Cusco City Tour – Archaeological Sites of Cusco

Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puka Pukará, Tambomachay

Physical Level

Easy

Trip Style

Max Altitude

Group Size

INQUIRY ABOUT THIS TREK

Cusco, celebrated for its unique allure and charm, is renowned as the archaeological heart of South America and a cultural treasure of humanity. This half-day tour offers an exploration of the grand Qoricancha, a prime example of the transition from Incan to Spanish colonial architecture. The journey also includes visits to the four key archaeological sites located on the hills surrounding Cusco, crucial for grasping the significance of the city during the Inca Empire.

PLACES INCLUDED IN THE CUSCO CITY TOUR:

Qoricancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun
Sacsayhuaman, the most remarkable archaeological site near Cusco
Qenqo, a vast promontory where the Incas carved directly into the bedrock
Pukapukara, the Red Fortress with a mysterious historical role
Tambomachay, the principal site for water-related rituals

Itinerary

DAY 1:

CUSCO CITY TOUR – PRIVATE GUIDED TOURS DAILY – MORNING (9 AM) OR AFTERNOON (1 PM)

We will collect you from your hotel to commence your visit to the Imperial City of Cusco, a living blend of Andean and Spanish cultures. The tour begins at the Convent of Santo Domingo, built upon the Koricancha, the ancient Inca palace and chief center of Sun worship. You will have ample time to appreciate these extraordinary sites. Next, we explore the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman, known for its striking Inca architecture that dominates the city. The tour continues with visits to Q’enqo, Puka Pukará, and Tambomachay, all located in the northeastern part of the city. After a four-hour tour, we will return you to your hotel in Cusco.

Koricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo

The convent was constructed atop the impressive Koricancha, meaning ‘enclosure of gold’. This was the most significant temple dedicated to sun worship, its walls once covered with solid gold sheets. Today, only the exquisite stonework remains, as the conquistadors removed the rest and dismantled the temple to build the convent. Koricancha also served as an observatory where Inca priests monitored key celestial events. In addition to its remarkable Inca and Spanish architecture and history, you will also view an impressive collection of paintings from the Escuela Cusqueña de Arte.

Sacsayhuaman

Sacsayhuaman, translating to ‘satisfied falcon’, stands as one of the most awe-inspiring sites created by the Incas. Often referred to as a fortress, its primary function before the arrival of the Spanish is uncertain. Current studies suggest it was likely a temple, given the discovery of Inca tombs in the area. The site is a remarkable archaeological achievement: even though much has been destroyed, its grandeur can still be imagined. The walls’ stones are immense, with the largest weighing 128 tons. The Incas designed the city of Cusco in the shape of a puma, with Sacsayhuaman representing its head. The site’s notable zigzag walls are a key attraction. The area around Sacsayhuaman continues to be used for the vibrant Inti Raymi festival, held on June 24th to celebrate the winter solstice.

Q’enqo

The Q’enqo site, meaning ‘maze’ in Quechua, features the most impressive rock carvings in the Cusco region. Numerous carvings are present, though some are less distinct, including representations of a llama, a condor, and snakes. Zigzag channels sculpted into the natural bedrock are believed to have been used for pouring sacrificial chicha, a local corn-based drink. Beneath the rock are several caves, passageways, and an altar likely used for llama sacrifices. Mummified remains have also been discovered at this site.

Puka Pukará

Puka Pukará, translating to “the red fortress” in Quechua, is a small site whose name suggests a defensive function, though it appears not to have served this purpose. It was likely an administrative center and a resting place for chaskis, who were messengers carrying messages between towns. The site’s noteworthy feature is how the Incas constructed the walls directly over the natural bedrock.

Tambomachay

The name Tambomachay means “place of rest” in Quechua. It was formerly the royal residence of Inca Yupanqui during hunting trips in the surrounding region. The site is also thought to have functioned as a Temple to Water. It features fascinating stone aqueducts, canals, and fountains designed to channel water from a nearby stream.

Inclusions

Included:

Pickup from your hotel
Professional guide fluent in English and Spanish
Private transportation for all Inca site visits
Taxes

Not Included:

Entrance to Archaeological Sites: You need to purchase the Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket) for 70 soles (approximately US$20) at your first site visit. This ticket is valid for one day for entry to archaeological sites in the Cusco region. (Refer to Important Info for additional options.)
Entrance to Qoricancha (10 soles per person)
Meals

What to Bring

PACKING LIST:

Warm jacket and rain jacket
Hat
Water
Sun protection
Some money for souvenirs
Money in soles for the Boleto Turístico and Qoricancha ticket (80 soles)
Student ID card (if applicable for the ten-day Boleto Turístico)

Why to Choose

Why choose “INCA´S EXPEDITIONS”?

“INCAS EXPEDITIONS” is a 100% Peruvian local company and tour operator in Cusco, with many years of experience in hikes, adventure tours, and travel packages. We are a 100% local company.

