Cusco City Tour What Included How Long and What to Visit
If you are looking to explore the city of Cusco, the Cusco City Tour is one of the best options to get a first impression of the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. It is a half-day experience that allows you to visit some of the main tourist attractions of the city through an organized route, ideal for learning about Cusco’s history, architecture, and cultural heritage in a short time. Discover more details about the Cusco City Tour and include it in your travel itinerary.
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What is the Cusco City Tour?
Amargura Street – Cusco
The Cusco City Tour is a tourist experience that visits the main historical, archaeological, and cultural attractions of the city. It is an ideal opportunity to get a guided first overview of the city, with all the necessary services included so you can simply enjoy the tour.
The tourist sites included in the Cusco City Tour are: the Cathedral, Qoricancha, and the archaeological sites of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
| Cusco City Tour Half-Day | |
|---|---|
| Type of service | All-inclusive half-day Cusco City Tour |
| Start time | Morning shift 8:30 a.m. / Afternoon shift 12:30 p.m. |
| End time | Morning shift 1:30 p.m. / Afternoon shift 5:30 p.m. |
| Included tourist attractions | Cusco Cathedral, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. |
| Type of transportation | Spacious and comfortable tourist transportation throughout the tour. |
| Tour guide service | Professional guide in a group service of up to 15 people. |
| Tour benefits | Short half-day tour, ideal for your first or second day in Cusco. |
How is the Cusco City Tour route?
Tambomachay – Cusco
The Cusco City Tour itinerary begins with pickup of visitors from their hotel to gather the group at the Main Square, where the guided route starts.
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1st stop – Cusco Cathedral
After meeting the professional guide at the Main Square, the group receives a historical explanation of the site and then enters the Cusco Cathedral museum. This site highlights Renaissance and Baroque art from the Cusco School, as well as its colonial architecture built on Inca foundations. -
2nd stop – Qoricancha (Santo Domingo Convent)
Next, the group heads to the former Inca temple Qoricancha, located just 5 minutes from the Main Square. After the Inca period, this temple became the Santo Domingo Convent, so the visit allows you to see remains from both eras. -
3rd stop – Sacsayhuamán
After visiting Qoricancha, the group boards the tourist transport to head to the outskirts of the city to visit the ancient fortress of Sacsayhuamán. This archaeological site was one of the most important in the Tahuantinsuyo Empire. It also offers stunning panoramic views of the city. -
4th stop – Qenqo
Located just a few minutes from Sacsayhuamán, the tour continues to the archaeological site of Qenqo. This mysterious site is believed to have been a ceremonial place used for Inca offerings and possibly sacrifices. -
5th stop – Puca Pucara
Continuing the route, the tour visits Puca Pucara, an archaeological center that served as a military base for the Inca army. From here, you can also enjoy beautiful views of the Cusco valley surrounded by mountains and historical remains. -
6th stop – Tambomachay
The final stop of the Cusco City Tour is Tambomachay, also known as the “Baths of the Inca,” believed to have been a site dedicated to water worship. After the visit, the return to Cusco begins, dropping visitors off at their hotels or central points in the city.
How long does the Cusco City Tour last?
Q’enqo Archaeological Complex
The Cusco City Tour lasts approximately 5 hours, during which you visit the main tourist attractions of the city.
Additionally, the Cusco City Tour can be booked in two different schedules, at 8:30 in the morning or at 12:30 noon. This allows you to use the rest of the day to continue exploring other attractions in Cusco.
Cusco Tourist Ticket
The Cusco City Tour includes the Cusco Tourist Ticket, which grants access to the main attractions of the city, such as the archaeological sites of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. In the case of the Cathedral and Qoricancha (Santo Domingo Convent), they have their own entry ticket, which is also included in the experience.
Cusco City Tour Prices
| Cusco City Tour Prices in shared service | Price per person | |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign | National | |
| Group City Tour service | 45 USD | 45 USD |
What is included in the Cusco City Tour?
The Cusco City Tour includes all the necessary services to enjoy a complete experience, allowing visitors to focus only on enjoying each included destination.
- Entrance to Cusco Cathedral
- Entrance to Qoricancha (Santo Domingo Convent)
- Cusco Tourist Ticket (Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay)
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel door or a central point in the city
- Professional tour guide
- Full tourist transportation
Tips before taking the Cusco City Tour
Coricancha Temple in Cusco
- The Cusco City Tour can be booked just a few days in advance, making it a great option for any day of your stay in Cusco.
- The tour can be booked for the morning or afternoon, allowing you to plan additional activities during the day.
- During the rainy season (November to April), it is recommended to carry a rain poncho, as rainfall can occur at any time of the day.
- The Cusco City Tour can also be booked as a private service, including exclusive transportation and a professional guide.
- The activity is light, with no long walks, making it ideal for your first days of acclimatization in Cusco.
- It is recommended to bring water, some snacks, use sunscreen, wear comfortable clothing, and not forget your ID or passport.