The Vilcanota/Urubamba river valley is a beautiful place to visit, start at Pisac, just 30 kilometer from Cusco. A unique typical Andean town which on Sundays is filled with locals in their colorful traditional costumes, trading goods after a traditional mass and procession. This market is also open on Thursdays. On the hilltop is located the archeological complex, a strategic Inca stronghold with fine stone work and superb view of agricultural terraces and the valley. 
    YUCAY, 48 kilometer from Cusco, a very picturesque village with some fine Inca masonry in one of the squares. Behind the village to the north you will find the finest surviving Inca agricultural system in the Cusco region which is still in use. 
    URUBAMBA, 78 kilometers from Cusco, is an attractive town that lies in the center of the valley and can be used as a base to explore the Sacred Valley.
    CHINCHERO, 28 kilometer from Cusco, the town's unusual architecture is the result of Spanish-Inca fusion. The small church built in the late 16th century, houses several colonial paintings; and the colorful Sunday market is said to be the most authentic in the region. The Inca ruins consist of terracing and a massive Inca wall a the main square with ten large trapezoid niches. 
    OLLANTAYTAMBO, 97 kilometer form Cusco, located at one end of the Sacred Valley. The town has preserved the actual Inca layout, the fortress was constructed as another strategic outpost for defensive purposes as well as a religious center. The enormous steps terraces protecting the fortress are spectacular, the bastion' walls were built with huge blocks of granite skillfully caved and were  the site of major battle during Manco Capac's Inca rebellion against the conquistadors. 
    The Cusco area has many other archeological and colonial sites besides those mentioned before: Andahuaylillas, Maras, Moray, Oropesa, San Jeronimo, Piquillacta Limatambo, Calca, are some that are worth a visit. 
    SHOPPING:
Handcrafted items are profusely produced in Cusco and are available in shops, markets and from street vendors. The most popular are woven bags, sweaters, ponchos, rugs, tapestries, ceramics, small carved items, and many more. 
    RESTAURANTS & ENTERTAINMENT:
The selection of restaurants in the city is quite extensive: from typical to international, and from very reasonable to more luxurious - Meson de Espadero, Jose Antonio, El Paititi, Trattoria Adriano, El Truco. There are also some very good disco and bars: Las Quenas, El Muki Kamikaze, Q'atuchay, Ukukus, Cusi Cusi, Cross Keys. 

ALTITUDE
The city of Cusco is at 11,150 feet above sea level. In order to speed acclimatization rest for a couple hours after you arrival by plane from Lima. Avoid alcoholic beverages and eat lightly the first day. CLIMATE
April to September (winter) is usually sunny and dry with temperatures varying from freezing at night to comfortable during the day as long as you do niot stay on the shade. January to March is known as the rainy season, January to March is know as the rainy season, January and February are the wettest, with comfortable temperatures during the day and slightly cool at night. BEST TIME TO VISIT IS APRIL TO SEPTEMBER