization.

Cusco

04 · Culinary Identity

Flavors of theregion

The culinary identity that defines this region.

Chiri Uchu

Chiri Uchu

Cusco

Traditional Cusco dish combining chicken, guinea pig, dried meat, sausage, cheese, corn omelet, and other Andean ingredients.

Cusco Adobo

Cusco Adobo

Cusco

Traditional pork dish marinated and cooked with chicha de jora, panca chili pepper, onion, and spices.

Roasted Guinea Pig

Roasted Guinea Pig

Cusco / Andes

Guinea pig seasoned with Andean herbs and spices, roasted until golden and traditionally served with potatoes.

Cusco Chairo

Cusco Chairo

Cusco

Traditional Andean soup prepared with meat, freeze-dried potatoes, potatoes, vegetables, and aromatic herbs, ideal for the region's cold climate.

Mushroom Kapchi

Mushroom Kapchi

Cusco

Traditional Cusco stew prepared with mushrooms, broad beans, potatoes, milk, cheese, and chili pepper, especially popular during the rainy season.

Roasted Pork

Roasted Pork

Cusco

Pork seasoned with herbs and spices and slowly roasted, traditionally served with tamal, bread, or potatoes.

Cusco Puchero

Cusco Puchero

Cusco

Hearty dish prepared with meats, potatoes, sweet potato, cassava, corn, chickpeas, and vegetables, traditionally enjoyed during Carnival.

Quinoa Soup

Quinoa Soup

Cusco / Andes

Nutritious soup made with quinoa, vegetables, potatoes, and Andean herbs, widely consumed in the highlands of Cusco.

Guinea Pig Pepián

Guinea Pig Pepián

Cusco

Andean stew prepared with guinea pig, ground corn, chili peppers, and spices, slowly cooked into a thick and aromatic sauce.

Fried Trout

Fried Trout

Cusco / Andes

Andean trout seasoned and fried until golden, generally served with potatoes, rice, salad, or corn.

Olluquito with Charqui

Olluquito with Charqui

Cusco / Andes

Andean stew made with sliced olluco and charqui, traditional dried meat from the Andes, usually served with rice.

Cusco-Style Humita

Cusco-Style Humita

Cusco

Traditional preparation made from ground fresh corn, either sweet or savory, wrapped in corn husks and carefully steamed.

05 · Official Calendar

JourneySchedule

15Nov
10:00

Holy Mass at the Plaza de Armas

Plaza de Armas, Cusco

15Nov
14:30

Meeting with indigenous peoples of the Andes

Sacsayhuamán, Cusco

Accessibility options

Notifications