The high-elevation of Cuzco will become apparent as soon as you walk up some stars. When I travelled here, we were lucky enough to arrive during festival time, men, women, and children dancing in the streets and playing music.

Haucaypata (Plaza de Armas)

Entering this space in Cuzco produces a different feeling than other city centers, because you are at the central point of the Tawantinsuyu (Incan Empire). "The Hauk’aypata Square was the origin of the four Qhapaq Ñan roads that extended in different directions towards the “four parts of the World”, connecting, dynamically and efficiently, villages and tambos of different sizes and hierarchies in the Tawantinsuyu universe depending on the role, function of symbolism in relation to Cusco (Guaman Poma de Ayala, 1615)." - Qhapaq Ñan Nomination File

Four Roads: Antisuyu, Qollasuyu, Kuntisuyu and Chinchaysuyu

Best preserved route (Antisuyu) of the Qhapac Nan in Cuzco (Google Maps), near inscribed associated historic sites such as Totorapaccha.

Sacsayhuamán Extension?

Sacsayhuamán is not part of the Cuzco world heritage site, nor is it a component of the more recently inscribed Qhapac Nan serial property. Yet, I do hope it might be nominated as an extension sometime in the future. Regardless of its world heritage status, the views from Sacsayhuamán looking down into Cuzco are exceptional.

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