The Cusco City Half Day Tour is a perfect introduction to the ancient city of Cusco, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. This guided tour takes you to some of the city’s most significant landmarks, such as the famous Plaza de Armas, which is surrounded by impressive colonial-era buildings and the magnificent Cusco Cathedral.
You will be escorted by a local expert to attractions such as the Cusco Cathedral and the Incas Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha) And Temple of Santo Domingo within the city. Then we’ll take you on a tour of the Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara (Puka Pukara), and Tambomachay archaeological sites.
The tour lasts approximately 4 hours and is a great way to get a taste of Cusco’s rich history and culture.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
09:00 AM.
13:00 PM.
If you’re planning on taking the Cusco City Tour during your stay in Cusco, you can expect to see some of the most iconic landmarks in the city, steeped in history and culture. The tour will take you to the heart of Cusco, the Plaza de Armas, where you will be surrounded by magnificent colonial-era buildings, including the Cusco Cathedral. You’ll also visit Sacsayhuaman, the impressive Inca ruins located on the outskirts of the city, where you’ll learn about the incredible engineering feats of the Inca civilization.
During the tour, you’ll be accompanied by an experienced guide who will share with you the fascinating history and culture of Cusco, from the Inca Empire to the Spanish conquest. You’ll gain an understanding of the significance of Cusco as a cultural and religious center and appreciate the intricate architecture and impressive stonework that characterizes the city’s landmarks.
Overall, the Cusco City Tour is an essential experience for anyone visiting the city. It provides an excellent overview of the city’s history and culture and a chance to appreciate some of its most iconic landmarks.
The Cusco City Tour starts by exploring the Cusco Cathedral, an imposing structure located in the heart of Plaza de Armas. The site where the cathedral stands today was once occupied by the Royal Palace of the Incas. However, after the Spanish conquistadors took control of Cusco, they destroyed the palace and built the cathedral on top of its remains.
Qorikancha held immense significance for the Incas as their most sacred site. This temple was dedicated to their supreme deity, Inti, symbolizing their deep reverence for nature and the sun. According to legend, the temple’s terrace was once adorned with magnificent sculptures made entirely of gold.
During the Spanish invasion, when Atahualpa, the ruler of the Incas, was captured, the conquerors demanded a ransom. To secure his release, a significant portion of the gold from the temple was melted and used as payment. However, in a true colonial fashion, the conquistadors betrayed their word and executed Atahualpa even after receiving the agreed-upon ransom.
One of the must-visit landmarks in Cusco is this remarkable stone fortress, situated atop a mountain overlooking the city center. It offers a captivating demonstration of the impressive advancement in Inca engineering. Notably, the Incas skillfully assembled these massive stones without the use of mortar, despite each stone weighing over a ton.
The precision of their craftsmanship is truly astonishing, as the stones were meticulously shaped to fit together seamlessly. They fit so tightly that not even a piece of paper can be inserted between them. However, the method employed by the Incas to transport these enormous stones to the site remains an intriguing mystery.
Q’enqo is a small village that was not commonly frequented by travelers but served an important purpose for the Incas. It was primarily utilized for performing sacrificial rituals, and the Incas also mummified bodies in this village.
Tambomachay, another renowned archaeological site, functioned as a luxurious spa exclusively for the political elite of the Inca civilization. Interestingly, to this day, the site continues to receive the flow of natural spring water from nearby hot springs through well-engineered conduits.
In Quechua, the name of this place translates to “red fort.” The Incas bestowed this name due to the color of the rocks, which take on a crimson hue after sunset. The Inca military strategically utilized this site to safeguard Cusco, their principal city.
I recently went on a guided tour of a national park and it was an unforgettable experience! Our tour guide, a naturalist with years of experience, was passionate about the park’s wildlife and ecology.
