City Tour Cusco 1 Day

Cusco or Qosqo in Quechua was the capital of the Inca empire called Tawantinsuyo.  Cusco, with its special beauty and charm is considered the archeological capital of South America and a cultural legacy of Humanity. With no doubt, Cusco is the most important tourist destination in Peru because of  Machu Picchu. The streets of the city are over flowing with our country’s history. One can observe the different stages of the evolution from ancient times until the Conquest and its consequences.  It also has several old majestic cathedrals and numerous museums to explore.

This is one of the best day tours in Cusco to learn how Inkas constructed the capital of the Inka empire.

• ALTITUDE: 3350m/11022 ft
• CLIMATE: Hot and sunny by day and cold by night
• DRY SEASON: April to October
• RAINY SEASON: November to March

CUSCO CITY TOUR – PRIVATE GUIDED TOURS EVERY DAY

In the morning (9 am) or afternoon (1pm)

We will pick you up from your hotel proceeding to visit the Imperial City. Which is a living example of the mix of andean and spanish culture. We start the tour at the Convent of Santo Domingo built over the Koricancha, which was the Ancient Inca Palace and the main worship center of the Sun God. You are given plenty of time to enjoy these incredible sites. From there we visit the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman, with its impressive Inca architecture which dominates the city. Finally, we explore the archaeological sites of Q’enqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay, which are located on the north-east section of the city.  You’ll return to your hotel in Cusco in the early evening.

Koricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo

The convent was built on the spectacular Koricancha ‘enclosure of gold’ or ‘Golden Palace’. This was the most important temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun and the walls of which were lined with solid sheets of gold. All that remains now is the fine stonework, the conquistadors took the rest and destroyed the temple to build the convent. Koricancha was also an observatory.

Sacsayhuaman

Sacsayhuaman (which means ‘satisfied falcon’) is one of the most impressive sites constructed by the Incas. It is generally referred to as a fortress and Temple; however it is not certain what its main function was in reality. Current research suggests that it was more likely used as a temple, as Inca tombs have been discovered in the area. The site is a marvelous archeological feat; even now after it was destroyed, one can only imagine its greatness when it stood in its full glory. The stones in the wall are incredible and the largest one weighs 128 tons.

The Incas envisioned Cusco as having a puma shape and Sacsayhuaman was the head. The magnificent zigzag walls are the major attraction. The grounds surrounding Sacsayhuaman are still used today for the colorful festival of Inti Raymi (sun festival) which is held to celebrate on the 24th of June.

Q’enqo

The site of Q’enqo (meaning ‘maze’ in quechua) contains the most impressive carved rocks in the Cusco area. There are carvings everywhere, although some are very indistinct, such as a llama, a condor and snakes have been identified. There are many zigzag channels on top of the natural rock, probably used for pouring sacrificial chicha (a local liquor made from corn). Below the rock, there are caves and passageways, an altar which was used for the sacrifices of lamas and mummifications of buried people have been discovered.

Pukapukara

Puka Pukara which is translated to ‘the red fortress’ in Quechua. This is a small site and although the name suggests that it was a fortress, it does not appear to have had any defensive purpose. Probably it was used as an administrative center. The interesting point is the way the Incas built the walls over the rocks.

Tambomachay

The name means “place of rest” in quechua. It used to be the royal resting station of the Inca Yupanqui when he went to hunt in the surrounding area. This site was also thought to have been used as a Temple to the Water. There are some interesting aqueducts, canals and cascades sculpted out of stone, designed to channel water flowing from a nearby stream.

INCLUSION

• PRIVE VAN
• PROFESSIONAL GUIDE
• PARTIAL ENTRANCE TICKET
• ENTRANCE TICKET FOR KORICANCHA

PACKING LIST

WHAT TO BRING

• A small backpack
• Comfortable shoes or runners
• Camera
• Water to drink
• Rain jacket or poncho
• A fleece or jacket,
• Basic toiletries,
• Sunscreen,
• Hat for the sun
• Some extra money for snacks and souvenirs
• Original passport
• ISIC Card if applicable.

EXTRAS 

• City Walking tour

PRICE PULL GROUP MAX 30 PERSON USD  $ 50 PER PERSON

PRICE SMALL GROUP 2 UP TO 10 PERSON USD $100  PER PERSON