Cusco City Tour Gal 2
Saqsayhuaman
Saqsayhuaman 3
Cusco City Tour 3
Saqsayhuaman 2

Sacsayhuaman

The Sacsayhuaman (satisfied hawk) is a fortress-temple complex at the northern edge of Cuzco consider the capital of the Inca empire. Built during the Inca emperor Pachacutec (1438-1471 CE) and his dynasty, its huge, well-built walls remain those days as a testimony not only to Inca power is also the skills of Inca architects and their approach of blending their monumental structures harmoniously into the natural landscape. The Sacsayhuaman is still used today for reenactments of Inca-inspired ceremonias like the Sun festival and other celebrations.

Construction
Sacsayhuaman fortress is the largest and bigest structure built by Incas during XV century. It was built on a natural rocky promontory facing the northern fértil valley of Inca capital of Cuzco. Pottery documentation indicate that the site had previously been occupied by Inca residents. Begun in the reign of the great Inca empire builder Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui, or perhaps his son Thupa Inca Yupanqui in the mid-15th century CE, the design was credited to 4 Inca igineeers: Huallpa Rimachi, Maricanchi, Acahuana, and Calla Cunchui. The first walls were built using mud and clay during the begining of the Inca society because they were a small poor community. Then the Inca govermnet decided to replaced these with magnificent huge stonework which employed huge finely-cut polygonal blocks, many of these rocks are biger than 4 meters height and weighing over 120 tons. To finalize such a massive project 20,000 people were forced to work in under the well-established Inca system of extracting both goods and labour from peoples they conquered. Working in a system of rotation aproximatly 7,000 were given quarrying duties while the other 5,000 dug trenches and laid the foundations. The fortress walls were built in vertical sections, probably, each section being the responsibility of one ethnic labour group.

The Incas were master stonebuilders. Huge blocks were removed, shaped and polished using nothing more than harder stones and bronze tools that is how the archaeologists mention in their documentation. Marks on the stone blocks indicate that they were mostly pounded into shape rather than cut. Blocks were moved using ropes, logs, poles, levers, and earthen ramps and some stones still have nodes protruding from them or indentations which were used to help workers grip the stone. That rocks were roughly hewn in the quarries and then worked on again at their final destination is clearly indicated by unfinished examples left at quarries and on various routes to building sites. The fine cutting and setting of the blocks on site was so precise and perfect located that is why mortar was not necessary. Finally, a finished surface was provided using grinding stones and sand that information is clarify by the archaeologists that still working looking for more documentation.

Design
Cusco city was biult with special puma shape (Puma-mountain lion) and Sacsayhuamna is cosider the head of this Cusco Puma city, if people want to see it just have to walk to Sacsayhuaman to look Cusco and Sacsayhuaman it is easy to see head of this Puma city. The fortress has three distinct terraces which recede backwards on each other. The walls, each reaching a height of 16 metres, are laid out in a zigzag fashion stretching over 550 metres so that each wall has up to 40 segments, which allowed the defenders to catch attackers in a crossfire; a result helped also by the general curvature of the entire fortress facade. In addition, Inca architects very often sought to harmoniously blend their structures into the surrounding natural landscape and the outline of the Sacsayhuaman was similarly built to mimic the contours of the mountain range which towers behind it. This is particularly evident when the sun creates deep triangular shadows between the zigzag terraces in exactly the same way that it does on the mountain range with its peaks and valleys we can see this evidence on sacred valley.
Function
On completion, the fortress was said to have had a capacity for at least 1,200 warriors, but it was rarely needed as the Incas did not suffer invasions from enemy states. Probably, for this reason, Sacsayhuaman was designed as much more than a fortress. The complex included temples, notably one to the sun god Inti, and was used as a location for Inca ceremonies. The Sacsayhuaman was also a major Inca storage depot where arms, armour, foodstuffs, valuable textiles, ceramics, metal tools, and precious metals were kept.
 

Sacsayhuaman tours

An adventure inside Cusco City Tours with a local guide and with traditional meal, more than 3 thousand varieties of potato and corn that we have for you. Cusco city is located on the southern portion of Peru, with 3300 m.a.s.l or 10 800 fts.
Learn about the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which is considered one of the emblematic attractives in our region, you will also have a great adventure during the tour as we will visit the Animal Sanctuary Zoo of Cochahuasi.
Experience the best of Cusco city, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in 3 unforgettable days, Book Now!! and secure your tickets for 2026 and 2027

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Reviews for Cusco City Tour: Qorikancha and 4 Inca Ruins

AW C

We did the one-day Inca Trail with Kenko Adventures, and our guide was Miguel Angel. It was truly an amazing and inspiring adventure on the same path the Inca people took to reach Machu Picchu.

