The city of Cuzco is located in the andes Mountains, in southern Peru. It was the center of the inca Empire six hundred years ago. Cuzco is 3,500 meters above sea level, and it is surrounded by mountains as high as 6,000 meters. the local people are used to the altitude and to climbing the steep slopes of the area. They carry heavy loads on their backs, or they use llamas Visitors to Cuzco often have difficulty adjusting to the high altitude, and it may take them several days to get used to it.