Full Day
Cusco
Up to 12 people
Culture, Tradition
Ease
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.
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.
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, 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.
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 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.
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.
ENTRANCE FEES
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.
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.
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.
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!
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:
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.
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:
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 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.
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.
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.
pukapukara Cusco - City Tour en Cusco
City Tour in Cusco
Explore the sites that you will actually see along your tours.
visit the great archaeological site of Qenqo - City Tour en Cusco
City Tour in Cusco
Saqsaywaman - City Tour in Cusco - City Tour en Cusco
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
Our company is 100% locally owned. We directly contribute to economic development and environmental sustainability in Peru.
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
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
Our groups never exceed 10 people, giving you a personalized tour in our small comfortable vans
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.
We commit socially and culturally to the community and adapt our business strategies to the preservation of the environment
The Sacred Valley in Peru is incredible, mind-blowing, magical, and simply unmissable. There are so many amazing things to do in the Sacred Valley, also known as Valle Sagrado. From grand Inca ruins in sprawling Archaeological Parks, snow-capped mountains, salt mines, and hundreds of hiking trails to explore there is no shortage of breathtaking and worthwhile experiences.
ZIPLINE IN CUSCO
A visit to Rainbow Mountain, known locally as Vinicunca (its Quechua name) or the montaña de siete colores (seven-colored mountain), is an absolute must for all those who love stunning landscapes and gorgeous scenery. Nestled in a remote region of the Andes Mountains, Rainbow Mountain was once a spectacle only to be admired by trekkers along the Ausangate Trek, but now you can witness this display of natural beauty in all its glory on a shorter 1- or 2-day hike as part of your Peru vacation. We also currently offer a Rainbow Mountain & 2-day Inca trail package that takes you up to Machu Picchu before visiting Rainbow Mountain.
Enjoy the natural colors of the stunning Rainbow Mountain Trek, hiking through a beautiful Andean valley, in which you may interact with the local people who are still keeping traditional Quechua culture alive! You will see snow capped peaks, herds of alpaca, glaciers and birds of prey, all set within an incredibly colourful mountain range. The Rainbow Mountain trek offers opportunities to see a range of wildlife including soaring eagles and caracara falcons. The colourful sandstone mountains in the Vinicunca area are very different from any other landscape you may visit in Peru!
The Sacred Valley is vast and stretches for miles with many small indigenous towns, secluded weaving villages, camelid farm, ancient Inca Ruins including Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Moray. SAM Corporations also includes the Salt Mines in Maras which has thousands of saltpans carved into the mountainside and the Terraces of Moray, which are built in the form of an amphitheater and have different temperatures at each level to grow different crops. It was watered through a complex irrigation system and allowed the cultivation of the Incas to grow over 250 types of vegetables. We end the tour at the fascinating and imposing site of Ollantaytambo, a truly impressive Inca ruin!
Humantay Lake Trek is one of Peru’s most scenic 1 day treks! We drive through the local indigenous villages of Iscuchaca and Limatambo, where you can see Quechua people who are still keeping Inca traditions alive. Take your time hiking up to the lake, enjoying stunning views of the Andes. The incredibly turquoise lake is situated at the base of the majestic glacier covered Salkantay Mountain Range. The views are absolutely breathtaking!
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