HIGHLIGHTS OF CUSCO CITY TOUR

A half-day tour in Cusco includes visits to key landmarks like the impressive Cusco Cathedral, the historic Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), and the grand Sacsayhuamán fortress. You’ll also see the mysterious rock formations at Qenqo, the ancient military site of Puca Pucara, and the ceremonial baths at Tambomachay. This tour offers a quick yet rich glimpse into Cusco’s fascinating history and Inca heritage.

Why you should take the City tour with AB Expeditions? 

• You will be picked up and dropped off at your hotel. If your hotel isn’t accessible by car, our guide will come to escort you.
• Our city tour is different from the typical bus tours. Unlike standard tours that waste time at commission-based stores, our tour allows you to truly explore and experience the city, spending more time at the archaeological sites.
• Our city tour is conducted in a small group, allowing you to enjoy a more personalized experience, move at your own pace, engage with your tour guide, ask questions, and actively participate throughout the journey.
• We don’t share our city tour group with other companies.
• AB Expeditions is a travel company completely owned by locals and is a fully licensed operator for city tours.
• Small groups of 2 to 8 people maximum distinguish us from other travel companies that accommodate larger groups.
• We are a dependable and timely travel company that welcomes both individuals and groups. Look at our reviews on TripAdvisor.
• At AB Expeditions, guides, and driver receive their salary as soon as they finish their job.
• Our Tour Guides pride themselves on being up-to-date and have a comprehensive program of continual professional development. We love showing what a fascinating and amazing Sacred Valley is.

CUSCO  CITY TOUR ITINERARY

Option A: Cusco City Tour In The Morning

Our tour of Cusco city begins at 8:00 AM with a pickup from your hotel. We will first visit the Inca site of Saqsaywaman, where we will spend approximately an hour exploring the site. Following this, we will proceed to Qenqo, where we will examine the site and our guide will provide detailed explanations of its functions. Our journey will continue to Tambomachay and Pucapucara, where we will visit and receive further explanations about these sites.

On our return to Cusco, we will make stops in the neighborhoods of 7 Borreguitos and Sapantiana for some excellent photo opportunities. We will then continue to the main square to visit the Cathedral and Qoricancha. Our final stop will be San Pedro Market, after which we will transfer you back to your hotel.

Option B: Cusco City Tour In The Afternoon

We come to pick you up at your hotel at 1.30 pm. we will first visit the center of Cusco, having with us a professional English-speaking guide. First, he will present the Cathedral (built in a Baroque style and having paintings of the Cusqueña school) and the temple of Coricancha, more known as Golden Palace (A place which we will enjoy in all its enchantment such as, the temple of the Thunder, moon, Lightning, Rainbow, Stars and the temple of Santo Domingo). Then we will visit Sacsayhuaman, located on a mountain overlooking Cusco.

Following we will set course to Qenqo, also known as the Labyrinth. This temple dedicated to Mother Earth is a unique center of celebrations and astronomical studies. Later on, we’ll visit Pucapucara, This complex contains several rooms, inner plazas, aqueducts, vantage points, and pathways. Last we will go to the archeological site of Tambomachay.

INCLUSION

Included

• First Aid Kit: Our guides undergo annual training every February on the proper use of first aid kits. They carry these kits with them and are equipped to handle various situations, including altitude sickness, diarrhea, scrapes, and cuts. If necessary, we will arrange for evacuation to one of the clinics with which we have agreements.
• 24/7 Customer Service: Our telephone service is available around the clock. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at +51958131850.
• Briefing via WhatsApp: The day before your trip, a member of our team will contact you via WhatsApp to provide a brief overview of the next day’s tour. We will coordinate with you in advance to determine the most convenient time for the call, which will last approximately five minutes. Please provide your phone number, including your country code, at the time of booking.
• Tank of oxigen: Tank of oxigen: On our city tour, we will get until 3,700 meters about sea level, we know that you do the city tour the first days. If you are any issue with altitude, we are ready to help you with out tank of oxigen.
• ExperienceTour Guide: We carefully select the best guides, each with over five years of experience and a deep passion for what they do. Whether male or female, our guides are dedicated to ensuring your safety and well-being as you explore the vibrant and historic city of Cusco.

