Cusco Four Ruins Tour: Sacsayhuaman, Qorikancha & Alpacas

Summary

Stone walls, sacred springs, city views and alpaca wool in Cusco

You’ll walk ancient Inca paths through Cusco’s legendary Four Ruins—Sacsayhuaman’s massive stones, Qorikancha’s golden temple walls, secret tunnels at Qenko, and quiet waters at Tambomachay—with stories from a local guide and time to meet alpacas along the way. Expect moments that linger long after you’re back in town.

What’s the experience like?

You know that hollow sound when your shoes hit old stone? That’s what I noticed first, stepping into Qorikancha. The walls are so smooth it almost feels wrong to touch them, but our guide (María) said the Incas wanted these stones to last forever. She pointed out little trapezoidal windows where sunlight used to pour in. There was a faint smell of incense from a nearby altar—someone still leaves flowers here. I tried to imagine what this place looked like before the Spanish church sat on top.

We wound up through narrow streets and out of Cusco toward Sacsayhuaman. The air got thinner, or maybe I was just out of breath from laughing at my own attempts to say “Saqsaywaman” right (María grinned and told me it means “satisfied falcon”—I’m still not sure if she was serious). The view over Cusco from those giant zigzag walls is wild—clouds kept sliding over the mountains. There were school kids running around, and someone selling sweet bread by the gate. The main keyword here is definitely “Cusco city tour four ruins,” because you really do get all four: Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay.

Qenko was quieter—a bit eerie, honestly. We ducked into these carved tunnels where everything felt damp and cool. María showed us zigzag channels cut into the rock; she said they used them for rituals with chicha or maybe blood (she shrugged—no one knows for sure). After that we stopped at an alpaca sanctuary near Wallarcocha. A woman there handed me raw wool—soft as clouds—and let me try spinning it between my fingers. I didn’t expect to care about vicuña wool but now I know it’s apparently the fanciest in Peru.

Tambomachay was last—the water there moves so gently you can barely hear it unless you stand close. People tossed coca leaves into the stream as an offering; I copied them without really knowing why. On the drive back down to Cusco I watched the light change on the hills and thought about how many layers this city has—Inca stones under Spanish churches under modern traffic noise. It’s hard to shake that feeling once you’ve seen it up close.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cusco city and nearby ruins tour

• Visit main square of Cusco
• Explore Temple of Sun Koricancha
• See fortress of Sacsayhuaman
• Visit Qenko ceremonial center
• View Puca Pucara fortress
• Explore Tambomachay water site

Top questions

How long does the Cusco Four Ruins tour take?

The tour lasts about half a day, including travel between sites and stops at each ruin.

Is hotel pickup included for this Cusco city tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Cusco city center are included.

What sites are visited on this day trip from Cusco?

You visit Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, plus an alpaca sanctuary.

Is lunch provided during the Four Ruins tour?

No lunch is included on this half-day tour.

Are guides available in English or Spanish?

Yes, tours are led by guides who speak English or Spanish.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Can I see alpacas on this tour?

Yes, there is a stop at an alpaca and llama farm near Wallarcocha.

What’s included

Your half-day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within central Cusco, round-trip transportation between all four ruins plus the alpaca sanctuary near Wallarcocha, and a knowledgeable guide who shares stories in English or Spanish as you go—from stone temples to mountain springs before returning to town together.