Half-Day Tour, Sacsayhuaman And Q'enqo

See Cusco on a guided half-day city tour that takes in Sacsayhuaman and Q'enqo. The guided outing lasts 5 hours and pairs the city with both sites.

Overview

This half-day tour from Machupicchu Adventour covers the Inca sites in and around Cusco in about five hours. You meet in the city centre, visit the Coricancha temple if you opt in and pay the entry fee, then ride a minivan up into the hills above town for Sacsayhuaman, Q'enco, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, each explained by a professional guide. The tour finishes with a drop-off on Calle Plateros near the historic centre.

The rhythm is steady rather than rushed. Q'enco, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay each get shorter visits. Reviewers of this exact tour consistently praise the guides, calling them knowledgeable and friendly, and one reviewer noted a guide who answered many questions.

It suits travellers who want the archaeology around Cusco handled in one efficient block, with the operator running a morning shift and a late shift. Two entry tickets are not in the tour price, so bring cash. Meals are not provided either, so eat beforehand or plan for after.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet in central CuscoThe tour starts from Cusco Main Square. The exact meeting point may vary depending on the option booked, so check the booking page for your departure.
2. Coricancha, optional visitA one-hour guided visit to the Coricancha temple with a photo stop and walk. This stop is optional and carries an extra entry fee.
3. Drive to SacsayhuamanA 20-minute minivan ride climbs out of the city to the fortress. Sacsayhuaman itself gets 40 minutes of guided tour, free time, photo stops and scenic views on the way.
4. Q'enco complexA short six-minute drive brings you to Q'enco, an archaeological complex the guide presents as ceremonial and astronomical in use. The stop lasts 30 minutes with a guided tour and photo time.
5. Puka PukaraAfter a 15-minute drive, a 25-minute stop at Puka Pukara, described as a military fortress with multiple environments, squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls and towers.
6. TambomachayFive minutes on, a 40-minute visit to Tambomachay, a site with carved-stone water channels possibly dedicated to the worship of water. Guided tour, free time and photo stops included.
7. Return to Calle PlaterosA 30-minute drive back down ends the tour with a drop-off on Calle Plateros in the historic centre of Cusco.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this half day goes, from the extra entry fees to what the stops actually feel like on the ground.

• Bring cash. 00. The listing puts cash on the bring list for good reason.
• Bilingual guiding. The tour runs in English and Spanish, and one reviewer noted the guide explained the history in both languages. Several reviewers single out the guides' knowledge, so questions tend to get real answers.
• Time to wander. One reviewer appreciated being allowed to explore places independently at points. Expect a mix of listening and walking.
• Sun and altitude. The listing recommends a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and water. Comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes are also on the list. A daypack keeps it all manageable.
• Documents and photos. Bring a passport or ID card, which appears on the booking page's what-to-bring list. A camera makes the packing list too, and the stops are built around photo opportunities. Carry both in the daypack rather than leaving them at the hotel.
• No food included. Meals are not part of the package, and the listing states food is not included. Breakfast and lunch are both listed as exclusions. Eat before the departure time or plan for food after the drop-off.

Common issues. Some travellers mention an unannounced shopping stop that reduces time at the ruins, and several say skipping it would help. The two entry fees, Qoricancha at S/20.00 and the tourist ticket at S/70.00, are extra on top of the tour price. The meeting point may vary depending on the option booked, so confirm the exact start location on the booking page. No meals are provided at any point in the five hours.

Common Questions