Half Day City Tour of Cusco Discover Inca Heritage

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4 to 5 hours (approximately)
Pickup offered
Offered in: English and 1 more

Discover the heart of the Inca Empire on a captivating half day city tour of Cusco, the perfect introduction for first time visitors and a great way to acclimate before exploring Machu Picchu or the Sacred Valley. This small group experience ensures a personalized and comfortable journey through the city's most iconic sites.

Explore Cusco’s fascinating blend of Inca and colonial history, beginning at the lively Plaza de Armas, home to the grand Cathedral. Walk to the legendary Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), once the most sacred site of the Inca civilization, later transformed by Spanish colonists.

Then travel by comfortable transport to the remarkable Sacsayhuaman fortress, known for its megalithic stone architecture and sweeping views over the city. Continue to the mystical sites of Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and the sacred water temple of Tambomachay, each showcasing the Incas' spiritual depth and advanced engineering skills.

What's Included

Comfortable tourist class transportation
Professional bilingual tour guide (English & Spanish)
First aid kit and oxygen bottle (carried by the guide)
Drop off at Cusco’s main square (or hotel for private tours)
Hotel pickup in Cusco
On tour assistance and support
Partial Tourist Ticket (required for entry to Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay)
Entrance ticket to Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun)
Entrance ticket to Cusco Cathedral
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Personal expenses (souvenirs, drinks, etc.)
Meals and snacks
Tips for guide and driver (optional)
Hotel drop off (unless booking a private tour)

Meeting and pickup

Pickup points
You can choose a pickup location at checkout (multiple pickup locations are available).
Pickup details:

Pickup is from hotels in Cusco’s historic center. Please be ready 10 minutes before your pickup time. If you're staying outside the area, a meeting point will be arranged. Pickup details are confirmed the day before the tour.

Itinerary

Duration: 4 to 5 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Cusco

    Hotel Pickup & Historic Center of Cusco (3,400 m) We’ll begin the tour by picking you up at your hotel in Cusco. This first day is designed to help you adjust comfortably to the altitude (3,400 meters or 11,150 feet). Most of the year offers a dry and mild climate, but during the rainy season (November to March), a light rain jacket is recommended.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 2

    Your first stop is the vibrant Plaza de Armas, once the ceremonial center of the Inca Empire. Today, it's the cultural and social hub of Cusco, surrounded by colonial arcades, restaurants, and historic buildings. We will visit the Cathedral of Cusco, an impressive structure that blends Spanish baroque architecture with indigenous Andean symbolism. It houses significant colonial-era art and is one of the most important churches in Peru.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 3

    A short walk from the main square brings us to Qoricancha, the most sacred temple in the Inca Empire. Once covered in gold, this temple was dedicated to Inti, the Sun God. After the Spanish conquest, the Santo Domingo Church was built on top of the original Inca structure, creating a stunning visual and cultural fusion between two civilizations.

    45 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 4
    Sacsayhuaman

    Your first stop is Sacsayhuamán, a monumental Inca fortress with megalithic stone walls, some stones weigh over 200 tons and are perfectly fitted without mortar. Located above Cusco, it offers panoramic views of the red-roofed city and is famous for its role in Inca religious ceremonies and historic battles. You’ll have time to explore the site, walk along its terraces, and take in the surrounding mountain landscape.

    45 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 5
    Q'enqo

    Next, we’ll visit Q’enqo, a small but fascinating Inca ceremonial center carved into natural volcanic rock. You’ll explore underground chambers, sacrificial altars, and stone passageways used for rituals and astronomical observations. The contrast between the cool, shadowy interior and the bright Andean sun outside is striking.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 6

    Just minutes away is Puca Pucara, a circular ruin believed to have served as a military checkpoint or resting place for Inca nobility. Its name means “Red Fortress,” due to the reddish hue of the stone, which becomes especially vivid in the afternoon sunlight. The site offers sweeping views of the surrounding valleys and mountains.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 7
    Tambomachay

    Your final stop is Tambomachay, a peaceful and beautifully designed water temple used by the Incas. This site features finely crafted aqueducts and flowing fountains, channeling natural spring water that still runs to this day. Set in a tranquil landscape, it’s often surrounded by native plants and free-roaming llamas, adding to the serene atmosphere.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
  • 8
    Cusco

    After exploring the sacred ruins, we’ll return to the city. The tour ends at Plaza de Armas in the afternoon. If you selected the private tour option, we will take you back to your hotel.

    1 hour • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Ecos Peru Trek

Tags

Half-day Tours
Bus Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Additional fees
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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