City Tour Cusco
City Tour Cusco: Cathedral, Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman
Take the City Tour in Cusco! On this half-day trip in Cusco, you will discover the enchantment and majesty of the city while also learning about the intriguing Inca heritage. You will explore the historic capital of the Incan empire, the biggest ancient civilization in pre-Columbian America.
This half-day city trip will allow you to trace time through history from Native America to Incas and Spanish, and eventually to modern-day people of Cusco, as well as travel through ancestral streets and each historical era in this regal city.
City Tour Cusco Half Days Details
Included
- Experienced Guides: Our trips are guided by certified bilingual (English and Spanish) tourism guides. All guides working with SAP are Peruvian government-licensed and have graduated from recognized Peruvian colleges or tourist schools. This guarantees that you receive informed and expert advice throughout your trip.
- Transport: We take care of everything so you can simply enjoy the experience. We will pick you up from your accommodation and, at the end of the tour, comfortably drop you off at Cusco’s Main Square.
- Medical Kit: SAP guides have specific training in first aid and CPR. They also carry a first aid package for situations including altitude sickness, travelers’ diarrhea, and scrapes. In addition, if required, we will promptly evacuate you off the path and transport you to a clinic for treatment.
- 24/7 Customer Service: Our WhatsApp and local phone services are accessible 24 hours a day. In any emergency, our guides can reach us via satellite phone.
Not Included
- Permits & Entrance Tickets: BTG Partial + Entrance Ticket to Cathedral + Qoricancha (Upgrade +40 USD)
- Meals
What Makes City Tour Cusco Special?
The Cusco City Tour is special because it lets you explore the best of the Inca capital in just a few hours. You’ll visit iconic sites like the Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha), the majestic Cathedral, and impressive archaeological complexes such as Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. It’s the perfect introduction to Cusco’s rich Inca history, colonial architecture, and stunning panoramic views.
What to pack
Experience the magic of the Cusco City Tour or at your own pace.
Private tour for an exclusive experience, make it personal!
City Tour Cusco Itinerary
Cusco
When you arrive in the imperial city of Cusco, our welcoming personnel will meet you and assist you in getting comfortable. Whether you’re going alone, as a couple, or with a bigger group, you may join us any day of the week to discover the wonderful city’s amazing heritage.
To begin this trip, our transportation will pick you up from your accommodation and transport you to the tour’s starting location. This trip begins in the afternoon, around 1:30 p.m., and ends at 4:30 p.m.
Our Cusco City Tour begins with a visit to the Cusco Cathedral, which is rich in history and houses priceless pieces of art. Next, we will tour the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), a holy location and area dedicated to deities, highlighting the wonderful stone artistry done by the “CUSQUEÑOS” (Incas). We will next continue the journey to the Sacsayhuaman esplanade, which is famous for its massive megalithic stone walls that were erected with incredible accuracy and perfection. Our excursion will continue to surrounding archeological sites such as Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. We will complete our City Tour by returning you to your hotel in Cusco.
Information about City Tour Cusco
What is the Cusco City Tour?
It is a half-day guided tour that explores the most important historical and archaeological sites in and around the city of Cusco, including Qoricancha, the Cathedral, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
How long does the tour last?
The tour typically lasts 4 to 5 hours, with departures in the morning or afternoon. The most popular option is the afternoon tour, from around 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Do I need a Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico)?
Yes. To enter the archaeological sites (Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay), you need a Partial or General Cusco Tourist Ticket.
For Qoricancha and the Cathedral, separate entrance fees apply.
Is it a walking tour or by vehicle?
The tour is mostly done by tourist vehicle, with walking at each archaeological site. Moderate walking is involved, especially at Sacsayhuamán and Tambomachay.
Is the tour suitable for children or older adults?
Yes. The tour is designed to be comfortable for all ages. There is some walking and stairs at archaeological sites, but the pace is relaxed.
Is the City Tour a good introduction to Cusco?
Absolutely. It offers a great overview of Cusco’s rich history, combining Inca ruins and colonial monuments. Many travelers choose to do it on their first day to help acclimatize and learn about the city.
All elements of these itineraries can be tailored to your interests and travel style.
