
May 28, 2025
Attractions of Circuit 1 with the Cusco Tourist Ticket
If you purchased the Cusco tourist ticket for Circuit 1, you should check out each of the attractions you’ll be able to visit. This way, you’ll have a much more immersive experience and be better prepared for what you’ll see. Discover Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay, must-see attractions located very close to each other. Get to know them all:
Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Park
With the Cusco tourist ticket, you’ll be able to visit one of the most impressive architectural complexes of the Inca era, Sacsayhuamán, a site of immense constructions that served as a fortress, protecting the entire city. Within the site, you’ll find colossal blocks of perfectly joined stone, bastions, towers, houses, shrines, paths, platforms, aqueducts, and a large number of green areas that serve as part of this magical place.
This place is located just 2 kilometers outside the city, and can be reached by any means of transportation, as well as by hiking steadily uphill. Along the way, we’ll also find viewpoints where we can appreciate the entire city from various angles, as well as small forests that lend greater harmony to the place.
The main wall of Sacsayhuamán measures approximately 5 meters high and 2.5 meters wide, weighing between 90 and 125 tons, and the place leaves you with more questions than answers. Another attraction that is causing a stir are the mysterious chincanas (underground caves or labyrinths). Currently, only a small one can be entered, but there are others that connect extensive points throughout Cusco.
Sacsayhuamán also hosts the main stage for Inti Raymi, held annually on June 24th. This day commemorates the main Inca festival honoring the sun god and brings together more than 300 performers.
Entrance hours to Sacsayhuamán: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Archaeological center of Qenqo
A short distance from Sacsayhuamán (a 10-minute walk) we find another destination on the Cusco tourist ticket on circuit one, the archaeological center of Qenqo, which is considered one of the largest huacas (sacred sites) in the entire Cusco region. Throughout its study, it is believed to have been a place for sacrifices and mummifications by the Inca culture.
Qenqo has a semicircular plaza with nineteen niches and a stone monolith in its center. Beneath the site, we’ll also find labyrinth-like passages leading to underground chambers. Throughout the plaza, we’ll also see immense stone walls, water channels, and zoomorphic figures.
Another of its main attractions is the Intihuatana, a sacred site that emanates a great deal of energy and can also be found in Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. Another striking structure is the Monkey Temple, which features figures of snakes and monkeys.
Along with your visit, you can explore the immense eucalyptus forest that accompanies it, so your visit can be more immersive, even allowing you to enjoy a picnic in the surrounding area.
Check-in time to Qenqo: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Cusco Tourist Comprehensive Ticket:
If you want a much broader experience, exploring the entire Cusco region and its main attractions, the ideal option is the comprehensive ticket. It takes you to sixteen sites in total, including archaeological sites, historical museums, and cultural centers. This way, you’ll have a more in-depth cultural immersion in your travel itinerary. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover all of Cusco’s most iconic sites.
Puka Pukara archaeological site
Known as the Red Fortress, Puka Pukara, which is included in the Cusco tour ticket, is located at the top of a peak that offers a wide panorama of the surrounding area. To get there, we’ll have to take a slightly longer route, as it’s a 25-minute drive from the city of Cusco.
It is believed that this place served as a shelter and surveillance point for Tambomachay, which is located a short walk from the site. It fulfilled military and administrative functions, as well as being a meeting place for the delegations accompanying the Inca. They would stay here while the Inca traveled to Tambomachay.
Puka Pukara rises to an altitude of 3,580 meters above sea level, offering natural views that seem to merge with the impressive structures surrounding it. Along the way, we find small squares, rooms, stairways, ancient water fountains, the entrance gate, and two large walls that support an upper terrace.
Puka Pukara entry hours: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Tambomachay archaeological complex
The final destination on the Cusco tour ticket for circuit one is Tambomachay. This site served as one of the Inca’s main spas and was also one of the defensive pillars of the entire Cusco Valley. This site is located 25 minutes from the city and just five minutes from Puka Pukara. Its name, translated into Spanish, means “resting place,” reflecting the fact that it was one of the Inca’s favorite places to relax.
This site is made up of stone structures, aqueducts, walls, niches, agricultural terraces, and vast water fountains. Tambomachay, also known as the “Inca Baths,” boasts an extensive hydraulic system that maintains a constant flow of clean water year-round to this day.
Although today it’s an open-air site, given the buildings here, it’s believed to have originally been an enclosed space. The tranquility found here, along with the gentle waterfalls, gives Tambomachay a magical atmosphere.
Entry hours to Tambomachay: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Characteristics of the tourist attractions of circuit 1
Attractive
|
Main function
|
Highlighted Features
|
Check-in time
|
---|---|---|---|
Sacsayhuamán | Fortress and ceremonial center. | Cyclopean walls, chincanas, viewpoints, towers, headquarters of the Inti Raymi. | 07:00 – 18:00 |
Qenqo | Ceremonial huaca for rituals and mummifications. | Central monkey stone, underground labyrinths, canals, Intihuatana, monkey temple. | 07:00 – 18:00 |
Puka Pukara | Military checkpoint and guard. | Small squares, terraces, double walls, strategic viewpoints, architecture with a reddish tone. | 07:00 – 18:00 |
Tambomachay | Ritual center linked to water and rest of the Inca. | Water fountains, aqueducts, niches, agricultural terraces, relaxing natural surroundings. | 07:00 – 18:00 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does Circuit 1 of the Cusco tourist ticket include?
Circuit 1 allows entry to four important archaeological sites near the city of Cusco: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay.
2. What are the entry times to the Circuit 1 sites?
The general entry hours for all attractions on Circuit 1 are from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
3. How to get to the Circuit 1 sites from Cusco?
All attractions are located within a short distance of Cusco and can be accessed by tourist transport, taxi, private vehicle, or hiking.
4. What will I find in the Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Park?
Sacsayhuamán stands out for its enormous, perfectly assembled stone walls, its historical significance, and its ceremonial function. It’s also the site of the Inti Raymi festival every June 24th.
5. What was the function of Qenqo in the Inca era?
Qenqo was an important ceremonial center, considered a sacred huaca. It is believed to have been used for sacrifices and religious rituals.
6. What was the purpose of Puka Pukara in the Inca era?
Puka Pukara served as a checkpoint and resting place for the Inca’s delegations, in addition to serving as a defensive site thanks to its strategic location.
7. Why is Tambomachay important?
Tambomachay was a place designated for the Inca’s rest and possibly for water-related rituals. Its hydraulic engineering remains functional today, demonstrating the Inca’s advanced knowledge.
8. Can all the sites on Circuit 1 be visited in one day?
Yes, it’s entirely possible to visit all four sites in a single day, as they’re all located within a short distance of each other. It’s recommended to start early in the morning and plan your time well so you can appreciate each location at your leisure.
9. Is a guide required to visit these sites?
A guide is not required, but it is recommended to hire one to fully understand the historical, symbolic, and architectural significance of each site.
10. Can admission to the attractions of Circuit 1 be paid separately?
No, the archaeological sites of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay are only accessible with a tourist ticket. Individual tickets for each site are not available.