Tour from Cusco
Cusco City Tour
A 4-hour guided tour of Cusco's most iconic monuments and famous archaeological sites, for a close look at the wealth of the Inca Empire. Look into the past and see the scale of what was once the Inca capital.
- We assist you in English on WhatsApp
- English-speaking guides
- Local Cusco agency since 2003, registered with MINCETUR
We pick you up at your hotel in central Cusco
Commentary in English, Spanish or Portuguese throughout the tour
Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay
We confirm your booking in under 2 hours
Half a day to understand 500 years of Inca and colonial history
The Cusco City Tour is a half-day guided tour (about 4 hours) run by Tari Tours, a local agency based in Cusco, Peru. The route takes place within the City of Cusco, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and its archaeological surroundings. The tour combines the historic center — the Qoricancha Temple, the Cathedral and the Plaza de Armas — with the four archaeological sites around the city: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. There are two departures a day, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., with pickup from your hotel in central Cusco and a professional bilingual guide (English, Spanish or Portuguese). With its easy pace and short walks, it’s the tour most travelers choose for their first or second day, while the body adjusts to the 3,300 m (10,830 ft) altitude, before tougher tours such as Machu Picchu Full Day, Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) or Humantay Lake. Prices from US$ 15 per person.
Qoricancha and the Cathedral
It starts at the Temple of the Sun and the Plaza de Armas, where the Inca Empire and colonial Cusco overlap, stone upon stone.
Sacsayhuamán up close
Walk among stone blocks of more than 100 tons and enjoy the best panoramic view of the city.
Ideal for acclimatizing
At 3,300 m and with easy walks: the ideal tour for your first day, before Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain.
Morning and afternoon departures
Choose the 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. departure to fit your flight. We arrange the pickup from your hotel.
What's included in your Cusco City Tour?
No surprises and no fine print: this is exactly what the service covers and what you pay separately on the day of the tour.
About 4 hours
3,300 m above sea level
9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
English, Spanish or Portuguese
Included
- Pickup from your hotel in central Cusco and tourist transport throughout the tour
- Professional bilingual guide (English, Spanish or Portuguese)
- Guided visit to Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay
- Visit to Qoricancha and the Cathedral with the guide's commentary
- Tari Tours support before and during the tour
Not included
- Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico): BTG S/ 130 for foreigners – S/ 70 for Peruvians · BTP S/ 70 for foreigners – S/ 40 for Peruvians. The same ticket covers the sites of the city tour, the Sacred Valley and the South Valley.
- Qoricancha entrance fee (bought at the entrance)
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses and tips
Important: the Cusco Tourist Ticket and the Qoricancha entrance fee are not included in the price and are bought on the day of the tour. For this route, you can use the Partial Tourist Ticket (BTP: S/ 70 for foreigners – S/ 40 for Peruvians) or the General one (BTG: S/ 130 for foreigners – S/ 70 for Peruvians), which also covers other circuits, such as the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the South Valley. If you’d like to work out the exact total for your visit, message us on WhatsApp: +51 984 672 979. We’re happy to help, with no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to the most common questions, so you can book with peace of mind.
What is the Cusco City Tour and which sites does it visit?
The Cusco City Tour is a half-day guided tour of the city of Cusco and the nearby archaeological sites, run by Tari Tours. It covers six places: the Qoricancha Temple (inside the Convent of Santo Domingo), Cusco Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas, the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, the shrine of Qenqo, the military complex of Puka Pukara and the water fountains of Tambomachay. At each stop, the guide explains the role the site played in Inca and colonial times.
How long is the Cusco City Tour and what time does it start?
It takes about 4 hours (half a day) and there are two departures a day. For the morning departure, we pick you up at your hotel at 8:50 a.m. and the tour starts at 9 a.m. For the afternoon departure, pickup is at 12:50 p.m. and the tour starts at 1 p.m. You choose the time that best fits your flight or the rest of your Cusco itinerary.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts with pickup from your hotel in central Cusco, at no extra cost, and from there you travel by tourist transport. The last stop is Tambomachay, and the same vehicle takes you back to the city center. If you’re staying outside the historic center, message us on WhatsApp (+51 984 672 979) so we can agree on a meeting point.
Which tickets do I need to buy separately?
The tour price does not include entrance fees. To enter Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, you need the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico): the Partial ticket (BTP) costs S/ 70 for foreigners and S/ 40 for Peruvians, and the General ticket (BTG) costs S/ 130 and S/ 70, respectively. The BTG also covers other circuits, such as the Sacred Valley and the South Valley. The Qoricancha entrance fee is sold separately at the entrance. Both are bought on the day of the tour.
How difficult is it? Do I need to acclimatize first?
It’s an easy tour: you get around by tourist transport and, at each site, you walk short stretches on uneven ground, with a few gentle climbs at Sacsayhuamán. Cusco sits at 3,300 m, which is why we recommend this tour for your first or second day: it helps you acclimatize before tougher tours such as Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) or Humantay Lake.
Who is the Cusco City Tour for?
It’s ideal if you’re visiting Cusco for the first time and want the historical background before seeing Machu Picchu; for travelers short on time, since it only takes half a day; and for families with children and older travelers, thanks to the easy pace and short walks. It’s not the best option if you’re looking for trekking or high mountains.
What should I bring on the tour?
Bring your passport, your Tourist Ticket if you’ve already bought it, cash in soles for entrance fees, water, a cap, sunscreen and comfortable shoes for walking on stone. From November to March, Cusco’s rainy season, it’s also worth bringing a light waterproof jacket.
How do booking and payment work?
You book online on this page, choosing your date, time and language (we have English-speaking guides), with secure payment. We confirm your spot in under 2 hours. The listed price is from US$ 15 per person and does not include entrance fees. If you’d like to ask questions before paying, message us on WhatsApp: +51 984 672 979.
What happens if the weather affects the departure?
The Cusco City Tour runs year-round, including the rainy season, because most of the route is by vehicle and the walks are short. If heavy rain makes it unsafe to visit one of the sites, the guide rearranges the route; and if the departure can’t go ahead, contact us and we’ll work out alternatives with you.
How is it different from other tours in Cusco?
The Cusco City Tour is a half-day tour focused on the city of Cusco and the four nearby archaeological sites. It’s different from the full-day Sacred Valley of the Incas tour, which covers Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero; from the South Valley, which goes to Piquillacta and Andahuaylillas; and from Machu Picchu Full Day, which requires a train and a full day. If you have several days, most travelers start with the city tour and continue with the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Ready to book or have a question?
Talk to a travel advisor in English. We reply Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Peru time, GMT-5).