City Tour
Cusco or Qosqo in Quechua was the capital of the Inca Empire called Tawantinsuyo. Cusco, with its special beauty and charm is considered 
the archeological capital of South America and a cultural legacy of Humanity. With no doubt, Cusco is the most important tourist destination in Peru because of Machu Picchu. The streets of the city are over flowing with our country’s history. One can observe the different stages of the evolution from ancient times until the Conquest and its consequences. It also has several old majestic cathedrals and numerous museums to explore.
- ALTITUDE: 3400m/11200 ft
- CLIMATE: Hot and sunny by day and cold by night
- DRY SEASON: April to October
- RAINY SEASON: November to March
CUSCO CITY TOUR – PRIVATE GUIDED TOURS EVERY DAY – In the morning (9 am) or afternoon (1pm)
In the morning or afternoon, we will pick you up from your hotel proceeding to visit the Imperial City. It is a living example of the mix of Andean and Spanish culture. We start the tour at the Convent of Santo Domingo built over the Koricancha, which was the Ancient Inca Palace and the main worship center of the Sun God. You are given plenty of time to enjoy these incredible sites. From there we visit the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman,with its impressive Inca architecture, which dominates the city. Finally, we explore the archaeological sites of Q’enqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay, which are located in the northeast section of the city. You will return to your hotel in Cusco in the early evening.
Koricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo
The convent was built on the spectacular Coricancha ‘enclosure of gold’. This was the most important temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun and the walls of which were lined with solid sheets of gold. All that remains now is the fine stonework; the conquistadors took the rest and destroyed the temple to build the convent. Coricancha was also an observatory, where priests kept track of major celestial events. Today it houses an impressive collection of canvas paintings from the Escuela Cusqueña of art.
Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman (which means ‘satisfied falcon’) is one of the most impressive sites built by the Incas. It is generally referred to as a fortress; however, it is not certain what its main function was in reality. Current research suggests that it was more likely used as a temple, as Inca tombs have been discovered in the area.
The site is a marvelous archeological feat; even now after it was destroyed, one can only imagine its greatness when it stood in its full glory. The stones in the wall are incredible and the largest one weighs 128 tons.
The Incas envisioned Cusco as having a puma shape and Sacsayhuaman was the head. The magnificent zigzag walls are the major attraction. The grounds surrounding Sacsayhuaman are still used today for the colourful festival of Inti Raymi, which is held to celebrate the winter’s solstice on the 24th of June.
Q’enqo
The site of Q’enqo (meaning ‘maze’ in Quechua) contains the most impressive carved rocks in the Cusco area. There are carvings everywhere, although some are very indistinct, such as a llama, a condor and snakes have been identified. There are many zigzag channels on top of the natural rock, probably used for pouring sacrificial chicha (a local liquor made from corn). Below the rock, there are a number of caves and passageways, an altar, which was used for the sacrifices of lamas, and mummifications of buried people have been discovered.
Pukapukara
Puka Pukara means ‘the red fortress in quechua. This is a small site and although the name suggests that it was a fortress, it does not appear to have had any defensive purpose. Probably it was used as an administrative center. The interesting point is the way the Incas built the walls over the rocks.
Tambomachay
The name means “place of rest” in Quechua. It used to be the royal hacienda of the Inca Yupanqui when he went to hunt in the surrounding area. This site was also thought to have been used as a Temple to the Water. There are some interesting aqueducts, canals and cascades sculpted out of stone, designed to channel water flowing from a nearby stream.
WHAT IS INCLUDED FOR THE CUSCO CITY TOUR?
- Pick up at your hotel
- Professional guide, fluent in English & Spanish
- Private transportation to visit all Inca sites
- Taxes
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED FOR THE CUSCO CITY TOUR?
- Entrance to Archeological sites: Purchase the Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket) of 70 soles (about US$20), at the first site you enter. This can be used for 1 day to visit archeological sites in the Cusco region. (See important info, for other options)
- Entrance to Qoricancha (10 Soles per person)
- Meals
PRICE $150
- GROUP of 1 to 5 persons – $150 for the total group (not per person)
- GROUP of 6 to 8 persons – $180 for the total group (not per person)
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
ENTRANCE FEES
- Entrance to Archeological sites: The one day Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket) 70 soles (about US$20), at the first site you enter. The 10 day ticket can be used to visit all sites in the Cusco and Sacred Valley region. (See important info)
- Entrance ticket for the Qoricancha ( 10 Soles per person)
- Meals
The Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket )
You have the Option to Purchase a 1 Day or a 10 Day Boleto Turístico.
The partial ticket, or 1 Day ticket costs 70 soles (US $20) and is valid for 1 day. You can visit as many sites as you like in one day with no further charge. There are no discounts with this ticket.
Both tourist tickets, of 1 day or 10 day, allows the access to different archeological sites around Cusco, and Sacred Valley. This is the best way to visit all the archeological sites of the region and the Sacred Valley. Most of the main archeological sites are not accessible for free.
The general ticket allows you over the next 10 days to enter 16 archeological and cultural sites in Cusco, the south valley and the Sacred Valley. The price of this ticket is 130 soles (about US $40) and is valid for 10 days. This is the cheapest and most convenient way to plan to see different sites in a few days. The cost for students under 25 (with the presentation of a valid ISIC card) and for teenagers under 18 (with the presentation of an identity card) is 70 soles (US $20). Children under 11 are free.
Here is a list of sites where you can use your Boleto Turístico:
- Sacsayhuaman
- Qenqo
- Pucapucara
- Tambomachay
- Pisaq
- Ollantaytambo
- Chinchero
- Moray
- Tipon
- Piquillaqta
Note : The entrance ticket to the main archeological sites like Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, Ollantaytambo,Chinchero,Tipón and Moray cannot be sold individually; you must buy the Boleto turístico to visit them. You can get it in Avenida del Sol nearby Peru office or at the time you enter the first site that you are visiting. YOU MUST PAY IN SOLES, NO CREDIT CARD OR US DOLLARS ARE ACCEPTED.
Important: These entrances are not included in the Boleto Turístico.
- The entrance to Qoricancha or Santo Domingo Convent (10 soles)
- The entrance to the Cathedral (25 soles)
BRIEFING
The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm at your hotel, just let us know the name and address of your accommodation
TIPPING
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you would like, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
ARE WE SUSTAINABLE?
Yes, we are a locally sustainable & responsible tourism operator. That incorporates universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.