Cusco City Tour: Is it Worth Visiting the 4 Ruins and Sun Temple?

Okay, so you are thinking about doing the Cusco City Tour? Maybe you’re wondering if seeing those four ruins around Cusco, like Sacsayhuaman, along with the Temple of the Sun (Coricancha), is worth your time and money. So, I want to share my take on this popular tour, with, like, tips to help you have a super enjoyable experience.

What is the Cusco City Tour Exactly?

Basically, the Cusco City Tour takes you to a handful of key locations, you know, places right in the city and just a bit outside it. You usually get to visit Coricancha (the Temple of the Sun), plus four, like, archeological sites: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. Almost all tours will offer the exact same itinerary; very occasionally you may get a slightly customized offering. Tours usually get going in the early afternoon, plus they last around five hours, that is to say, giving you plenty of time to see these neat spots. Many, basically most tours include transportation and a guide. Lunch? Ah, that usually isn’t part of the deal.

Coricancha: Temple of the Sun

Coricancha, often, you know, called the Temple of the Sun, it actually gets things going on the tour. You see, this place was, in some respects, one of the Incas’ most important temples, as a matter of fact. Actually, it was devoted to the sun god, Inti. Then, you will discover that what’s super interesting is that the Spanish, so, they built a Catholic church right on top of the Inca temple after they arrived. In fact, you can see both Inca and Spanish architecture there. The Inca stonework, with stones fit so, too, precisely, is that, apparently, pretty amazing. You could be forgiven for spending a good bit of time admiring it! Also, the church has, basically, religious art from the Cusco School that you can admire. This stop gets going quite fast as it’s super popular with, that is, just groups in general.

Sacsayhuaman: Enormous Stones

Then comes Sacsayhuaman! A site that’s pretty famous for its, like, mega stones. The size of the stones they used to build it is, basically, truly impressive. So, I found the sheer scale pretty impressive. This site was, in a way, an Inca fortress that likely played a significant role in different conflicts. From Sacsayhuaman, by the way, you actually get this outstanding overview of Cusco itself, kind of making it a very nice spot for pics. Give yourself a good bit of time, therefore, to walk around here.

Qenqo: Caves and Rituals

So, then the tour swings over to Qenqo, a site known for, like, its cool caves and the, possibly, ritualistic vibes. The place has rock carvings, just a bit that people think were used in ceremonies. And you can, arguably, creep into the caves; I actually did find it fascinating to, in some respects, explore what the Incas might have used it for. By the way, it feels, really, different compared to the other sites.

Puca Pucara: Red Fortress

So, after Qenqo is Puca Pucara. Commonly called the ‘Red Fortress’ in Quechua (Puka is Red and Pukara is Fortress). People figure it used to be, like, a military spot or a place where, actually, people traveling through would rest up. By the way, compared to Sacsayhuaman, Puca Pucara isn’t that big, actually, yet you can enjoy how it’s made, seemingly, with lots of stones.

Tambomachay: The Bath of the Inca

Anyway, Tambomachay will, naturally, wrap up the tour. Known as ‘El Bano del Inca’. And that means ‘The Bath of the Inca’, just a little, like your own personal language lesson. People suspect it was, kind of, used for rituals linked to water. By the way, there’s springs and channels where water still flows, apparently. Therefore, the setting gets tranquil and makes you, arguably, just pause to consider everything you saw.

Is The Cusco City Tour Actually Worth It?

Well, to be honest, in my experience, doing the Cusco City Tour makes a very nice, quite an accessible introduction to the area. In short, you get to experience these significant spots with someone actually guiding you and teaching you stuff you wouldn’t pick up on your own. Especially if you’re into learning about the Incas and all their accomplishments. Having a guide is actually useful. Also, it can get you acclimated to the altitude since it is rather an easy activity. So, it sets you up for some further exploration, so, too. However, maybe you are short on vacation days? Or maybe you can’t swing longer, trickier trips? Then, in fact, this trip might feel somewhat rushed when touring the locations, but is still rewarding.

Tips for Your Cusco City Tour

Book in Advance: These trips can, obviously, be popular, and to, in other words, make certain you have got a place, then book early.
Wear Solid Shoes: You’ll be doing a fair bit of strolling on uneven ground, right, then proper footwear is useful.
Adjust to the Altitude: Maybe you can allow yourself a day or so to get used to the altitude before going on, as a matter of fact, this tour. So, that way, you might experience discomfort.
Come Prepared for the Weather: Well, the weather within Cusco tends to be, kind of, changeable; carry layers, so, too, like sunscreen, just in case.
Hydrate: At altitude, drinking more water actually helps, therefore take a water bottle on your exploration!
Cusco Tourist Ticket: It’s almost a must-have and, well, covers entry to all the spots on the tour (so you do save a bit that way.) Check what your ticket has included!

Choosing a Tour Operator

In fact, you’ll discover no end of tour companies down near the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, like your local agencies, online providers, and those guys in vests on the street – I think you need to ask around a bit. Read some reviews on line. Check to see if costs incorporate all fees plus what the cancellation rules tend to be. So, just don’t pick the first trip you spot.

The Cusco Tourist Ticket “Boleto Turistico”

Well, so, about the Boleto Turistico? This is a combined ticket which gets you entry to tons of different sites round Cusco, yet the Cusco City Tour sites tend to be involved. What I mean is you will, seemingly, have to weigh up what spots you intend visiting and check if the combined ticket makes money-sense or not.

Other Thoughts on the Cusco City Tour

You’ve gotten many trips to actually pick from when at Cusco. If you simply really need to go further afield into places just like the Sacred Valley or even Machu Picchu – maybe you can make the city trip later during your travels or, too, leave it alone. Don’t put undue pressure, if that makes sense. Therefore, maybe you may even use your ‘downtime’ to simply stroll round and view some, too, parts of Cusco instead – without any specific schedule – at altitude it gets a little tiring!. I love this particular laid-back solution at times.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Cusco City Tour

Do I need to bring my passport?

Well, sometimes tour operators want it for verification purposes, for example, to access the Cusco Tourist Ticket discounts; taking it along is usually a neat idea.