Which one to choose in Cusco
Two ancient sites in Cusco. Maukallaqta has 3 tickets and tours to book; Sacsayhuaman has 41 tickets and tours to book. The table and the two notes below put them side by side; the full pages have what to see, the ticket and the timing for each.
Cusco, Peru
Maukallaqta is an Inca stone complex in the hills of Paruro province, south of Cusco, linked by tradition to the place where the first Incas emerged from a cave at Pacariqtambo. Its name means ancient town in Quechua, and few visitors make the rough trip, so the walls and doorways are usually empty.
Cusco, Peru
Sacsayhuaman is the Inca stronghold on the hill above Cusco, famous for zigzag terrace walls of polished limestone blocks fitted without mortar. Some of the stones weigh well over 100 tonnes, and the site sits at about 3,700 metres. It is the closest major Inca site to the city and the stage for the Inti Raymi festival every June.
| Maukallaqta | Sacsayhuaman | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Ancient City | Fortress & Citadel |
| Civilisation | Andean | Andean |
| Founded | — | 1450 |
| Entry | No regular ticket; a small community fee may be asked | Cusco tourist ticket: PEN 130 full or PEN 70 partial |
| Hours | Daylight hours; no fixed opening times | About 7 am to 5.30 pm daily, all year |
| Time needed | A full day from Cusco | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Booking | Book a guided tour a few days ahead; departures are infrequent | No booking; buy the tourist ticket at the gate or in Cusco |
| UNESCO | — | yes |
| Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide | 3 | 41 |