Cusco, located in the Peruvian Andes, is a stunning city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. It’s filled with colonial architecture and cobblestone streets, and its vibrant culture has been shaped by an interesting mix of Spanish and indigenous influences. Within the city are many impressive churches, monasteries, and ruins from its ancient past.
This city tour will take you on a journey through time as you explore the rich culture and history of this incredible place. From visiting iconic sites such as Sacsayhuaman, to exploring traditional markets, we have something for everyone. Come join us and experience the best that Cusco has to offer.
Full Trips Peru is a professional travel agency that specializes in providing unique, authentic experiences to visitors of the beautiful country of Peru. We offer tours and packages to some of the most incredible places in Peru, such as Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and Machu Picchu. Our experienced guides will take you on an unforgettable journey through these ancient sites, giving you a chance to explore their unique culture and history.
We also provide personalized services tailored specifically for our customers’ needs. From transportation arrangements to accommodation bookings, we make sure all your requirements are taken care of, so that you can enjoy a hassle-free experience. Don’t hesitate any longer, join us on an adventure through one of South America’s most fascinating countries today.
Cusco hotel transfer
1:00 pm
On this tour, you will explore the historical and cultural sites of the former Inca capital of Cusco.
Cusco Cathedral
We will start with a visit to the majestic Cusco Cathedral, located at the Plaza de Armas. Built between 1560 and 1664 by Spanish settlers, it is one of the most impressive catholic churches in Peru. Inside its walls lies a wealth of religious art that includes paintings, sculptures, and altars made from gold and silver.
Qorikancha
Next up is the Qorikancha – or ‘golden temple’ – where you can see ancient Inca ruins, including stone walls still standing after centuries. The Qorikancha was once the most important and sacred temple in the Inca Empire, dedicated to Inti—the sun god. The walls were made of massive stone blocks and adorned with gold sheets that shimmered brightly when hit by sunlight. Inside, there were many statues of gods and goddesses as well as offerings for them.
At its peak, the Qorikancha had over 400 priests who would offer prayers and sacrifices to their gods within its walls. It also served as an astronomical observatory where priests could track celestial movements such as solstices or eclipses, which they believed to be signs from their gods.
Today, only ruins remain of this magnificent structure. However, it still stands testament to how advanced the Incas were at astronomy and architecture during their time. Its location is now occupied by Santo Domingo Church, which incorporates some remaining elements from the former Inca temple into its design.
Sacsayhuaman
From there we will head to Sacsayhuaman. Sacsayhuaman is an ancient Inca fortress located outside the city of Cusco, Peru. Built during the reign of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui (1438–1471 CE), it was originally used as a military stronghold to protect the capital from invasion. The site consists of three immense terraces built on steep hillsides that are connected by a series of low walls and stairways.
Each terrace features its own unique design, with massive stones cut into intricate shapes and fitted together without mortar or cement. The largest stone blocks measure up to nine meters long, five meters wide and weigh over 100 tons. Archaeologists believe that Sacsayhuaman was also used for religious ceremonies and other important events in Inca culture. Today, visitors can explore this remarkable site and marvel at its impressive architecture which has stood largely unchanged for centuries.
Qenqo
Then we will continue our journey to Qenqo. Qenqo is an ancient Inca archaeological site located near Sacsayhuaman. It consists of a series of terraces and platforms carved into a natural hillside. The structure has been dated back to around the 12th century AD and is believed to have been used for religious ceremonies and rituals.
The most impressive feature at Qenqo is its large stepped amphitheater which measures about 70 meters long by 35 meters wide. This area could have held up to 1000 people for ceremonies or festivals honoring gods or emperors.
Tambomachay
After exploring Qenqo, we will visit Tambomachay. This Inca site consists of a series of terraces and aqueducts that were built by the Incas sometime in the XV century. It was likely used for ritualistic purposes, as well as being a source of freshwater for nearby communities.
The name Tambomachay comes from two Quechua words: tampu, meaning “resting place”, and machay, meaning “cave”. This suggests that it may have been used as a resting place on a pilgrimage route to the sacred sites of the region.
The most notable feature at Tambomachay is its terraces with aqueducts running down them. These terraces are thought to be part of a hydraulic engineering system which provided clean drinking water to local communities during times when there was drought in the area. It is also believed that they served ceremonial purposes associated with Inca rituals related to fertility and prosperity.
Puca Pucara
Then, we will visit the Inca ruins of Puca Pucara. The site is believed to have been used as a military outpost for controlling access to Cusco city. It is one of many sites that surround the capital of the ancient Inca Empire. After visiting Puca Pucara, we will return to Cusco city.
Cusco was incredible! The mix of ancient Inca ruins and vibrant modern culture is amazing. The altitude took some getting used to, but once adjusted, exploring places like Sacsayhuaman and the markets was a dream.