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Cusco City Tour: The archeological sites of Cusco Sacsayhuaman

Popular Tour
Tour Price
From 150 USD
Per Person
Departure

Full Day

Travel time

Cusco

Group size

Up to 12 people

Travel Style

Culture, Tradition

Difficulty

Ease

Availability

All year round

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. This tour takes you to the majestic Qoricancha, the most important example of the change from Incan architecture to Spanish colonial architecture. You will also visit the four most important archeological sites in the hills above Cusco. These sites are essential in understanding the importance of Cusco during the Inca Empire.

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Cusco City Tour: The archeological sites of Cusco Sacsayhuaman

PLACES YOU VISIT IN OUR CUSCO CITY TOUR

  • Qoricancha, also called the Temple of the Sun
  • Sacsayhuaman, the most impressive archeological site near Cusco
  • Qenqo, an immense promontory where the Inca carved right into the bedrock
  • Pukapukara, the Red Fortress with cryptic historical use
  • Tambomachay, the most important site for water rituals

Cusco City Tour – ITINERARY

Cusco City Tour – Private Guided Tours Every Day – In The Morning (9 Am) Or Afternoon (1Pm)

We will pick you up from your hotel to being your visit of the Imperial City of Cusco. 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 Inti. You are given plenty of time to enjoy these incredible sights. From there, we visit the archeological site of Sacsayhuaman, with its impressive Inca architecture, which dominates the city. Finally, we explore the archeological sites of Q’enqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay, which are located in the northeast section of the city. We will take you back to your hotel in Cusco after the four hour tour.

Koricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo

The convent was built on the spectacular Koricancha, which translates to ‘enclosure of gold’. This was the most important temple dedicated to the worship of the sun and during Inca times, 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 dismantled the temple to build the convent. Koricancha was also an observatory, where Inca priests kept track of major celestial events. Besides the impressive Inca and Spanish architecture and history, you will also see an impressive collection of canvas paintings from the Escuela Cusqueña de Arte.

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 before the Spanish arrived. 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 many parts have been destroyed, one can imagine its greatness when it stood in its full glory. The stones in the walls are incredible and the largest one weighs 128 tons.

The Incas planned the city of Cusco in the shape of a puma, with Sacsayhuaman as the head. The magnificent zigzag walls are the major attraction. The grounds surrounding Sacsayhuaman are still used today for the colorful 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, which means ‘maze’ in Quechua, contains the most impressive carved rocks in the Cusco area. There are carvings everywhere, although some are indistinct, as a llama, a condor and snakes have been identified. There are many zigzag channels sculpted into the natural bedrock, probably used for pouring sacrificial chicha (a local drink made from corn). Below the rock, there are a number of caves and passageways, an altar, which was likely used for the sacrifices of lamas. The mummifications of buried people have also been discovered at this site.

Puka Pukará

Puka Pukará 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 and was also a resting place for chaskis who carried messages from town to town. The interesting point here is the way the Incas built the walls over the natural bedrock.

Tambomachay

The name means “place of rest” in Quechua. It used to be the royal palace 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 fountains sculpted out of stone, designed to channel water flowing from a nearby stream.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

  • Pick up at your hotel
  • Professional guide, fluent in English & Spanish
  • Private transportation to visit all Inca sites
  • Taxes

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

  • 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

Cusco City Tour Price

PRICE $150

  • GROUP of 1 to 6 persons – $150 for the total group (not per person)
  • GROUP of 7 to 12 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

WHY CHOOSE SAM CORPORATIONS?

SAM CORPORATIONS is a family owned travel agency and a local tour operator based in Cusco with personal experience over many years of trekking. SAM CORPORATIONS is a 100% Cusqueñian Company without any shareholders.

Our dream as a locally based company is to create small personalized tours & treks strictly and only operated by local professional staff catering in PERSONALIZED and HIGH QUALITY SERVICE.

We take pride in our reputation as a RESPONSIBLE & SUSTAINABLE tour operator. Our staff are our extended family. We ensure they are supported financially by offering them a fair salary. We are proud of our team without them , we wouldn’t be able to offer the best service and lifetime experiences to our clients.

