Discover the Inca Capital in our Cusco City Tour
Itinerary of Cusco City Tour
Cusco - Catedral - Coricancha - Sacsayhuaman - Q'enqo - Puca Pucara - Tambomachay
Your exciting Cusco City Tour begins at approximately 1:00 p.m. in the Plaza de Armas, the incredible center of Cusco, where the heart of the ancient city still beats. Surrounded by historic colonial buildings such as the Cusco Cathedral and the Church of the Society of Jesus, it's the perfect introduction to the cultural mix that defines Cusco.
We'll begin by visiting the Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, Cusco's main square. Delight in the magnificent paintings, known throughout South America, and works of silver and gold. Next, we'll visit the Qoricancha, known as the Temple of the Sun. Once a temple filled with gold, it was the most important temple of the Inca Empire. Enjoy the engineering of our ancestors and the architecture of the Spanish colonial period.
Next, our private transportation will take you on a tour of the most important archaeological sites in Cusco. First, we'll visit the imposing Sacsayhuaman fortress, located 2 km from the city. Here you'll find perfectly carved stones weighing over 100 tons. This engineering marvel demonstrates the great skills of our ancestors. Enjoy the panoramic view and take plenty of photos.
Our tour continues with Q'enqo, a sacred ceremonial site with fascinating underground passages used for rituals. We'll then head to Puca Pucara, known as the "Red Fortress" for the color of its stones, which served defensive and administrative functions during the Inca era. Finally, we'll visit Tambomachay, an archaeological site famous for its aqueducts, canals, and fountains, believed to have been a center dedicated to water.
What’s Included Cusco City Tour
- Private and comfortable transportation
- Professional, certified tour guide (English and Spanish)
- First aid kit
- 24/7 customer service available before and during the tour
What’s Not Included Cusco City Tour
- Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turistico): Required for entry to sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.
- Partial Ticket (City Tour Only): Approx. PEN 70 (~USD 20)
- Full Ticket (City – Valley – More): Approx. PEN 130 (~USD 35)Discounts available for students and children
- Admission Tickets
- Cusco Cathedral entrance ticket (Approx. PEN 40 or USD 12)
- Qoricancha Temple entrance ticket (Approx. PEN 20 or USD 6)
- Additional costs beyond our control: Price changes due to bad weather, strikes, pandemics, government policies, etc.
What Bring in Cusco City Tour
- Comfortable walking shoes: Hiking boots are not necessary. The city of Cusco is very smooth, however, we recommend comfortable ones.
- Layered clothing: Depending on the season you travel: If it’s the dry season, you can travel much lighter; if it’s the rainy season, remember to bring a poncho.
- Water bottle: Staying hydrated is important.
- Snacks: It’s recommended to bring something like energy bars; you can have lunch on the way back to Cusco.
- Camera: Essential; Cusco is beautiful, and the places you’ll visit are incredible.
- Extra cash: You’ll find something to buy everywhere.
Personal meditation. - Raincoat: Rain can happen suddenly, so it’s always good to be safe. Cusco City Tour
Frecuently Asked Question in Cusco City Tour
What is the Cusco Tourist Ticket?
The Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC) is a pass that allows you entry to the most important attractions in Cusco. This pass is essential if you want to take the Cusco City Tour half-day. The price of the BTC for just Cusco is 70 soles (USD 20). There is a complete BTC ticket that includes the attractions of Cusco and the Sacred Valley that costs 130 soles (USD 35).
When does the Cusco City Tour start and end?
Our Cusco city tour begins in the afternoon at 1:00 p.m. and ends after visiting all the attractions of the city of Cusco in the afternoon at 6:00 p.m., which is when we return to Cusco.
How difficult is it to do the Cusco City Tour considering my physical condition?
The Cusco City Tour is easy to do. It’s the perfect way to acclimatize in Cusco and then hike something like Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake. If you’re planning a multi-day hike like the Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek, this tour is always a good idea. When you arrive in Cusco, you’ll feel the altitude at around 3,400 m (11,155 ft). You can take a day to acclimatize if you’re feeling very unwell. However, if you’re hiking and staying two days in Cusco, it’s recommended that you take the City Tour and the Sacred Valley Tour or Sacred Valley VIP.
How long is the Cusco City Tour?
Cusco city tour half day, it takes about 5 hours in half a day, it is a quick tour and at night it will allow you to explore the city on your own and visit a restaurant
Travel info
Places to Visit
Plaza de Armas in Cusco: Cusco’s Plaza de Armas is the historic center. It is located in the heart of the city and is surrounded by incredible monuments such as the Cusco Cathedral and the Society of Jesus. Today, the Plaza de Armas is a busy square 24/7 in Cusco, very safe and touristy. It is surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and handicrafts. It is also the site of many festivals held in Cusco and important events such as Init Raymi, New Year’s Day, and more.
Qoricancha (Golden Temple): Coricancha is an ancient Inca temple, considered one of the most religious sites. Its name means “Sun Temple.” The temple was once covered in gold and filled with golden artifacts. After the conquest, the Spanish arrived in Peru, looted all the gold, and built a church over the temple. It also features a system of underground canals used to irrigate crops.
Sacsayhuaman: It’s a fortified complex located on the outskirts of Cusco. Not far away, just 2 km away, it was an Inca fortress made up of several large stone walls. The interconnected stones reach 18 meters in height and weigh over 100 tons.
Q’enqo: Q’enqo or Kenko: This is a religious site believed to have been used for sacrifices and religious ceremonies by the Incas. It has a series of canals and is important in astronomy and astrology for the Inca people.
Puka Pukara: An Inca military outpost and administrative center. This site contains walls, terraces, and abundant stonework. Technically, the name Puka Pukara means “Red Fortress” in Quechua. These buildings are believed to have served as military barracks, warehouses, and administrative headquarters.
Tambomachay: The last place on the tour, the site was very important for cultivation and fertility, consists of a series of water ducts and waterfalls that lead to pools that were filled with water from the nearest springs, this water was used for purification, rituals and water for the Inca elite, all were used for ceremonial purposes.
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