City Tour in the city of Cusco 1/2 Day
Description
Discover the captivating city of Cusco with a half-day city tour that will take you through its rich history, vibrant culture and extraordinary architecture. Enjoy the experience of an expert tour guide who will share fascinating stories, historical facts and legends about Cusco, enriching your experience and giving you valuable insights into the city’s past and present. We have 02 schedule options: - Morning from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm - Afternoon from 1:30 am to 6:00 pm (You can choose the timetable that is most convenient and according to your travel itinerary.)
Tour Options
Itinerary
Qoricancha, or the “Golden Court”, was the most important site dedicated to the cult of the sun god. The walls were once covered with gold sheets. On this site the convent is built, which today bears the same name, with polished stone structures. It has a remarkable Renaissance-style cover and a unique Baroque tower, as well as an impressive collection of paintings from the Cusco school.
The name Saqsayhuaman means "satisfied hawk" in Quechua. This fortress was built to protect the city of Cusco from Eastern invaders and is an excellent example of Inca military architecture. Built with huge granite blocks, some of which reach up to 5 meters high and weigh up to 350 tons, it consists of three large terraces bordered by colossal stone walls that extend up to 300 meters long. Because of its proximity to Cusco, it also served as a quarry for some of the colonial constructions of the city.
Qenqo was an Inca ceremonial center with tunnels and platforms used for religious rituals and ceremonies, showing the spiritual importance of this site to Inca civilization. Qenqo features carvings, with holes, steps and channels, probably used to deposit chicha (a corn-based drink) in Inca rituals.
Puca Pucara is also known as the red fortress as the stones with which it was built have become this color due to their high levels of iron. In addition to the fortress you can see other archaeological structures such as aqueducts, enclosures and fountains. Because of its closeness to Tambomachay and its characteristics, it is believed that it constituted a strong military defense of this place.
Known as the “Inca Bath,” Tambomachay was a ceremonial center dedicated to the water cult and resting place of the Inca monarch. It is made of carved rocks, which form a beautiful set of channels and waterfalls, coming from springs. End of services.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
If your hotel is located in a remote area, we will coordinate a meeting point.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(117)
Wandering around the streets of Cusco was a unique experience , the high altitude and the steep streets are a damper but with adequate care and a slow pace they can be tackled . The mix of the ancient cultures and the colonial times have left an indelible mark on the life culture and architecture of the place . The people are nice but rarely communicate outside their own languages Spanish , Aymara and Quechua , English is rarely understood .There are good places to eat on the way and the tour is worth the effort .
This was a great introduction to the archaeological sites around Cusco, our guide was knowledgeable, led us around the sites efficiently avoiding long ticket lines, and allowed plenty of time to walk around and take photos. I especially appreciate the option at Saqsayhuaman to choose whether to return on the bus or spend as much time as we wanted then walk back on our own. I chose to spend over 2 hours exploring the stunning site taking my time and had small picnic lunch that I recommend packing if you do this. Finally, I really enjoyed the roughly 30 minute mostly down hill walk through some picturesque residential streets back to the city center.
A fabulous Inca place, overlooking the city of Cusco!!!! We wonder how such a site could have been built when we see the size of the stones and their weight!!!!! It is advisable to take several hours to visit the entire site which is very extensive!!!!! Note that the welcome of Peruvians is really warm and really changes from that of French
Our guide Bladimir was very good, professional and his explanations were also good. We had a great time
I wouldn't recommend this experience to an English speaker. The guide was difficult to understand and the tour was rushed due to the guide needing to explain everything in two languages at each stop.
This place is really nice but after exploring Machupichu, the Sacred Valley or Sacsaywaman everything seems pretty much the same. Don't get me wrong I was fascinated with the majestic constructions but after a while, I got tired of it. It is worthy to see it. I suggest going there before going to Machupichu.
Very good experience, first time in cusco, beautiful city, I want to highlight the work of the guide jhonnatan for the quality and affection that was counting for one of the padaras we made, very clear, a genius. Andres from Argentina 🇦🇷
An amazing place, rain or no rain. The history of the place is amazing. Our guide told us how they moved the stones and part of the Inca structure, Seeing him in person is surprising. The pictures are great next to the big rocks and the windows still standing
This is a wonderful tour to see the history of Cuzco Thank you Saul for all the fabulous information and details about everything
To travel to the heights of Peru, you need to have a preparation even if you are 18 years old, since the change is quite abrupt that it is better to take concerns. We asked our pharmacist, then he prepared everything accordingly from heights. Cusco is a city full of history and colors that the natives knew how to keep with inner strength. Each street takes us back to the past by filling our being with curiosity to learn again. Since the Incas are considered the last civilization. This civilization has gathered as much information from past cultures by reusing each piece of information to develop it on another scale of higher intelligence. All this can feel, see, internalize it in the simplest way. Live in the present by breathing this energy. Forget about selfies for 10 minutes and feel that strength as you let yourself be guided for this culture that is permeated everywhere.