SAM CORPORATIONS knows how important it is to trust in a reliable honest operator to create your adventure of a lifetime while in Peru. Check out our reviews and certificates of excellence on, TRIPADVISOR for yourself! Also we are highly recommended on Conde Nast Travelers, Lonely Planet and by many blogs like: Salkantay/Inka Trail ! July 14th to 20th 2016 Trek de Lares 4 hours, “It’s the journey, not the destination…”, Lares Pass – Day 3, Trekking in the Sacred Valley.

ONLY SMALL GROUPS FOR CUSCO CITY TOUR

To ensure a more personalized service for our guests, at SAM CORPORATIONS we have a policy that our groups will not exceed 10 people. This fact alone sets us apart from other companies that operate departures with bigger groups.

OUR TOP TOUR GUIDES

We are so proud of our guides! They are highly professional and speak fluent English. They are very knowledgeable and passionate for Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to continuous personal and professional development. They do research to ensure that you receive accurate and recognized theories in Inca and Andean culture. Our crew is fun loving, great sports and well-educated. They all hold degrees in one of the following: Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History or Anthropology.

OUR SERVICE PROJECTS

SAM CORPORATIONS has always believed that we should give back to the local isolated communities. Therefore, as part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we always do many service projects and hire locally.

SAM CORPORATIONS is so proud to be able to support these people, not only employing them but go back to our grassroots as they share with their families. It makes us happy to have this holistic approach with our highland employees and their families!

HOW TO BOOK THE TOUR?

FIRST, to book your Bus to Puno from Cusco, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.

Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase your Bus to Puno from Cusco without the following information:

  • Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
  • Gender
  • Passport number
  • D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
  • Nationality

SECOND, we require a deposit of $53.00 USD per person in order to purchase a your entrance to Machu Picchu and train ticket. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address samcorporations@gmail.com.

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 in our office, which is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 213 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.

TIPPING

If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the Lares trek to Machu Picchu. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM CORPORATIONS destinations. 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.

WHAT TO BRING FOR A DAY HIKE

  • Warm jacket and rain jacket
  • Hat
  • Water
  • Sun protection
  • Some money for souvenirs
  • Money in soles to purchase boleto turístico and Qoricancha ticket (80 soles)
  • If you are a student, take your student ID card (only works for the 10 day boleto turístico)

Days Full Day
From USD 150 See Group Discount
  • Best price guaranteed
  • No booking fees
  • Great Customer Service
BOOK NOW Ask for more information

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Book With Confidence

Sam Corporations has flexible departure dates, willing to accommodate your needs and travel requirements as far as possible. We guarantee exclusive luxurious tours of the hidden gems of Peru, whilst providing the best quality and personalized service.

You can book confidently knowing we offer the best value for your money

Sam Corporations

Why Choose SAM CORPORATION

Local Peruvian Company

Our company is 100% locally owned. We directly contribute to economic development and environmental sustainability in Peru.

Service Quality

The quality of our service is one of our most important values which demands all our effort, determination, and courage to be successful in what we are doing and the services we provide

Responsible travel

We aim to have a positive impact in all the areas that we visit. Through our training sessions and social projects, we empower women, indigenous communities and children

Small Personalized Groups

Our groups never exceed 10 people, giving you a personalized tour in our small comfortable vans

100% Customised Itinerary

Interested in visiting only specific destinations? No problem, all our packages can be fully customized to suit your budget and schedule. Contact our travel advisors to plan the most comprehensive trip of a lifetime.

Community and Environment

We commit socially and culturally to the community and adapt our business strategies to the preservation of the environment

  • 100% Locally owned and operated.
  • Best Tour guides & trip leaders.
  • High-Touch & Personalized service
  • Highest quality, name brand equipment.
  • All Inclusive Tours with no hidden fees.
  • Sustainable Prctice and responsible travel.
  • Safety conscious with first aid training annually.
  • Unique Tours & Trekking routes
  • Customized Tours & Packages forFair and kind travel.
  • Personalized Attention with the Most Dedicated Team
  • Giving back to our local communities
Why Choose SAM CORPORATION

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