City Tour

THE CATHEDRAL: Located on the north-by-east side of the Plaza de Armas , the Cathedral was originally constructed in the XV Century, but it was built anew after the devastating earthquake of the year 1650 which destroyed most of the city. The basic layout of its ground plan Corresponds to a classic Latin Cross shape. The foundation however (as is the case with most all other prominent constructions in Cusco) is of Inca origin. Indeed, the Cathedral is erected atop the remains of what was once the Palace of Sunturwasi, residence of the Inca Wiracocha . The façades are admirable carved in Colonial Baroque style , there are innumerable finely carved wooden sculptures, pulpits, choir stalls and images. Over 400 Colonial Period paintings and a solid silver altar. Following the tour of the Cathedral, we go on to visit:

THE QORICANCHA: The literal interpretation of the Indigenous Quechua name of this site would correspond to “Enclosure of Gold”, or “Golden Enclosure”. The meaning refers to its legendary gold sheet plated walls. This was the great Temple of the Sun, the most important and high ranking site of religious. worship in the entire Inca Empire. The Church of Santo Domingo was erected on top of it, with the remarkable circular wall, particulary outstanding. Our Tour now leads us a short distance beyond -or rather “above”- the city proper, in order to visit:

THE FORTRESS OF SACSAYHUAMAN: Again, a Quechua language name that can literally be interpreted as “Satiated Falcon”, “Mottled Colored Falcon Head”. This was a site which -in Inca times- seems to have combined both a military as well as a religious nature. The Festivity of Sun Worship -known as “Inti Raimy”- is presently held there on June 24th of every year. The type and style of the construction corresponds to that which was in the earlier stages of archaeology- classed as “Cyclopean”, and weigh anywhere from 90 to 150 tons ! . A mere one kilometer away lies the next site of interest in our tour:

THE AMPHITHEATRE OF Q’ENQO: This site justly conforms to the term “enigmatical”. The Quechua name literally means “Zig-Zag”, “Winding-Creeping” and by association “Labyrinth”. Clearly a religious site (as are most in the surrounding area), it consists of a large outcropping of eroded limestone, upon the outer surface of which there are innumerable ridges, shaped into animal figures, niches, water channels, etc. One of the most conspicuous of these is a long meandering, zig-zagging channel for the discourse of liquids, yet also suggestive of a snake. The limestone outcropping also possesses a series of interconnecting corridors and passageways -natural in origin, in its interior lower part. Surrounding the site is a semi-circular low wall of granite stones with niches known as “amphitheater”. About 3 kilometers further on, we come upon the next site of interest:

PUCAPUCARA: The “Red Fortress” (in Quechua, Puca = Red; Pucara = Fortress)., which may not have been a fortress at all, More probably an overnight lodging-barracks-quarters before arriving to Cusco, it consists of a red andesite structure with numerous enclosures, rooms, stairways, water channels . A few hundred meters beyond lies the last site of our tour:

TAMBOMACHAY: A shrine dedicated to the worship and cult of water, Tambomachay is very symmetrically laid out and the hand of man is everywhere present in its construction and workmanship. Some of the finest examples of masonry in the entire area are to be found here.

• Daily departure.
• Shedule
• 2.00 p.m 6.30 p.m

INCLUDED

• Tourist bus
• Professional Tour Guide

NOT INCLUDED

• Entrance fees to QoricanchaS/ 10.00
• The Cathedral S/ 25.00
• General Tourist TicketS/130.00