CITY TOUR CUSCO
At 13:00pm, we’ll begin our exploration of the former Imperial City of the Incas, a colonial city constructed upon the bases of Inca palaces and other structures. We’ll head to the Plaza de Armas to visit the city’s colonial religious center, the Cathedral. It is one of the most beautiful, imposing, and sumptuous architectural monuments in Peru and Latin America. It took 94 long years to construct and houses more than 300 priceless works of the Cusco School of painting. Afterwards we’ll continue with a visit to Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, which was the Incas’ preeminent deity. After learning about its significance as Cusco’s religious center during the days of the empire, and appreciating its fine Incan stonework.
From the Qoricancha we will head towards the colossal stone fortress of Sacsayhuamán, whose strategic location overlooking the city offers unequaled views. It is here that each year in June, during the southern hemisphere’s winter solstice, that modern day Cusqueños reenact the ancient rites and raucous celebrations of Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun. We’ll continue along the city outskirts to visit the Qenko, Tambomachay, and Puca Pucará archeological sites before dropping you back off at Cusco.
