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Trip Details
PLACES YOU VISIT IN OUR SACSAYHUAMAN & PISAC DAY TOUR
- Sacsayhuaman
- Pisac Ruins
- Pisac Market
- Lunch in Pisac
- Q’enqo
- Puka Pukará
- Tambomachay
- Return to Cusco around 4 or 5pm
ITINERARY
Day 1
We will pick you up from your hotel at 8am in our private van to start our journey to the Sacred Valley in the direction of the large Christ statue at the top of the hill, called Cristo Blanco (White Christ) that shines 24 hours a day over Cusco. We start our tour at the famous archeological site of Sacsayhuaman, with its impressive Inca architecture, which dominates the city. Finally, we explore the archaeological sites of Q’enqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay, which are located in the northeast section of Cusco on the way to the Sacred Valley.
On our way, to Pisac, we stop to enjoy the mirador of Taray to enjoy a classic view of the Urubamba valley with crops dressing the mountains like a carpet. Onward, we drive to the archeological site of Pisac, one of the finest remaining Inca archeological sites in the country. There, we explore the Inca tunnel and the Sacred Temple Complex constructed from exquisitely carved pink granite of this important citadel. You will explore one of the biggest Inca cemeteries with more than 2,000 tombs and admire the incredible farming terraces carved into the mountain. Here, we will spend more than 2 hours, exploring this Inca city.
Then, we head towards the colorful market of Pisac, that is famous for its being the largest pre-Columbian style handicraft and textile market within the region of Cusco. At this colorful Inca market, you will be able to appreciate a mixture of colors and Inca culture and tradition. You will have plenty of opportunities to test your bartering skills, interact with the local artisans and purchase their hand-made souvenirs. You will discover alpaca goods of all types, such as sweaters, shawls, hats, gloves, spreads and much more, woven textile rugs, a huge silver jewelry market much of which is made right there, decorations, alpaca rugs, art work and trinkets of all types. Be sure to try out fresh made pizza and empanadas made in a large old fashion Inca ovens. There you can stop for lunch and try out all of the local food.
Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman (which means ‘satisfied falcon’) is one of the most impressive sites built by the Incas. It is generally referred to as a fortress; however it is not certain what its main function was in reality. Current research suggests that it was more likely used as a temple, as Inca tombs have been discovered in the area. The site is a marvellous archeological feat; even now after it was destroyed, one can only imagine its greatness when it stood in its full glory. The stones in the wall are incredible and the largest one weighs 128 tons!
The Incas envisioned Cusco as having a puma shape and Sacsayhuaman was the head. The magnificent zigzag walls are the major attraction. The grounds surrounding Sacsayhuaman are still used today for the colourful festival of Inti Raymi which is held to celebrate the winter’s solstice on the 24th of June.
PISAC MARKET
Pisac is located at the entrance of the Sacred Valley. It is a quaint Inca Village that is famous for its being the largest pre-Columbian style handicraft and textile market in the region of Cusco and its archeological Ruins. At the colorful Inca market in Pisac you will be able to appreciate a mixture of colors and Inca Culture and Tradition. You will have plenty of opportunities to test your bartering skills, interact with the local craftsmen and purchase their hand-made souvenirs. You will discover alpaca goods of all types, such as sweater, shawls, hats, gloves, spreads and much more, woven textile rugs, a huge silver jewelry market much of which is made right there, decorations, alpaca rugs, art work and trinkets of all types. Be sure to try out fresh made pizza and empanadas made in large, old fashioned Inca ovens.
PISAC ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE
The archeological ruins of Pisac are considered to be one of the finest remaining Inca archeological sites in the country. You will explore the Inca Tunnel and discover the biggest Ancient Inca Cemetery anywhere with more than 2,000 tombs. Further down the mountain is the Temple Complex constructed from exquisitely carved pink granite, featuring a sun temple, ceremonial altars, water channels and wells. Then finally a few hundred yards further down the mountain is a beautiful urban area located on a high semi-circular ledge. The ruin is surrounded by vast sweeping agricultural terraces which harmoniously blend into the natural curvature of the landscape.
Q’enqo
The site of Q’enqo, which means ‘maze’ in Quechua, contains the most impressive carved rocks in the Cusco area. There are carvings everywhere, although some are very indistinct, such as a llama, a condor and snakes have been identified. There are many zigzag channels on top of the natural rock, probably used for pouring sacrificial chicha (a local liquor made from corn). Below the rock, there are a number of caves and passageways , an altar which was used for the sacrifices of llamas and mummifications of people have been discovered.
Puka Pukará
Puka Pukará is translated as ‘the red fortress’ in Quechua. This is a small site and although the name suggests that it was a fortress, it does not appear to have had any defensive purpose. Probably it was used as an administrative center. The interesting point is the way the Incas built the walls over the rocks.
