City Tour in Cusco
Description
The tour in Cusco takes you to all the most important sites in the city. This includes visits to the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) and various Inca sites located outside the city. You'll witness an incredible blend of Inca and Spanish styles, with the Qoricancha being a perfect example of both combined. Cusco is truly a fascinating place to visit; offering a mix of both Inca and Spanish cultures, the city has a unique atmosphere and feel that sets it apart from the rest of Peru.
Tour Options
Itinerary
It is one of the most beautiful and significant constructions in the city of Cusco, combining unique features such as its Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles.
It was, during the Inca period, a place of worship to the god Inti (the sun), a site rich in history.
One of the emblematic buildings of the Inca Empire (just a few minutes from the city center and a UNESCO World Heritage site), it was built by Inca Pachacutec in the 15th century. It is an immense fortress constructed with enormous stones; the way they were transported and worked remains a mystery.
What remains today of the Q'enqo archaeological complex are carved rocks that could not be destroyed by the Spanish; little remains of the paths and aqueducts, as well as the enclosures, storage areas, or liturgical baths, in addition to the great layer of gold that once illuminated the entire site.
Puka Pukara had specific military purposes; it was the checkpoint for entering the city of Cusco, "The capital of the Empire." It also served as a "tambo" (resting place) for the chaskis who carried messages or packages from town to town. On the hillside, dehydrated products were stored; thanks to the strong winds, these products could be preserved for longer periods, acting like a kind of refrigerator.
Tambomachay was a center of worship to water. The Incas would pray to the gods for rain to come to nourish their crops and make them fertile; for this reason, this site is also known by some as "The Temple of Fertility." It is impressive that, despite the passage of time, crystal-clear water still flows through its aqueducts. The Incas used their ingenuity to channel water from a small waterfall and split it into two cascades. Legend says that if women drink from these waters, they can conceive easily; if the water comes from the right side of the fall, they will have a male child, and if it comes from the left side, it will be a female. Tambomachay had restricted access for the local population; only the Inca and his entourage were allowed to use its facilities.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
All pick-ups are around the city center of Cusco.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Tourist ticket (not included in the price).
- Waterproof jacket/poncho for rain.
- Water and snacks.
- Sun hat.
- Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended).
Reviews(10)
we selected the English tour. However, we were mixed with a Spanish tour together. So 80% of the time, we can't understand what the tour guide was saying when she was speaking Spanish.
Alfredo was an excellent and very knowledgeable guide. He was always conscientious of our safety, enjoyment, and preferences. His background as an educator and scholar of history compliments and supports each experience with a thorough and deeper knowledge of ancient wisdom paths and practices that take everything much deeper, far beyond a mere tour process. He is a truly heart-centered man of integrity, kindness, and authentic, joyful and empathetic understanding and insight, with a thorough familiarity with a multitude of ancient places, sacred sites, and all the current roads, routes, people and locations one would need or desire to have access to or to be aware of in making for a successful, memorable, and worthwhile journey in Peru. His assistant Ruben is also a wonderful, friendly, bright and caring man of many talents as well. This company’s services are highly recommended!
I took this tour immediately after reaching Cusco from an overnight bus journey and though I was quite tired, it was thanks to the guide Richard who's excellent knowledge and entertaining mannerisms never let me feel the tiredness and I enjoyed the trip thoroughly from start to end. Richard was even helpful in giving me directions to my next destination and I will always recommend him for his thorough knowledge of history and local culture. I don't have much to say about the tour company but I will forever cherish the tour thanks to Richard
This review is for our guide Percy Gonzales. Percy spent four days with us, he took us to all the most important sites around Cusco, of course including Machupicchu, Moray, Chincheros and more. During the four days he didn’t gives us but only an excellent service in all aspects; his attention to details of planning, his communication at every moment, and his knowledge about the history of the Inca places is something I appreciated a lot. Percy was always courteous, polite, funny, attentive to our needs, and in my opinion he went beyond his duties. I’ll recommend Percy to any one, without thinking , that wants to have a tour in Perú of a lifetime. I now consider Percy my good friend from Cusco, and hopefully we’ll meet again in the future. Gracias amigo Percy, un abrazo, papá 🤗.
This my first trip to Peru for me and my husband and hired this group through a travel agency in Mexico to get a personalized experience. They really exceeded our expectations. Our guide assigned in Cusco provided a great service with lots of information about the Inca culture. He was very respectful, always on time and provided us with useful tips to better enjoy our experience. I would definitely recommend this service to anyone who would like to travel to Peru and specifically to Cusco.
Very nice man, very clean and comfortable car. He drives safely and efficiently! Will contact him when I come back to Cusco for tours!!
My friend and I had an amazing experience in Peru that was organized and guided by Paqarina Journeys Peru. From the planning stage through every part of the journey, it was wonderful to be guided by them. We toured all of the sites in Cusco and surrounding areas as well as Chinchero, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. We could relax and enjoy because every detail of travel and lodging was meticulously arranged by the staff of Paqarina. Our guide and all of the staff were exquisitely kind and warm. They are knowledgeable about the history of Peru, the important aspects of Andean Culture and the history and spiritual significance of all of the archeological sites. Our guide was able to share detailed information with us when we wanted it, and he knew when to be still to let us absorb the vast and powerful energies of the Andes. My favorite part of the journey was sitting on the ground high in the mountains while our guide told us the names of the peaks and their significance. I will be recommending Paqarina Journeys Peru to any family or friends who want to go to Peru and I will surely be contacting them again to guide my next journey to Peru in 2023.
The folks at Paqarina are more than just travel agents and tour guides. They are steeped in the history and cultural significance of their homeland. I was impressed not only with the breadth of their historical knowledge, but a deeper understanding of the spiritual significance and cosmology that imbues the sites of this sacred land. Their customer service and attention to detail behind the scenes made our trip and our time with Paqarina feel like being with family. You can put your trust in Paqarina to help your time in Cusco be an experience of a lifetime.
I took part in a variety of offerings with Paquarina Journeys and am impressed by the level of care, knowledge and attention that I received while touring with them. In fact, whenever I am asked for recommendations on whom to go to for a proper tour of Cusco and the neighboring areas I always recommend them. Thank You for such a unforgettable experience!
Where to I begin with this guy?!? Absolutely loved Anderson. What a great guy, professional, polite and very knowledgeable about his Cusco (and his English is perfect). He thought of everything we needed. I usually do all my own tour guide plans on vacations (usually in Europe), but was out of my comfort zone traveling to this area, and it felt too important of a place (with all the ruins and UNESCO sites) to not get it right and see it with a guide. Not only to have things explained to you that you're seeing, but he also took care of all the logistics of getting to and from places because these sites are all spread out in different directions! Anderson also took care of buying in advance our train and bus tickets for Machu Picchu...we didn't have to do a thing except show up. I highly recommend you use this fantastic guide while visiting this area...you will NOT be disappointed.
