The 4 must-see sites around Cuzco

Tambomachay or Tampumach'ay means "place of rest" in Quechua.

Situated at an altitude of 3800m and 8km from Cuzco, this is the first stage of your excursion.

Tambomachay was undoubtedly a stopover on the way to the Incas' Sacred Valley and dates back to the year 1500. It was a mythical place, a place of purification, perhaps imperial baths where water was celebrated, or simply an ancient spa, hence its nickname "El Baño del Inca", meaning the bath of the Inca.

Two still-functioning fountains of pure spring water, tiered terraces, a series of aqueducts and canals and a waterfall make up this remarkable site.

Just outside Tambomachay is the Puca Pucara site.

Puca Pucara or Puka Pukara means "red fort or fortress" in Quechua because of the colour of its stones. Situated on a mound overlooking the valley, Puca Pucara was a military structure during the Inca Empire.

The fortress served as a checkpoint (probably with a toll) and defence post for the city of Cuzco on the road from Pisac.

The archaeological site is made up of large walls, terraces, staircases and streets lined with pavements and canals. Approximately 20 minutes' visit.

Between Puca Pucara and Qenqo is a small village with roadside stalls where you can enjoy a choclo con queso (white corn and cheese) before continuing on your way.

Qenqo or Q'enqo (from the Quechua word Q'inqu meaning "labyrinth"), probably because of the small zigzag channels carved into the rocks on the site.

The Qenqo site is divided into 2 parts: El Grande beside the road and El Chico, 350m up the hill.

Qenqo is thought to have been one of the most important Inca sanctuaries, a centre dedicated to worship and ceremonies where the dead were mummified, perhaps even a place of sacrifice, but there are also signs that it functioned as an astronomical observatory.

On site, you can admire small labyrinths of underground galleries, sculpted caves, stone thrones, a natural tunnel in the rock, an amphitheatre-shaped construction in the middle of which stands a 6-metre-high monolithic altar... One thing's for sure: Qenqo hasn't yet revealed all its secrets!

Sacsayhuaman or Saksaywaman or Saqsaywaman, this Quechua word means "contented raptor" or "satisfied hawk".

Located 2km from the city of Cuzco, this site was built around the 13th century or perhaps earlier, most probably for defensive or religious purposes.

Today, only 20% of the original buildings remain on this huge archaeological site covering some 300 hectares.

However, you can still admire the marvels of Inca engineering: 22 zigzag walls 600m long, thought to represent the teeth of a puma (a sacred animal in Inca culture), gigantic blocks of carved stone, some weighing up to 200 tonnes, a series of stone benches known as the "Inca throne", irrigation canals, food and weapons warehouses, etc.

Sacsayhuaman hosts the famous "Inti Raymi" sun festival every year on 24 June, the day of the winter solstice, to invoke the return of the sun.

An Inca fortress to defend Cuzco or a religious centre dedicated to the sun, probably both, but this imposing site still retains some of its mystery.

Sacsayhuaman is a must-see!

If you still have time, you can go further up the hill to Pukamoqo. The White Christ Observatory (Mirador Cristo Blanco) is a belvedere where a large 8m statue of Jesus Christ stands with outstretched arms (reminiscent of the one in Rio de Janeiro) overlooking the entire city of Cuzco.

A breathtaking panoramic view of Cuzco and the surrounding mountains.

Finally, a suggestion for a restaurant where you can admire the sunset over the city while sipping a cocktail or having dinner.

A young atmosphere, with live music or a DJ set on some evenings.

Limbus restaurant and bar

C. Pasñapakana 133, Cuzco

https://limbusrestobar.com/en/?utm_source=easyvoyage

There are several ways of getting to these sites, but in all cases you'll need to purchase either the Circuit I Partial Tourist Ticket (BTCPI) or the BTC Integral, which you can buy in advance from the Cosituc office.

Stay in Cuzco to visit the sites