Main Info
$15 (does not include income to visiting sites)
In the afternoon, the city tour includes a visit to the Cathedral, considered the best repository of colonial art of the Cusco school. We will continue the circuit to Qoricancha («court of gold», also known as the temple of the sun), the religious and political center of Cusco during the Inca era. Just outside the city is Sacsayhuaman («spotted falcon»), the fortress above Cusco whose precise zigzags in the colossal rock stand still in time. This is the center of the ceremonies for the famous Inti Raymi festival. Continuing away from the city, we will visit the labyrinthine ruins of Qenqo («zigzag»), Puca Pucara («red fortress») and Tambomachay («cavern»), where fountains built by the Incas capture the waters of a natural spring.
THE CATHEDRAL
Built over the palace of the Inka Wiracocha, it is thought to be the second cathedral built in the Americas. White stones from Sacsayhuaman and Rumi Qolqa quarry are used in the facade. There are towers on both sides of the main entrance. In one of them, there is the famous bell called «Maria Angola» – cast from gold, silver and copper. There are two adjacent churches; Triumph and Joseph, Jesus and Mary. The interior of the cathedral is composed of three central naves and several chapels. The main altar is classical in style and adorned with silver plates. There is a large art collection with more than 400 paintings and is considered the best repository of colonial art of the Cusco school.
QORICANCHA
Qoricancha («court of gold» in Quechua, the indigenous language of the Inca), also known as the temple of the sun, was the religious and political center of Cusco during the Inca era. It houses many chapels dedicated to the sun, the moon, Venus, the stars, and the rainbow; all important features of Inca cosmology. The chapel of the sun was covered from the floor with gold plates with mummies of previous Incas placed on gold seats around the room.
SACSAYHUAMAN
Just outside the city is Sacsayhuaman («spotted falcon»), the fortress above Cusco whose precise zigzags of massive stone stand still for centuries. This is the center of the ceremonies for the famous Inti Raymi festival. This gigantic construction is only a fraction of its original size due to the plundering of its stones over the centuries to build the great Spanish mansions and colonial buildings of Cuzco. However, the remaining ruin must be seen to be believed; huge stones weighing up to 370 tons carved with unmatched precision.
QENKO
Some authorities say Qenko was a place to worship the dead. Another theory states that it was a multi-purpose religious complex. It contains a circular amphitheater with 19 niches «seats» carved into the rock. The sacred rock or monolith is a huge stone almost 6 meters high and has the appearance of a puma. There is a chapel that was probably a royal tomb and a «sacrificial» room. There are also zigzag-shaped niches that form a channel that was for funerary or religious use.
PUCA PUCARA
Puca Pucara means «red fortress» in Quechua. The site is believed to have been a military post on the route between Pisac and imperial Cusco.
TAMBOMACHAY
The Tambomachay site («cavern lodge») has several fountains built by the Incas to capture the waters of a natural spring. It is believed to be a place used in sacred rites involving the veneration of water.
Type: Cultural.
Duration: ½ day.
Difficulty level: Easy.
Type of trip: Premium and Standard.
Departures: Every day.
Season: All year round.
Schedule: 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
INCLUDED
– Round trip transportation (tourist bus).
– English speaking tour guide.
NOT INCLUDED
– Tourist ticket for archaeological sites.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING
– Tourist ticket (not included in the price).
– Sun hat.
– Sun protection cream (factor 35 recommended).
– Waterproof jacket / rain poncho.
– Water.
– Camera.
– Money for shopping, fares, etc.
