Cusco City Tour

Itinerary

This tour is flexible and can start in the morning (9am) or in the afternoon (1pm), depending on your schedule.   It´s approximately 5 hours and includes:

BASILICA CATEDRAL DEL CUSCO: Its construction began in 1594, and it houses the most beautiful paintings made by the natives in colonial times.  Their paintings reflect scenes typical of the Andes. The Basilica Cathedral of Cusco is the most important church in the Catholic community and mass is attended every day. Here, the image and sculpture of the Lord of the Earthquakes, altars and pulpits covered with sheets of gold and silver, as well as fine woodwork are kept.

QORIKANCHA: Temple of the God Inti – The Sun; It was the most important waka (Inca sacred ceremonial site) of the Inca period. Its walls were covered with sheets of gold, and they had life-size sculptures that symbolized their gods and elements of the Pachamama (mother earth). Every year the celebration of Inti Raymi begins here, a celebration of the Sun God on June 24.

SAQSAYWAMAN: Known as a great fortress, it was the scene of an intense battle in 1536 between the Incas and the Spanish. Its built with stones of more than 80 tons each, in 3 levels in the form of a zigzag.  Its purpose is controversal – many archaeologists and historians believe that it was the place of worship of the God Illapa, or lightning. Others say that it was the representation of the great Amaru “serpent” . It is not known exactly what it was or what its function was and it is believed to be a pre-Inca construction.

Q’ENQO: Quecha word that means zigzag, some historians and archaeologists say that its original name was Llaqtapata, the place where the mummy of Pacahacuteq, the ninth Inca of the Tawantinsuyu dynasty, was found. Q’enqo is a large rock which was used by the Incas.  A stone was carved in the interior part of this interesting site, as well as a platform for embalming the bodies of the deceased Incas. It was considered a place of worship to the underworld, the world of the dead, the Ukhu Pacha.

PUKA PUKARA: Word in Quechua that means tower, or red place of surveillance. According to the chronicles, this place was a waka, a place of high importance that the Incas worshiped. Its known function was of military and administrative control, as well as a place where the entourage that accompanied the Inca, who were heading to Tambomachay, stayed.

TAMBOMACHAY: Place dedicated to the cult of water, and a favorite hunting place of birds and mammals of Inca Tupac Yupanqui.  Here you will witness the perfectly carved aqueducts, fountains, terraces, channels and sources of water through which the same constant amount flows throughout the year.

Included

• Professional Tour guided
• Bus transportation
• City Tour + entrance fee

No Included

• Meals where not otherwise stated
• Tips

What you need to take

• Walking boots.
• Waterproof jacket/rain poncho (depends on weather conditions).
• Wind breaker (depends on weather conditions).
• Sun hat, sun block, sun glasses.
• Water and snacks.
• Camera with extra batteries