Not Included

• Tourist Ticket for archeological site:  It Cost 70 soles($20 usd)
• Cathedral Ticket:  It cost 40 soles($12 usd)
• Qoricancha Ticket:   It Cost 20 soles($6 usd). 
• Meals: you can eat breakfast in your and lunch after the tour. 

Add-on for The City Tour

• The General Cusco Tourist Ticket

This Tourist Ticket for Cusco allows you to visit 16 tourist sites in the Cusco area. If you want to see ruins in both Cusco and the Sacred Valley, the best choice is the full “General Boleto Turistico.” The ticket costs 130 Soles (about $36 USD), with a student price of 70 Soles (about $20 USD). It is valid for 10 days.

• Partial Cusco Tourist Ticket.

The Partial Cusco Tourist Ticket is valid for just one day. It lets you visit only inca sites in Cusco, including Sacsaywaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay. This ticket is not available for students or minors. If you only want to see the city tour and not the Sacred Valley or Maras Moray, this is the best choice for you. It costs 70 soles (about $20 USD).

• Qoricancha Ticket

A direct entry ticket to the Coricancha costs 20 soles (about US $6). University students with a valid ID pay 10 soles (around US $3). Children under 10 years old get in for free.

• Cathedral Ticket 

To visit the Cathedral, you’ll need to buy a Religious Circuit Ticket. This ticket also lets you visit the Cathedral, San Blas Temple, Archbishop’s Museum, and San Cristobal Temple. For adults, the ticket costs S/. 40 ($12 USD). For students or children, it costs S/. 13.50 ($4.00 USD).

WHAT TO BRING 

• Personal Document: Ensure you bring your passport, as it will be required for purchasing your tickets.
• Small Backpack: A small backpack is essential for carrying water and snacks, making it convenient to have your essentials on hand.
• Comfortable Walking Shoes: Although this is a sightseeing tour, you will be walking extensively to explore various sites. Therefore, it is important to wear shoes that provide both support and comfort.
• Sun Protection: Since you will be outdoors in Cusco, where the sun is strong, it is crucial to use sunscreen to protect your skin.
• Sun Hat with Long Brim: The intense sun at altitudes above 3000 meters necessitates a hat with a long brim to shield your neck and face.
• Water Bottle: It is advisable to bring a reusable water bottle to minimize waste, though any type of bottle will suffice.
• Camera or Cell Phone: To capture your experiences and memories, bring a camera or cell phone for photographs.
• Water: We recommend carrying at least 2 liters of water per person to stay hydrated.
• Money: Many stores at the locations you visit may not accept credit cards, so carry cash for purchases such as water, snacks, and the Boleto Turístico.
• Rain Gear: Given Cusco’s unpredictable weather, packing a raincoat is advisable to stay dry.
• Sunglasses: Sunglasses with UV protection are essential to protect your eyes from the intense sun in the Andes.
• Fleece or Pullover: Weather in Cusco can change rapidly, so having a fleece or pullover is beneficial for cooler mornings and evenings.
• Comfortable Pants: Since you will encounter some steps during your exploration, wearing comfortable pants is recommended.
• Long Sleeve T-Shirt: A long sleeve t-shirt can help protect your skin from the sun. If unavailable, a regular t-shirt is also acceptable.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CITY TOUR 

Things To Know

• You can book the city tour at the last minute, but during the busy season (May, June, July, and August), it’s best to book at least a week ahead because we might run out of guides. However, there are always tickets available.
• You can buy bottled water at any stop during the whole city tour.
• Tours leave every day if you have a group of 2 or more people.
• No departures on June 24 due to the Intiraymi festival.
• The order of the places we visit might change based on the weather, and we might start the tour in Cusco or outside the city.
• Bring cash to buy tourist tickets because credit cards are not accepted on-site.

Pro Tips

• When you get to Cusco, don’t start exploring the city immediately. You should rest at the hotel for at least 2 hours to adjust to the high altitude.
• Even during the dry season, be ready for rain. Getting wet can make your trip uncomfortable.

Group Tour

On our city tour, you’ll be with people of all ages and backgrounds. When you book the group service, please understand that some people might go faster or slower than you.

