Cusco City tour

Tour Description

• 4 hour tour visiting the most important sites of Cusco.
•  Daily departures. Group service is operated afternoons only.
•  Private Service any day of the week. Available in the morning or afternoon
• Tour by English speaking guides

Places to Visit

• La Catedral
• Koricancha, El Convento de Santo Domingo
• Sacsayhuaman
• Qenqo
• Pukapukara
• Tambomachay

Tour Itinerary

You will be collected from your hotel between 13:00 hrs. and 13:25 hrs. You will have a guided tour of Cusco center, visiting the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Koricancha Sun Temple (Santo Domingo), then go around to visit the Archaeological sites of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay, We will return to Cusco between 18:00 hrs.: to 18:30 hrs.

The Cathedral

Cusco’s Cathedral is quite a sight to behold. Built in the 1550’s on the foundations of the palace of the Inca Wiracocha it took over a century before it was completed. The Cathedral includes many interesting features from it’s impressive main altar bedecked in gold to the variety of paintings found there. The paintings are of particular interest because they demonstrate the rebellion still formenting just below the surface, the most obvious example is a painting of the Last Supper where Jesus can be seen eating a guinea pig (a traditional Incan delicacy).

Santo Domingo Monastery / Qoricancha

Qoricancha (The Golden Quarter) is one of Cusco’s most interesting sites. Combining a Dominican monastery and the remains of the old Incan Temple of the Sun it is a fascinating place to look around. It is said that when the Spanish first arrived to Cusco Qoricancha was the first thing they saw; completely covered in gold it stood out above all else. Unfortunately the Spanish didn’t leave anything intact and all the gold was stripped down and melted to be sent to Europe. The most well known artifact from the Temple of The Sun is the great disc of the sun. The last known record of the disc was it being gambled in a card game but beyond that no record exists. Many people believe the disc was smuggled away by the Inca priests and is still being kept safe somewhere in Peru.

Sacsayhuaman

Sacsayhuaman is by far one of the most impressive works of the Incas. Constructed from vast blocks of stone some of which weigh well over 100 tonnes each it must have been one of the crowning glories of the Inca empire. The site unfortunately has not remained intact; during the first Inca rebellion led by Manco Capac Sacsayhuaman was occupied by the Incas and used to dominate the area around Cusco. Once the rebellion was put down and Manco Capac driven far out in to the jungle the Spanish tore the site down so that it could never be used as a fortress again. Despite the damage inflicted the site still manages to impress and is one of the most popular destinations in the city for locals and tourists alike.

Qenko

Close by to Sacsayhuaman is the Inca site of Qenko meaning the labyrinth. The exact purpose of the site is unknown although it is believed it was used for ceremonial purposes. It’s name comes from a zig-zagging channel cut through the rock that was used for offerings such as chicha (corn beer). Some people believe that animal sacrifices could have been carried out here and the channel was for blood but there is no evidence to support this.

Puca Pucara

Meaning the red fortress Puca Pucara was a checkpoint on the main road leading to the jungle. The structure was built in the rustic style of the Incas that they reserved for the more common and practical buildings that dotted their empire. The only buildings that were built in the well-known, fine style of the Incas were those for ceremonial purposes.

Tambomachay

Tambomachay was a water temple built around a natural spring. Water was regarded as sacred by the Incas and they put great effort in to chanelling water to where it was most needed. Tambomachay was obviously a site of importance to the Inca as they built it using the fine stonework which was exclusive for their ceremonial sites. The stream that leaves Tambomachay is also home to a variety of other Inca sites which also gives evidence to its importance.

Tour Prices

Two options available:

a.- Group Service.- Join other persons on the tour (Daily departures) Group service available in the afternoons only. U$S 15 per person.

b.- Private Service.-  US$ 150 in total 2-6 persons ( 7+ persons please check with your Travel Advisor)

Included:

• Group service: Round trip transportation shared with other people
• Private Service: Vehicle & Guide at your disposal. Pick up and drop off at your hotel.
• English Speaking Tour Guide.

Not Included:

• Entrances to the archeological sites – You need to purchase the 1Day Boleto Turistico at the first site you enter. The price is S/70 soles per person. This Boleto have access to Sacsayhuayman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay.  Price can change without being notified.
• The cathedral S/25 soles per person
• Koricancha S/15 soles per person
• Gratuities

Note: If you are doing Cusco City tour & The Sacred Valley it is actually better to purchase the 10 Day tourist ticket (Boleto General). This give you access to other sites in the Valley and some museums and Attractions in Cusco. The price is S/130 soles per person. Please check with your Travel Advisor.