Cusco City Tour Half Day
Dificulty
Easy
Duration
1 Day
Group Size
14 a 19 People
Max Altitude
3,600 m.s.n.m
Description
Start your City Tour at 1:00 PM. From there, we will take a 10-minute walk to the Koricancha Temple, where you will enjoy a guided tour lasting approximately one hour. The guide will explain the history and meaning of this fascinating place.
Next, our vehicle will take you to Sacsayhuaman, an incredible Inca site known for its impressive stonework. Your guide will provide you with information about this extraordinary place during your visit. After Sacsayhuaman, the tour will continue to Qenqo, an ancient site where the Incas performed rituals and ceremonies.
After exploring Qenqo, we will head to Tambomachay, a place with beautiful water fountains where the Inca king used to spend time relaxing and meditating. Lastly, we will visit Pucapucara, an Inca checkpoint and checkpoint with a red-colored construction.
Once we have completed our exploration of Pucapucara, we will return to the center of Cusco around 6 pm, marking the end of the Cusco City Tour.
Day 1: Cusco | Cathedral - Qoricancha - Sacsayhuaman - Q'enqo - Puca Pucara - Tambomachay
Your exciting day begins when we pick you up between 12:40 and 13:00 to start the city tour. First, we will visit the Cathedral in Cusco’s main square, the Plaza de Armas. Inside, you will admire an extensive collection of incredible paintings from the Cusco School of Art, renowned throughout South America, as well as works in gold leaf and embossed silver.
Our next stop is Qoricancha, or the Temple of the Sun, where you will appreciate its architecture and the perfectly crafted stone constructions, only seen in high-status Inca temples.
Then, we will board our transportation and leave the city center to visit four important Inca archaeological sites: Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
At Sacsayhuaman, you will witness the massive stones that have been precisely carved. Q’enqo has areas of great religious significance. Puca Pucara, part of the ancient Inca defense system, is an old military construction that protected Cusco. The last stop, Tambomachay, is dedicated to water worship and features functioning fountains that still channel water today.
After the city tour, we will return you to your accommodation in Cusco around 18:30. You will have the evening free to enjoy as you wish.
Below, you will find more information about each site you will visit:
Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) and Santo Domingo Convent
This ancient religious center was built by the Incas to worship the sun, their most revered deity and the central axis of their culture.
Inside the temple, you will find sacred chambers dedicated to the sun, moon, stars, and other celestial bodies, reflecting the Incas’ deep connection with the cosmos. Its construction employed a finely crafted masonry technique, where large stone blocks were precisely cut and assembled without mortar, achieving a solid and harmonious structure.
The exterior features beautiful gardens and majestic fountains that enhance its splendor. Walking through its paths, you will admire a variety of flowers and experience the fusion of Inca and Spanish colonial architecture.
Cusco Cathedral
Located in the Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s cathedral is a colonial monument of remarkable artistic value. It was built over the former palace and houses of Inca ruler Wiracocha.
Inside, you will see exquisite wooden carvings, including the choir, pulpit, and altars, as well as beautiful paintings from the Cusco School of Art (including a Last Supper where Christ and his disciples are eating guinea pig) and silver and gold leaf decorations.
Among the 13 churches in Cusco’s historic center, the Cathedral is one of the most important, representing the blend of Andean and colonial civilizations.
Sacsayhuaman
Located 2 km from the center of Cusco, Sacsayhuaman is an impressive archaeological site built with massive carved stones fitted together with astonishing precision. The perfection of its architecture remains a mystery, as it is incredible to imagine how the Incas constructed such monumental structures centuries ago.
From this site, you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Cusco, framed by the surrounding mountains. The complex consists of three overlapping terraces stretching approximately 360 meters. Some stones used in its construction are among the largest pre-Hispanic structures in the Americas.
Q’enqo
Located 1.5 km from Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo was an Inca ceremonial center. The name might come from its intricate underground passages, which make exploring the site fascinating.
