Cusco City Tour — Explore the Ancient Inca Capital in 1 Day
Are you looking for the best Cusco City Tour from Cusco? Our Cusco City Tour takes you to the most iconic Inca and colonial sites in the city, including Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Q’engo, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara, and the Moon Temple. Furthermore, every Cusco City Tour departs in small groups with a certified English-speaking guide. Therefore, you always get a personal and immersive experience. In addition, this Cusco City Tour is the perfect first activity for any traveler arriving in Cusco before heading to Machu Picchu.
Cusco was founded around 1100 A.D. and served as the flourishing capital of the Inca Empire. Furthermore, it is recognized as a UNESCO recognizes Cusco as a World Heritage Site due to its remarkable blend of Inca and Spanish colonial architecture. Our Cusco City Tour covers both the historic city center and the spectacular archaeological sites surrounding Cusco, giving you a complete picture of this incredible destination.
About Our Cusco City Tour
Cusco was founded around 1100 A.D. It served as the capital of the Inca Empire. Today it blends Inca stonework with Spanish colonial architecture. Our Cusco City Tour shows you both in one day. The city sits in a stunning mountain region. The local people are warm and welcoming. This tour is the best introduction to Peru.
Cusco City Tour Itinerary — Places to Visit
Our Cusco City Tour covers two areas: the historic city center and the Inca sites outside Cusco. We visit all the key landmarks in one day with a certified local guide.
Qoricancha — Temple of the Sun
We start at Qoricancha, the most important temple in the Inca Empire. The Spanish built a colonial church on top of the original Inca foundations. Today you can see both side by side. Our guide explains the history of each layer as you explore the site.
Sacsayhuaman Fortress
Next we visit Sacsayhuaman, a massive Inca fortress above the city. The walls use enormous stones cut with perfect precision. The views over Cusco from here are spectacular. This is one of the highlights of the Cusco City Tour.
Q'engo Sacred Shrine
Q’engo is a sacred Inca shrine carved directly into the rock. It features underground chambers and carved channels used in Inca ceremonies. The site sits just a few minutes from Sacsayhuaman.
Tambomachay — Bath of the Inca
Tambomachay features a beautiful system of ceremonial water channels still flowing today. The Incas considered water sacred. This site shows the advanced hydraulic engineering of the Inca civilization.
Puca Pucara and Moon Temple
Puca Pucara served as a military checkpoint on the road to the Sacred Valley. The Moon Temple features mysterious underground chambers with carved niches. Both sites complete the Cusco City Tour with a glimpse into Inca military and religious life.
What Is Included in the Cusco City Tour
Your Cusco City Tour includes round-trip transportation by tourist bus. We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco. A certified English-speaking guide joins your group for the full day. Groups stay small. You always get personal attention. Everything you need for your Cusco City Tour is covered.
Not Included in the Cusco City Tour
The entrance fee to Qoricancha is not included. You pay this separately on arrival. The Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico) is also not included. It covers Sacsayhuaman, Q’engo, Tambomachay, and Puca Pucara. We recommend buying it before the tour. This saves time on the day of your Cusco City Tour.
Preparing well for your Cusco City Tour makes a big difference. Cusco sits at 3,400 meters above sea level. Bring sunscreen (factor 35+), a sun hat, and sunglasses. Pack a waterproof jacket — afternoon rain is common. Carry plenty of water. Bring a camera with spare batteries. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Recommended Items for the Cusco City Tour
For your Cusco City Tour, bring your Tourist Ticket if you have already purchased it. In addition, pack sun protection including sunscreen with a factor of 35 or higher, a sun hat, and sunglasses. Furthermore, carry a waterproof jacket or rain poncho, as afternoon rain showers are common in Cusco. Also bring plenty of water to stay hydrated at altitude, and a camera with spare batteries to capture the incredible Inca stonework and panoramic views of the city.
Cusco City Tour Prices — Group and Private Options
The Cusco City Tour is available at two price points. Group tours cost USD $40 per person. Private tours cost USD $140 per person. Both options include the same guide and transportation. The difference is exclusivity. Private tours run just for your group.
Group vs Private Cusco City Tour — What Is the Difference?
On a group Cusco City Tour, additional travelers may join your booking to complete the group. However, groups never exceed 12 people, ensuring you always receive personal attention. If you choose a private Cusco City Tour, no additional travelers will join your group regardless of its size. Furthermore, the minimum booking size for a private tour is two people. In addition, solo travelers may book a group Cusco City Tour if Eco Andes Trekking is able to match them with another group.
