The 10 Historical Tours in Cusco We Would Book First

1.Historical Guided City Tour with 4 Inca Ruins

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 99 reviews · 6 hours · from $23Our pick

Spend about six hours visiting Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay with a guide in English or Spanish. Morning options include hotel pickup near the main square; an afternoon option starts near the cathedral. Guides such as Luis, Alfredo, and Hyame have led past tours, but your guide may differ. Site tickets cost extra.

“Excellent experience. Romulo was very knowledgeable and helped make the experience well worth it”

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2.Machu Picchu Private Archaeological and Historical Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) Top rated

Walk Machu Picchu with a private guide for about three hours, from a high lookout to temples, plazas, and the Intiwatana sundial. Guides such as Eric and Sophia bring Inca history to life, help with photos, and adjust the pace to your group. Pickup is offered from a hotel or Aguas Calientes train station. Entry and bus tickets cost extra.

“Very nice tour, with experienced guide and explanations that make bring another look to the place and its history make even more interesting!Auto-translated”

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3.6-Day Cultural Tour to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · from $999

Spend six days exploring Cusco’s Inca sites, Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley towns with an English-speaking guide, transport and train tickets included. You’ll visit Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Moray, Maras and Chinchero, with time to acclimate and a free day in Cusco. Mountain hikes require separate tickets, and hotel-category details should be confirmed before booking.

“Our trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu was absolutely unforgettable, and a big part of that was thanks to the amazing team behind the experience. Everything was perfectly organized – from the stunning Sacred Valley to the awe-inspiring Machu Read more”

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4.Historic Walking Tour with Pisco Sour and Music Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 65 reviews · 2 hours · from $10

In a small group of up to 10, an English- or Spanish-speaking guide leads you from Plaza de Armas through Cusco’s landmark streets and San Blas. You’ll see the 12- and 13-angled stones, visit a luthier’s workshop, hear Andean music and end with a pisco sour or chicha morada. Guides have included Erick, Nilo and Niki; the music stop can occasionally be unavailable.

“Erick was fun and informative. A great tour of Cusco. Easy way to acclimate to Cusco. Pisco samples were great!”

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5.Pisco Sour Secrets: Hands-On Mixology in Historic Cusco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35

At Casa Intrepid, a restored Cusco venue with original Inca walls, a local English-speaking bartender guides you through the story and flavors of Peruvian Pisco. Taste three varieties, then use fresh lime, syrup, egg white, bitters, and professional tools to mix your own Pisco Sour. The class lasts about two and a half hours, starts at 4:00 pm, and is limited to 12 adults.

“This night was so fun. The walking tour was full of information that we did not know about Cusco. The tour guide was excellent. When we went to the bar all of the employees behind the bar were so welcoming. Each of us could make a Pisco Sour of our choice mine was chocolate. We had so much fun that we stayed two additional hours and had another drink and appetizers.”

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6.historical and photographic guided tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 27 reviews · 3 hours

Ericson’s private Machu Picchu tour combines a three-hour guided walk with help finding photo spots and taking pictures. Expect historical and archaeological context, including newer research, plus a pickup from Aguas Calientes or the Machu Picchu station. The $80 group price covers up to 10 people, but entry tickets, bus tickets, food, water, and snacks cost extra.

“I recently had the incredible opportunity to explore Machu Picchu with Emerson as our guide, and I truly can’t recommend him enough. From the very beginning, Emerson’s passion for Peruvian history and culture was evident. His knowledge of Incan civilization, archaeological sites, and the sacred significance of Machu Picchu added so much depth to the experience. He explained everything in a way that was both informative and engaging, always taking the time to answer questions and adapt the tour to our interests. What really made this tour stand out, though, was Emerson’s amazing photography skills. Not only did he know all the best spots and angles for photos, but he…”

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7.Full-Day Sacred Valley History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 14 reviews · from $45

Leave Cusco around 7:30 AM for a full day of Inca sites, riverside views, and Quechua textile traditions. You’ll visit Písac, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero, with a buffet lunch in Urubamba. Guides have included Eddy and Manuel, though your guide may vary. Check whether your booking includes site entry and budget separately for the S/70 tourist ticket.

“A little confusion to start, told us pickup was between 0730-0800. Showed up at 0815. Than drove around in the van for 20 mins. We than went to their tourist transport area and sat there for 20 mins with no explanation. We wasted almost an hour time before we started the tour. Once we started the tour, realized my wife and I were the only English speakers, every one else in the van (12 total) were Spanish speakers. The tour guide was very good and bilingual, explaining everything in both English and Spanish. The tour itself was excellent and really enjoyed the places we visited and the time we spent…”

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8.Half-Day Historic City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 11 reviews · 7 hours · from $18

Start with Cusco’s cathedral and Qoricancha, then ride out to Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. An English-speaking local guide leads the small-group visit, which ends at a craft center. Hotel pickup and transport are included; entrance fees are not.

“Apesar de ser pouco tempo, o passeio foi ótimo. Nosso guia era super experiente e gentil.”

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9.Historic/music Cusco FreeWalkingTour “free drink” Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 11 reviews · 2 hours · from $2Best value

In about two hours, a guide leads a group of roughly 10 from Cusco’s Main Square to Qoricancha and San Blas, with stops for Inca stonework, a local luthier, Andean music, and city views. The tour is offered in English and Spanish and ends with a choice of Pisco Sour or chicha morada. One guide named Erick has been praised for his history and humor.

“Guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about the history of Cusco.”

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10.Legends and History Night Tour with Pisco Sour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 4 hours · from $75

At 6 pm, meet your guide for a car ride to the Cristo Blanco viewpoint, then explore San Cristobal, San Blas, and streets near Cusco’s main square on foot. Hear local stories in English or Spanish, and finish at a local bar with a Pisco sour and appetizer. The four-hour tour includes hotel pickup and is offered privately or in small groups.

“Awesome tour, extremely knowledge and informative guide. Highly recommend.”

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