Visiting Cuzco: the unmissable archaeological sites!

Cuzco is a city that every traveler dreams of discovering, but several impressive archaeological sites lie at the city's doorstep and truly deserve a visit! For now, the sites of Tambomachay, Sacsayhuaman, Puca Pucara, and Qenqo may mean nothing to you, which is why we'll take a quick look at these ancient places, which were very important in Inca culture and absolutely must be discovered during your trip to Cuzco.

If you purchase the tourist ticket, entrance to these sites is included, so take time to spend a short half-day after visiting Cuzco to discover these 4 sites, by bus or even on foot since they are all along the road between Tambomachay and Cuzco:

• Cusco-Tambomachay: 8 km
• Cusco-Puca Pucara: 7 km
• Cusco-Qenqo: 5 km
• Cusco-Sacsayhuaman: 5 km

To see near Cuzco: Tambomachay, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, and Puca Pucara

Visiting Sacsayhuaman just minutes from Cuzco

All visits to the ruins surrounding Cuzco inevitably pass through the renowned site of Sacsayhuaman. This well-deserved fame stems from several reasons: this place is where South America's greatest festival honoring the sun, Inti Raymi, is celebrated. Festivities that still take place as they did in Inca times, with traditional costumes.

This site is also highly prized because it showcases an impressive fortress whose walls are built with enormous rocks, the largest measuring more than 26 feet and weighing 300 tons! Archaeologists estimate it took nearly 20,000 men and 50 years to build the walls of Sacsayhuaman. The fortress wall could be considered the most impressive of the Inca empire. Historically, it was precisely at this site that the Inca rebellion was defeated, or rather "crushed" by Pizarro in 1536.

Visiting Tambomachay near Cuzco

The Incas also worshipped the god of water, to thank him for his gifts. The Tambomachay site is not far from Cuzco and is included in the tourist ticket, so it would be a shame not to stop by. Tambo Machay showcases the genius of the Incas, with a system of canals, small waterfalls, and fountains that served for ritual baths.

Experts have revealed that this site witnessed numerous human sacrifices. Even today, several centuries later, water continues to flow across the site and feed the waterfalls.

Visiting Qenko in the surroundings of Cuzco

Nearby lies another rather important place in Inca culture. The Qenko or Kenko site was a place of worship where certain sacrifices took place and where priests practiced the mummification of Incas. This archaeological site is quite intriguing and if you have a good guide, they will tell you about rituals and the meaning of certain rocks.

For example, zigzags are drawn on certain rocks; they were used by certain oracles to read messages or prophecies in the blood or chicha that flowed through them. Take time to look up and observe certain rocks, and you will see niches, some of which once held mummies or treasures, today lost to time.

Visiting Puca Pucara a few kilometers from Cuzco
The mysterious site of Puca Pucara has not yet revealed all its secrets, as many archaeologists still don't know its purpose for the Incas. It can also be called Pukapukara. The distinctive feature of this Inca empire site is the red color of the stones that make up this immense fortress.

Puca Pucara is said to be a checkpoint before entering the Sacred Valley or before reaching the city of Cuzco. The view over the valley from the top of this hill is simply sublime.

How to get to these archaeological sites of the Inca empire?

What is extraordinary in Pérou is that there is never just one solution to do something or visit a place, so you can choose the solution that suits you best depending on your preferences and budget!

It is possible, for example, to reach Sacsayhuaman on foot by taking Resbalosa Street from Cuzco's Plaza de Armas and following the path to the archaeological site. This short walk takes about 40 minutes, as the entire path is uphill.

People who enjoy walking but not uphill will be pleased to learn that it is possible to take a bus to the ruin farthest from Cuzco (Tambomachay) and visit this site, then Puca Pucara, Qenqo, and Sacsayhuaman while hiking back down to Cuzco. To do this, simply take the bus headed to Pisac from Cuzco and ask the driver to drop you off at the entrance to Tambomachay.

A regular taxi can take you to Tambomachay or Puca Pucara for around 25 soles. A bus between Cuzco and Sacsayhuaman costs only 2 soles. So think carefully about the best solution based on your budget before considering tourist buses which cost at least 40 soles for 4 hours of visits to the various ruins.