Peru · TOURS IN CUSCO
Everything in southern Peru is booked from Cusco, which makes the city a launchpad and a place to spend two slow days getting used to the air. These 15 cover the stonework, the valley, the mountains and the citadel, priced and timed.
Leave Cusco before dawn for Humantay Lake with bilingual guides such as Jonathan, Eduardo, Kevin, or Waldir. After breakfast in Mollepata, hike from Soraypampa to the 4,200-meter lake, with horses available for 80 PEN one way. Expect steep paths, changing weather, big Salkantay views, and a generous buffet lunch.
“It was an amazing hike ! The view was breathtaking.”
This 6.5-hour Cusco outing combines Chinchero’s Quechua weaving traditions, Moray’s Inca terraces, Maras village, and 3,000 salt pools. English or Spanish guides such as Felipe, Julio, and Jhon explain the history and local customs. Hotel pickup is included outside Cusco’s historic center, while entry fees and lunch are extra.
“A lot of fun! Our guide, Julio, was very knowledgeable and friendly. I also felt like the tour had a great balance between group learning and letting us explore on our own. The places we visited were very varied and I think a half day tour of sacred valley like this one is a fantastic option for people not wanting to feel too exhausted”
Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by bus and panoramic train, with tickets, entrance, shuttle buses, and a local guide included. Expect a very long day, an approximately two-hour visit, and free time for lunch in Aguas Calientes. Guides such as Uriel, Héctor, Ruth, and Christian have been praised for clear explanations and helpful photos.
“Our guide Hector was the best! We were lucky to have a small group of 4, so Hector explained a lot of interesting things to us and did some awesome photos and videos and took us to a nice restaurant in Aguas Calientes. The transport was good too, everything was on time as per the tickets sent, no delays like some people write in their reviews.”
Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by selected train, bus, and guided circuit. VIPAC includes hotel transfers, entrance fees, shuttle buses, and an English or Spanish guide. Guides such as Hector, Paul, Ronaldo, and Edgar are praised for clear history, patient pacing, and help with photos. Expect a long but carefully managed day.
“We had a wonderful time on our day trip to see Machu Machu Picchu from Cusco. It's a lot to do in one day but it was super memorable. The train trip to Machu Picchu was fun and exploring Machu Picchu with our guide Johnny was amazing.”
Spend five hours exploring Cusco’s Inca and colonial sights with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Visit Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay by minivan. Guides such as Luis, Wilson, Victor, and Jared are praised for clear explanations, while the low price makes this a strong first look at the city.
“This tour was the most informative tour I've been on in Peru. Luis was phenomenal! He had so much knowledge and answered every question with great detail. Some tours I went on, I likely didn't need a guide because I didn't gain much, if any, information but this was truly remarkable. Luis is a gem, and really loved to share the history and stories he's learned from his ancestors. Thank you!”
This 12-hour shared tour links six major Sacred Valley stops for $28, with hotel pickup or a 7:20 a.m. Plaza de Armas meeting option. A bilingual guide such as Victor, Edith, Rudy, or Samuel leads the day, and a buffet lunch in Urubamba is included. You can also finish in Ollantaytambo for a Machu Picchu train.
“An amazing experience, especially as a solo traveler. The guide was passionate, eloquent, and made the entire day engaging and seamless. Traveling alone felt easy and fun — highly recommend!”
Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by van, train, and mountain bus with transport and tickets arranged for you. A 2.5-hour guided visit brings the Inca citadel to life, with guides such as Williams, Santos, and Milton praised for clear explanations and kind help. Add a three-course Peruvian lunch at Cafe Inkaterra.
“This experience couldn’t have been better! Williams was an incredible tour guide and made our experience amazing! It was a magical day for us and one we’ll remember forever. Thank you!”
Travel from Cusco through Chinchero, Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo with a bilingual guide such as Julio, Felipe, Nora, or John. You will see Andean weaving, Inca terraces, salt ponds, and a fortress before ending near the Ollantaytambo train station. Buffet lunch is included, but site tickets cost extra.
“The trip was very good organized and the guide was very professional and simply perfect!”
Spend about five hours touring Cusco’s key Inca sites with a bilingual guide and shared transport. Visit Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay, with guides such as Nilo, Erick, Sergio, or Manuel bringing history to life through stories, photos, and local insight.
“Erick was a great guide. Very fun and full of interesting information.”
Leave Cusco around 4:00 to 5:00 a.m. for Humantay Lake, with breakfast and lunch in Mollepata, transport, an English or Spanish-speaking guide, walking sticks, and a two-hour uphill hike. Guides such as Jonathan, Alex, Wally, and Heber are noted for patient support and photos. Bring cash for entry and optional horse hire.
“Such a good day, very well organised and super Wally was a great guide making sure everyone was ok and having a good time”
Meet Chef Jesus, Jorge, or Eric at San Pedro Market for a four-hour English-language food experience. You will sample local produce, learn about Peruvian ingredients, prepare three traditional dishes and two pisco cocktails, then sit down to eat. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and alcohol-free options are available.
“It’s filled with lots of things. Good to know the ingredients and peruvian cuisine.”
Spend 12 full hours exploring the Sacred Valley with stops at Chinchero, Moray, Maras, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac. You’ll travel by shared vehicle, hear English or Spanish commentary, visit a textile center and salt mines, and eat a large Novo-Andean buffet in Urubamba. Guides such as Victor, Rudy, William, and Guillian are known for bringing energy and clear explanations.
“Our guide Rudy was very enthusiastic, funny and was really good in combining English and Spanish. And he kept the clock without being unfriendly. He was really good!”
Take a 150-minute bilingual bus tour through Cusco, with views of Plaza de Armas, Sacsayhuamán, Cristo Blanco, and Coricancha. You will also stop for an Andean ceremony and may visit an alpaca wool center. Guides such as Joshua and Paulo are praised for clear English and friendly help, though the tour is not hop-on, hop-off.
“Our tour guide, Roxanna (?), was amazing, switching between Spanish and English with ease. The itinerary was fascinating, especially the part involving the Inca ritual.”
This four-day Inca Jungle route combines a 50-kilometer downhill bike ride, jungle hikes, coffee roasting, optional rafting and ziplining, Cocalmayo hot springs, and Machu Picchu. A bilingual guide such as Francis, Gerson, Luis, or Amaru leads the small group, with meals, lodging, tickets, and return transport included.
“I loved the activities and I think the only improvement was just more information the packing list.”
Ride a single or shared quad bike from Cruz Pata to Moray, passing villages and mountain views along dirt roads. A guide such as Carlos, Joel, Alex, or Floyd leads the ride, explains Inca farming, then takes you by van to Maras for salt-mine views. Expect dust, 6 hours, and extra entrance fees.
“The pick up and drop off was good, you four wheel for about an hour total. Great and simple instructions to feel comfortable!”
Pick a ruin, a ridge, a river or a table.