Tambomachay
The name means “place of rest” in Quechua. It used to be the royal hacienda of the Inca Yupanqui, when he went to hunt in the surrounding area. This site was also thought to have been used as a Temple to the Water. There are some interesting aqueducts, canals and cascades sculpted out of stone, designed to channel water flowing from a nearby stream. We will return to Cusco around 4 or 5pm in the evening.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Included?
- Pick up at your hotel
- Professional English & Spanish speaking private guide
- Private transportation to visit all Inca sites
- Tax
No Included?
- Entrance to Archeological sites: Purchase the Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket) 130 soles (about $38 USD), at the first site you enter. This can be used for 10 days to visit archeological sites in the Cusco region.
- You can also purchase the 1 day Boleto Turístico for 70 soles
- Meals
PRICE $179 USD
Please note: The Sacsayhuaman and Pisac Day Tour is only offered to our clients doing a 2, 3, 4 or more days tours or treks to Machu Picchu.
- GROUP of 1 to 6 persons – $179 USD for the total group (not per person)
- GROUP of 7 to 12 persons – $217 USD for the total group (not per person)
HOW TO BOOK THE TOUR?
FIRST, to book your Bus to Puno from Cusco, we need you to fill out our booking form by clicking on BOOK NOW on our homepage or click here the link BOOK NOW.
Please be ready with the following information (FROM EACH PARTICIPANT in your group). We cannot purchase your Bus to Puno from Cusco without the following information:
- Personal information (your full name, exactly as on your passport):
- Gender
- Passport number
- D.OB. (dd / mm / yyyy)
- Nationality
SECOND, we require a deposit of $53.00 USD per person in order to purchase a your entrance to Machu Picchu and train ticket. You can make you deposit by clicking on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on the top of our home page, or you can click on the VISA or PAYPAL symbols on our booking page.
WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?
If you would like to avoid the high credit card fees in Peru, you may pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles) here in Cusco. There are many ATMS within the historical center to withdraw money. You can also pay by VISA or PAYPAL online but you will have to pay a 5.5% service fee, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you need to log into your PAYPAL account and use our email address samtravelperu@gmail.com.
The Boleto Turístico (tourist ticket )
You have the option to purchase a 1 day or a 10 day Boleto Turístico.
The partial ticket, or 1 day ticket costs 70 soles ($20 USD) and is valid for 1 day. You can visit a many sites as you like in one day with no further charge. There are no discounts with this ticket.
Both tourist tickets, of 1 day or 10 day, allows the access to different archeological sites around Cusco, and Sacred Valley. This is the best way to visit all the archeological sites of the region and the Sacred Valley. Most of the main archeological sites are not accessible for free.
The general ticket allows you over the next 10 days to enter 16 archeological and cultural sites in Cusco, the south valley and the Sacred Valley. The price of this ticket is 130 soles (about $40 USD) and is valid for 10 days. This is the cheapest and most convenient way to plan to see different sites in a few days. The cost for students under 25 (with the presentation of a valid University ID card) and for teenagers under 18 (with the presentation of an identity card) is 70 soles ($20 USD). Children under 11 are free.
Here is a list of sites where you can use your Boleto Turístico:
- Sacsayhuaman
- Qenqo
- Pucapucara
- Tambomachay
- Pisac
- Ollantaytambo
- Chinchero
- Moray
- Tipón
- Piquillaqta
Note : The entrance ticket to the main archeological sites like Sacsayhuaman, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Tipón and Moray cannot be sold individually; you must buy the Boleto turístico to visit them. You can get it in Avenida el Sol nearby Peru office or at the time you enter the first site that you are visiting. YOU MUST PAY IN SOLES, NO CREDIT CARD OR US DOLLARS ARE ACCEPTED.
Important: These entrances are not included in the Boleto Turístico.
- The entrance to Qoricancha or Santo Domingo Convent (10 soles)
- The entrance to the Cathedral (25 soles)
BRIEFING
The briefing will take place the night before the trek at 6pm in our office, which is located at Calle Garcilaso 210, office 213 (second floor) in the La CASA DEL ABUELO shopping center.
TIPPING
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary in your country, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the Lares trek to Machu Picchu. It inspires them to give excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many SAM Travel Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you would like, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
ARE WE SUSTAINABLE?
Yes, we are a locally sustainable & responsible tourism operator. That incorporates universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know and understand, respect the places and the local people.
PACKING LIST
WHAT TO BRING FOR THE TOUR FOR SACSAYHUAMAN AND PISAC DAY TOUR?
- Warm jacket and rain jacket
- Hat
- Water
- Sun protection
- Some money for souvenirs and food
- Money in soles to purchase boleto turístico (70 soles)
- Original passport
- If you are a student, take your valid university ID card (only works for the 10 day boleto turístico)
