Private city Tours with local private guides, This fabuolous half day city tour takes you around all the most important sites of Cusco town. Cusco is a city in southeastern near the Urubamba valley of the Andes mountain range.
Cusco was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Many believe that the city was planned to be shaped like a Puma. The city had two sectors: the urin and hanan, which were further divided to each encompass two of the four provinces, Chinchaysuyo (NW), Antisuyo (NE), Contisuyo (SW), and Collasuyo (SE). A road led from each of these quarters to the corresponding quarter of the empire. Each local leaderwas required to build a house in the city and live part of the year in Cusco, but only in the quarter of Cusco that corresponded to the quarter of the empire he had a territory in. According to Inca legend, the city was built by sapac Inca Pachacuti, the man who transformed the Kingdom of Cusco from a sleepy city-state into the vast empire of Tahuantinsuyu. But archaeological evidence points to a slower, more organic growth of the city beginning before Pachacuti. There was however a city plan, and two rivers were channeled around the city.
The first Spaniards arrived in the city on November 15th, 1533. Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro, officially discovered Cusco on March 23, 1534, naming it the "Very noble and great city of Cusco". The many buildings constructed after the Spanish conquest are of Spanish influence with a mix of Inca architecture, including the Santa Clara and San Blas barrios. The Spanish undertook the construction of a new city on the foundations of the old Inca city, replacing temples with churches and palaces with mansions for the conquerors. During the colony, the city of Cusco was very prosperous thanks to the agriculture, cattle raising, mining as well as the trade with Spain. This allowed the construction of many churches and convents, and even a Cathedral, university and an Archbishopric. Often, Spanish buildings were juxtaposed atop the massive stone walls built by the Inca.
SCHEDULES
Explore Cusco with a Knowledgeable Local Guide and See What Others Miss! Enjoy the adventure of a Cusco, Peru tour with a friendly personal guide from Explore Adventures Guide. Your private tour guide knows the Central Highlands of Peru as only a local can, and is eager to give you an unforgettable tour, based on your travel interests.
SCHEDULES
9am or 1.30pm; every day.
DURATION
This tour takes around 4 hours including the historical center and the surrounding ruins of Cuzco.
ITINERARY
HALF DAY City Tour Itinerary:
At 9.30 am we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to start the tour. or
At 1.30 pm we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to start the tour. We will visit as part of the tour:
![Private Local Tour Guide Qoricancha]( "Private Local Tour Guide Qoricancha")
Koricancha: We first visit the exquisite architectural feats of the ancient "Koricancha" Temple.- San Pedro locals Market
- The Main Cathedral: The first stone was placed to begin construction of the cathedral in 1560. It is a marvel of religious art, home to approximately 300 paintings from the Cusqueña School.
- Saqsayhuaman: The archaeological complex of Saqsayhuamán is a majestic place with impressive works in stone, some up to 120 tons. Saqsayhuaman is one of the most frequented archaeological sites near Cusco, but few guides show guests more than the amazing megalithic wall, which is of course impressive (40 minutes)
![Private Tours Cusco people]( "Private Tours Cusco people")
Q'enqo (Labyrinth): A religious center dedicated to the adoration of the Earth. (30 minutes) - Puca Pucara (reddish place): that was used as a military control center. (20 minutes)
- Tambomachay (Temple of the Water): a center of adoration and worship of water. (20 minutes)
Koricancha: We first visit the exquisite architectural feats of the ancient "Koricancha" Temple.
Q'enqo (Labyrinth): A religious center dedicated to the adoration of the Earth. (30 minutes)INCLUDED
Include / Does not include
Price Includes:
- Bus for 15 people or for 25 people
- Profesional tour guide.
Not Included:
- Entrance to Koricancha (10 soles)
- Entrance to Cathedral (25 soles or included as part of the Cusco Tourist ticket as detailed below)
- Entrance fees to the four archaeological sites. For this you will need to buy a Cusco Tourist Ticket. This costs 130 soles - approximately US$45, and a 50% discount is available for students with an ISIC card. Note: The same ticket can also be used for the Sacred Valley Tour. Alternatively you can purchase a partial ticket that allows a one-day visit of just the four archeological sites if you are not planning to visit the Sacred Valley.
- Tips
- Meals and snacks
DEPARTURES
Daily departures are available every day all year.
TOURIST TICKET OR BOLETO TURISTICO (BTC)
Officially known as the Boleto Turistico Unico (BTU) this ticket is valid for 10 days. It is sold at the Instituto Nacional de Cultura (INC). The ticket allows you entry to the following sites:
- Cusco Cathedral
- Religious Art Museum
- Church of San Blas
- Regional History Museum
- Sacsayhuaman
- Qenko
- Puca Pucara
- Tambo Machay
- Pisac
- Ollantaytambo
- Chinchero
- Plus a few other sites
- This ticket does not include the Koricancha-Santo Domingo complex - separate entrance fee of 10 Soles (about $4 USD each one).
whyEXPLORE
We are a 100% locally owned and operated!
EXPLORE ADVENTURES offers an assortment of adventurous treks and exciting tour packages in Peru, specially designed to appeal to most visitors' budgets and that doesn't have a negative impact on the environment or adversely affect local communities. EXPLORE ADVENTURES employees are local, Peruvian people. We work to invest in our own country and develop social works to offer our people a better life style and provide opportunities to keep growing. This is the main difference between local companies and foreign companies and associated companies.
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Prices may vary according to the season, availability, and client preferences. Certain transport costs may not be included. Please contact one of our expert travel advisors for more information.
