6 Best Tours in Cuzco

Among the best things to do in Cuzco are its excursions and tours. Discover the Abode of the Gods, the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the impressive Rainbow Mountain, the Temple of the Moon...

Immerse yourself in the Inca culture and learn about its fascinating history while enjoying the beautiful views of the Andes. Learn about the prices, advantages, disadvantages and details to get to know Cuzco with guided tours tailored to your preferences.

I recommend you to book the Cuzco tourist bus during your first day in Cuzco. It allows you to tour the main landmarks of the ancient capital of the Inca Empire through 13 stops and avoid altitude sickness or "soroche" as it is known in Peru.

From the historic center of the city to the most important archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Quenqo and Puca Pucara, to participating in a ceremony to honor the Pachamama and other claims of the city, with the Hop on Hop off Bus in Cuzco you stroll and know the essence of the Inca culture.

Details of interest

• Price: from 14 € per person.
• Duration: one day.
• What you need to know: you are accompanied by a professional guide expert in history.
• What the tour includes: transportation for 13 stops by the most important sites of Cuzco, including the White Christ and demonstration of Andean ritual.

The Hop on Hop off Bus in Cuzco gives you a first glimpse of the city, but by booking a guided tour of Cuzco you will already know in depth the most important monuments of this ancient city.

From the majestic Cathedral of Cuzco to the enigmatic Temple of the Qoricancha, you can experience the rich cultural fusion that characterizes this city.

It is the perfect opportunity to get the most out of your visit to this ancient capital, especially if you want to know Cuzco in 3 days.

Details of interest

• Price: from 14 € per person.
• Duration: 4-5 hours.
• What you should know: groups usually have a maximum of 15 people.
• What the tour includes: professional guide service.

Just 13 kilometers from the center of Cuzco, in the Huaynaccorco sector stands the majestic Apukunaq Tianan, an impressive set of stone carvings by the Cusco master Michael de Titan Monteagudo.

The enormous sculptures carved into the limestone, some over 10 meters high, will take your breath away. The guide will take you on an exciting walk through the Abode of the Gods, explaining the meaning behind each sculpture

From the lookout point, you can enjoy amazing panoramic views of the city while you let yourself be carried away by this virgin land, its secrets, legends and sounds.

Details of interest

• Price: from 25 € per person.
• Duration: 3 - 4 hours.
• What you should know: this type of tour is offered with minibus transportation.
• What the tour includes: shuttle service to and from your hotel and professional guide service.

After picking you up at your hotel, you are taken to a horse ranch and once saddled and mounted, you begin the tour. The first stop is the Temple of the Moon, a sacred place used for ceremonies and offerings during full moon nights.

Then, the route continues through "Cara del Inca" and the Devil's Balcony, better known as the Chacan Mountain, which is located behind the Sacsayhuaman sites, where you visit a sacred ancient cave with the fields and Andean communities in the background.

Details of interest

• Price: from 52 € per person.
• Duration: 3 - 4 hours.
• What you should know: if you are looking for a family tour, this is the one.
• What the tour includes: transportation service to and from your hotel, professional guide service and everything related to the horses.

Delve into the impressive Inca architecture at the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, at 3700 meters above sea level, located just 2 kilometers north of Cuzco's Main Square.

During your visit you walk through the main points of the park, which has an extension of more than 3000 hectares. There is much to explore, to the point that archaeologists are still trying to reach a consensus about the use the park had.

On the one hand, it is believed to be a monumental fortress surrounded by mountains at a strategic point in the area. Others point to a ceremonial site where the Inti Raymi Festival, the ritual of worship to Inti, the Sun God, is celebrated every June 24.

Details of interest

• Price: from 62 € per person.
• Duration: 3 - 4 hours.
• What you should know: this place can be reached by tourist bus.
• What the tour includes: shuttle service to and from your hotel, professional guide service and entrance to the park.

Peru is the world's leading culinary destination. During this type of tours they take you to explore the authentic flavors of Peruvian cuisine through its markets.

One of the typical stops is the famous San Blas market, where escabeche de gallina, "choclito con queso fresco" and soups in general line taste like glory. Besides, the prices are cheap.

The other stop is the San Pedro market. At this market, the guide completes the purchase of all the ingredients needed for your menu, usually 4-5 courses. Then, a professional chef gives one of the best cooking classes in Cuzco that ends with the tasting of this menu.

Details of interest

• Price: from 14 € per person.
• Duration: 3- 6 hours.
• What you should know: the experience is offered in the morning and in the evening, in both cases the pisco sour workshop is usually included.
• What the tour includes: transportation service to your hotel.

• More security: crosswalks are conspicuous by their absence and the signs are not very regular. In addition, GPS does not always work.
• You avoid scams: fares in Peru are not standardized and variations can be crazy if you buy on the spot.
• Public transportation is irregular: except for the tourist bus and trains, there are no fixed schedules for buses.
• You make the most of your trip: the list of activities in Cuzco and its surroundings is almost endless and this is not the kind of provinces to get lost in its streets but to get to know them consciously.