City Tour Cusco – Explore the Capital of the Inca Empire

• Departure (8:30 or 9:00 AM)

Start your day with energy. We will pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco or we can meet you at the main square in Cusco.

• Arrival at Coricancha

Our trip begins with a visit to the Temple of the Sun, where Coricancha is an important archaeological site and a key historical landmark in Cusco, offering a fascinating insight into Inca religion and power. Built atop the Temple of the Sun is the Convent of Santo Domingo, where we will appreciate both Inca architecture and the journey through colonialist construction. We will have an approximate time of 25 minutes.

• Arrival at Sacsayhuamán

After a 15-minute drive, we will arrive at the Architectural Center of Sacsayhuamán, a massive ceremonial complex and archaeological site located on the outskirts of Cusco, Peru. It was an important structure in the Inca Empire and is known for its extraordinary stonework and its association with the religious and military power of the Inca civilization. Its Quechua name means "full head" and is a representation of a puma's head. It is also notable for being the fortress temple of Lightning or Lampa, where the "Inti Raymi" or Festival of the Sun is celebrated every June 24th. It takes approximately 45 minutes to arrive.

• Arrival in Qenqo

After a 5-minute drive, we will arrive at the Architectural Center of Qenqo, another important archaeological site located near Cusco, Peru, and often associated with Inca religious and ceremonial practices. Qenqo is believed to have been an Inca religious site, used primarily for rituals and ceremonies. Its name, "Qenqo," means "zigzag" in Quechua, referring to the zigzag patterns carved into the rocks at the site. These patterns are believed to have had symbolic meanings, possibly related to the worship of the earth, the sun, or other deities. We'll also be able to appreciate the plaza with puma eyes, which were used as an intihuatana or sundial. We will have an approximate time of 15 minutes.

• Arrival in Tambomachay

After a 10-minute drive, we will arrive at the Architectural Center of Tambomachay. This is another important archaeological site located near Cusco, Peru, and is part of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is one of the key sites in the area, showcasing the advanced engineering and spiritual practices of the Inca civilization. Tambomachay is often referred to as the "Bath of the Inca" for its association with water. It consists of a series of terraces and water channels, masterfully constructed to channel fresh spring water to the site. The Inca had a great spiritual appreciation for water, associating it with fertility, life, and purification. Tambomachay may have been used for ritual baths or other water-related ceremonies, especially by the Inca elite, such as priests or the emperor. We will have an approximate time of 25 minutes.

• Arrival at Puka Pukara

After a 10-minute drive, we will arrive at the architectural center of Puka Pukara. The name "Puka Pukara" translates as "Red Fortress" in Quechua, probably due to the reddish hue of the stones used in its construction. It is a relatively small site compared to other Inca monuments in the area, but it still offers valuable information about the military and ceremonial practices of the Inca civilization. We will have an approximate time of 15 minutes, after which we will return to Cusco in approximately 30 minutes, arriving back in the city between 2 and 2:30 pm.