Private Cusco City Tour

The Cusco City Tour is the best introduction to the old Inca capital: in about five hours you visit Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun, and the four ruins above the city, Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. On our private version you travel only with your group, in our own vehicle with hotel pickup, and you set the pace.

What you see on the City Tour

• Qorikancha. The most important temple of the empire, with the convent of Santo Domingo built on top. It is the city’s best lesson in Inca architecture. What to see inside.
• Sacsayhuaman. The walls of giant stones overlooking Cusco, with the best view of the city. Sacsayhuaman guide.
• Q’enqo and Puka Pukara. A shrine carved into the rock and a checkpoint on the Inca road. What to see at both.
• Tambomachay. The baths of the Inca, with fountains still flowing after five centuries. Tambomachay guide.

How the tour works

We pick you up at your hotel and start at Qorikancha, in the centre and on the flat. Then we drive up to the higher sites: Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, between 3,580 and 3,700 metres. You travel between stops by vehicle and walk ten to thirty minutes at each. We are back at your hotel about five hours later. The order may change with traffic and site opening times.

It runs in the morning or the afternoon. The afternoon is the usual choice on arrival day, as it leaves the morning to rest; we explain it in the City Tour on your first day.

Private or shared

Private, you can spend longer at Sacsayhuaman, skip the viewpoint if you feel the altitude or return to the hotel if you need to. That is why it is the format we recommend for your first day in Cusco. The full comparison, with prices and tickets, is in the Cusco City Tour: what it includes.

Morning or afternoon?

On a private tour you choose the time when booking:

• In the afternoon is the usual choice on your arrival day, as it leaves the morning to rest and acclimatise.
• In the morning there are fewer groups at Sacsayhuaman and better light on the Inca walls.
• On Sundays Qorikancha opens from midday, after mass: if you take the tour on a Sunday morning, we start with Sacsayhuaman and the ruins higher up and finish at the temple.

How long you spend at each stop is in Cusco City Tour: what it includes and times.

Price and guide

The price from 45 USD covers private transport with hotel pickup and drop-off, and goes down per person the more of you travel. When booking you choose the type of bilingual guide:

• Professional guide, who accompanies you while a driver handles the vehicle. The option for those who want more history and archaeology.
• Guide-driver, one professional who drives and explains. The more economical option, for groups of up to six.

Tickets

Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay are visited with the Cusco Tourist Ticket, bought at the first ruin. If you will also do the Sacred Valley, the full ticket is the one to get. Qorikancha has its own ticket, about 15 soles, paid at the door. Neither is included; bring cash in soles. All the details are in the Tourist Ticket guide.

What to bring

Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a cap, water and a warm layer for the afternoon: it is colder up at the ruins than in the centre. If you have just arrived in Cusco, read the acclimatisation guide first.