Cusco & Machu Picchu Express

Highlights

• Plaza de Armas: The central square of Cusco, surrounded by historic churches and buildings, serving as the heart of the city.
• Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun): The most sacred site in Inca mythology, originally adorned with gold, now featuring a blend of Incan and colonial architecture.
• Sacsayhuamán: A massive fortress with large limestone blocks intricately carved to fit together without mortar, showcasing the Inca's sophisticated construction techniques.
• Qenko: A ceremonial site with a labyrinth of stone pathways and an altar believed to have been used for sacrifices.
• Puka Pucara: An ancient military ruin, known as the "Red Fort" due to its reddish hue, which provided defense for Cusco and served as an administrative center.
• Tambomachay: Often referred to as the “Bath of the Inca”, a site with aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls that demonstrate the Inca’s advanced hydraulic engineering.
• Machu Picchu Classic View from the Guardhouse: The iconic postcard view of the Machu Picchu ruins against the backdrop of Huayna Picchu, capturing the mystique and beauty of the site.
• Intihuatana Stone: A carved rock pillar serving as an astronomic clock or calendar, which is a testament to the Incas' understanding of astronomy.
• Temple of the Sun: Circular construction atop a high ridge, aligned with the sun's position at winter solstice, showcasing the Inca's celestial alignments.
• Temple of the Three Windows: Featuring trapezoidal windows that frame the majestic landscape, symbolizing the three worlds of Incan cosmology.
• Royal Tomb: Below the Temple of the Sun, this complex area includes finely carved stone and was likely used for royal ceremonies.