Cusco City Tour Half Day

A full-day tour with daily departures to the most popular attractions, featuring Incan archaeological sites and the colonial cathedral to help you fully appreciate the incredible history of Peruvian culture. Cusco was once the heart of the Incan Empire, and its cobblestone streets and Inca-laid foundations blend with colonial and Renaissance architecture. Exploring the city on foot lets you experience firsthand the magnificence of this ancient Inca urban center. Many of its original structures—palaces, temples, and fortifications—remain part of the city’s landscape, making Cusco one of the most beautiful cities in South America.

This tour guides you through the most fascinating spots in Cusco, including Sacsayhuamán, the Temple of the Sun, and the Cusco Cathedral, which holds an impressive collection of colonial-era art.

Highlights

• Tour led by passionate local guides
• Small groups so you never feel rushed
• In-depth exploration of Incan history at key historical sites
• Stroll along original Inca streets lined with ancient palaces and temples

• Type of Transport: Van and walking
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Duration: 5 Hours
• Type of Tour: Historical, walking, guided
• Location: Cusco city

Our Guides: Peru Trails employs a team of highly qualified guides—both men and women—who hold professional degrees and receive annual refresher training with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). They are certified wilderness first responders and experts in Peruvian history and local culture. Fully prepared to attend to your needs during your trip, our guides are the essential element of any adventure.

Peru Trails is more than just a travel company; we are a group of dedicated leaders passionate about sharing our culture and accompanying travelers on unforgettable journeys.

Departures

The Cusco City Tour is managed entirely by Peru Trails. When you book with us, you travel with our experienced team. We operate daily throughout the year, with small groups averaging between 2 and 8 people, ensuring personalized service and ample time to explore our amazing country.

We welcome bookings year-round. For any questions, please contact us 24/7 at +51 987467790.

Classic Cusco City Tour

Your guide will meet you at your Cusco hotel, or we can arrange a pickup from the Sacred Valley at a pre-arranged time. First, you’ll be transported to Sacsayhuamán, located just 10 minutes from the city center, where your guide will present a detailed tour of this remarkable site. The massive stone walls—built with stones weighing up to 120 tons and fitted without mortar—are a testament to the extraordinary skills of the Inca builders. There is likely no other place in the world that can rival the architectural genius of this Incan structure.

Next, you’ll travel to Qenqo, known as the Temple of Mother Earth, and then to Tambomachay, the Temple of Water. You will also visit the community llama project, Manos de la Comunidad, where you can see various species of South American camelids including llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas.

Afterwards, the tour returns to Cusco to visit the Cusco Cathedral. Here, you can admire a stunning collection of artwork from the 15th to 17th centuries, including a unique interpretation of the Last Supper featuring local specialties. Local artists have beautifully captured the fusion of culture and history, such as portraying the Virgin Mary in the form of a mountain—an homage to the Incan reverence for mountains.

The tour concludes with a walk along ancient Inca streets, featuring the iconic twelve-cornered stone Inca Wall, and a stroll to the San Pedro local market, just a 10-minute walk from Plaza de Armas. Along the way, you’ll encounter street vendors offering treats like popcorn, churros, tamales, and handmade crafts. As you step into the market, the aroma of fresh fruit juices, produce, bread, and local soups fills the air—a perfect immersion into everyday Peruvian life.

Why Choose Peru Trails

• Peru Trails offers customized treks and tours designed around your interests
• We are committed to delivering world-class tours with outstanding customer service
• As a locally owned and experienced travel company based in Cusco, Peru, our team brings decades of firsthand knowledge of the tourism sector
• Our staff speaks English, Spanish, and Quechua—the language of the Incas
• All our guides are professionally trained in Incan history, Peruvian culture and traditions, wilderness first aid, local fauna and flora, and tourism management
• We are dedicated to environmental protection
• We create job opportunities and empower local communities through fair labor practices
• Our programs support the development of porter families and communities, including initiatives like tree planting and providing educational supplies
• We honor and respect the native communities that have cared for the land you visit
• A portion of every tour and trek goes to an Education Fund that supports the schooling of porters’ children
• Our itineraries range from 1 to 15 days, ensuring a diverse and unique experience for every traveler
• At Peru Trails, we organize worry-free trips so you can enjoy every moment of your journey

Specialists in Small Group Travel

Our tours are crafted for adventurers, culture enthusiasts, food lovers, history buffs, and photography fans of all ages—whether you travel solo, with friends, as a couple, or with family. We specialize in small group experiences, typically accommodating 4 to 8 people per tour. This intimate setting allows us to take you to exclusive locations and offer personalized service without the hassle of large crowds.

Group Service

Our tour groups are very important to us. We usually operate with groups ranging from 2 to 8 people, and a tour date opens once a minimum of 2 guests have booked. This semi-private service offers a personalized experience that maximizes your valuable time.

Accommodations

This tour does not require a hotel stay.

To secure your booking, a 20% deposit is required, with the remaining balance due 30 days before your trip.

Why Choose This Option

• Once a tour date is confirmed with 2 guests, the travel date is typically fixed.
• This option is great for meeting other travelers and socializing during the tour.
• The service quality is equivalent to that of private tours.
• If any member is unable to continue, the tour will proceed as planned.