City Tour in Cusco

City Tour Cusco

The City Tour Cusco is one of the most recommended experiences when arriving in the capital of the Inca Empire. In a half-day tour, you will explore the most important archaeological sites surrounding the city, such as the imposing Sacsayhuamán fortress, the ceremonial center of Qenqo, the remains of Puka Pukara, and the sacred fountains of Tambomachay.
You will also visit the majestic Qoricancha, known as the Temple of the Sun, considered one of the most sacred temples of the Andean world.

This tour is an excellent introduction to the history, culture, and mysticism of Cusco—perfect for travelers looking to connect with the essence of the ancient Inca capital.

Opening hours:

🕙 Morning: Starts 09:00 AM – Ends 1:30 PM
🕑 Afternoon: Starts 1:00 PM – Ends 6:00 PM
📍 Location: City of Cusco and surroundings
🕒 Duration: 4 to 5 hours
🗣 Available languages: Spanish, English, and French

Places you will visit on this tour:

Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) – The most important sanctuary of the Inca Empire, formerly covered with sheets of gold.

Sacsayhuamán – Majestic ceremonial fortress with enormous stone blocks perfectly fitted together.

Qenqo – Ritual center carved in stone, dedicated to ceremonies and offerings to Pachamama.

Puka Pukara – Ancient red fortress used as a military checkpoint and resting place for travelers.

Tambomachay – Known as the “Bath of the Inca,” a beautiful water temple dedicated to purification.

🕙 Morning: Starts 10:00 AM – Ends 2:00 PM
🕑 Afternoon: Starts 1:00 PM – Ends 6:00 PM
Mapa City Tour Cusco

City Tour Cusco Itinerary – Morning Shift 9:00 a.m.

🕒 Tour Schedule
⏰ Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:20 p.m.
📍 Meeting Point: Water fountain – Plaza de Armas, Cusco

Detailed Itinerary

9:00 a.m. – Meeting and Welcome
We will meet at the water fountain in the Plaza de Armas, where your guide will welcome you and explain the essential details of the tour.

Qorikancha – The Temple of the Sun
We begin the tour at impressive Qorikancha, the most important temple of the Inca Empire. Here you will learn about its history and admire the perfect combination of Inca and colonial architecture.

Sacsayhuamán – Monumental Fortress
We continue to the majestic Sacsayhuamán fortress, famous for its gigantic stone blocks precisely assembled. From this point, you will enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of Cusco.

Qenqo – Mystical Ceremonial Center
Next, we explore Qenqo, an Inca ceremonial center with carved stone altars and sacred tunnels used for important rituals dedicated to Pachamama.

Puka Pukara – Inca Fortress
We will head to Puka Pukara, an ancient military structure guarding the entrance to the Inca capital. Its name means “red fortress” due to the reddish tone of the stones under the morning sun.

Tambomachay – Water Temple
We finish the tour at Tambomachay, a temple dedicated to water and purification. Its fountains and canals showcase the Incas’ advanced hydraulic engineering.

1:20 p.m. – Return to Cusco
We conclude the tour by returning to the meeting point or to your hotel, depending on the option selected.

City Tour Cusco Itinerary – Afternoon Shift 1:00 p.m.

🕒 Tour Schedule
⏰ Time: 1:00 p.m. – 6:20 p.m.
📍 Meeting Point: Tourism Office – Plaza de Armas, Cusco

Detailed Itinerary

1:00 p.m. – Meeting and Welcome
We gather at the Plaza de Armas water fountain, where your guide will introduce the tour and explain essential details.

Qorikancha – The Temple of the Sun
We begin the adventure at Qorikancha, the holiest temple of the Inca Empire. Discover its history and observe the extraordinary blend of Inca and colonial architecture.

Sacsayhuamán – Monumental Fortress
We continue to Sacsayhuamán, one of the most astonishing constructions of the Andean world. Its massive perfectly fitted stones continue to amaze archaeologists and visitors.

Qenqo – Mystical Ceremonial Center
Explore Qenqo, a sacred site used for religious rituals, with carved rock altars, passageways, and a highly mystical atmosphere.

Puka Pukara – Inca Fortress
We visit Puka Pukara, an ancient military structure that protected the entrance to Cusco. Its name means “red fortress” due to the color of its stones at sunset.

Tambomachay – Water Temple
The final stop is Tambomachay, where you will admire the natural water springs the Incas used for ceremonial purposes—an impressive example of their hydraulic engineering.

6:20 p.m. – Return to Cusco
We finish the tour returning to the meeting point or your hotel, depending on the option selected.

What is Included and Not Included in the City Tour Cusco

Included

✅ Shared tourist transport
✅ Professional bilingual guide (Spanish and English)

Not included

❌ Personal expenses
❌ Tips (optional)
❌ Entrance fees to archaeological sites:

Qorikancha Temple: S/ 15 per person (paid directly at the site)
Tourist Ticket (required for the other archaeological sites):
- 🎟️ Partial Ticket: S/ 70 per person — valid only for the 4 City Tour sites
- 🎟️ Full Ticket: S/ 130 per person — valid for 16 archaeological sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley
  (Payment in cash and in local currency, made directly at the first site visited)

Additional Details

Recommendations for the City Tour Cusco

To fully enjoy the City Tour Cusco and the 4 nearby ruins, we recommend the following:

Arrive in Cusco at least one day in advance, or ensure your flight arrives before 11:00 a.m. on the day of your tour. This will help you acclimatize and avoid setbacks.
Book the City Tour Cusco in advance. The latest time to make a reservation is 2 hours before the tour begins.
Before traveling and upon arrival in Cusco, take altitude sickness pills (soroche). Additionally, at your hotel, drink coca leaf tea to improve acclimatization and reduce possible headaches, dizziness, or nausea.
In Cusco, wear warm clothing, as the weather can change quickly, especially in high areas.

What to Bring to the City Tour Cusco

To enjoy the City Tour Cusco and the visit to the 4 nearby archaeological sites, we suggest bringing:

- Personal documents (passport or ID)
- Warm jacket
- Hat or cap to protect yourself from the sun
- Personal items and medications
- Sorojchi Pills (altitude sickness pills)
- Rain poncho or raincoat
  (especially from November to April)
- Camera or other devices to capture your moments

Frequently Asked Questions – Cusco City Tour

How much does the City Tour in Cusco cost?

The Cusco City Tour costs approximately US$ 13.00 per person in shared service. This price includes transportation, a professional tour guide, and visits to the main archaeological and cultural sites of the city.

What is included in the City Tour in Cusco?

Includes:

✅ Pick-up from your hotel in the historic center.
✅ Tourist transportation throughout the entire tour.
✅ Professional bilingual guide (Spanish / English).

Note: Entrance tickets such as the Tourist Ticket (BTC) or the Qoricancha entrance are not included.

How long does the Cusco City Tour last?

It lasts approximately 4–5 hours, making it ideal to do in the morning or afternoon. It usually starts at 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. and ends around 2:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.

Where does the City Tour start and end?

The tour begins with pick-up from your hotel (if it is located in the historic center) or from a previously coordinated meeting point. It ends in downtown Cusco, usually at the Main Square (Plaza de Armas) or near the Qoricancha Temple.

What should I bring to the City Tour in Cusco?

We recommend bringing:

✅ Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC), partial or general.
✅ Entrance tickets for Qoricancha and the Cathedral (if not included in your package).
✅ Passport or ID document.
✅ Light clothing with a warm layer (the weather changes quickly).
✅ Sunscreen, hat, and water.
✅ Camera or smartphone for photos.