Your tour begins at 1:00 pm in the heart of Cusco, the beautiful Plaza de Armas. Here your guide will show you the most important colonial and Inca buildings around the square and explain how this area was once the main ceremonial center of the Inca Empire. You’ll then walk to the famous 12 Angled Stone, perfectly fitted into an ancient Inca wall, and continue along Loreto Street, considered one of the finest examples of Inca urban design, with original stone walls on both sides. It’s the perfect introduction to Cusco’s mix of Inca and colonial history.

Next, you visit Coricancha, once the most important temple in the entire Inca Empire, dedicated to the Sun. Here you’ll see how the Spanish built the Santo Domingo convent right on top of the original Inca foundations. Inside, you can clearly compare the perfect Inca stonework with the colonial architecture above it. Your guide will explain how this temple was once covered in gold and used for important ceremonies, astronomy, and worship, making it one of the most fascinating places in Cusco.

You then head by vehicle to Sacsayhuaman, the most impressive Inca site overlooking Cusco. This enormous fortress is famous for its giant zigzag stone walls, with blocks so perfectly fitted that you can’t even slide a piece of paper between them. As you walk through the site, your guide will share stories about Inca battles, ceremonies, and how Sacsayhuaman still plays a key role today during the Inti Raymi festival. From here, you also enjoy some of the best panoramic views of Cusco and the surrounding mountains.

Your next stop is Qenqo, a mysterious Inca ceremonial center carved almost entirely from rock. You’ll explore its winding passages, carved channels, and hidden altars that were likely used for important rituals. The name Qenqo means “zigzag” in Quechua, and once you’re inside, you’ll understand why. Your guide will explain the different theories about its use and the spiritual meaning of this sacred place, helping you imagine how it looked in Inca times.

You continue to Puka Pukara, whose name means “Red Fortress” in Quechua. This site probably served as a military checkpoint and resting place on the road that connected Cusco with the Sacred Valley and the jungle. From its terraces and stone walls, you get open views of the landscape and can imagine Inca messengers and travelers passing through. Your guide will point out guard posts, walls, and rooms, showing how this small but strategic site helped protect the capital.

Finally, you visit Tambomachay, a peaceful Inca site known for its clear water fountains and elegant stonework. Often called the “Inca Baths,” it may have been a place of rest and worship of water for Inca nobility. Here you’ll see perfectly built aqueducts and canals that still carry water after hundreds of years. It’s a calm, beautiful spot to enjoy the fresh air, take photos, and appreciate the Incas’ deep respect for nature before heading back to Cusco.