Why Book With Us
Eco Andes Trekking has run Cusco City Tours for over ten years. All our guides hold government certification. They speak fluent English. They know every detail of every site. When you book with us, you travel with real local experts. We also offer Machupicchu Tours, Inca Trail Tours, and full Cusco Day Tours. We reply to all inquiries within 24 hours. Contact us today and secure your spot.
PRICE PER PERSON IN USD:
Group: $ 40
Private: $ 140
DURATION:
1 Day
INQUIRE ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE
WHY WE'RE DIFFERENT
Your Full Satisfaction or Your Money Back
We understand planning a big trip like ours at EAT takes a lot of trust, and we’re here to make sure that trust pays off from the moment you book to the day your adventure wraps up. We’re fully committed to making your experience unforgettable. If something doesn’t go as planned—whether it’s an issue with the service or something unexpected along the way—we’ll step in to fix it.
That even includes offering a refund if needed so you can book with total peace of mind.
Your Peruvian adventure means the world to us, and we’ll go the extra mile to make sure it not only meets but exceeds your expectations. With our satisfaction guarantee, you can relax and focus on taking in all the incredible beauty and culture Peru has to offer.
We Help You Experience Peru Through The Eyes of a Local
We’re 100% locally owned and operated, with guides, porters, and chefs who grew up in the Cusco region. Fluent in Spanish, English, and Quechua, our team brings unmatched cultural and historical knowledge to share with you. Traveling with us means gaining insight into Peru’s traditions, landscapes, and stories from those who know them best.
We Work With Professional Guides Who Provide Exceptional Service
Our guides are the best of the best. Truly skilled experts with at least 5 years of experience, every guide we employ is ready to share their expertise on Peru’s trails, culture, and history. Our porters are no exception. They work hard to make your journey one for the books, while our chefs will prepare you delicious meals along the way. With a 99% recommendation rate, we’re dedicated to making every detail of your trip unforgettable.
We’re Committed to Our Team
Our porters and horsemen are easily the backbone of every trek. That’s why we are fully committed to prioritizing their well-being. We ensure they’re paid above-average wages—higher than those offered by most tour companies—recognizing their hard work and dedication to the team. Beyond fair pay, we truly care for their well-being, providing proper gear, meals, and working conditions so they’re not just safe but comfortable, too.
We Look Out for Our Community
A portion of every trek we sell supports local projects, like helping fund a much-needed school roof in Sacsayhuaman, where many of our team live. For years, children in the area had no nearby school and faced grueling four-hour walks in harsh conditions to get an education. Today, thanks to these contributions, they have a local school, and we continue to donate to its upkeep—because making an impact goes beyond the trek.
We Customize Our Adventures to Suit Your Travel Style
We want every trip to feel like it was made just for you. Whether you’re keen on hiking the famous Inca Trail, exploring lesser-known spots in the Sacred Valley, or tackling our one-of-a-kind Ancashcocha + Inca Trail trek, we’ll plan your adventure to fit your travel style. To keep things personal, we keep group sizes small—and if your group is larger than eight, we’ll bring in an extra guide so no one misses out on the experience.
We Travel with Purpose – Serving the Women, Children, & Men of Peru
Every journey with us has a ripple effect. Your adventure supports ethical tourism, fair wages for porters, and opportunities for female trekkers–many of whom are breaking barriers on the Inca Trail–and children. We’re passionate about creating opportunities for local children to grow up healthy and learn about everything their heart desires. Through initiatives like repairing schools, donating educational materials, and funding projects, we make it a mission to build a brighter future for kids in the Cusco region. Every trek you take with us contributes to this mission. When you book with us, you’re not just exploring Peru; you’re investing in it and setting a standard for all other tourism companies and tourists.
Our Reputation is Built on Trust
Year after year, Eco Andes Trekking has earned top ratings on TripAdvisor and the prestigious Certificate of Excellence. We’ve worked hard for these awards and are proud to see our hard work recognized. Even prouder to know our travelers leave with unforgettable memories and stories worth sharing.
We Travel Sustainably & Responsibly
Peru’s landscapes are magnificent. That’s why we work so hard to protect them. We prioritize sustainable traveling by working with our local communities and employing indigenous guides––thus promoting economic empowerment and preserving cultural heritage. Along the journey, we’ll always encourage travelers to embrace responsible practices as advocates for the environment.
