Sightseens & Tours in Cusco |
Among the many attractions Cusco has to offer, the Temple of the Sun or “golden enclosure”, the ruins of Machu Picchu or “lost city” and the Ollantaytambo are a must for tourists.
From outdoor recreational opportunities for adventure holiday lovers to amazing historic sites and stunningly beautiful landscapes, a broad range of attractions are available here for tourists to hugely enjoy their holidays.
For example, the picturesque San Blas neighborhood, where a vast number of Cusco’s craftsmen can be found, decorating the landscape with their workshops.
Another well worth visiting attractions are “La Piedra de los 12 ángulos” (The Twelve Angled stone) in Hatunrumiyoc, which used to be the Inca Roca Palace, and the great Sacsayhuaman fortress. |
TEMPLE OF THE SUN
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Ollantaytambo
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This famous place is believed to be as old as its huge stones. It is a kind of resort, where colcas (deposits), temples and even residence groups used to be found.
The name of this city, which means “Posada de Ollanta” (Ollanta’s Inn) in Spanish, makes reference to a drama of the Peruvian literature that speaks about the deep love general Olanda felt for with Pachacutect's daughter, Princess Cusi Coyllor.
The history of this place is largely related to that of Manco Inca, one of the most famous heroes in the indigenous resistance who after maintaining the walled Cusco for months, seeing that its forces were defeated, he retired to Ollantaytambo. |
OLLANTAYTAMBO
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Tambomachay
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A wide variety of interesting places can be visited in Cusco, some of them very well known and other well worth discovering. The same happens in its surroundings and Tambomachay is a clear example of this amazing places.
Also known as "Tambo de la Caverna" (Cave Roadside Hostelry), this place is located about eight kilometers away from Cusco and one kilometer away from Puca-pucará, covering an area of 437 square meters.
As for the meaning of the name, it derives from two Quechua words: Tampu, which means collective lodging; and Mach'ay, which means resting-place. Caves and magical customs are one of the main features of this place and its surroundings.
The first thing we see as soon as we arrive is a set of stone structures finely carved and four graded terraces embedded to the hill, made of irregular carved-stone polyhedrons, brilliantly assembled.
Moreover, there is a wall decorated with four trapezoidal niches of about two meters and in front of the building there is a circular large fortified tower in ruins, that must have had defense and communication aims. |
TAMBOMACHAY
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Sacsayhuaman
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Sacsayhuaman is one of the most amazing Incan constructions for tourists and one of the many known as "Royal House of the Sun". Built with huge carved rocks jointed with absolute accuracy, it was used for guarding the capital of the empire.
The excellent quality of the stonework suggests that The Royal Houses of the Sun were privilege complexes, like small cities inside the city of Cusco.
It was a temple devoted to the worship of the general god, the Sun, as well as other minor and particular gods. |
SACSAYHUAMAN
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The Four Lagoons
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From the start, the tour along these lagoons is hugely enjoyable. However, these lagoons are still rarely included in Cusco’s tourist routes.
Breathtaking views and a spotlessly clean landscape are the most striking features of these amazing lagoons. The road is partly paved, especially the stretch that goes from Puno to Cusco.
Apart from the beautiful countryside, this place preserves a rich historical heritage given that part of the Tupac Amaru rebellion occurred here, during the XVIII century. |
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