Strike and Demonstrations

Strikes and protests are common in the Cusco region, and they can block roads. For your safety, we often cancel trips when this happens. If we cancel, we will refund all your money.

Physical Requirements

The city tour is quite simple and doesn’t require you to be in top physical condition. It mostly involves walking on flat ground. There are a few steps along the way, but if you prefer, you can skip those areas and wait for the group in the van.

Solo traveller

We’d be happy to add you to our group. Please send us a message first so we can fit you into the existing group. Unfortunately, we can’t start a new group with just one person.

Cusco Weather

Cusco, located in the high Andes of Peru, experiences a climate that is markedly influenced by its elevation and geographical location. The city is characterized by a temperate climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry season extends from May to September, during which temperatures are relatively cool, with daytime highs ranging from 18°C to 20°C (64°F to 68°F) and nighttime lows often dropping to around 0°C to 5°C (32°F to 41°F). Conversely, the rainy season spans from October to April, bringing increased humidity and precipitation, though temperatures remain relatively mild, generally between 15°C and 20°C (59°F to 68°F) during the day. The high altitude of Cusco, approximately 3,400 meters (11,200 feet) above sea level, contributes to its cool evenings and the occasional drastic temperature shifts between day and night.

Cancellations and Refunds:

• Full Refund: If you cancel up to 24 hours before the city tour starts, you will get all your money back.
• Partial Refund: If you cancel within 24 hours of the City tour, but before 7 PM the day before, you will get half your money back.
• No Refund: If you cancel after 7 PM the day before the tour, you will not get any money back.

FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CITY TOUR

How Do I Book The Cusco City Tour?

 To book your city tour with us, please start by selecting the red “Book Now” button. This will open our booking platform. First, you will choose your departure date, followed by entering all your personal information. The final step involves making a payment, where you can opt to pay either a deposit or the full amount. After we receive your booking, we will send you a manual confirmation, ensuring that your trip is fully confirmed.

Where Will We Buy The Tourist Ticket? 

You have the option to purchase in Cusco City within the Cusco municipality, or you can buy at the first location you visit. It is advisable to make your purchase at the initial place you visit.

Is The Cusco City Tour Worth It?

The Cusco City Tour is definitely worth it, especially if you’re interested in exploring the rich history and vibrant culture of the region. The tour typically includes visits to significant Inca and colonial sites such as Sacsayhuamán, Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), and the Cusco Cathedral. These locations offer a deep insight into the architectural and cultural legacy of the Inca civilization and Spanish colonial influences. Additionally, the tour provides a great introduction to Cusco’s unique blend of ancient and modern life, making it an essential experience for anyone visiting the area.

How Long Is The Cusco City Tour?

The Cusco city tour typically lasts around half a day, approximately 5 to 6 hours. It covers key historical and cultural sites, including the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), and several nearby Inca ruins such as Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. The duration can vary slightly depending on the tour provider and the pace of the group

Can I Store My Belongings In Your Office?

Yes, you are welcome to store your belongings in our office. We have storage facilities available, so you can leave your items there during your city tour.

What Is The Cusco Tour?

 The Cusco Tour typically refers to a guided exploration of Cusco, a historic city in southeastern Peru that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour usually includes visits to key landmarks such as the Plaza de Armas, the Cusco Cathedral, and the Qorikancha temple. Additionally, it often extends to nearby archaeological sites like Sacsayhuamán, Tambomachay, and the Sacred Valley. The tour provides insight into both Incan history and the Spanish colonial influence, showcasing the rich cultural and architectural heritage of the region.

What Does The Cusco Tour Include?

 The Cusco Tour offers transportation in a tourist van from your hotel in Cusco and a professional guide. It also provides pick-up and drop-off services at your hotel reception. However, the tour does not cover the cost of tourist tickets, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, accommodation, or travel insurance.

Can I Bring My Children On A City Tour For A Full Day In Cusco?

Yes, you can bring your children on the city tour without any issues. It is primarily a sightseeing tour, with only a few areas where there are steps, and these sections are brief. You can either carry your children through those parts or choose to skip them altogether.

Can I Customize My 1-Day City Tour Of Cusco Itinerary?

Of course, you have the option to personalize your city tour. Simply send us an email specifying the places you would like to visit, and we will tailor the tour to your preferences.