The ancient Inca capital of Cusco is a must-visit destination for travelers eager to enjoy Peru’s rich cultural heritage. This half-day tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the city’s renowned archaeological sites, indulge in a delightful Andean picnic, and unleash your creativity through a guided painting workshop. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or an aspiring artist, this comprehensive experience promises to leave you with a deeper appreciation for the wonders of Cusco and the enduring legacies of the Inca civilization.
Key Points
- Explore iconic Inca archaeological sites like Qoricancha and Sacsayhuaman during a 4-hour guided tour in Cusco.
- Enjoy an Andean picnic with local delicacies and painting a Pucará bull artwork in a scenic forest setting.
- Discover the unique blend of Inca and colonial architecture at the Qoricancha temple, a significant astronomical observation site.
- Admire the impressive masonry and strategic positioning of the Sacsayhuaman complex, showcasing the engineering prowess of the Incas.
- The tour includes private transportation, a tour guide, and painting materials, but excludes entrance fees to be purchased separately.
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Contents
- Key Points
- Tour Overview
- Itinerary Highlights
- Qoricancha Exploration
- Sacsayhuaman Archaeology
- Andean Picnic Experience
- Painting Workshop
- Inclusions
- Booking Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Transportation From the Hotel to the Meeting Point Included?
- Can I Request a Specific Dietary Requirement for the Picnic?
- Is There a Minimum Age Requirement to Participate in the Tour?
- Can I Take the Painted Pucarás Bull Home With Me?
- What Should I Bring to the Tour Besides Comfortable Clothing?
- Recap
- Our Top Picks in Cusco
- More Tour Reviews in Cusco
- Not for you? Here's more things to do in Cusco we have recnetly reviewed
Tour Overview
This 4-hour tour offers visitors a comprehensive exploration of Cusco’s archaeological wonders and a delightful Andean picnic experience.
Priced from €224.55 per person, it’s limited to just 10 participants and is available in both Spanish and English.
Highlights include visiting the Qoricancha site, which blends Inca and colonial architecture, and exploring the impressive Sacsayhuaman archaeological complex.
The tour includes a picnic in Qenqo Forest, complete with Andean blankets, a snack board, and a bottle of wine.
Participants will also enjoy a painting workshop, creating Pucara bulls as a souvenir.
Hotel pick-up, a tour guide, and the painting materials are all included, though the tourist ticket and Qoricancha entrance fee are extra.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Cusco.
Itinerary Highlights
The tour begins with a visit to Qoricancha, a site that combines Inca and colonial architectural elements.
Guests will then explore Sacsayhuaman, an impressive Inca archaeological complex known for its massive stone blocks and strategic hilltop location.
The highlight of the itinerary is an Andean picnic in the Qenqo Forest. Here, you will enjoy a spread of cheeses, seasonal fruits, and a bottle of wine, set amidst colorful blankets and flowers.
The picnic is followed by a painting workshop led by a professional Cusco artist, where guests can create their own Pacari bull souvenirs using traditional Andean colors.
Qoricancha Exploration
Qoricancha, a unique site that blends Inca and colonial architectural elements, marks the beginning of this captivating tour. Visitors will marvel at the site’s impressive stonework and the integration of Spanish religious features. A table provides further details on the key highlights:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Inca Stonework | Massive blocks of intricately fitted stone |
| Spanish Influence | Ornate colonial-era church and convent |
| Astronomical Significance | Observation of solstices and equinoxes |
| Inca Sun Worship | Dedicated temple to the sun god Inti |
The exploration of Qoricancha offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Cusco, setting the stage for the adventure to come.
Sacsayhuaman Archaeology
Leaving the blended Inca and colonial architecture of Qoricancha behind, the tour now moves on to the impressive Inca archaeological complex of Sacsayhuaman.
This monumental fortification displays the Inca’s extraordinary masonry skills, with massive limestone blocks weighing several tons fitted together without mortar.
Visitors can explore:
- The imposing zigzag walls and impressive terraces that once protected the ancient city of Cusco
- The three towers that symbolized the three social divisions of the Inca Empire
- The unique stairways and plazas where ceremonies and rituals were once performed
- The stunning views overlooking the city, providing a glimpse into the Inca’s strategic positioning of this site.
