Cusco City Tour takes you on a fascinating journey through the historic heart of the Inca Empire. Explore the stunning Plaza de Armas, the sacred Koricancha Temple, and the impressive Saqsayhuamán fortress. Discover the mysteries of Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay, each revealing the architectural brilliance and spiritual depth of the Incas. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and breathtaking views, making it an unmissable experience in Cusco.
- Tour Location: Northeast of Cusco city
- Tour Type: Half-day Tour
- Starting Time / Ending Time: Pickup at 8 a.m. from your hotel’s lobby, and come back around 2 p.m.
- Consideration: Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
- Highlights: Cathedral, Temple of the Sun, and four amazing Inca archaeological sites on the city’s surroundings (Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay).
Itinerary Cusco City Tour
Half - day Itinerary
Our Cusco City Tour begins at 8:00 a.m., when our expert tour guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby. From there, we’ll start exploring the historic heart of Cusco, a city that blends Inca and Spanish colonial influences, creating one of the most fascinating cultural destinations in the world.
Plaza de Armas & Cusco Cathedral
Our first stop is Cusco’s main square, the Plaza de Armas, the vibrant center of the city. Here, you will visit the Cusco Cathedral, one of the most important colonial landmarks in Peru. Built on the foundations of an ancient Inca palace, the cathedral showcases a mix of Spanish Renaissance architecture and Andean influences. Inside, you’ll admire intricately carved wooden altars, colonial paintings from the Cusco School of Art, and precious religious relics. One of the most intriguing artworks is the Last Supper painting, where Jesus and his disciples are depicted enjoying a traditional Andean feast that includes guinea pig (cuy), an important symbol of Andean cuisine.
Qoricancha: The Temple of the Sun
After visiting the cathedral, we continue walking through original Inca streets, built with perfectly cut stone walls that have withstood centuries of earthquakes. This path leads us to Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, the most sacred and significant religious site of the Inca Empire.
At Qoricancha, you will witness the extraordinary engineering skills of the Incas, who constructed precisely fitted stone walls without mortar, creating structures that have endured for centuries. This temple complex was once covered in gold sheets, reflecting the importance of Inti, the Sun God, in Inca culture. The Spanish later built the Santo Domingo Church on top of the original temple, symbolizing the fusion of Inca and colonial heritage.
Sacsayhuamán: The Megalithic Inca Fortress
After exploring Qoricancha, we board our private transportation and take a 20-minute drive up to Sacsayhuamán, one of the most impressive Inca archaeological sites. Perched on a hill overlooking Cusco, this site features massive stone walls, some of which weigh over 100 tons. The mystery of how the Incas transported and fitted these gigantic stones with such precision remains one of the greatest engineering wonders of the ancient world.
Originally, Sacsayhuamán served as a ceremonial and military complex, and today, it hosts the famous Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) every June 24th, celebrating Inca traditions. From the top of this site, enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Cusco, making it an ideal spot for photography.
Qenqo: The Inca Ceremonial Site
A five-minute drive from Sacsayhuamán takes us to Qenqo, an important ceremonial center. This labyrinth-like site contains altars carved into natural rock, where Inca priests performed rituals, sacrifices, and mummification ceremonies. Some believe the zigzagging channels carved into the stone were used to pour sacred chicha (corn beer) or llama blood to determine divine messages based on how the liquid flowed.
Puca Pucara: The Red Fortress
Continuing our tour, a 10-minute drive takes us to Puca Pucara, a small yet strategically located Inca military checkpoint. The site’s circular shape and reddish-colored stones give it the name “Red Fortress”. It was likely used to control access to Cusco and provide shelter for travelers and soldiers.
Tambomachay: The Water Temple
Our last stop is Tambomachay, also known as the Temple of Water. This sacred site features beautifully constructed aqueducts, canals, and cascading fountains that still function today. The Incas worshipped water as a vital life force, and it is believed that Tambomachay was a ceremonial bath for Inca nobility, symbolizing purification and renewal.
Return to Cusco
After visiting Tambomachay, we return to Cusco by private transportation. The tour concludes at the main square (Plaza de Armas), where you can continue exploring on your own. If preferred, we can drop you off at your hotel for a well-deserved rest after this fascinating journey through Cusco’s Inca and colonial past.
