Experience the City Tour in Cusco ! Explore the charms and culture of the city of Cusco with a guided City Tour. Visit the main monuments and historical sites of the city, including the Cathedral, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. Discover the fascinating reasons that make Cusco a unique destination and uncover the history and culture with this guided City Tour of Cusco.
Our transfer will pick you up at your hotel to take you to the starting point of your tour. We offer 2 shifts: the morning shift starts at approximately 08:30 AM and ends at 02:00 PM, and the afternoon shift starts at around 01:00 PM and finishes at 06:30 PM.
The tour begins at the Cusco Cathedral, adorned with exquisite carved woodwork, impressive altars, and beautiful paintings created by local artists from the Cusco School, which hold hidden elements of indigenous thought.
Next, we will take a short walk through the streets of the historic center towards Qoricancha or Temple of the Sun. According to chronicles, entering this precinct required fasting and going barefoot, as it is considered an indigenous sanctuary dedicated to the deities of the Sun God, the Moon, the Stars, the Rainbow, Thunder, and Lightning. Here, you will appreciate the intricate stone-cutting technology achieved by the Incas, with the highest level of precision in hard stone cutting that even a sheet of paper cannot be inserted between the stones. Despite earthquakes, these structures remain stable to this day.
After visiting Qoricancha, we will board transportation that will take us to Sacsayhuaman, located 3 km from the city of Cusco. The Sacsayhuaman esplanade offers a panoramic view of the city of Cusco. Sacsayhuaman was built using massive limestone blocks weighing from 25 to 130 tons. Comprising three superimposed terraces in a zigzag pattern, this large and spacious place was used for gatherings and various festivities such as WARACHIKUY and INTI RAYMI.
We will also arrive at Qenqo, which means “labyrinth” in Quechua. Located one kilometer from Sacsayhuaman, it showcases a construction made of limestone rocks with stone sculptures spread over 500 meters. Historians believe it was used for astronomical, religious, and embalming or mummification purposes.
Next, we’ll visit Puka Pukara, a term derived from Quechua words meaning “red fortress.” This strategic location was used for control and surveillance of access and departure from the Imperial city of Cusco. It served as a territorial border to divide regions and establish movement regulations.
As the final stop on this tour, we’ll explore Tambomachay, a resting place located 9 km from the city of Cusco. Also known as the Inca Baths due to its water sources, it’s sometimes referred to as the “Waters of Eternal Youth” due to the constant flow of its waters. Finally, we conclude our City Tour by transporting you back to your respective hotel in Cusco.
