Tours/Cusco/Half Day - Cusco City Essentials (Afternoon Group Tour)
Viator · group up to 20 pax

Half Day - Cusco City Essentials (Afternoon Group Tour)

4.7(12)Cusco1 hour
VIATOR4.5(6)TRIPADVISOR4.8(6)

Description

Discover the magic of Cusco in just one afternoon. This guided city tour offers the perfect introduction to the historic capital of the Inca Empire, blending ancient archaeological sites with colonial charm. You'll visit iconic landmarks like Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), the majestic Sacsayhuamán Fortress, and other impressive Inca ruins nestled in the hills surrounding the city. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you'll gain fascinating insight into Cusco’s rich history, architecture, and culture — all in the comfort of a small group setting. Perfect for travelers arriving in the morning or those with limited time, this tour allows you to make the most of your day in Cusco.

Tour Options

With entrance tickets
  • entrance tickets: Main Cathedral of Cusco ticket Temple of the Sun ticket Partial entrance Ticket Pickup included
Cusco City Tour - Half day
  • Group Service Pickup included

Itinerary

Admission not included20 min

We first visit the exquisite architectural feats of the ancient "Koricancha" Temple.

Admission not included30 min

The first stone was placed to begin construction of the cathedral in 1560. It is a marvel of religious art, home to approximately 300 paintings from the Cusqueña School.

Admission not included40 min

The archaeological complex of Saqsayhuamán is a majestic place with impressive works in stone, some up to 120 tons. (40 minutes)

Admission not included30 min

A religious center dedicated to the adoration of the Earth.

Admission not included20 min

that was used as a military control center.

Admission not included20 min

a center of adoration and worship of water.

Highlights

Professional guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pickup and drop off

What's included

Included
Professional guide
Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pickup and drop off
Not included
Entrance to Koricancha (15 soles per person or $5 USD)
Entrance to the main cathedral (25 soles per person - $8 USD or included as part of the Cusco Tourist ticket)
Entrance fees to four archaeological sites. For this you, will need to buy a Cusco Tourist Ticket. This costs 130 soles or $45 USD and a 50% discount is available for students with an ISIC card.
Gratuities

Pickup Locations & Times

Please provide your hotel details to arrange the pick-up

Traveller Ratings

4.7
12 reviews
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Important Information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Note: You can use the Cusco Tourist ticket for the Sacred Valley Tour. Alternatively, you can purchase a partial ticket that allows a one-day visit of just the four archeological sites in the city tour, if you are not planning to visit the Sacred Valley.

Reviews(12)

D
dashal195
April 18, 2026
Private Half Day Cusco tour

My husband and me did private half day Cusco City tour with Rene Ferdinand. Rene was very knowledgeable, informative and helpful. He went beyond required to make us familiar with history and culture of Cusco. We were very impressed with his energy and enthusiasm that he was able to pass on to us during our stay in Cusco. Would highly recommend Rene and will call him again when we return to Cusco. Thank you Rene !

Operator response

Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure meeting you both and sharing a part of Cusco’s history and culture with you. I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that my enthusiasm helped make your experience special. Your recommendation means a lot to me, and I would be delighted to welcome you again on your next visit to Cusco. There is always more to explore!

R
rhonddaw2026
February 27, 2026
Gorgeous Cusco Delights

We enjoyed the “sexy woman” ruins and view of Cusco below. Edward gave us a comprehensive understanding of the skills and culture of the Inca people . The city tour ensuing was insightful especially the Cathedral. Again Edward has great knowledge of the art work inside and the Inca influence still operating at the time of the Spanish Invasion. There was also an incident where he calmly retraced a phone for a traveller who had inadvertently left it at the Lama farm (previous stop) and organised its return to the ever grateful recipient. He also recommended restaurants and cafes for dinner.

Operator response

Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to know you enjoyed your visit to Sacsayhuamán and the city tour in Cusco, especially the insights shared at the Cusco Cathedral. Edward will be very happy to hear your kind words. We’re proud of his knowledge, professionalism, and the care he showed in helping recover the lost phone — a true reflection of his commitment to our travelers. We hope to welcome you again soon!

6
633judig
November 5, 2025
A great trip with a great guide!

Alvin Vergara was a great guide. He was most helpful with any questions and information about our activities. He has a great sense of humour which makes travel fun and interesting

Operator response

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We are pleased to hear that your trip was so enjoyable and that Alvin’s guidance made a positive difference throughout your journey. His supportive approach and willingness to assist with any questions reflect the service we aim to provide on every program. We are also glad that his sense of humor added an enjoyable and engaging touch to your travel experience. Feedback like yours encourages us to continue delivering meaningful and well-guided adventures for all our guests.

S
Stacey W
December 5, 2024
Trip of a lifetime

Our guide Claudio was very informative and so helpful. He made us feel like one big family. He went out of his way to retrieve a bag that we left behind and solved many problems that were caused by TripADeal. Great job and many thanks Claudio.

Operator response

We’re thrilled to hear that your trip was truly the experience of a lifetime! Claudio’s dedication to making everyone feel like family is something we deeply value, and we’re so glad his helpfulness and resourcefulness made such a positive impact on your journey. It’s great to know that Claudio went the extra mile to assist you with the bag and helped resolve any issues that arose along the way. His commitment to ensuring everything runs smoothly is a true reflection of his professionalism and care. Thank you for your kind words, and we’ll be sure to pass along your thanks to Claudio. We hope to welcome you back on another unforgettable adventure in the future!

T
Tina Z
October 15, 2024
Loved the trip, a little plateau reaction.

Aldo, the leader, takes responsibility seriously. Cusco Cusco Capital of the province of Cusco, Peru. Located in the highlands of the Peruvian Andes, at an altitude of 3,400 meters, Chongshan Mountain Ridge surrounds the city and is a high-altitude city. It remained the capital of the Inca Empire until the Spanish invasion. Impressive.

Operator response

感谢您的反馈!我们很高兴您享受这次行程,并且对Aldo的专业表现给予了高度评价。他的用心和责任感让您的旅程更加顺利。库斯科确实是一座充满魅力的城市,拥有丰富的历史和文化遗产。期待您未来再次光临,探索更多秘鲁的美丽景点!

P
Peeljord
October 31, 2021
Cusco tour

Corina was great! Super accommodating! Showed us a lot of the area and answered all our questions. :)

Operator response

Dear Peeljord, Thank you for your comment! We are very happy you had a great experience with Corina in your trip to Peru. Hope you can visit us again soon!

D
Douglas S
March 28, 2017
This is a great tour of Cusco that...

<p>This is a great tour of Cusco that takes you to most of the significant sights around Cusco in four hours. The guide was fantastic!</p>

1 people found this helpful
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Douglas S
March 27, 2017
Great tour that covers the basics of...

<p>Great tour that covers the basics of Cusco. Our guide was great!</p>

A
Alonso M
June 15, 2016
Took the same tour before with other...

<p>Took the same tour before with other operator and the guide gave better details/explanations on some areas of the tour. Puccapuccara was not visited in the tour, but most operators include it in this option.</p>

P
Phyllis L
April 19, 2016
We were very happy with our tour...

<p>We were very happy with our tour guide. He was very informative and helpful. One of the best <br/> we've ever had.</p>

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