Cusco is one of the most visited cities in Peru. It is famous for its numerous archaeological sites and colonial buildings. This half day tour is perfect for starting your vacations in Cusco. You will get unique insights about the rich history and traditions of the wonderful region of Cusco.
The city of Cusco was founded by the Incas around 1200 AD. However, the region of Cusco was already being inhabited by other populations. One example are the Pikillacta ruins, which were built around 750 AD by the Wari civilization.
Pikillacta is located 20 km (12.42 miles) east of Cusco city and it was an important urban center. On the other hand, the area occupied by the modern city of Cusco was inhabited by the Marcavalle, Chanapata, and Qotakalli peoples before the arrival of the Incas.
Under the rule of Pachacutec, the city of Cusco became the capital of the Inca Empire. After a short and rapid expansion process, the newly created Inca Empire managed to subdue large territories in Peru and South America. During this time, temples such as the Qorikancha were built.
The Inca Empire continued to expand during the reign of Tupac Inca Yupanqui and Huayna Capac. This process stopped abruptly at the beginning of the XVI century, when Peru was conquered by a Spanish expedition led by Francisco Pizarro.
After the fall of the Inca Empire, the city of Cusco was rebuilt. Most Inca monuments were partially destroyed and replaced by Spanish-style buildings. This rebuilding process has given Cusco its unique layout and architecture. Nowadays, most buildings of Cusco’s historical center have foundations made of the ruins of old Inca palaces and temples.
During this half day tour, you will visit the most famous Inca sites of Cusco, such as Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. You will also explore the Cathedral and the Temple of Santo Domingo. The latter is located right next to the ancient Inca temple of Qorikancha. This tour is perfect for passing your first day in Cusco.
We are a local travel company specialized in providing luxury tours to Cusco. We have years of experience planning tours and treks. Our tour guides are professionals authorized by the local government to provide their services. We also offer guided tours to Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Explore the wonders of Cusco with us.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
1:00 pm
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at 13:00 pm. Then, we will walk to the Cusco Cathedral, located at the main square or “Plaza de Armas”. This gargantuan church has numerous pieces of colonial art. The most famous are the paintings of the Cusco Art School.
After visiting the Cusco Cathedral, we will go to the Temple of Santo Domingo. This colonial church was built on top of the ruins of the Qorikancha. The Qorikancha was one of the most important temples of the Inca Empire. It used to house hundreds of religious idols of the populations conquered by the Incas.
Afterwards, we will board our private vehicle to visit Sacsayhuaman. These Inca ruins are located just north of Cusco city. Sacsayhuaman is famous for its huge stone walls, which were built in a zig zag layout.
The site is commonly referred to as the Sacsayhuaman fortress. However, the archeological excavations have revealed that Sacsayhuaman was actually a temple. During the times of the Inca Empire, Sacsayhuaman was probably known as the “Temple of the Sun”.
Then, we will go to the nearby archeological site of Qenqo. These Inca ruins have some structures covered in carvings of monkeys and snakes. To this day, the purpose of Qenqo is still unclear.
Our next stop will be the iconic Inca ruins of Tambomachay. This place has some water fountains that still work centuries after their construction. Some historians suggest that Tambomachay was an Inca temple and a retirement place for the Inca royalty.
Our final stop will be at the small Puca Pucara fortress. This place served as a military outpost which protected the entrance to Cusco. Puca Pucara is a Quechua expression that means “red fortress”. This site was named after the reddish tone of its stone walls. We will return to Cusco city after exploring Puca Pucara.
The tour allowed me to explore the captivating city of Cusco in a comprehensive and engaging manner. I was taken to remarkable historical sites, such as the magnificent Sacsayhuaman fortress and the enchanting Qorikancha temple. The guides shared captivating stories and in-depth knowledge, making the tour both educational and entertaining.