An essential tour to understand the fascinating fusion of Inca culture and colonial architecture that defines Cusco. In just half a day, you will visit the most important temples and fortresses of the historical capital of Peru.
Tour Duration: Approximately 5 hours.
Start Time: 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
End Time: 6:30 PM (approximately)
Hotel Pickup: Our guide and transportation will pick you up if your hotel is located within the historic center of Cusco.
Meeting Point: If your hotel is outside the pickup area or if you prefer a fixed point, the meeting place will be Plaza Regocijo, located next to the Plaza de Armas. We ask you to be ready by 1:15 PM.
We begin our tour in the heart of the city, the Plaza de Armas. We will enter the imposing Cathedral, the most important religious monument in the city. Inside, you will admire an impressive collection of art from the Cusqueña School, with more than 300 paintings, and its majestic main altar carved in silver. Don’t miss the famous painting of “The Last Supper” featuring a guinea pig as the main dish.
A few minutes’ walk away, we will arrive at Qorikancha (golden enclosure). This was the most sacred religious, geographical, and political center of the Inca Empire. Here you will see the perfection of Inca engineering in its finely polished stone walls, upon which the Spanish built the Convent of Santo Domingo. The contrast between the two architectural styles is simply astonishing.
We will board our transport to ascend to the outskirts of the city to the monumental Sacsayhuaman Fortress. You will be amazed by the gigantic rocks, up to 9 meters high and weighing over 120 tons, assembled with incredible precision. This site had great military and ceremonial importance and is now the main stage for the Inti Raymi or “Festival of the Sun.” It also offers a spectacular panoramic view of the entire city of Cusco.
Just a few minutes from Sacsayhuaman, we will explore Qenqo (labyrinth). This was a center of worship and ceremonies dedicated to Mother Earth (Pachamama). Its main attraction is a huge carved rock outcrop with passages, canals, and an underground chamber believed to have been used for mummification rituals and sacrifices.
We continue our journey to Puca Pucara, known as the “Red Fortress” due to the color of its stones at sunset. It is believed to have functioned as a military checkpoint and a “tambo” (resting place) for the Inca’s entourage on their way to Tambomachay.
Our final stop is Tambomachay, a temple dedicated to the worship of water. This archaeological site is notable for its impressive system of aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls that flow from nearby springs, a masterpiece of Inca hydraulic engineering. It is a place that conveys unique peace and tranquility.
After visiting Tambomachay, we will board our transport to return to the city of Cusco. The tour concludes with a drop-off at a central and safe point, usually Plaza San Francisco or its surroundings, to facilitate your return to your accommodation.
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