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Cusco Half Day Tour Details

Just landed in Cusco? Join us on a Cusco Half Day Tour that will give you an introduction to the Inca civilization and the impact of the Spanish conquest. Guided by a local expert, you will discover many astonishing facts about the Inca ruins which are worth visiting before you visit Machu Picchu.

Cusco City nestles at 3399 meters above sea level. The former capital of the Inca empire has mystery in every turn. The well-preserved architecture reflects the perfect blend of Inca and Spanish designs. Qorikancha or the Santo Domingo Church is the perfect example of this.

Qorikancha was built by the Incas as their supreme religious site. To them, this was the sun temple. When the Spanish conquered Cusco, they took it down and built the cathedral on its remains.

The city of Cusco saw rapid development under the leadership of Pachacutec. The renowned Inca emperor built Machu Picchu and Choquequirao among other notable sites. You will be able to see his statue in the center of Plaza de Armas (Main Square).

On this guided Cusco City Tour, you will be visiting the San Pedro Market, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Tambomachay, and Puca Pucara. You will discover that Cusco’s reputation as a gateway to Sacred Valley or Rainbow Mountain simply accentuates its enduring popularity.

City Tours Cusco is one of our signature tours. We have guides who have excellent knowledge about history and culture.

We operate the half-day trip from Cusco both in small groups and as private tours. Simply reach out to us to discover the former capital of the Incas.

Departure & Return Location

Cusco Hotel Transfer

Departure Time

01:00 PM

Price Includes

Professional English speaking Tour Leader.
Pick-up from and drop off in your hotel
Private Transportation
Entrance to Koricancha
First aid kit

Price Excludes

Tourist Ticket
Meals
Any Private Expenses

Cusco City Tours – Packing list

Original Passport (same as used at time of booking for permits/ tickets)
Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
Sun hat or cap
Camera and film, fully charged & extra batteries (batteries drain quicker in the cold)
Peruvian Soles in cash

Useful info

Altitude of Cusco City: 3399 metres
Tourist Ticket is required to visit the sites
Tour Availability – Daily departure with minimum 2 people
Weather – Dry season from May to October, Wet from November to April

Itinerary

Cusco City Tour

We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco. The half day tour starts with a visit to the San Pedro Market. San Pedro is one of the most visited markets in Cusco. Here, hundreds of local residents and tourists gather every day to buy food, clothes, and various souvenirs. San Pedro Market is located just 5 blocks from the main square of the city.

We will continue the City Tour at Qorikancha. This was the most prominent and Sacred Site of worship to Incas. Legends say that once the courtyard of the temple was full of statues made entirely of gold.

The Spanish rulers demolished the temple on conquering Cusco and built the temple retaining its basement.

Once you have had your fill of these two iconic sites within the city of Cusco, we will be driving you to the outskirts of the city. Here we will begin the tour at Sacsayhuaman. It is a massive fortress built entirely of massive stones each weighing over a ton. It is still a mystery how the Incas transported these stones here.

Our next stop will be in Q’enqo. This site was used for scarification and mummification of corpses.

We will then visit Tambomachay. This was more like a spa to the political elites of Incas. There are series of canals through which water from the nearby Timpuc river flows. Even today you will be able to see the water flowing through these canals.

We will then visit Puca Pucara. In Quechua, it means red rock. It gets its name after the colour of the rock at sunset. This was the watch tower of Incan military.

Ending the tour, we will be driving you back to Cusco city. We will be dropping you off at Plaza Regocijo, a block away from Cusco’s main square – Plaza de Armas.

Photos

FAQs

How old is Qorikancha Cusco?

Qorikancha was built sometime in 1200 AD using the distinct style of Incan architecture. Legends say that once the patio of the temple was full of statues made of gold.

What is Sacsayhuaman?

Sacsayhuaman is a royal Inca fortress complex. It is built on a hill top overlooking the centre of Cusco City. In Quechua (native language) the term Sacsayhuaman means the place where a hawk is satiated. The construction of Sacsayhuaman began during the rule of Inca emperor, Pachacutec who also built Machu Picchu and Choquequirao. It gets its name because of the presence of the birds here.

When was Sacsayhuaman built?

The construction of Sacsayhuaman began during the rule of Pachacutec in 15th century. However, it saw a rapid expansion during the reign of his successors.

1 Review

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Daniel K

Solo Traveller

Had an awesome experience with John, he’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, has a great sense of humor and is extremely knowledgeable. Couldn’t have asked for a better guide.

September 17, 2020