Departure times
- Morning: 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
- Afternoon: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Essentials at a glance
- Duration
- 4 h
- Type
- Private
- Departures
- 09:00, 14:00
- Pickup
- Hotels in Cusco’s historic center
- Languages
- English & Spanish
- Cancellation
- Free up to 24 hours before
The experience
Why you’ll love this
Begin at Qorikancha, the Inca Empire’s most sacred temple, once lined with gold and now rising beneath the colonial convent of Santo Domingo. With your private guide, continue up to Sacsayhuamán, whose 100-ton stones fit together without mortar, then to the carved shrine of Qenqo, the outpost of Puka Pukara and the water temple of Tambomachay.
Tip: book at least 24 hours in advance and plan this tour after your first day in Cusco.
- Visit Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun
- Marvel at the walls of Sacsayhuamán
- Explore Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay
- Private transport and guide
Step by step
Your route
Private hotel pickup
Your private guide and driver pick you up at your hotel at 9:00 AM or 2:00 PM.
Qorikancha
The Temple of the Sun, once covered in gold, beneath the colonial Convent of Santo Domingo.
Sacsayhuamán
A ceremonial fortress of colossal stones fitted without mortar, with sweeping views of Cusco.
Qenqo
A mysterious shrine of carved rock, underground chambers and sacred altars.
Puka Pukara
An Inca outpost that once guarded the royal roads into Cusco.
Tambomachay
The Temple of Water, where Inca canals still flow five centuries later.
Hotel drop-off
Back at your hotel around 1:30 PM (morning tour) or 6:00 PM (afternoon tour).
Everything taken care of
What’s included
- Private transport
- Private bilingual guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Qorikancha entrance
Not included
- Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTI or BTP)
- Meals
- Cusco Cathedral entrance (Sunday and holiday morning departures only)
- Tips
Good to know before you go
Plan your day with confidence
Pickup and return
- Hotels in Cusco’s historic center
- Be in your lobby 5–10 minutes early.
- Urubamba or Ollantaytambo? Ask us for a quote.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Cash in soles for the Tourist Ticket: S/70 for the Circuit I partial ticket, S/130 for the full ticket.
Important information
- Cusco sits at 3,400 m and Tambomachay at 3,800 m. Acclimatize for a day first.
- The order of visits may vary with traffic.
- 50% surcharge on Peruvian national holidays.
- Sundays and public holidays: Qorikancha opens from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The morning departure visits Cusco Cathedral instead, with the entrance paid by the traveller.
- Card declined? Ask your bank to enable international online purchases. If it still fails, write to us and we will give you another payment method.
Clear before you confirm
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour. This is a private experience for your group only. You’ll receive your confirmation email within 15 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cusco Tourist Ticket included?
No. You'll need it for Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. The Partial Ticket for Circuit I costs S/70 per person and is valid for one day; the Full Ticket costs S/130 and is valid for ten days, which is worth it if you also plan to visit the Sacred Valley and the museums. You buy it at the entrance to the first site, in cash and in soles only.
Which four sites do we visit?
Sacsayhuamán, with its walls of blocks fitted without mortar, some weighing over a hundred tonnes; Qenqo, a rock outcrop carved with channels and an underground chamber; Puka Pukara, the reddish checkpoint on the road to the Antisuyo; and Tambomachay, the water fountains still running after five centuries. Before those, you visit the Qorikancha in the city.
Can children join?
Yes. Children aged 0–3 travel free and don't count toward the group tier; ages 4–11 pay the child rate of your group's tier, and from 12 they pay the adult rate.
What if I travel on a Sunday or a public holiday?
Qorikancha opens from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sundays and public holidays. On those days the morning departure visits Cusco Cathedral instead of Qorikancha; its entrance is not included and is paid at the door. The 2:00 PM departure keeps the full itinerary with Qorikancha.
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