The City Tour in Cusco is an excellent way to kickstart your journey, especially if it’s your first visit to the Southern Highlands of Peru. This tour typically lasts half a day and allows you to explore the most iconic places in the city. You’ll stroll through ancient streets with Inca walls, visit the Main Square of Cusco, and discover the impressive Temple of the Sun, also known as Qoricancha. These places are located within the city itself.
Furthermore, the City Tour will take you beyond the city limits to uncover fascinating sites such as Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay. These archaeological sites offer a unique insight into the history and culture of the region.
Cusco City Tour Highlights
The city tour of Cusco begins with the pickup from your hotel, ideally located in the city center. If your hotel is situated elsewhere, we will provide directions to a central meeting point.
- Our first stop is the iconic Main Plaza of Cusco.
- Next, we will visit the impressive Temple of the Sun, known as Qoricancha.
- We will board our tourist vehicle and head a few minutes outside the city to explore the fascinating archaeological center of Sacsayhuamán.
- We will then continue our journey to Qenqo, another archaeological site of great interest.
- Afterward, we will proceed to Pucapucara, where you will learn more about the region’s history.
- Finally, we will board the transportation once again for our last stop at Tambomachay.
Upon our return to the city of Cusco, we will drop you off at a central location for your convenience.
The Cusco tour includes the following services:
- Pick-up directly from the door of your hotel in the city center.
- Tourist transportation both within and outside the city.
- An experienced, certified tour guide.
Please note that the Cusco tour does not cover the following aspects:
- The cost of the necessary tourist tickets to access the places we will visit.
- Additional expenses not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Meals or any other type of food during the tour.
What to Bring for a City Tour in Cusco
- It is recommended to carry a small backpack for personal items.
- It’s useful to have a mobile phone with a charged battery and a camera for photos and videos.
- Don’t forget a water bottle to stay hydrated during the journey.
- You can bring some snacks to munch on along the way.
- It’s important to have cash for purchasing souvenirs or mementos.
- Make sure to wear appropriate clothing depending on the season of your trip, whether it’s warm or chilly.”
Cusco City Tour: Morning and Afternoon Schedules
| City Tour Schedule in Cusco | Start Time | End Time | Average Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | 8:00 a.m. | 1:00 p.m. | Approximately 5 hours |
| Afternoon | 1:00 p.m. | 7:00 p.m. | Approximately 5 hours |
The “BTG” General Tourist Ticket for Cusco Attractions
To visit the places included in the City Tour, it is essential to have a BTG, which stands for “Boleto Turístico General.” This ticket provides access to various sites both within and outside the city. During the City Tour, the BTG allows you to explore Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay. However, it’s important to note that the BTG does not cover the entrance to Cusco Cathedral or Qoricancha.
Selecting the Cusco Partial Ticket for City Tour
If your plan is to explore only the city of Cusco and you don’t intend to visit the Sacred Valley or its archaeological sites, then consider purchasing the Partial Ticket for Circuit 1. This ticket grants you access to the following archaeological wonders within the city:
- Sacsayhuamán
- Qenqo
- Pucapucara
- Tambomachay
Why Choose a Private Service in Cusco?
If you wish to enjoy a tour in the city of Cusco at a time that better suits your personal preferences and does not coincide with the standard schedules, there is the option to opt for a private service. This provides you with the flexibility to choose a starting time that suits you best and customize the experience according to your needs. A private service allows you to explore the attractions of Cusco at your own pace, enjoying personalized attention from a guide and ensuring that the experience aligns perfectly with your travel plans.
Places to visit on a tour of Cusco city
The Cusco Main Square, also known as the Plaza de Armas, is the historical and cultural heart of the Peruvian city of Cusco. It is an iconic location surrounded by colonial buildings and is situated on the site where the Inca emperor’s palace originally stood. The plaza is renowned for its architectural beauty and serves as a significant meeting point for cultural events.
The Cusco Cathedral is a majestic religious temple located in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, Peru. It is a masterpiece of colonial and Renaissance architecture and houses an impressive collection of sacred art, including colonial paintings and sculptures of great historical and cultural value. The cathedral is one of the main tourist attractions in Cusco and a prominent example of the colonial legacy in the region.
The Temple of the Sun, known as “Qoricancha” in Quechua, is an archaeological and religious site in Cusco, Peru. It was one of the holiest places in the Inca Empire and is characterized by its stunning architecture, combining Inca construction with Spanish colonial influence. In its prime, Qoricancha featured gold-plated walls and hosted important Inca religious ceremonies. Today, visitors can appreciate the fusion of these two cultures at this historic site.
Sacsayhuamán is a prominent archaeological site located on the outskirts of Cusco, Peru. Known for its carefully assembled massive stone blocks, this site served as an Inca fortress with ceremonial purposes. The impressive architecture of Sacsayhuamán and its breathtaking views of Cusco make it a fascinating place to explore and learn about the Inca’s construction skills.
Qenqo, also known as Kenko, is an archaeological site near Cusco, Peru. It is famous for its carved rock with channels and petroglyphs that the Incas used for ceremonial and religious purposes. Qenqo is an intriguing site that provides insight into the architecture and spiritual beliefs of the Inca civilization.
Pucapucara is an archaeological site located near Cusco, Peru. It is characterized by its stone structures, terraces, and defensive walls. Originally, Pucapucara served as a checkpoint and resting place along Inca routes, possibly also accommodating important travelers. Its name means “Red Fortress” in Quechua, owing to the color of its rocks. This archaeological site offers an interesting glimpse into Inca military architecture and engineering.
Tambomachay is an archaeological site located near Cusco, Peru, known as the “Baths of the Inca.” It is famous for its water fountains, canals, and terraces. Tambomachay is believed to have been used by the Incas for ritual purposes and as a bathing and relaxation place for the elite. Its architecture and use of water make it an intriguing site that provides insight into the engineering and culture of the Incas.
The City Tour in Cusco serves as an excellent introduction to the Southern Highlands of Peru, especially for first-time visitors. It allows tourists to explore iconic city attractions and nearby archaeological sites.
The tour includes stops at the Main Plaza of Cusco and the impressive Temple of the Sun, known as Qoricancha, both of which are located within the city.
Beyond the city, the tour takes you to explore fascinating archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay.
The tour includes convenient services like pick-up from centrally located hotels, tourist transportation within and outside the city, and the expertise of a certified tour guide.
The tour does not include the cost of necessary tourist tickets to access certain sites, any additional expenses not mentioned in the itinerary, or meals during the tour.
Carrying a small backpack is recommended for personal items and convenience during the tour, such as storing water, snacks, and personal belongings.
The Cusco Main Square is the historical and cultural heart of Cusco, surrounded by colonial buildings. It is an iconic location known for its architectural beauty and often serves as a significant meeting point for cultural events.
The Cusco Cathedral is a majestic religious temple located in the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, Peru. It is a masterpiece of colonial and Renaissance architecture and houses an impressive collection of sacred art, including colonial paintings and sculptures of great historical and cultural value.
The BTG, or "Boleto Turístico General," is a General Tourist Ticket that provides access to various sites within and outside Cusco. It is essential for exploring places like Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay during the City Tour.