Private Cusco City Tour with Sacsayhuaman & Inca Sites
Description
This private half-day tour is the easiest way to see the best of Cusco in comfort. Explore the historic center with your own local guide, visiting the Plaza de Armas, the 12 Angled Stone, Loreto Street, and Koricancha, where colonial buildings rise over original Inca walls. Next, travel by modern private vehicle to the main Inca sites above the city: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, plus a stop at Cristo Blanco for stunning views over Cusco. Highlights of the Private Cusco City Tour • Private half-day tour with exclusive local guide • Flexible start: morning or afternoon • Plaza de Armas, 12 Angled Stone, Loreto Street, Koricancha • Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay • Stop at Cristo Blanco viewpoint for panoramic city views
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour can start in the morning at 9:00 am or in the afternoon at 1:00 pm – the start time is flexible to give you maximum comfort. We will pick you up from your hotel and begin exploring the center of Cusco. Cusco, also spelled Cuzco, is a city in southeastern Peru, known as the Historical Capital of Peru and former capital of the Inca Empire. You will discover the Plaza de Armas, the famous 12 Angled Stone, Loreto Street, and some of the most important streets and buildings in the city.
From the Plaza de Armas, you will walk with your guide to Koricancha (Qorikancha), the most important temple of the Inca Empire. Its name in Quechua means “Golden Courtyard”, because it was once richly decorated with gold. Here you will see the perfect Inca stonework and learn how this sacred place was used for ceremonies, astronomy, and worship of the Sun.
Next, you will drive in your private vehicle up to Sacsayhuaman, one of the most impressive Inca sites above Cusco. This huge fortress is famous for its enormous stone walls, built with perfectly fitted blocks, some weighing more than 100 tons. As you walk through the site, your guide will explain how the Incas built Sacsayhuaman and why it is considered one of the greatest examples of their engineering and architectural skill.
Then you visit Qenqo (also written Q’enko or Kenko), a fascinating ceremonial site just a few kilometers from Cusco. Its name comes from a Quechua word meaning “zigzag,” referring to the carved channels and winding shapes in the rock. Here you’ll walk among mysterious altars, tunnels, and carved stones that were used for important Inca rituals. Your guide will explain why Qenqo is considered a sacred place (huaca) and share the legends and stories connected to this unique site.
Next, you will drive to Puca Pucara, which in Quechua means “Red Fortress.” This small Inca site was likely used as a military outpost and checkpoint on the road to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. From here you can see beautiful views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Puca Pucara is usually visited together with nearby sites like Tambomachay and Qenqo, making it a perfect stop to complete your circuit of Inca ruins around Cusco.
Next, you visit Tambomachay, a peaceful Inca site famous for its crystal-clear water fountains and fine stonework. Often called the “Inca Baths”, it was likely used for water ceremonies and rest by Inca nobility. This is a perfect moment to enjoy the fresh mountain air, take photos, and keep acclimatizing for your upcoming trip to Machu Picchu.
Next, you stop at Cristo Blanco, the white statue of Christ that stands on a hill above Cusco. From this viewpoint you get breathtaking panoramic views of the whole city, with its red roofs, plazas, and surrounding mountains. It’s a perfect place to take photos, enjoy the fresh air, and see how Cusco stretches across the valley—especially beautiful in the late afternoon as the lights of the city start to come on.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We also pick up from AirBnB's and any other locations inside Cusco city.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Names of all travelers
Reviews(58)
Excellent tour. The guide -Charly- was very kind and knowledgeable. The schedules and all the planned visits were fulfilled.
Fantastic experience with a very knowledgeable guide! Katia has spoken with enthusiasm and passion about the local Inca culture. We really enjoyed all the beautiful places and the delicious local food. This day tour gave us a good introduction to our 6-day tour in this area. From Cusco to Machu Picchu, to Humantay Lake and the Rainbow Mountains
Dear laurapI1062MK, Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re very happy to hear you had a fantastic first day in Cusco with Katia. It’s great to know her passion and knowledge about Inca culture made your experience so enjoyable, and that you liked the places and local food. We’re glad this was a good start to your 6-day journey in the region. We truly appreciate your feedback! TreXperience
Our private tour was absolutely incredible! Our guide, Leo, was truly fantastic and kind and deeply knowledgeable. He made our day not just interesting but fun, lighthearted, and authentic. He even took the time to show us a few special sites and he displayed a level of care and commitment that was truly exceptional. I highly recommend him for anyone and everyone interested in an authentic and insightful experience. He pairs extensive Incan knowledge with incredible spiritual sensitivity and he is also a record-breaking climber too! 10 stars!
