Our Cusco City Tour begins in the afternoon with pick-up from your hotel in the historic center, starting this fascinating experience of discovering the capital of the ancient Inca Empire. The first stop is Cusco’s Cathedral, located in the main square. Here you will admire its colonial architecture, baroque altars, and paintings from the Cusco School, which reflect the cultural fusion between the Andes and Europe.
We then continue to Qoricancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun. This site was the most important spiritual center of the Inca world, and part of its original structure still remains, upon which the Convent of Santo Domingo was built.
After exploring the historic center, we leave the city to visit the main archaeological sites located on the outskirts. We start with Sacsayhuamán, an impressive ceremonial fortress built with massive stone blocks fitted together with incredible precision. Next, we head to Qenqo, a mysterious sanctuary carved into rock that is believed to have been used for religious rituals. We then continue to Puka Pukara, an ancient Inca military outpost offering panoramic views of the valley, before finishing at Tambomachay, a temple dedicated to the worship of water, featuring channels and fountains that still flow today.
The tour ends as we return to Cusco around 6:30 p.m., dropping you off at a central location so you can continue exploring the city at your own pace or relax after an afternoon full of history and culture.