Andean Picnic Experience
After exploring the impressive Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, the tour takes participants to a serene Andean picnic setting within the lush Qenqo Forest. Here, guests are treated to a delightful picnic experience, complete with Andean blankets, colorful flowers, and a snack board featuring local cheeses and seasonal fruits. Adding to the experience, a bottle of wine is provided to enhance the tranquil ambiance. Participants then have the opportunity to partake in a painting workshop led by a professional Cusco artist, where they can create a unique souvenir by painting Pucará bulls using Andean-inspired colors.
| Item | Included |
|---|---|
| Andean Blankets | ✓ |
| Flowers | ✓ |
| Snack Board | ✓ |
| Seasonal Fruits | ✓ |
| Bottle of Wine | ✓ |
| Painting Workshop | ✓ |
| Pucará Bull Painting | ✓ |
Painting Workshop
During the Andean picnic experience, guests have the opportunity to participate in a painting workshop led by a professional Cusco artist.
The workshop allows visitors to unleash their creativity and paint Pucarás bulls using Andean-inspired colors and techniques. This hands-on activity provides a unique souvenir to take home, capturing the essence of Cusco’s vibrant culture.
The workshop includes:
- Step-by-step guidance from the artist
- All necessary painting supplies
- Inspiration from the lush Qenqo Forest setting
- A finished Pucarás bull painting to cherish as a memento of the experience
Inclusions
The tour package includes a private service with hotel pick-up from the historical center of Cusco. A picnic and tour guide are also provided for the experience. Plus, you will receive a Pucará bull to paint as a souvenir.
| Inclusions |
|---|
| Private service and hotel pick-up |
| Picnic and tour guide provided |
| Pucará bull for painting included |
To make the most of the tour, visitors should note that the tourist ticket and entrance to Qoricancha are not included in the package price and will need to be purchased separately.
Booking Information
To book the Cusco: Archaeological Centers + Picnic + Paint | Half day tour, visitors can reserve their spot now and pay later without an upfront payment. The tour has flexible scheduling, allowing guests to check availability for starting times and select the desired number of participants and date. Once booked, the tour ends near Regocijo Square. Guests should note that the tour does not include the tourist ticket and entrance fee to Qoricancha, which are extra expenses. The tour offers a convenient private service with hotel pick-up in the historical center of Cusco.
- Reserve now and pay later to secure your spot.
- Check availability for starting times and select participants and date.
- Tour ends near Regocijo Square.
- Note: Extra expenses include tourist ticket and entrance to Qoricancha.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Transportation From the Hotel to the Meeting Point Included?
Private service and hotel pick-up in the historical center of Cusco are included in this tour. The tour begins with transportation from the hotel to the meeting point, before exploring the archaeological sites and participating in the picnic experience.
Can I Request a Specific Dietary Requirement for the Picnic?
Yes, you can request specific dietary requirements for the picnic. The tour provider will accommodate your needs, so just let them know any dietary restrictions or preferences when booking the tour.
Is There a Minimum Age Requirement to Participate in the Tour?
Yes, there is a minimum age requirement to participate in this tour. The minimum age is 8 years old. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants under 8 years old are not permitted.
Can I Take the Painted Pucarás Bull Home With Me?
Yes, you can take the painted Pucará bull home as a souvenir from the tour. The painting workshop allows you to create your own unique artwork which you can keep and display after the tour.
What Should I Bring to the Tour Besides Comfortable Clothing?
The tour provides a picnic with blankets, snacks, and wine. You’ll need to bring any personal items you’d like, such as sunscreen, hat, or camera. Otherwise, the tour includes everything else needed for the painting activity and sightseeing.
Cusco: Archaeological Centers + Picnic + Paint | Half Day |
Recap
This half-day tour in Cusco offers a well-rounded cultural experience. Visitors will explore impressive Inca archaeological sites, savor a delightful Andean picnic, and create their own Pucara bull artwork to take home. With a mix of history, nature, and creativity, this tour provides an immersive glimpse into Cusco’s rich heritage. It’s an ideal way to experience the city’s highlights in a short amount of time.
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