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Sacsayhuaman

  • Cusco, Cusco Region, Peru

  • Bucket List Experience

Last updated: 31 March, 2024

This ruined Inca fortress and ceremonial centre to the sun perches over Cusco – with magnificent views of the city from its massive walls. The masonry boggles the mind: boulders weighing hundreds of tons cut into strange geometric shapes – transported without the use of the wheel – are jigsaw-pieced together without cement or metal tools.

The ruins represent just a fifth of its original mass. Even so, it’s an imposing sight: a series of tri-level ramparts hundreds of metres long and overlooking a vast field. The scale of some boulders is truly monumental, a testament to the ingenuity of Inca masonry.

Logistics

Price from: £24
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Sacsayhuaman stands on a large plain that overlooks Cusco.

Get there Inca-style by making the steep, 30-minute hike up an old roadway from Cusco centre. The trail begins at the north-western end of Calle Pumacurco, through the narrow, mansion-lined streets of atmospheric San Blas.

It’s straightforward to walk around the ruins self-guided (information is available from the tourist office on Plaza de Armas – Portal Harinas 177), but a guided tour is far more rewarding (guides available through the tourist office).

When to do it

It’s open all year round, seven days a week. Ideally, visit mid-afternoon, when the ruins are bathed in golden light and tourists are leaving. Avoid after dark when the location attracts thieves.

Who to go with: organised tours

5

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Cusco 4-Hour Private Tour Including Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo

  • Cusco

Cusco 4-Hour Private Tour Including Sacsayhuaman and Qenqo

Viator

Discover the magic of Cusco on a 4-hour private sightseeing tour of the capital of the Inca Empire. Explore the city’s main attractions with your private guide, such as the Convent of Santo Domingo. Then continue to nearby archaeological sites including Sacsayhuaman and others that are the best example of ancient Incan architecture and religion.

Price $80

Min age 2

Rating 4.79 / 5 [43 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Sacsayhuaman Inca´s Temple, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara & Q`enqo Half-Day Tour

  • Cusco

Sacsayhuaman Inca´s Temple, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara & Q`enqo Half-Day Tour

Viator

Experience the impressive Incan architecture of the ancient fortress and temple at the archeological park of Sacsayhuaman. Our tour will go through the three levels of this magical place. Sacsayhuaman was a temple, made of mysteriously massive stones. Travelers will discover the hidden corners and remains of this sacred place. Afterwards, we continue to the Inca adoratory of Q’enqo, with its surprising altar for sacrifices embedded in the internal part of its rocky formation. Finally, we arrive at the Puca Pucará lookout and Tambomachay, a monument of notable architectonic excellence which is considered one of the pillars of the Andean cosmovision. These spectacular archeological sites which surround Cusco are a true mark of Incan heritage and culture and a must-see when visiting Peru. Admission tickets are included.

Price $69

Min age 4

Rating 4.41 / 5 [41 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Horseback Riding Plus Tour to Sacsayhuaman, Quenqo, Puka Pucara and Tambomachay

  • Cusco

Horseback Riding Plus Tour to Sacsayhuaman, Quenqo, Puka Pucara and Tambomachay

Viator

Enjoy a horseback riding tour which will visit the "Four Ruins" taking you to the most famous archaeological sites around Cusco which are Qenqo, Puka Pucara, Tambomachay and the fabulous Sacsayhuaman. To visit these places riding a horse is a great experience.

Price $95

Min age 6

Rating 4.97 / 5 [34 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Half day Horseback Riding tour around Sacsayhuaman park

  • Cusco

Half day Horseback Riding tour around Sacsayhuaman park

Viator

This  tour is the best way to explore the hiden places in Sacsayhuaman archeological park, this impresive place is located 15 min  away from Cusco city.  All the regular tours takes just a few minutes to visit only the big walls, but you need almost 3 to 4 hours to visit this archeologycal park on a good way, there are lots of hiden places that the tourists don't go on a regular way, for example the "Temple of The Moon" an ancient inca temple used for rituals for fertility, the "Inca Face" a natural shape on the nature that was considered sacred by the incas.  If you love to explore and learn on a curious way about the incas, this is the best option for you! .

Price $59

Min age 7

Rating 4.96 / 5 [29 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Half-Day City Tour Cusco with Inca museum

  • Cusco

Half-Day City Tour Cusco with Inca museum

Viator

Enjoy a private city tour of Cusco and visit the temple of Koricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, Pucapucara. The tour includes a private guide and private transportation.

Price $110

Min age 1

Rating 4.9 / 5 [10 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides

2

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Cusco

  • Cusco Region, Peru

Aerial view of the Cusco town in Peru

Destination guide

The heart of the old Inca empire has a wealth of Inca ruins, Spanish treasures and historic architecture to explore.

Peru

  • Peru

Peru

Destination guide

A land of spectacular deserts, high mountains and rainforests that teem with wildlife, Peru is also home to an array of dramatically situated pre-Colombian ruins, including Machu Picchu.

Round-ups

1

Round-ups that include this experience