Cusco, located in the Andes mountains of Peru, is a city rich in history and culture. Known as the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, it is now a popular destination for travelers looking to explore the country’s rich history and natural . beauty. This was the second time that we’d been to Cusco over the years. We’d swapped out our dusty backpacks for some nice new ROAM luggage. Here is our Cusco city guide, along with our ROAM luggage review.
Walk Through the City Center
Cusco’s city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is home to many of the city’s most important historical sites. Visitors can take a walk through the cobblestone streets and admire the colonial-era architecture, including the beautiful Cathedral of Cusco, which was built on the foundation of the Inca temple of the sun. Along the way, visitors can also take a peak at local markets and artisans selling traditional goods and souvenirs.
Take a Day Hike in the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is a picturesque region located just outside of Cusco, and is home to many Inca ruins and traditional Andean communities. Visitors can go on a day hike and explore the valley’s natural beauty, including the Urubamba River, which winds its way through the valley. Visitors also can go visit the Inca ruin of Pisac, and visit a local markets of the town.
Enjoy a Peruvian Cooking Class
Peruvian cuisine is known for its unique blend of flavors and ingredients, and Cusco is a great place to learn how to cook traditional dishes. Visitors can take a cooking class and learn how to make dishes such as ceviche, lomo saltado, and ajà de gallina.
Visit the Inca Ruins of Machu Picchu
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Machu Picchu is a must-see for anyone visiting Cusco. It is considered to be one of the most significant archaeological sites in South America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the best things to see at Machu Picchu is the incredible architecture of the city. The Incans were master builders and the structures at Machu Picchu are a testament to their skills. The walls of the buildings are made of finely cut stone that fit together perfectly without the use of mortar. The temples and palaces have intricate carvings and sculptures that are still well-preserved.
Another great thing to see at Machu Picchu is the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The city is located on a mountain ridge and offers panoramic views of the Andes Mountains and the Urubamba Valley. Visitors can also see the Vilcanota River winding its way through the valley below. The views are especially beautiful at sunset and sunrise, when the light changes and the colors of the landscape are at their most vibrant.
While visiting Machu Picchu don’t miss the Intihuatana, a large stone structure that was used by the Incans for astronomical observations. The stone is carved with intricate designs and is believed to have been used to determine the solstices and other important astronomical events. The Intihuatana is located in a secluded area of the city and offers a peaceful and contemplative experience for visitors. It is a unique and fascinating aspect of the Incan civilization that adds to the overall experience of visiting Machu Picchu.
Experience a Spiritual Healing Ceremony
Cusco is home to many traditional healers, known as curanderos or curanderas, who use a variety of techniques to heal the body and mind. Visitors can participate in a spiritual healing ceremony, such as a despacho or a mesa, which involve the use of traditional Andean medicines, such as the hallucinant ayahuasca, coca leaves and chakapas. These ceremonies often have a spiritual component and provide a way for visitors to connect with the culture and history of the region.
Cusco is a destination that offers something for everyone, from adventure and culture to relaxation and spiritual healing. This city will offer an experience that you will never forget. With its rich history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty, Cusco is a destination that should not be missed. To fully explore this area, it would be better to stay around at least a week. There are many tour options to choose from, such as the famous “Inca Trail” and the “Salkantay trek” which will give you the chance to fully explore the surrounding areas and not miss any of the must see places.
ROAM Luggage Review
I know this sounds a little travel nerdy, but we were super excited to road test our new ROAM luggage on our Peru trip. The last time we were in Peru, back in 2012, we were your typical backpackers; lugging around 80L backpacking bags as we lived for months on whatever we could jam into our packs.
Now, after a decade of backpacking bags, we finally had a premium set of luggage to help ease our travel experience. We were super pumped to roll out the luggage and give it a test. Here’s our three part review of our ROAM luggage experience.
Design
Before we jump into anything let’s begin with the design. Our journey starts on the ROAM website as you have a number of different luggage sizes to choose from. There are two types of carry on bags, where one has an added expansion zip that takes it from 37L to 51L capacity. Equally for the check in bags you have the option to make it expandable, taking the bag from 60L to 86L.
Once you’ve settled on your size it’s time for the fun part, customization! The best part about ROAM luggage is that they are incredibly customizable. There are 7 different elements that you can choose colors for, with multiple color options in each element. This allows you to literally make thousands of different combinations to suit your style.
Choose the front shell, back shell, zipper, binding, wheels, carry handles and monogram patch as you create a unique ROAM design. Another great function is the 3D design that changes in real time to reflect your design choices. Swapping colors is as easy as a click of a button, as you try all the different combinations until you find one that speaks to you.
Functionality
Along with amazing customization, ROAM also has a number of great features that make their luggage elite for traveling. Each bag comes equipped with polycarbonate outer shells, making the bag super strong and sturdy when transporting your valuables inside.
There’s also a telescoping handle that gives you two different heights to extend to, ball bearing wheels for a smooth journey, a water repellent zipper and a TSA approved lock. On the inside there is fabric lining and two compression boards and straps to lock down each compartment side of the luggage. This is perfect for when you need to open your bag and don’t want all your contents spilling out in the process.
In Practice
So with our brand new, fully customized The Large Carry-On (the expandable version) ordered and packed it was time to road test them. As we rolled into San Francisco International airport we could feel the smooth ride of the bag right up until we checked our expanded carry ons. Once the bags were expanded it was super roomy and it was enough to carry everything we needed for two weeks in Peru.
Being so lightweight and compact meant it was easy to transport them from taxis to our accommodation, as well we wheel them through the streets when needed. They even held up great with the cobblestone streets of Cusco as we rolled around town when leaving our accommodation and deciding to do a little more sightseeing (aka shopping).
Overall our ROAM ‘The Large Carry-On’ luggage was excellent for our trip to Peru. It couldn’t have been put through a more thorough road test and we’re so stoked to finally have a premium piece of luggage to travel with.
