Cuzco, gateway to Inca Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

It's definitely one of the most visited places of the world, to which the aggressiveness and persistence of hotel, hostel, tourist agency, or restaurant owners is a testament. Sitting on a bench in the Plaza de Armas I was approached 6 times within 30 minutes with an offer of quarters for the night or variety of tours. It is also one of the higher Peruvian cities, placed little over 3,300 m above sea level (..or nearly 11,000 feet) and on surrounding hill sides, where not only the altitude but also the steep uphill street walk gets you tired within minutes ..but it's also one of the biggest party cities in Peru :)) (I cannot attest to that one, however, since I've only heard it from others; but, seeing the amount of tourists there, it's highly believable:))