Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Cusco Private Tour in Cusco
Cusco, Peru

Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Cusco Private Tour

Outty Ranking 63 4.3 · 19 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $22
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Outty Ranking

63/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.3/5

Based on 19 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Cusco Private Tour worth booking?

Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Cusco Private Tour is a 3-hour experience in Cusco, Peru, from $22 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 19 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
63 / 100
Rating
4.3/5 (19)
Duration
3 hours
From
$22 per person

This is not just another city tour; this is the best of Cusco from a unique perspective! Get to know Cusco on a city tour that gives you the perfect overview, with city highlights, hidden gems, storytelling, and a local

What you get

  • Tickets for Merced Church included
  • Private Tour
  • Local Guide
  • 1 local drink/tasting

About this experience

This is not just another city tour; this is the best of Cusco from a unique perspective! Get to know Cusco on a city tour that gives you the perfect overview, with city highlights, hidden gems, storytelling, and a local treat - this tour has it all! Forget about big touristy groups and the crowds; it's time to see Cusco at its best but from the eyes of a local. Check out main landmarks like Qorikancha Temple, La Merced Church, Cusco Cathedral and uncover hidden gems and city secrets with the help of a knowledgeable local guide. And the cherry on top, a local treat is included. Withlocals Highlights & Hidden Gems Private City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups.

What's included

Included

  • Tickets for Merced Church included
  • Private Tour
  • Local Guide
  • 1 local drink/tasting

Not included

  • Hotel pick-up and drop off
  • Food and beverages not listed as inclusions

What you'll see and do

  1. Plaza de Armas

    Stroll around San Francisco Square and learn about the city’s Inca roots

    10 minutes here

  2. Mercado Central de San Pedro

    Mingle with locals at San Pedro Market, in Cusco’s oldest market building

    20 minutes here

  3. Church and Convent of Our Lady of Mercy (Iglesia de La Merced)

    Check out the treasures and gardens of the baroque-style La Merced Temple

    20 minutes here

  4. Qorikancha

    See the location of the QoriKancha temple, an iconic site once covered in glittering gold

    30 minutes here

  5. Twelve Angled Stone

    Marvel at the ‘Stone of the 12 Angles’, an incredible piece of engineering that has baffled people for centuries

    25 minutes here

  6. Plaza de las Nazarenas

    Relax at a historic café with a rich cup of coffee and maybe a delicious dessert and visit the beautiful buildings around Nazarenas Square

    30 minutes here

  7. Cusco Cathedral

    Walk to the peaceful Tricentenario Square to see local life in action and take in stunning views of Cusco. Also, head to the cathedral, the city’s most important religious monument

    45 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Cusco

Outside the entrance of Cappuccino Cusco Cafe.

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

Outside the entrance of Cappuccino Cusco Cafe.

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
en, es
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 8 travelers per booking
Operated by
Withlocals

Know before you go

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Private tour: only you & your local guide
  • CO2 Neutral: all tours carbon emissions are offset

Photos

Stroll through beautiful colonial streets with a localHear more about Cusco’s Inca origins in your private tourDiscover the best of Cusco with your private guideExplore the city’s oldest market with a localHear more about Cusco’s Inca origins with a localHear more about Cusco’s Inca origins in your private tour

What travelers are saying

Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 19 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

The guide

6 mentions

Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

Knowledge and storytelling

6 mentions

Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

Food and drink

3 mentions

The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

Traveler reviews

19 verified traveler reviews for Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Cusco Private Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

5 star
15
4 star
0
3 star
1
2 star
0
1 star
3
Sort
Joseph O · December 2025

Fabrizio was OUTSTANDING!!

Fabrizio was outstanding. He explained everything simply and with enough details. He was very conscientious of making sure I was happy and pleased with the tour.

via Tripadvisor

Kevin_L · September 2025

Very disappointed.

The guide was an hour late. Only showed after we messaged Viator. He did not go to all the places listed in the overview. We did ask he skip places we had already been. But there were key places including the special drink we did not experience. Very disappointed. And no financial resolution from Viator.

Response from the operator: Hi Kevin, I’m truly sorry to hear about your disappointment with the Cusco tour. Starting late and missing some of the key highlights, including the special drink, is not the experience we want for our guests. We’ll be following up with the host to better understand what happened and to ensure this doesn’t occur again. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback: it helps us improve and support our hosts in delivering the best possible experience. We hope you’ll give us another chance in the future to show you the quality we stand for. Kind regards, The Withlocals Team

via Viator

Sanjeedha_R · July 2025

total scam

Don’t book this tour as the tour operator is totally unresponsive from the day i booked the travel. i was there at the spot and didn’t find anyone on the specific day. The number given on the ticket by the guide is also inoperable and you can’t reach any of them. Overall, I lost my money after booking this trip. NEVER BOOK

Response from the operator: Hi there, We’re truly sorry for the distress and inconvenience you experienced, especially after not being able to reach anyone on the day of your tour. This is far from the reliable and responsive service we aim to provide, and we deeply regret the impact this had on your trip. Thank you for sharing your experience. Cheers, Withlocals Team

via Viator

LisaBeth69 · May 2025

Excellent tour. Amazing guide!

My family of four had a fantastic tour of Cusco and beyond with Fabrizio. He absolutely reflected our energy and pace. He paused and gave us time to catch our breath when necessary and filled us with history, culture and stories of Cusco and the Incans. He engaged wonderfully with our 24 and 20 year old sons and helped expand their horizons with appreciation of Peru and her culture. Our time together with Fabrizio has been the best part of our trip. Thank you for the wonderful days!!

via Tripadvisor

R5365PEjamesb · December 2024

Great experience

Informative and educational. Learnt a lot about Cusco that we wouldn't otherwise have known. Took in central squares, food market and San Blase.

via Tripadvisor

Good to know

Duration
3 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
1+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Price range
$22 to $96
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
7
Verdict
Solid Choice

Who runs this experience

Operated by Withlocals, who run 170 experiences we rank across 55 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 67.4.

See everything Withlocals runs

Why this scores 63

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)70
Review evidence (18% weight)48
Booking momentum (14% weight)40
Value for money (12% weight)67
Listing quality (10% weight)100
Local standing (8% weight)17
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Cusco Private Tour: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cusco.

How much does Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Cusco Private Tour cost?

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Prices start at $22 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 Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Cusco Private Tour take?

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Plan for about 3 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 Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Cusco Private Tour worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 19 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 Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Cusco Private Tour?

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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 Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Cusco Private Tour suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 1. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 3-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Cusco Private Tour?

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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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Cusco Private Tour 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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