Our guide, Miguel, was very knowledgeable and encouraging, especially since we had two children with us. He was able to pace our hike while still encouraging us to keep going toward our destination. During the hike, Miguel shared information…

Odyssey

I highly recommend Elvis and David. They were very professional and knowledgeable, and they made sure everyone was safe at all times. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and will only book with them again.

Hande B

I contacted Kenko Adventures when I couldn't find tickets for Circuit 3 at Machu Picchu, as they were all sold out on the government website. Elvis somehow managed to secure tickets for Circuit 3 and secured them along with our Circuit 1 tickets. He then arranged our transportation from the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, where we stayed the night before going to Machu Picchu. He also arranged our return tickets and transportation to our…

Peru Tour Operator

Kenko Adventures

Kenko Adventures is a top-rated company in Peru specializing in Machu Picchu hiking tours & Inca Trail adventures — winner of the 2025 Travelers' Choice Award.

Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Award 2025

Book your private tour!

Book our tour and experience adventures designed to help you
make the most of your destination.

Contact Us

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Itinerary
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Live the tour of your dreams!

Make your dream trip a reality! Book today and walk through
the last city of the Incas.

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Highlights

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Reviews for Sacred valley tour from Urubamba

Luke H

Fantastic experience from start to finish! The team went above and beyond to secure us two Machu Picchu tours, ensuring we had the best possible experience during our 2-day, 1-night tour of the Secret Valley and Machu Picchu. Everything was perfectly organized, and we couldn't find a single fault. I highly recommend this agency to anyone visiting Peru!

Carol G

My husband, son, daughter, and son-in-law booked our tour with Kenko Adventures, and they exceeded all our expectations. From the detailed briefing they gave us in Cusco to the last day hiking at Machu Picchu, everything was organized and seamless. If we had any issues before leaving the United States or any problems with the scheduling here in Peru, they responded immediately. Our guide, Henry, was exceptional. He not only knew the history…

Hande B

I contacted Kenko Adventures when I couldn't find tickets for Circuit 3 at Machu Picchu, as they were all sold out on the government website. Elvis somehow managed to secure tickets for Circuit 3 and secured them along with our Circuit 1 tickets. He then arranged our transportation from the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, where we stayed the night before going to Machu Picchu. He also arranged our return tickets and transportation to our…

Peru Tour Operator

Kenko Adventures

Kenko Adventures is a top-rated company in Peru specializing in Machu Picchu hiking tours & Inca Trail adventures — winner of the 2025 Travelers' Choice Award.

Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Award 2025

Book your private tour!

Book our tour and experience adventures designed to help you
make the most of your destination.

Contact Us

Difficulty
Availability
Itinerary
Maps
Reviews
Overview

Live the tour of your dreams!

Make your dream trip a reality! Book today and walk through
the last city of the Incas.

Contact Us

Trip Details

Highlights

Itinerary

Inclusions

Prices Options

FAQS

Packing List

Highlights

Itinerary

Inclusions

Price & Options

Packing List

Book your tour today!

Contact us and let us help you plan a worry-free tour.

Book now

Reviews for Cusco city + sacred valley and Machu Picchu tour 3 days

Odyssey

I highly recommend Elvis and David. They were very professional and knowledgeable, and they made sure everyone was safe at all times. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and will only book with them again.

Brandt S

My wife and I had an amazing time hiking the Inca Trail with our incredible guide Carlos, Chef Carmello, and porters.

He provided guidance on preparing for the trip. We rented sleeping bags and trekking poles so we didn't have to carry them around, and overall, it just made for a fantastic experience.

The food was an excellent showcase of Peruvian cuisine, and they were very accommodating to our dietary needs.

Carlos was an…

AW C

We did the one-day Inca Trail with Kenko Adventures, and our guide was Miguel Angel. It was truly an amazing and inspiring adventure on the same path the Inca people took to reach Machu Picchu.

Our guide, Miguel, was very knowledgeable and encouraging, especially since we had two children with us. He was able to pace our hike while still encouraging us to keep going toward our destination. During the hike, Miguel shared information…

Peru Tour Operator

Kenko Adventures

Kenko Adventures is a top-rated company in Peru specializing in Machu Picchu hiking tours & Inca Trail adventures — winner of the 2025 Travelers' Choice Award.

Tripadvisor Travelers Choice Award 2025

Book your private tour!

Book our tour and experience adventures designed to help you
make the most of your destination.

Contact Us