Cusco Half Day City Tour

To start this tour, our transfer picks you up at your hotel and takes you to the starting point. We run two shifts: the morning shift starts at approximately 9:00 am and ends at 2:00 pm, and the afternoon shift starts at approximately 1:00 pm and ends at 6:30 pm.

We start at the Qorikancha (“golden enclosure” in Quechua), the most important temple of the Inca sun cult, today home to the Santo Domingo Convent. The guided visit lasts about 45 minutes and covers both the original Inca walls and the colonial architecture built on top of them.

From the historic center, the group travels by private transport to the upper part of the city (about 10 to 15 minutes by vehicle) to visit, in this order, the four archaeological sites that complete the circuit:

Sacsayhuaman (approx. 3,700 masl), the most impressive complex on the tour: three zigzag terraced walls built with limestone blocks weighing up to 200 tons, fitted together without mortar. It's also one of the best viewpoints over the city of Cusco. Visit of 45 to 60 minutes.

Q'enqo, a carved rock outcrop with channels, steps and an underground altar, used as a ceremonial center dedicated to Pachamama (Mother Earth) and agricultural rites. Stop of 20 to 25 minutes.

Puka Pukara (“red fortress”), a former checkpoint on the route to the Antisuyo, with views over the valley. Brief stop of 10 to 15 minutes, mostly for photos.

Tambomachay, known as the “Inca's Bath,” a sanctuary dedicated to water worship with channels and ceremonial fountains still fed by a natural spring. Visit of 20 to 30 minutes.

The tour ends with the return to your hotel according to the shift you choose, leaving the rest of the day free to explore Cusco on your own.