Cusco City Tour with an English speaking local tour guide offers a perfect introduction to the Inca civilization, Andean traditions and Peruvian history. Cusco, also known as Qosqo in Quechua, is the former capital of the Incas near the Urubamba valley and the Andes mountain range.
A popular and a lesser known fact is that the city of Cusco, Peru is spread in a shape of Puma. Puma, the animal that represents the power of Pachamama (Mother Earth) in Andean mythology. The head of the Puma was the renowned Sacsayhuaman fortress.
Cusco is notable for its unblemished architecture. Even after the Spanish conquest, Cusco has preserved its historic buildings.
Qorikancha, is a notable Inca temple which was dedicated to their supreme God – Inti (Sun). The Spanish conquistadors, on conquering the Inca city, demolished the temple and retained the base of the temple if the sun.
They built the Church of Santo Domingo on its remains, which stands here today. The building is a perfect example of the blend of Inca and Colonial architecture.
On this half day tour, you will be visiting the prime Inca sites in and around the vicinity of Cusco city. You will be getting a thorough orientation which will give you a much better understanding of the Inca and Pre Inca architectures in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
01:00 PM
On this Cusco city tour, you can expect to visit a variety of historical, cultural, and religious sites that highlight the city’s rich Inca and colonial heritage. You’ll likely start your tour in the city center, where you can admire the Plaza de Armas and its impressive colonial architecture, including the Qorikancha, the former Inca temple dedicated to the Sun God, Inti, which features well-preserved Inca stonework.
Throughout the tour, you can expect to learn about the history and culture of Cusco from your knowledgeable guide, who can provide insights into the city’s fascinating past and present. Additionally, you’ll likely have the chance to take in stunning views of the city and the surrounding Andes mountains, and to experience the vibrant colors, sounds, and flavors of Cusco.
Places you will be visiting:
Your epic Cusco City Tour begins with a pickup from your hotel in Cusco. We will be transferring to the main square of Cusco city, also known as Plaza de Armas. After a short introduction, we will begin the half day City Tour Cusco.
Our first stop will be in the notable Inca temple of Qorikancha. Also known as Korikancha, it was the most important temple to the Incas, dedicated to their supreme entity, Sun (Inti).
Although when the Spanish conquered Cusco, they destroyed the temple but retained its base and built the church of Santo Domingo which reflects today a perfect blend of historic and colonial architecture.
We will be spending around an hour here marveling at the stunning architecture and soaking in the history of the temple.
We will be embarking on a short drive up the hill to see this iconic Inca fortress, Sacsayhuaman. It is perched on a hilltop, overlooking the city of Cusco. Sacsayhuaman is popular for its enormous, intricately carved stones. Our local expert will be sharing some facts about the place and how it was prominent to the Incas.
Our next stop will be in Q’enqo. It is home to a fascinating complex of carved rocks, tunnels and chambers. Legends say that the place was used for religious and ceremonial purposes by the Incas.
Continuing the trip, we will be visiting Tambomachay. Often referred to as the “Bath of the Incas”, Tambomachay features a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls which were used by the Incas for bathing and for worshiping water.
Our last stop will be in the emblematic site of Puca Pucara. In Quechua, the name translates to Red Fortress. This massive rock often turns red at dusk because of the reflection of the sunset.
Puca Pucara served as an Inca military site. The Incas protected Cusco city from any intruders by guarding the entrance to the city from here.
After touring the archaeological sites, we will be driving you back to Cusco city. We will be dropping you off at Plaza Regocijo, a block away from Plaza de Armas by 05:00 PM.
The city of Cusco is located at an altitude of approximately 3,400 meters (11,200 feet) above sea level. This high altitude can cause some visitors to experience altitude sickness. This can include symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
We recommend you to take it easy for the first few days in Cusco, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol and heavy meals. It’s also a good idea to consult with a doctor before traveling to high-altitude destinations.
The city of Cusco has a long and rich history that dates back more than 3,000 years. The first inhabitants of the Cusco region were the Killke people. They established a settlement in the area around 900 BC. The Inca Empire, took over the city in the 13th century AD. The Incas made Cusco their capital and transformed it into a cultural and religious center.
After the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, Cusco became an important colonial city. Many of its Inca structures and temples were destroyed and replaced with Spanish-style buildings. Today, Cusco is a blend of Inca and colonial architecture.
UNESCO recognizes Cusco as a World Heritage Site. So, while the city has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years, its modern history as we know it began with the rise of the Inca Empire in the 13th century.
Cusco is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in South America, but it is not the oldest. There are several other cities in South America that are older than Cusco, such as Caral in Peru, which dates back to around 2600 BC and is the oldest city in the Americas.
However, Cusco is one of the most important historical and cultural centers in South America. It played a significant role in the development of the Inca Empire and the subsequent Spanish colonization. The city’s rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture make it a popular destination for tourists from around the world.
The city of Cusco is roughly shaped like a bowl. It is located in a valley surrounded by hills and mountains. The city center is relatively flat, with the Plaza de Armas at its center, while the surrounding hills and mountains provide a scenic backdrop to the city.
The streets of Cusco are narrow and winding, which is typical of many colonial cities in Latin America. The city’s layout reflects its history as a center of Inca and colonial culture, with Inca stonework incorporated into many of the buildings and plazas.
Overall, the shape of the city of Cusco is defined by its natural setting in a valley surrounded by mountains, as well as its rich history and cultural heritage.
The city of Cusco was guarded by a series of fortresses and military outposts strategically located throughout the surrounding hills and mountains. These fortresses, such as Sacsayhuaman, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay, were built by the Inca Empire . They served as defensive structures to protect the city from enemy attacks.
Sacsayhuaman, nestles just outside the city center. It was the largest and most important of these fortresses. Its massive walls and intricately carved stones were designed to intimidate and deter potential attackers. Its location on a hill overlooking the city provided an ideal vantage point for monitoring any incoming threats.
In addition to these defensive structures, the Inca Empire also maintained a system of roads and messengers to quickly communicate any news or warnings of impending attacks. The empire’s military forces were highly organized and trained, with each soldier serving a specific role within the army.
After the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, the city of Cusco was further fortified with the construction of defensive walls and towers. This included the impressive walls that still surround the city’s historic center today. These walls were built using Inca stonework and served as a physical barrier to protect the city from attacks by the Spanish and other outside forces.
The amount of time you should spend in Cusco city depends on your interests and travel plans. However, we would suggest spending at least three to four days in Cusco to fully explore the city’s many attractions and to acclimate to the high altitude.
During this time, you can visit important historical and cultural sites such as Qorikancha, the Cusco Cathedral, and the many archaeological sites located in and around the city, such as Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.
You can also take time to explore the city’s museums, art galleries, and markets, as well as its many restaurants and cafes. Additionally, you may want to consider taking a day trip to the nearby Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu to experience even more of the region’s rich history and culture.
Overall, the longer you can stay in Cusco, the more you will be able to immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant culture and to appreciate its many historical and natural wonders.
