Qenqo in Cusco Peru

To get to Qenqo in Cusco Perúyou can take a City Tour from any travel agency (almost all of them offer this type of service); on foot, it takes 50 minutes from the center of the city of Cusco; in this case it can be done initially using the route to Sacsayhuaman.

Qenqo Ruins

The complexes we described were, without a doubt, very important sanctuaries for the Incas. Despite the destruction that this complex suffered during the colony, what can be seen today inside it is still impressive and colossal.

The Hall of Sacrifice

Subway chamber, made in the inner, lower portion of the great rock, so that the floors, ceiling, walls, tables and cupboards are carved out of a single gigantic rock. It is said that this subway chamber could have been used for embalming the corpses of dried apricots, and also as a place for human sacrifices and llama.

Intiwatana and Astronomical Observatory

Qenqo Cusco.

Located on top of the large rocky outcrop, composed of two cylindrical prominences that stand vertically on a quasi-elliptical pedestal, all in situ carved into the top of the rock. The use of the Intiwatanas (where the sun is tied) during the Inca Empire is so far an enigma. It is presumed that it was a kind of astronomical observatory, which the Hamautas used to measure time, to establish the seasons, determine the solstices and equinoxes, and also, as an Adoratory where the Sun, Moon, Venus and stars.

The Zigzagging Gutter

It is in the great rock and very close to the Intiwatana. The zigzagging channel starts from a small hole and moves down in an inclined plane and broken line, which then bifurcates, one of these branches leads the liquid to the subway chamber or Sacrificial Room (according to Cusco historian Victor Angles). The liquid could be consecrated chicha or blood of beings sacrificed to the gods.

The amphitheater

It is a huge semicircular surface of 55 m. long, with 19 incomplete niches, distributed along the wall. During the Inca Empire this place was a temple for public ceremonies. In front of the free area, there is a large stone block 6 m. high resting on a solid rectangular pedestal. It has niches distributed around the amphitheater as seats, but according to recent research, it is very likely that they were actually the bases of a great wall, located in each of them, the representation of an entity they worshiped.

How to get to Qenqo in Cusco Peru?

From the main square by bus it takes about 15 minutes to get to Qenqo in Cusco Peru. You can rent a City Tour or a private service. On foot it takes about 50 minutes. The entrance to the ruins of Qenqo is with the Cusco Tourist Ticket.

The best option to get to Qenqo is a tour in Cusco, such as the 3 Day Cusco Tour or the 5 Day Cusco Tour.