City Tour of Cusco: 4 Ruins – Qoricancha – Cathedral

Home » Tours » Daily Tours » City Tour of Cusco: 4 Ruins – Qoricancha – Cathedral

This tour is an excellent option for those who wish to explore Cusco and its surroundings in depth. We will begin with a pick-up from your hotel at 8:30 AM (private service). Throughout this 4-hour tour, we will visit 4 of the most emblematic archaeological sites located on the hills surrounding the city: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, and Pukapukara. These places offer breathtaking panoramic views of Cusco and are witnesses to the grandeur of the Inca civilization.

Inside the city of Cusco, we will visit Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, considered one of the most sacred places of the Inca Empire. You will also have the option to visit the Cusco Cathedral, a masterpiece of colonial art and one of the most important churches in the country.

The tour will end around 1:00 PM, after which you will have the afternoon free to explore the city at your own pace. We recommend visiting the charming San Blas neighborhood, known for its narrow cobblestone streets, or the San Cristóbal neighborhood, which offers spectacular views of the city.

Language

Spanish or English

Altitude

11154.86 ft

Transportation

Private

Difficulty

Low

Itinerary

8:30 AM – Pick-up from the hotel

We begin the day with a pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. Our private tourist transport will comfortably take you throughout the tour.

9:00 AM – Visit to Sacsayhuaman

We begin by visiting Sacsayhuaman, an Inca ceremonial fortress located on a hill with stunning views of Cusco. Admire the enormous stones that form the walls of this archaeological site.

9:40 AM – Visit to Qenqo

Next, we head to Qenqo, an archaeological site that contains a temple dedicated to the gods, with a labyrinth of tunnels and a stone altar where sacrifices were made.

10:10 AM – Visit to Tambomachay

We then visit Tambomachay, known as the Inca ritual bath. This site has water springs that were used in religious ceremonies related to water.

10:40 AM – Visit to Pukapukara

We visit Pukapukara, a watchtower fortress that served as a control point to the Sacred Valley and as a resting place for travelers.

11:10 AM – Return to the city of Cusco and visit Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun)

We return to Cusco to visit Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, one of the most important temples of the Inca Empire. Here, you will see magnificent Inca construction and the impact of later colonial architecture.

12:00 PM – Optional visit to the Cusco Cathedral

If you wish, you can make an optional visit to the Cusco Cathedral, one of the most important churches in South America, with an impressive collection of colonial art.

1:00 PM – End of the tour

After the visits, the tour ends around 1:00 PM. You will have the afternoon free to explore the city of Cusco on your own, visiting neighborhoods like San Blas or San Cristóbal.

Include

Private tourist transportation.
Professional tour guide in Spanish or English.
Tour of the 4 archaeological sites: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, Pukapukara.
Visit to Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun).
Optional visit to the Cusco Cathedral.

Not Include

Entrance fees to the 4 archaeological sites (Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, Pukapukara).
Entrance fees to Qoricancha (15 soles) and the Cusco Cathedral (40 soles).
Lunch or drinks.
Tips for the guide or driver.

Recommendation

Ropa cómoda: Como estarás caminando y explorando varios sitios arqueológicos, asegúrate de usar ropa cómoda y zapatos adecuados para caminar.
Protección solar: Lleva protector solar y un sombrero o gorra, ya que la altitud puede hacer que el sol sea más fuerte.
Bebida y snacks: Lleva agua para mantenerte hidratado durante el recorrido.
Altura: Si no estás acostumbrado a la altitud, es recomendable descansar antes del tour y mantenerte hidratado.
Dinero extra: Lleva algo de dinero para los boletos de entrada (Qoricancha y la Catedral), compras y propinas.

Prices

Extras

Is this trip right for you?

This trip visits places at high altitudes, and as a result, some people may experience altitude sickness regardless of age or physical condition. Please refer to the Medical and Health Information section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
This journey involves extensive walking to visit the sites, and if you choose to trek the Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail, you will face strenuous hikes. We recommend this trip for those with a good level of fitness. It is important to bring comfortable footwear suitable for hiking. See the “Packing” section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
For those trekking the Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail, accommodation will be in campsites with basic facilities. Undoubtedly, this experience is not just about reaching the final destination (Machu Picchu) but about the incredible journey itself.
According to Machu Picchu’s visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site in a single direction. Once the guided tour begins, exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. After the guided visit concludes, visitors must leave the site, and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not allowed. Please refer to the Itinerary for more details.
Travelers who choose different ways to reach Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail, or Train) will not follow the same routes within the site. This means that you may not be able to take photos together overlooking Machu Picchu, whether traveling on the same booking or separate bookings.

Frequently Asked Questions

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours, from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

No, the price does not include entrance tickets to the archaeological sites (Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, and Pukapukara) or to Qoricancha or the Cusco Cathedral. The additional costs are 15 soles for Qoricancha and 40 soles for the Cathedral.

Yes, visiting the Cusco Cathedral is optional, but it is recommended as part of the city tour.

The tour is conducted in private tourist transportation, ensuring comfort and flexibility throughout the journey.

After the tour, it is recommended to explore Cusco at your own pace. You can walk through the San Blas neighborhood, visit local markets, or enjoy the local Cusco cuisine at a typical restaurant.