Our dream as a local company is to offer personalized travel and hiking experiences, operated solely by local professional staff, focusing on a PERSONALIZED and HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE.

We are proud of our reputation as a travel operating agency, in addition to practicing RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE actions with the environment and local people.

We consider our staff as family and guarantee them a fair salary. We are very proud of our team! Without their support, we could not offer the quality of service that hundreds of our travelers have enjoyed.

At “INCAS EXPEDITIONS,” we are aware that our reputation and what our passengers say are crucial for our travelers to trust their next vacations; you can check the reviews our travelers leave on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google; in an honest and reliable operator to create your adventure in Peru.

We offer small groups of travelers.

To offer a more personalized service at “INCAS EXPEDITIONS,” we maintain a limit of 8 people for each of our groups. This distinguishes us from other companies that operate with larger groups.

About our tour guides

We are very proud of our guides. They are experts and professionals, fluent in English. They are experts and knowledgeable about the routes, and they are passionate about Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to their continuous personal and professional development, researching to offer you accurate and recognized theories about Inca and Andean culture. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with degrees in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.

About our treatment of Inca Trail porters

Hiking with “INCAS EXPEDITIONS” is an uplifting experience, we prioritize your comfort and enjoyment throughout the hike, and you will have the assistance of our porters. You will interact with local people, explore incredible sites, and rediscover ancient Inca ancestral towns. Our porters carry your gear, prepare your meals, set up our camp tents, and take care of you while you relax.

We provide our porters for free with: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable travel bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. All are hired from isolated communities, improving their economic circumstances and supporting the education of their children. We treat all our porters like family!

Our team

Our team (guides, cooks, porters, muleteers) and our equipment make “INCAS EXPEDITIONS” stand out among our competitors. On our adventure hikes, we include:

Our tents: Enjoy a good rest in our 4-season EUREKA Timberline tents. Our tents are for 4 people, but only 2 sleep in each, providing space for greater comfort and storage. They have a small vestibule for boots and poles.
Our foam mats: Separate and insulate from the ground.
Air mattresses: Available for rent for $20 USD.
Kitchen and dining tents: Used as a meeting room during meals, ideal for relaxing and chatting.
Tables and chairs: In the dining area, adapted to the day’s weather.
Travel bags: Provided the night before the trek.
Others: Pillows, rain covers for backpacks, survival shirts, and chemical toilets are provided during the trek.

Our commitment to social projection

At “INCAS EXPEDITIONS,” we have always believed in giving back to isolated local communities. As part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we carry out various social projects and always hire local people.

We are very proud to support our local people. We not only employ them but also support their families, contributing to a holistic approach with our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones.

Pricing

PRICES:

GROUP of 1 to 6 persons – $150 for the entire group (not per person)
GROUP of 7 to 12 persons – $180 for the entire group (not per person)

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:

Entrance Fees

Entrance to Archaeological Sites: The one-day Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket) costs 70 soles (about US$20) and is valid for one day. You may visit as many sites as you wish within that day without additional charges. There are no discounts with this ticket.

Both the one-day and ten-day tickets allow access to various archaeological sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. Most key archaeological sites are not free to enter. The ten-day ticket permits entry to 16 archaeological and cultural sites in Cusco, the South Valley, and the Sacred Valley, and costs 130 soles (around US$40), valid for ten days. This is the most economical and convenient option for visiting multiple sites within a short period. Students under 25 (with a valid ISIC card) and teenagers under 18 (with an identity card) pay 70 soles (US$20). Children under 11 are free.

Aditional information

Here is a list of sites covered by the Boleto Turístico:

Sacsayhuaman
Qenqo
Pucapucara
Tambomachay
Pisaq
Ollantaytambo
Chinchero
Moray
Tipon
Piquillaqta

Note: Tickets for main archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Tipón, and Moray cannot be purchased individually; the Boleto Turístico is required. You can buy it on Avenida del Sol near the Peru office or when entering your first site. Payment must be made in soles; credit cards and US dollars are not accepted.

Important: The following are not included in the Boleto Turístico:

Entrance to Qoricancha or Santo Domingo Convent (10 soles)
Entrance to the Cathedral (25 soles)

BRIEFING: A pre-trek briefing will be held at 6:00 pm the night before your trek at our office, located at Calle Punacchupan 196, office 201 (second floor)

TIPPING: Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory if you are satisfied with the services provided. Although tipping may not be customary in your country, it is highly valued by those who assist you during the Lares trek to Machu Picchu. It motivates them to deliver excellent service and is a common practice in the tourism industry across many INCA EXPEDITIONS destinations. You may tip based on your perception of service quality and the duration of your trip. Remember, tipping is optional and should be based on your satisfaction.

ARE WE SUSTAINABLE? Yes, we are a locally sustainable and responsible tourism operator. We follow universal tourism principles: protecting the environment and benefiting local communities while respecting their culture and religion. Our local staff are trained to understand, respect, and honor the places and people involved.

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