The most striking feature of Q’enqo is an open-air amphitheater, where mummies were once placed in 19 trapezoidal niches. Today, the amphitheater stands at half its original height.
Puca Pucara
This site is known as the Red Fortress due to the reddish tones of its rocks, which contain high amounts of iron. Many experts believe Puca Pucara was an ancient Tambo, serving both as a resting place and a military outpost to guard Tambomachay. Here, you can see excellent examples of Inca architecture, including fountains, aqueducts, and multiple enclosures.
Tambomachay
The final site of the tour, Tambomachay, consists of finely carved stone structures, waterfalls, and aqueducts designed to transport water from nearby springs. For this reason, Tambomachay is associated with water worship.
In front of this site, there is a tower, believed to have functioned as a watchtower and communication hub. Tour Details • Tour Duration: 5 hours
• Total Walking Time: 3 hours
• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Minimum Altitude: 3,350 m / 10,990 ft
• Maximum Altitude: 3,700 m / 12,139 ft
Incluye
No Incluye
× DINNER IN CUSCO
× CUSCO TOURIST TICKET
- This ticket is required and allows entry to many of Cusco’s most popular attractions and the Sacred Valley, including archaeological sites and museums.
From 70.00 soles (US$ 20.00) to 130.00 soles (US$ 36.00) per person.
× CUSCO CATHEDRAL ENTRANCE TICKET
- Adult 40.00 soles (US$ 12.00)
- Students and children (11-17): 25.00 soles (US$ 8.00)
- Children (under 10 years old): free
× QORICANCHA ENTRANCE TICKET
- Adult 20.00 soles (US$ 6.00)
- Students and children (11-17): 8.00 soles (US$ 3.00)
- Children (under 10 years old): free
× PERSONAL HIKING CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT
× TRAVEL INSURANCE
- This is not a requirement, but we always recommend that our clients purchase it in case of flight issues or unexpected health problems. Please check if your travel insurance policy has altitude restrictions, as some policies become void above (4,000 m / 13,123 ft).
× ADDITIONAL COSTS
- Delays beyond the administration’s control (landscapes, bad weather, itinerary modifications due to safety concerns, illness, government policy changes, political instability/strikes, etc.).
✓ TIPS FOR YOUR CREW
- Tipping is customary in tourism or any excursion. Although we pay fair wages to our entire team, an extra tip is always appreciated, especially considering the hard work they do. Usually, group participants collect the tips.
- Original ID or Passport.
- Sun hat and wool hat for different temperatures.
- Warm clothing (jacket, scarf, gloves, hats).
- Short-sleeved T-shirt.
- Trekking shoes or waterproof boots for your comfort, if they are sneakers with rubber or thick soles it is an excellent option.
- Rain gear: A good raincoat, rain pants (only for the rainy season).
- Long pants.
- Sunglasses.
- Small backpack to carry water, snacks, camera, etc.
- 2 liters of water (there are options to buy along the route).
- Snacks such as apple, cereal bar, candy and chocolates.
- Personal medical kit.
- Sunscreen.
- Cash in soles for personal expenses.
✓ Price per person
- $15 USD – Adults
✓ Price Guarantee
- Once your reservation is confirmed, we guarantee that the price will not increase under any circumstances. Therefore, before booking, make sure to read all the important information about the tour.
✓ How to Book
- You can reserve your spot online through our website, where our booking platform will guide you step by step. The tour payment can be made with any credit or debit card, and you can also pay in your home currency for added convenience.
Please note that IZIPAY charges a 5% fee, which we ask the client to cover as it is a service charge. This fee applies only to online deposits.
✓ Cancellation Policy
- Partial Refund: If you cancel within 24 hours but before 5:00 p.m. the day before, you will receive a 50% refund.
- No Refund: Cancellations made after 5:00 p.m. the day before the tour are not eligible for a refund.
✓ Recommendations:
- We strongly recommend that you fully understand all booking and cancellation policies before making your payment to ensure your investment is protected and that you have a smooth booking experience for your adventure.
