Learn More about Cusco with Cusco Guided Tour
Cusco Guided Tour takes you to visit the historical city of Cusco which was the capital of the Inca civilization; in Cusco tour, you will discover the many facets of this cosmopolitan city … its hundreds of years of history, its Inca building, its colonial building, its modern buildings, its rich culture and cuisine, as well as its people and its vibrant energy.
The city of Cusco is located in southeastern Peru, one hour flight from Lima (Peru’s capital) the city of Cusco is located at 3,400 masl (11,154 ft); Cusco developed, under the Inca ruler Pachacutec, into a complex urban center with distinct religious and administrative functions. It was surrounded by clearly delineated areas for agricultural, artisan and industrial production. When the Spaniards conquered it in the 16th century, they preserved the basic structure but built Baroque churches and palaces over the ruins of the Inca city.
Cusco and the old villages still retain traces of land occupation from the Inca Empire to preserve, in a more global manner, an archaeological heritage, which has become susceptible to the effects of urbanization.
Cusco has a variety of climates and landscapes, the city is located in a transitional zone between the temperate and cold zones, so any time of year is good for visiting the city, because it has a consistently dry climate during all seasons: sunny during the day and cold.
Cusco is certainly the most fascinating city in the Andes. Its monumental architecture admirably combines, the majestic stone foundations of Inca buildings with the handsome architecture of colonial Peru. In the region of Cusco, you will find different and impressive Tourist Attractions such as:
Sacsayhuaman: Known as the Inca Fortress
Sacsayhuaman located at 2 km outside of the city; you can walk or take a taxi. To visit this Inca monument requires having entrance that you can buy in the same place but much better if you buy in the tourist; this Inca archaeological complex had great ceremonial significance in addition to its religious functions. Its name means “satisfied hawk” in Quechua, Sacsayhuaman, It is known for its enormous blocks of calcareous stones, many sided stones joined with astounding precision to form the outer walls. Some of these stones stand over 9 m high and weigh over 120 tons.
Qenko: An important Temple of the Puma or Andean Lion
Qenko located to 1 km beyond Sacsayhuaman; the name is in Quechua (Inca language) word which means spiral or zigzag in Quechua, is considered to a temple of the Puma which was considered as an important “totem” for the Incas, still nowadays you can see the figure of the Puma carved in a live rock. It also has a large altar rock, semi-circular which looks like an amphitheater. Most interesting is the large outcropping of limestone that has been carved with intricate mythical figures related to worship of the earth («Pacha Mama») and series of twisting channels, for ceremonial use that must have given the places name.
Tambomachay: Known as the Temple of the Water of the Incas
Tambomachay is a marvelous Inca religious site; it’s a considered a temple of the water; in this place exist beautiful Inca waterfall that still are working; the architecture is the finest quality; the source of the water is unknown. It is important to have the “boleto turistico” to get in. Bathrooms are free with the «Boleto». You can take a car all the way back to «La Plaza de Armas» (Main Square) in Cusco.
A better alternative is to take a day trip to Pisac, and see the ruins there, which is part of the «Boleto». These ruins are much more impressive than the ones nearer to Cusco.
CUSCO TOURIST ATTRACTION OUTSIDE OF CUSCO
The Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a home of many tourist attractions which are frequently visited by locals and travellers from all over the world. The Sacred Valley is abracfed between Pisac and Ollantaytambo which are located at 2,850 masl and lies 27 km (1 hour drive) northeast of Cusco, this valley stretches the length of Vilcanota river. At the Sacred Valley, you can observe picturesque villages, Inca terraces and Inca archaeological sites, as well as sweeping farmlands planted with sweet corn and blessed with an exceptional climate, make a visit to this valley a must for all those who come to Cusco. We will see different towns along the Sacred Valley such as:
Pisac
Pisac is located to 30km northeast of Cusco, It is a delightful place, the climate is pleasant, the people are agreeable, and the agricultural terracing is a marvel. Pisac is the gateway to the Sacred Valley known as the Valley of Yucay or Urubamba Valley, features an old town an archaeological site considered one of the finest examples of Inca architecture, and a modern town of colonial origin.
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is a pretty town, of Inca origin; it is located in the far western corner of the Urubamba Valley, 78 km northeast of Cusco. The town was named after the legendary rebel Inca general Ollanta. Both the design and foundation of most of the building date back to the original constructions of the Inca Empire. The streets still have their Inca design from the time when the town was a strategic military, religious and agricultural center.
FIND YOUR CUSCO TOURS PACKAGES IN PERU
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CUSCO TOUR 3D/2N HIGHLIGHTS: Arrival to Cusco; explore the surrounds Inca sites like: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, Qorikancha, and the Cathedral; Train to “Aguas Calientes”, Machu Picchu tour. READ MORE |
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CUSCO CLASSIC TOUR 4D/3N HIGHLIGHTS: Explore the city of Cusco, full-day tour to Sacred Valley of the Incas; take the train to the town of “Aguas Calientes”, enjoy Machu Picchu Tour; optional climb to Huayna Picchu Mountain. READ MORE |
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CUSCO IMPERIAL TOUR 5D/4N HIGHLIGHTS:Explore the city, full-day tour to Sacred Valley of the Incas; take the train to the town of “Aguas Calientes”, enjoy Machu Picchu tour; optional climb to Huayna Picchu Mountain; visit Maras-Moray wonderful Inca ruins. READ MORE |
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CUSCO ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOUR 6D/5N HIGHLIGHTS: Explore the city, full-day tour to Sacred Valley of the Incas; take the train to the town of “Aguas Calientes”, enjoy Machu Picchu tour; optional climb to Huayna Picchu Mountain; visit Maras-Moray and Pikillacta Pre-Inca and Inca ruins. READ MORE |
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CUSCO MACHU PICCHU TOUR 5D/4N HIGHLIGHTS: Explore the city, full-day tour to Sacred Valley of the Incas; take the train to the town of “Aguas Calientes”, enjoy Machu Picchu tour; optional climb to Huayna Picchu mountain. READ MORE |
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CUSCO TOUR AMAZON TRIP 6D/5N HIGHLIGHTS: HIGHLIGHTS: Explore the city, full-day tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, travel by train to the town of “Aguas Calientes”, enjoy Machu Picchu tour; 45-minute fly to Puerto Maldonado (Amazon Jungle). READ MORE |
