The Cusco City Tour is the perfect introduction to the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. In just half a day, you will explore the most important historical and archaeological sites in and around Cusco. This tour includes visits to the Cathedral of Cusco, the Coricancha (Temple of the Sun), Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay—each showcasing impressive Inca stonework, cultural heritage, and colonial influences. Accompanied by a professional guide, you will experience the essence of Cusco’s history and spirituality.
Cusco City Center
Plaza de Armas
Hotel in Cusco
Cusco 9:00 am
Cusco 1:00 pm
Your tour begins with hotel pickup and a visit to the Cathedral of Cusco, one of the most important colonial monuments in Peru. Inside, you’ll find an outstanding collection of Cusco School paintings, religious sculptures, and a richly decorated interior featuring cedar and alder wood carvings.
Next, you will visit Coricancha, the legendary Temple of the Sun. Once covered entirely in sheets of gold, this sacred Inca temple merged with the colonial structure built by the Spaniards: the Convent of Santo Domingo. The contrast between Inca and Spanish architecture makes this site one of the most fascinating in Cusco.
Afterward, the tour continues outside the city to the massive Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Complex, known for its colossal stone walls, some weighing up to 40 tons. This impressive structure served both ceremonial and strategic purposes and offers incredible panoramic views of Cusco.
We then continue to Qenqo, an ancient ceremonial site featuring carved stone channels, an amphitheater, and a subterranean chamber believed to have been used for rituals related to Pachacutec or agricultural ceremonies.
The next stop is Puca Pucara, a reddish stone complex thought to have functioned as a checkpoint and resting place for travelers entering Cusco. Its towers, plazas, and aqueducts reflect its importance during Inca times.
Finally, you’ll visit Tambomachay, a site dedicated to water worship, purification rituals, and agricultural fertility. Its finely engineered fountains and canals demonstrate the Incas’ advanced hydraulic knowledge.
The tour ends near Cusco’s main square (Plaza de Armas).
