Visiting: Koricancha · Sacsayhuamán · Qenqo · Puca Pucara · Tambomachay
Overview
The Cusco City Tour is the perfect introduction to the old Inca capital — ideal for travelers who have just arrived or want to understand the city in greater depth. In a single morning you visit the Koricancha (the Temple of the Sun, where Inca and colonial architecture meet), and the four great Inca sites just above the city: the megalithic fortress of Sacsayhuamán, the ceremonial rock shrine of Qenqo, the "Red Fortress" of Puca Pucara, and the sacred water fountains of Tambomachay.
You start at 9:00 am from our central office and travel by comfortable vehicle between the sites with an expert bilingual guide, returning to Cusco around 2:00 pm. It's an easy, mostly walking tour with no hiking.
🌄 A great first-day activity. Because it stays in and just above Cusco (around 3,400 m) at a gentle pace, the city tour is one of the best ways to start acclimatising to the altitude before bigger hikes like Rainbow Mountain or the Inca Trail.
Your Morning — Step by Step
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1
9:00 am — Koricancha (Temple of the Sun)
We meet at 9:00 am at our office (Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo) and take a short walk to the Koricancha for a one-hour guided tour of the most important Inca temple, where the Santo Domingo convent was built over the original Inca stonework.
Your guide explains the striking fusion of Inca and colonial architecture, setting the scene for the great sites above the city that follow.
Good to know: The Koricancha is run by the Santo Domingo convent, so its 20-soles entrance is paid separately at the door.
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2
Sacsayhuamán
We travel by comfortable vehicle up to Sacsayhuamán, the monumental fortress overlooking Cusco, famous for its enormous, perfectly fitted stone walls.
Your guide shares the strategic significance of this impressive Inca site as you take in its sweeping panoramic views over the city below.
Good to know: Sacsayhuamán is one of the four ruins entered with the Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico), bought on the day in soles.
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3
Qenqo
Next is Qenqo, a sacred rock shrine with ceremonial chambers and underground passages carved into the stone — once an important Inca ritual site.
A short walk lets you discover the mysterious ritual chambers and sacred passageways while your guide brings their ceremonial role to life.
Good to know: Qenqo sits just above Cusco, so the walking is light — an easy stop that's gentle on your first day at altitude.
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4
Puca Pucara & Tambomachay
We continue to the ceremonial fountains of Tambomachay, a place of relaxation for Inca royalty, with its beautiful water fountains that still flow today.
Nearby stands Puca Pucara, the iconic "Red Fortress" that served as a military checkpoint guarding the road into Cusco.
Good to know: Tambomachay and Puca Pucara face each other across the road, so the two sites are visited in one short, easy stop.
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5
Return to Cusco (~2:00 pm)
After exploring the highlights of the Inca civilization, we drive back to Cusco's city centre, arriving around 2:00 pm.
The tour ends in the centre, leaving your afternoon free to explore the Plaza de Armas, the markets or a café.
Good to know: You finish right in the historic centre, so it's easy to walk straight to lunch, the Plaza de Armas or your hotel.
Tour at a Glance
| Duration | Half day · 9:00 am – 2:00 pm |
| Five sites | Koricancha · Sacsayhuamán · Qenqo · Puca Pucara · Tambomachay |
| Difficulty | Easy — light walking, no hiking |
| Altitude | In & above Cusco (~3,400 m) |
| Great for | Acclimatising on your first day · all ages |
| Meals | None included |
| Group size | Small group · max 18 |
| Start / End | Our office 9:00 am · back ~2:00 pm |
What's Included
Tap any item to see the full details.
Included
Not included
Entrances: the Tourist Ticket & Koricancha
The four Inca ruins (Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay) are entered with the Cusco Boleto Turístico, which is not included and is bought on the day, in cash (soles). The Koricancha is separate — a 20-soles ticket paid at its door (it's run by the Santo Domingo convent, not part of the Tourist Ticket). There are two Tourist Ticket options:
| Ticket | Price | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Partial (BTG) | 70 soles | The 4 Cusco ruins (Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay) |
| Full (BTG) | 130 soles | 16 sites incl. the Cusco ruins & the Sacred Valley · valid 10 days |
Koricancha (20 soles) is always separate from the Tourist Ticket. If you're also doing the Sacred Valley or Moray, the full ticket is usually better value. Bring enough cash in soles for the entrances.
Prices — 2026 Season
This is a small-group half-day city tour. We offer a single standard group rate; the site entrances (the Tourist Ticket and Koricancha) are paid locally in soles and are not included.
| Rate | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (group service) | $15 | Per person · all ages |
Price per person, group service (groups of 14–16, max 18). You can book online (a small card fee applies) or at our Cusco office up to the day before. Remember to bring cash in soles for the entrances.
What to Pack
An easy half day in the city — just comfortable clothes, good walking shoes and some cash for the entrances.
- Always with you: cash in soles (Tourist Ticket 70/130 + Koricancha 20 + snacks/souvenirs), plus your passport or ID.
- Clothing: dress in layers for Cusco's changeable mountain weather, with sun protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, hat) and a light rain jacket in the wet season (Nov–Mar).
- Extras: comfortable walking shoes, a water bottle, your camera, and any personal or altitude medication.
How to Book
Book online or in person at our Cusco office (Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo). There are daily departures and you can reserve online until 9:00 pm the day before. Pay by debit or credit card online (a small fee applies), or in cash (soles, dollars or euros) at the office.
- Choose your date — daily departures available.
- Enter your details (name, nationality, hotel in Cusco, WhatsApp number).
- Pay securely by card online, or reserve and pay at our office.
- Confirm — you'll get a confirmation email, then meet us at the office at 9:00 am on your tour day.
Full refund: cancel at least 48 hours before the tour for 100% back (by email).
Partial refund (50%): cancel 24–48 hours before.
No refund: less than 24 hours before, or no-show.
Free date change: up to 24 hours before the tour.
Agency cancellations: if we must cancel for weather or safety, you get a 100% refund. To make changes, email info@machupicchuteam.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's a half-day guided tour of Cusco and the archaeological sites just above the city — Koricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay — starting at 9:00 am from our office and returning around 2:00 pm.
It includes round-trip transport between the sites, a professional bilingual guide (English/Spanish) and drop-off back in the city centre. Not included: the entrance tickets (Tourist Ticket for the ruins + Koricancha 20 soles), meals, tips, accommodation and travel insurance.
Two are paid locally in cash (soles): Koricancha is a separate 20-soles ticket at its door; the four ruins are entered with the Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico) — Partial 70 soles (the 4 Cusco ruins) or Full 130 soles (16 sites incl. the Sacred Valley, valid 10 days). Cards and dollars aren't accepted at the sites, so bring cash in soles.
Yes — it's one of the best first-day activities. The pace is gentle with only light walking (no hiking), and staying in and just above Cusco (~3,400 m) helps your body adjust to the altitude. Good physical condition helps, but our guides adapt the pace to the group; please let us know of any medical conditions.
The tour starts at 9:00 am from our office at Portal Nuevo 270, Plaza Regocijo, just steps from the Plaza de Armas. You meet us there; when you book we'll ask for your hotel name in Cusco to confirm the details with you.
You can cancel up to 48 hours before for a full refund (50% within 24–48 hours; no refund under 24 hours or no-show), and reschedule free of charge up to 24 hours before, subject to availability. If we have to cancel for weather or safety, you receive a full refund or a reschedule.
