Half-Day History, Architecture & Archaeology Tour (474774)

Immerse yourself in the magic of Cusco, an ancient Peruvian city once the capital of the Inca Empire. On this half-day tour, uncover the history and traditions of both the Inca and the Spanish with visits to the city's most significant religious and archeological sites.

Following convenient pickup at your hotel, board a bus for a short drive to your first stop of the day—the Incan temple of Qorikancha. Enjoy time to wander the grounds of the 15th-century ruins, which at one time had walls and floors covered in sheets of pure gold.

Next, head to the Cusco Cathedral, which sits overlooking the colonial arcades and gardens of Plaza De Armas. First constructed in 1560 and taking 100 years to complete, the cathedral is a marvel of religious art, home to roughly 300 elaborate paintings from the era of the Cusqueña movement.

A visit to the archeological complex of Saqsayhuamán reveals impressive works of stone, some weighing up 120 tons (109 mT), while the nearby site of Q'inqu takes you back in time with a labyrinth of rock formations once used to perform religious rituals and sacrifices.

Your afternoon concludes with 2 final stops at Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. At the former, see the spectacular military ruins of the "red fortress" on the hill, while the latter offers you the chance to explore a series of aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls that run through a majestic structure of terraced rocks.