✓ Group Excursions
- Group trips consist of different types of people, so physical conditions and ages may vary. By choosing to join a group trip, you also accept that some people may be faster or slower than you. Therefore, each person can go at their own pace along the route.
- There may be cases where a group wishes to modify the itinerary; however, it will be the guide who decides, after consulting all participants, whether such modifications are possible.
✓ Client Pickup
Please note:
- All pickups take place within the city of Cusco, but we recommend booking a hotel in the historic center with a good location. Our guide or staff will confirm the pickup time the day before the tour. Due to traffic conditions, the pickup time may vary between 30 to 45 minutes.
- Cusco is an ancient city with many narrow, cobblestone streets. Some hotels and Airbnbs are located on streets with no vehicle access or on long, steep inclines, making it difficult to transport luggage. We strongly recommend booking accommodations with easy access.
✓ Lost Items
- Please pay attention to where you leave your belongings and remember to collect everything before leaving our transport, campsites, or restaurants. You are solely responsible for your belongings during the tour.
✓ Weather
- The weather is, of course, unpredictable. Generally, Cusco’s dry season lasts from April to October, but that doesn’t mean it won’t rain in June or that the sun won’t shine in December. So be prepared, no matter what month you’re hiking.
- Make sure to bring rain gear, including a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and gloves. Many people forget gloves, but the cold and humidity can make hiking very uncomfortable.
Additionally, be prepared for all four seasons. Hiking in the Andes involves various microclimates, so you need to be ready. Layers are always essential as they allow for easy adjustment to temperature changes. Also, bring a warm jacket, as the nights can be very cold.
✓ Altitude Sickness (Soroche) and Stomach Issues
For hikers coming to Cusco directly from sea-level locations, we recommend arriving at least two days before your trek. Two of the most common health issues among tourists in Cusco are altitude sickness (soroche) and stomach discomfort due to slow digestion.
- Altitude sickness: Some symptoms include headaches and nausea. There are some over-the-counter medications that help minimize symptoms, such as aspirin, Diamox, Soroichi Pill, and Alti Vital, among others. If symptoms persist, the next step is oxygen therapy. In such cases, we have the necessary equipment and staff ready to assist our hikers.
- Stomach discomfort: It is recommended to drink 3-4 liters of water per day to stay hydrated. Hot drinks, especially coca leaf tea, are highly recommended. Soups, vegetables, and carbohydrates (not fried or heavy foods) are ideal. Sweets, chocolates, cookies, and fruits are also good options—generally, any easily digestible food. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
Try to sleep at least 8 hours and avoid excessive physical exertion. Keep your body at a proper temperature by wearing warm clothing to protect yourself from the cold.
During altitude adjustment, there is a general rule to follow: eat in moderation and drink plenty of fluids.
The City Tour in Cusco has a standard duration of approximately 5 hours. During this tour, visitors explore the city’s main tourist attractions, including the Cathedral, Sacsayhuamán, Qoricancha, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
No, it is not necessary to purchase tickets in advance for the City Tour Cusco. All entrance tickets for tourist sites such as Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Tambomachay, and others can be bought on the day of the tour.
The City Tour Cusco is a guided visit to the main tourist attractions of the city, the ancient capital of the Incas, including the Cathedral, Sacsayhuamán, Qoricancha, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
It offers a 5-hour tour (half-day). Some tour packages start in the morning (from 8:00 AM), while others take place in the afternoon (from 1:30 PM).
The tour operates year-round, always subject to weather conditions.
We recommend booking the tour in advance, as we have two seasons (high and low), which differ in the number of tourists we accommodate. To avoid any issues with tour availability, it is best to book early.
Any luggage that is not needed for the tour should remain in Cusco. All hotels in Cusco are accustomed to storing luggage for their guests. If you do not have a place to store your luggage, you can leave it at our offices until the end of your adventure. We will ensure that your belongings are securely stored, so there is no need to worry!
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