Half-day tour of the city of Cusco Sacsayhuamán and Qoricancha

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Plaza de Armas Cuzco

  We start the excursion by visiting the main square of Cusco and will walk to the Temple of the Sun Qorikancha.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Qorikancha

  In the iconic temple of Qorikancha, considered the most sacred religious and geographical center of the Inca Empire, visitors will take a guided tour to appreciate the fusion of two cultures: The Walls of Polished Stone: They will admire the original Inca enclosures dedicated to their deities (the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Lightning, and the Rainbow), built with perfectly polished and carved stones with anti-seismic joints. The Inca-Colonial Fusion: You will see how the Convent of Santo Domingo was erected directly on the foundations of Inca temples in the 16th century, contrasting the fine Inca stone style with Spanish Baroque architecture. The Sacred Garden and Colonial Paintings: They will tour the main courtyards, the corridor of Cusco paintings, and the exterior gardens with a view of the Cusco Valley.

  45 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 3
  Sacsayhuaman

  In the imposing ceremonial fortress of Saqsayhuaman, visitors will take a guided walk to discover one of the most astonishing architectural and engineering achievements of the Inca Empire: Zigzag Megalithic Walls: They will traverse the enormous terraces built with stone blocks weighing more than 100 tons, carved and assembled with millimetric precision without the use of mortar. Historical and Religious Explanation: The guide will explain the ceremonial function of the complex, its architecture oriented towards the worship of the Sun (Inti), and its military importance during the conquest. History of Inti Raymi: They will know the main plaza where the traditional Festival of the Sun (Inti Raymi) is celebrated every June 24th. Panoramic Viewpoint of Cusco: From the elevated areas of the fortress, you will enjoy a privileged panoramic view of the Historic Center and the red rooftops of Cusco.

  45 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 4
  Q'enqo

  In the labyrinthine complex of Q'enqo (which means "labyrinth" or "zigzag" in Quechua), visitors will enter an important Inca ceremonial and cult center: The Cave and the Underground Altar: They will enter through a narrow crevice between enormous limestone rocks into an underground chamber where a stone-carved table, which served as a ritual altar for mummification or sacrifices, is located. Zigzag Channels in the Rock: They will observe on the upper part of the rock formation the channels carved in a zigzag shape through which sacred liquids (chicha or blood) used during ceremonial rites for divination flowed. The Semicircular Amphitheater: They will tour a large semicircular plaza surrounded by 19 stone niches or aedicules where, according to historians, the Inca mummies were placed during the main ceremonies.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 5
  Puka Pukara

  At the Puka Pukara archaeological site, a Quechua name that means "Red Fortress," visitors will explore an ancient Inca military and control post: Red Tone of the Stones: They will observe the characteristic reddish color of the rocks upon contact with sunlight due to their high iron content. Military Architecture: They will tour its terraces, squares, aqueducts, interior passages, and strategically located watchtowers (guard towers) to protect the entrance to the Valley of Cusco and access to Tambomachay. Function of "Tambó" and Fort: The guide will explain how it functioned as a control point for travelers, troops, and provisions (tambó) traveling to the sacred center of Cusco or accompanying the Inca's entourage. Views of the Natural Environment: They will enjoy a panoramic view of the ravine, the surrounding hills, and the Qhapaq Ñan (Inca Road) trails that pass through this area.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 6
  Tambomachay

  In the relaxing Tambomachay complex, popularly known as the "Inca Bath" or "Temple of Water," visitors will discover the mastery of Inca hydraulic engineering: Uninterrupted Water Sources and Channels: They will observe the fine waterfalls and aqueducts carved in stone through which crystal clear water flows continuously for centuries, whose exact underground spring remains a mystery. Sacred Rite of Water: The guide will explain the ritual importance of water as a symbol of purification, life, and fertility within the Andean worldview. Terrace and Niche Architecture: They will admire the three-level structure of perfectly assembled stone walls with large trapezoidal niches where offerings and religious ceremonies were held. Royal Rest Site (Inca Hunting Ground): Discover the history of Tambomachay as an exclusive spa and hunting reserve for the Inca elite.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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