Capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America and it is easy to see why.
The small city of 350,000 and its surrounds are a melting pot of trekking, rafting, horse trekking, extreme sports, ancient cultures, ruins, amazing architecture, wildlife, nightlife and great cuisine.
Not to be missed in Cusco is obviously The Lost City of the Incas; Machu Picchu.
The most famous way of visiting the ruins is via the 4 day Inca Trail which passes through some spectacular scenery.  If the Inca Trail is full(booking well in advance recommended)there are a couple of alternative options or otherwise you can catch the daily train there if walking for several days isn’t your thing.
Cusco is also well known for its amazing colonial architecture and it is an easy enough place to spend a whole day or two just wandering from one museum to another through the narrow cobblestone streets taking in the laid back atmosphere of Cusco.
Some parts of Cusco, most notably San Blas are a haven for excellent dining with all sorts to choose from such as international, local and the highly rated novo andino(mix of Peruvian and International).
If time and budget allows then a trip into the Manu Jungle Reserve is something not to be missed.  The reserve is widely considered by many as the most pristine jungle in the Amazon with chances of seeing rare wildlife here higher than anywhere else in South America.
If all the day time activities aren’t enough to tire you out, then there is a pretty lively nightlife that will definitely keep you in bed the following day.  No matter what day of the week it is, there are always hoards of people out and about till the early hours.
Whatever your taste or budget, you are bound to leave Cusco satisfied and more than likely wanting to come back.