City Tour

This popular tour begins in the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) at the impressive Colonial Cathedral.  This Cathedral is said to have some of the most beautiful and significant architecture in all of the Americas.  It has inherited a Gothic-Renaissance style due to the influence of the style of the period in the Seventeenth century, when it was built.

After that, we will continue on to visit the Temple of the Sun, which is considered to be the main religious center of the Incas.  It was dedicated to the worship of the Sun and other esteemed Gods. According to legend, the walls of this temple were caste in gold before the Spaniards pillaged it.

The next four stops on the tour are to be found in Cusco’s surrounding area and all are archaeological complexes.  Saqsaywaman, specifically, is known to be one of the most important stops that a tourist can make during their stay in Cusco.  It is a truly amazing site and is the best example of Imperial Inca archecture known to man.  Its name, in Quechua, means “Satisfied Falcon”.

Tambomachay, the next most significant of the ruins that we will see on this tour, was one of the favorite resting-places of the Incas though it was also one of the pillars of the defense system surrounding the Valley of Cusco. The sound of the water, the quietness and peace of the environment, as well as the closed and secluded nature of the area give Tambomachay a peculiar atmosphere.

Puca Pucara (“Red Fortress”) and Qenko are smaller than the other sites, but are definitely no less interesting.  There so much that our guide can teach us about these sites.  The tour will be concluded after you have been dropped off back in Cusco.