The Cusco City Tour offers an immersive exploration of the ancient Inca capital, featuring the iconic Sacsayhuaman ruins. Visitors can discover the Temple of the Sun, Qenco, Tambomachay, and Puka Pukara, all led by knowledgeable bilingual guides. With affordable pricing and convenient inclusions, this tour provides a memorable opportunity to explore Cusco’s rich history and stunning landscapes. What secrets might this ancient city unveil?

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Key Points

The Cusco City Tour is a comprehensive sightseeing experience in the ancient Inca capital, covering historical and cultural highlights.
The tour includes visits to the Temple of the Sun, Sacsayhuaman, Qenco, Tambomachay, and Puka Pukara.
The tour is priced at $15 per person for a 5-hour duration and is offered in English and Spanish.
The tour includes pickup, transport, a professional bilingual guide, rain ponchos, and water, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
The tour has an overall rating of 4.5/5 based on 23 reviews, with praise for the engaging guides and value for money.

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Tour Overview

The Cusco City Tour is a comprehensive sightseeing experience that takes visitors on a journey through the historical and cultural heart of the ancient Inca capital.

Priced from $15 per person, the 5-hour tour is offered in English and Spanish, catering to a diverse audience.

Wheelchair users and private groups are accommodated, and there’s a flexible cancellation policy.

The tour includes pickup, transport, a professional bilingual guide, and even rain ponchos and water.

Highlights include the Temple of the Sun, Sacsayhuaman, Qenco, Tambomachay, and Puka Pukara – all rich in Inca history and architecture.

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Itinerary Highlights

Starting at the Cuzco Main Square (Plaza de Armas), the Cusco City Tour takes visitors on a captivating journey through the city’s most iconic sites.

First, they’ll explore the Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha), marveling at its small temples dedicated to celestial bodies, gardens, and fountains.

Next, they’ll venture to the impressive Saksaywaman, famous for its carved rocks and Inca ceremonial significance.

The tour then visits the Qenco Archaeological Complex, a ceremonial worship site with intricate rock carvings, followed by Tambomachay, known for its aqueducts and water worship.

Finally, they’ll reach Puka Pukara, a military control center offering panoramic views.

Inclusions

The Cusco City Tour package includes pickup at the Cuzco Main Square 10 minutes before departure, providing convenient access to the tour.

Travelers will enjoy tourist transport and a professional bilingual guide throughout the experience. The tour also offers permanent assistance, rain ponchos, and complimentary water.

Lunch is included, and entrance fees for the Qoricancha and Partial Tourist Ticket are covered.

This comprehensive package ensures a hassle-free and enriching exploration of Cusco’s historical and cultural highlights, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the city’s ancient wonders.

Important Information

Visitors are advised to bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, a hat, umbrella, camera, water, jacket, rain gear, student card, cash, travel insurance, and a biodegradable insect repellent.

Weapons, pets (except assistance dogs), intoxication, smoking, littering, bikes, alcohol, non-folding wheelchairs/strollers, and fireworks aren’t allowed.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and private groups are available.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Travelers can reserve now and pay later.

The tour starts at the Cuzco Main Square, allowing for convenient pickup.

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Customer Feedback

What do customers say about the Cusco City Tour? Based on 23 reviews, the tour earns an impressive 4.5/5 overall rating.

Travelers rave about the engaging nature of the guide, praising their knowledge and enthusiasm. The transportation also gets high marks at 4.5/5.

While the value for money scores a solid 4.3/5, reviewers highlight the breathtaking sites visited as the true highlight. From the carved rocks of Sacsayhuaman to the ceremonial significance of Qenco, customers are awestruck by the cultural wonders on display throughout the tour.

There's plenty more to explore in Cusco

Starting at the Cuzco Main Square

As the beating heart of Cusco, the Main Square (Plaza de Armas) serves as the starting point for the Cusco City Tour.

Surrounded by colonial architecture, the square bustles with activity. Tourists mingle with locals, admiring the impressive Cathedral and the elegant Jesuit church of the Company of Jesus.

The guide gathers the group, ensuring everyone is accounted for before embarking on the journey through Cusco’s rich history and cultural heritage.

The guide ensures everyone is present before embarking on the journey through Cusco’s rich history and cultural heritage.

With the tour about to begin, the group sets off, eager to uncover the secrets and wonders that lie beyond this iconic city center.

Exploring the Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha)

After departing from the Cuzco Main Square, the group makes its way to the renowned Temple of the Sun, also known as Qorikancha.

This ancient Inca site features:

Small temples dedicated to celestial bodies, including the sun, moon, and stars
Lush gardens and ornate fountains
Intricate stone carvings and architectural wonders
A window into the Inca’s deep reverence for the natural world
A peaceful ambiance that invites contemplation and wonder

The guide expertly shares the history and significance of this sacred space, captivating the group with stories of the Inca’s sophisticated understanding of astronomy and cosmology.

Discovering the Saksaywaman Ruins

The tour then moves on to the impressive ruins of Saksaywaman, a testament to the engineering prowess of the Inca people.

Perched atop a hill overlooking Cusco, these colossal stone fortifications showcase the Incas’ mastery of stonework. Visitors marvel at the massive, intricately fitted boulders, some weighing several tons, that make up the walls.

The site’s strategic location and impressive defensive capabilities reveal its significance as a military control center for the Inca Empire.

Perched atop a hill, the site’s strategic location and impressive defenses reveal its role as a military control center for the Inca Empire.

Exploring the winding paths and monumental structures provides a glimpse into the advanced construction techniques and ceremonial importance of this archaeological gem.

Things To Know

Can I Get a Discount for Booking With a Group?

Yes, you can get a discounted rate for booking this tour with a group. The tour provider offers special group pricing, making it more affordable to explore Cusco and Sacsayhuaman with friends or family.

How Much Time Should I Allocate for Each Site Visit?

The tour allocates approximately 40 minutes at the Temple of the Sun, 45 minutes at Saksaywaman, 30 minutes at Qenco, 20 minutes at Tambomachay, and 20 minutes at Puka Pukara, allowing visitors to explore each site thoroughly.

Are There Any Restroom Facilities Available During the Tour?

There are restroom facilities available at most of the sites visited during the tour. Participants can use the restrooms at the Temple of the Sun, Saksaywaman, and other archaeological complexes along the route.

Can I Purchase Souvenirs at the Sites or Nearby?

Visitors can purchase souvenirs at the archaeological sites or in the nearby markets and shops in Cusco. There are many local artisan crafts, textiles, and other Peruvian items available for purchase during the tour.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour to Visit More Sites?

Yes, there’s an option to extend the tour and visit more sites. Travelers can customize the itinerary or book additional tours to explore more of Cusco’s archaeological wonders and cultural attractions.

Sum Up

The Cusco City Tour offers an unparalleled journey through the ancient Inca capital. From the majestic Sacsayhuaman ruins to the captivating Temple of the Sun, this tour immerses visitors in Cusco’s rich history and breathtaking landscapes. With knowledgeable guides and convenient inclusions, it’s an affordable and memorable way to explore the cultural heart of Peru.