Cusco City Tour
Duration
Half Day
Location
Cusco, Perú
Difficulty
Easy
Itinerary
12:00 PM: We begin our tour at the majestic Cathedral of Cusco, located in the Plaza de Armas. This impressive colonial building, built on the former Palace of the Inca Viracocha, houses a rich collection of colonial art and religious relics. Here you can admire its architecture and learn about its history and cultural significance.
1:00 PM: We head to the Coricancha Temple, also known as the “Temple of the Sun”. This site was one of the most important religious centers of the Inca Empire. Built in honor of the Sun god, the Coricancha was covered inside with sheets of gold, which were looted during the Spanish conquest. Here, you will learn more about the fusion of Inca and colonial architecture.
2:00 PM: We leave for Sacsayhuamán, an impressive Inca fortress located on a hill overlooking the city of Cusco. Its enormous stone blocks, assembled with astonishing precision, are testament to the advanced engineering of the Incas. From here, you will enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Cusco and its surroundings.
3:00 PM: Our next stop is Qenqo, an archaeological site that served as a place for ceremonies and rituals. This labyrinth of channels and underground galleries carved into rock reveals the complexity of Inca religious practices. You will explore its passages and learn about the ceremonies that took place here.
4:00 PM: We continue towards Puca Pucara, known as the “Red Fortress” due to the reddish tone of its stones at sunset. This site functioned as a military and administrative checkpoint. Here they will explain its strategic importance in controlling access to Cusco.
4:30 PM: We finish our tour in Tambomachay, known as the “Baño del Inca”. This site, made up of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls, probably served as a place of water worship and rest for travelers. Here, you will learn about the ingenious Inca hydraulic system and the importance of water in their culture.
6:00 PM: We return to Cusco, concluding our half-day tour full of history, culture and amazing archaeological sites.