Posted on Noreen S Best tour, expérience and guide ever We were a groupe of 3 doing the tour and got on very well. The guide Johans had an amazing knowledge. We tasted Wild fruits during the walks. He taught us things about plants, birds, animals, insects and so much more, that I would of never known without him. The activities such as rafting, zip Line, hot wather springs, and mountain biking were insane and so much fun. The places we stayed in were very comfortable and clean. The meals we had were just fantastic. The views during the hike were breath taking. That was for sure one of the best experience of my Life. Thank you Johans.Posted on Lewis W Machu Picchu experience We experienced Machu Picchu with Samuel our guide and it was perfect. The day was extremely well organised and Samuel ensured that getting to and from Machu Picchu was no problem. The experience was incredible, with perfect weather for seeing Machu Picchu. Samuel was the perfect guide with expert and detailed knowledge which ensured the whole circuit was covered and all questions answered. Samuel made sure we had the complete experience and took pictures from the best spots along the circuit. We would 100% recommend SAP and Samuel for a great experience at Machu PicchuPosted on Manhe S Awesome experience! Wonderful guide! Samuel is very knowledgeable in the story telling, we get to learn a lot about the history and Inka Culture. very precise and accurate with timing. Very caring, patient and easygoing too! He also helped our families take many beautiful shots. Just perfecto!Posted on Lewis W Incredible experience! We originally booked to do the Salkantey trek but this was cancelled due to landslides. SAP gave us the jungle trek as an alternative and thanks to our amazing guide Johans we had an incredible time. The activities are really well organised and lots of fun. We particularly enjoyed the hikes where Johans provided expert and detailed knowledge to our group of the local flora and fauna, particularly with the different species of birds. We felt very lucky to have him as our guide as he went above and beyond to make it an incredible experience! we would 100% recommend the tour and particularly with Johans especially if you have a keen interest in wildlife.Lewis and AlexPosted on Calle K Fantastic I promise you, don’t miss out on this. Everybody needs to do this once during their lifetime and it’s no one better than Sap to show you the way. We felt so safe and saw beautiful things that makes a grown up cry. Machu pichu and Sap, Thank you!Posted on Ben P Amazing Trip to Machu Picchu Perfect Tour! Everything went perfect, nice food, beautiful landscapes and incredible ending with Machu Picchu! Very good prices and super friendly guides! I fully recommend the companyPosted on por si a Great route, great experience Very well organized and an amazing experience although you would have to polish a couple of details regarding the initial talk and the pickup in the hydroelectricPosted on Raymond B David was an amazing guide What an adventure, it was awesome to spend the past few days not worrying about the planning specifics since it was all taken care of by our guide David. Bring your own toilet paper/wet wipes as not all stops have this available in the restroom.Bring insect repellent and sunscreen as well.... And a rain poncho, for sale $10 Soles at the first stop or buy one in cusco before departure.Posted on Isa Carrillo Delighted with the tour Very nice experience, recommended to a thousand, all very organized and comply with everything they say on the tour, the Guide Johans very attentive and explained everything and also was with us at all timesPosted on James D Absolutely incredible experience! 10 out of 10 recommend I did the Choquequirao trek through SAP adventures and I recommend them with the highest rating possible. After another company cancelled on me last minute, SAP adventures was able to get me on the trek for the next day. The Choquequirao trek was my favorite experience in Peru. Everything was top tier including the guide Renzo, the accommodations, the food, the group and of course the magical Inca ruins. I am very grateful for the experience and I highly recommend it.
Posted on Muhammad Shaheen Kajee Did the Inka Jungle trek with SAP adventures. Amazing experience. Professional. Good value for money. Our guide, Yang was particularly great.Posted on Erling Brækhus Haugsand Great customer service, we booked with them but had to cancel due to the unrest in the country. They refunded all our money with any questionsPosted on Freja Ena Sundahl Olsen Very professional and helpfulPosted on Anne Paulsen We booked our trip band paid in advance. Unfortunately strikes and closed roads prevented us from going. The company gave us full refund with no debate or hard feelings. I can recommend this honest and good will-company.Posted on Marin Maršić Even though I didn't book anything with them, they were really helpful and shared some useful information.Posted on Chi Phan SAP probably provides the best value-for--money tours in Cusco. I booked the Inca Jungle and Sacred Valley tours with them. They are extremely responsive on whassap, at whatever time - this cannot be taken for granted with tour agents in Peru. On the Sacred Valley tour we had a good guy that provided a bilingual tour. The lunch buffet was fantastic, especially if you are vegetarian. Lidman both booked and guided me on the Inca Jungle trip. He made sure to take into account my needs with food and anything else. I was impressed with the level of protection provided for the biking part. For other activities they worked with partners that also provided fantastic services (I had done the same activities elsewhere and could compare). Food on the trip is standard at the different stops whatever agency you go with. The accommodation I had was much better than expected - simple but clean. The team gave me the best advice of queuing for the complete ticket the day before because I had not purchase the entry to Machu Picchu in advance - the queue was short and I got an early-morning ticket fine. They also sorted out a guide for Machu Picchu for me on the spot and coordinated the train ticket as well as bus pick-up without any hiccup. Overall a great experience that I’d recommend!Posted on I RZO I went here since they were close to my hostel. John and his wife provided me with great customer service and answered all of my questions. They went above and beyond trying to book a trip to Machu Picchu that I eventually decided to not do. I did book two great day trips with them which were very fun!Posted on Louis Louis Nous avons fait l’inca jungle trek avec guillermo et c’était top, il nous a présenté la culture inca avec une grande passion mais aussi les diverses plantes que l’ont a pu découvrir sur notre chemin.