Dear colting291, Thank you so much for your amazing review. We are very happy to know that your private Cusco City tour was not only informative but also fun, authentic, and memorable. Leo will be truly grateful for your kind words. It means a lot to know that his knowledge, care, and dedication made your experience so special. TreXperience
TreXperience provided a perfect tour of the Inca sites in and around Cusco. Their communication before the tour was exceptional, as were tour logistics during the tour. A perfect tour on an early day in Cusco to learn and understand the ways and culture of the Inca. We wish to especially acknowledge our guide, Roger Calsin. He provided a tour of exceptional value and set-up our enjoyable stay in Peru.
Dear N7515ANmattheww, Thank you for your wonderful review of the Private Cusco City Tour with Sacsayhuaman & Inca Sites! We’re thrilled to hear that everything from the communication to the logistics went perfectly. It’s fantastic that Roger made your experience so memorable and helped set up an enjoyable stay in Peru. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable experiences in the future! TreXperience
A perfect way to spend your first day in Cusco, and to understand the ways and culture of the Inka. Our guide, Roger Calsin, was of exceptional value. His knowledge and insight setup a wonderful time for us in Peru. The communication and logistics provided by the tour company were exceptional. We highly recommend this tour, tour company and guide when in Cusco!
Rosmel was the reason we chose Trexperience. His diligence and prompt reply to my inquiries made me feel confident to book with the company. On the day of our arrival, our transfer to the hotel did not arrive on time. I texted him about the problem and he replied and assisted even though it was his day off. We booked a Private tour for 6d5n. Our guide - Rene was very instrumental in making our trip memorable. Not only is he very knowledgeable but he also cares about our well being. Constantly checking if we are breathing properly during our several hikes . Checking our O2 level and pulse rate and providing condor pee to inhale when needed. He is indeed a wonderful person and we are glad to have him as our guide. Our driver varies daily and they provided a safe drive and the car is spotless. Overall, you can’t go wrong booking with the company. We are very satisfied!!!!!!
Had an excellent experience with the private guided tour from TreXperience. Freddy was our guide and made the visit to a sacred valley and sites around Cusco most memorable. He charted out the best sites to visit given the limited time we had - one day tour for sacred valley and half day for Cusco. He explained the historical significance of the areas we visited in a Crisp and interesting manner and was very easy to work with. He kept the pace tailored to what worked with our ten year old daughter as well. Loved the experience - we will highly recommend this company and Freddy as your guide to Mae your visit to Peru more memorable
Dear Nandaja A, Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re really happy to hear that Freddy made your visits to the Sacred Valley and Cusco so memorable. It’s great to know he tailored the itinerary and pace to your time and to your daughter, and that his explanations made the history easy and interesting to enjoy. Thank you for the recommendation and for choosing TreXperience! Warm regards, TreXperience Team
Very friendly and helpful Excellent English Plenty of local knowledge I highly recommend Frank as a guide for Cusco and the surrounding area.
Dear Pawel, Thank you for your kind words! We're so glad you enjoyed the Cusco City Tour, and Frank will be happy to know his knowledge and friendliness made your experience special. Warm regards, TreXperience
Franklin was an amazing, knowledgable, patient, emotionally intelligent tour guide. Perfect combination of information and stepping back to allow tourists to absorb and appreciate the views, sites and information. Would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that anyone request him BY NAME. We had him for our Cusco City Tour, Sacred Valley and the Machu Picchu mountain hike after viewing Machu Picchu and we wouldn’t have made it without his guidance, support and encouragement. Thank you for EVERYTHING! You went above and beyond far exceeding our expectations!
Dear mizzv2025, ✨ So happy to hear Franklin was amazing—knowledgeable, patient, and emotionally intelligent. We love that he balanced info with space to take it all in. We’ll share your praise (and that he’s HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by name) and we’re thrilled he guided you on the Cusco City Tour, Sacred Valley, and the Machu Picchu mountain hike. Thank you for everything you shared! Warm regards, The TreXperience Team
Frank was an amazing guide and very knowledgable. I very much enjoyed this trip and would highly recommend it if you are in Cusco.
Dear Gillian, Thank you so much for joining our Cusco City Tour and for the lovely recommendation! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the afternoon with Frank—he’ll be delighted to know his knowledge made a difference. If you’re back in Cusco, we’d love to show you more hidden gems. Warm regards, TreXperience Team
