Cusco City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 21 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Cusco City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites worth booking?
Cusco City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites is a 5-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $40 per person. It scores 60 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 21 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 60 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (21)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $40 per person
Enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha te
What you get
- Pickup and drop-off.
- Admission to Coricancha and Cusco Cathedral.
- Professional tour guide (English, Portuguese, French and Spanish)
About this experience
Enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun, and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaf. Then, visit the Cathedral at the Main Square. Head to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, and the ruins of the temple and amphitheatre of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practised agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then visit Puka Pukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Finally, visit Tambomachay. Afterwards, return to your hotel.
What's included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off.
- Admission to Coricancha and Cusco Cathedral.
- Professional tour guide (English, Portuguese, French and Spanish)
Not included
- Cusco Tourist ticket (BTC)
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities
- Snacks and beverages
What you'll see and do
This place is also known as "The Temple of the Sun"(QuriKancha: golden temple). Upon the arrival of the Spanish, it became the basis for the construction of the Santo Domingo Convent.
45 minutes here · Admission included
Cusco Cathedral
The Cusco Cathedral has countless works from the Cusqueña school, combining the styles of European devotional painting of the 17th century, with the symbolism of indigenous artists from the Andes of Cusco
45 minutes here · Admission included
Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuamán is one of the most incredible buildings in the world. It began to be built during the Inca Pachacutec government in the XV century. Approximately more than 20 thousand men extracted the stones from the nearby quarries and transferred them 20 kilometers to the hill in the city of Cusco.
50 minutes here · Admission not included
Q'enqo
A religious archaeological compound founded on natural rock formations where it is believed that agricultural rituals were carried out. Your guide also informs you about the sacrifices and mummifications that are thought to have taken place here.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Puka Pukara
An ancient garrison that was presumably used for military purposes. Wander through its many rooms, open squares, terraces, and towers, where it sits in the jungle on high ground overlooking the Cusco valley.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Tambomachay
Tambomachay is located 7 km from the city of Cusco. It has an amazing underground hydraulic system since the Inca civilization venerated water as a deity.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- LimaTours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- It is important to inform us the name of the hotel where you are staying to coordinate your activity
- Children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Rates do not apply for Peruvians or foreign passengers whose stay exceeded 60 days in Peru because sales taxes are not included in the above total and, if applicable, will be collected by the local operator.
- To visit the 4 archaeological sites (Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara & Tambomachay) it is important that you acquire your Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC)
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 21 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
21 verified traveler reviews for Cusco City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Inka Culture in Detail
Virgil went above and beyond to explain the Inka architecture and the ruins. We have very helpful and we learned so much.
via Viator
Cusco
It was an interesting trip where we learnt about the Inca culture. Unfortunately, my wife felt the effect of the high altitude to enjoy it more. I would have preferred less standing and listening to the tour guide. I know he liked to share with us as much as possible, however there were so many beautiful views which we missed by standing around. I would have preferred to be given time and place where we would meet and do some exploration of my own.
Response from the operator: Dear passenger, Thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent trip with us. We're thrilled to hear that you found the journey and the exploration of Inca culture interesting. We're sorry to learn that the effects of the high altitude impacted your wife's experience. Our team is always available to provide tips to help guests acclimate more comfortably. We appreciate your comments about the tour format and will consider your suggestion for more independent exploration to improve future experiences. We hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon, and thank you again for your insights!
via Tripadvisor
Cusco City Tour
Martin was an amazing guide. His knowledge of Cusco and all the sites was tremendous. I would definitely recommend him for this tour.
Response from the operator: Dear Robert, Thank you so much for your words! We’re thrilled to hear that Martin made your tour in Cusco a memorable experience. His passion for the history and culture truly shines through, and we’re glad you appreciated his expertise. We look forward to welcoming you back on another adventure soon!
via Tripadvisor
Pachamama is everything
Despite booking the Cusco city tour? We weren’t quite sure what we’d see. We had a great guide. We saw mostly Inka sites and saw the impact on these by the Spanish occupation. We had time to enjoy the sites and understand what they were all for - wonderful.
Response from the operator: Dear passenger, Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re glad you enjoyed the Cusco city tour and that our guide helped you appreciate the Inca sites and their history. We hope to see you on another adventure soon!
via Tripadvisor
Best vacation.
This has been the best planed vacation that I have ever experienced with a travel agency. I purchased this package with Hectours from Puerto Rico and they coordinated with Lima Tours in Peru. The level of professionalism since the moment that I booked this trip, the drivers that picked us up, the guides, the WhatsApp constant follow up and attention. Everything was excellent. The hotels and the places that we visited were awesome. Even when our plane and train got delayed the drivers were constantly connecting with us and letting us know not to worry that someone would be there waiting for us was a lot of comfort. Great job! My only comment is that this was a very busy and tight schedule which requires at least a day of rest every three days and should be recommended by the travel agent. Nevertheless this vacation was great.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 3+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $40 to $49
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by LimaTours, who run 27 experiences we rank across 7 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 44.3.
See everything LimaTours runsWhy this scores 60
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Cusco City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.
How much does Cusco City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites cost?
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Prices start at $40 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cusco usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Cusco City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cusco is not rushed.
Is Cusco City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 60 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 21 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Cusco, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Cusco City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Cusco City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 3. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 5-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Cusco City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites?
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Around 7 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cusco can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cusco and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Cusco City Tour and Nearby Archaeological Sites start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cusco within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cusco?
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On Outty we rank every Cusco experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sacred Valley Full Day Tour, Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco, Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with Meals. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cusco?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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