Free Tour With Local Guide

Spend two hours walking through Cusco in the company of a local guide on this free GuruWalk tour. The walk runs on a pay-what-you-want basis, with the guide introducing the city as you go.

Overview

This is a free walking tour listed on GuruWalk: there is no fixed ticket price, and you pay the guide what you want at the end. This is a pay-what-you-want walking tour of central Cusco, run by a local guide team and lasting about two hours. Booking itself is free, and at the end of the walk each guest tips the guide whatever they feel the tour was worth. Guides lead the tour in English or Spanish.

The route takes in the historic center and its main sights. These include the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, the Company of Jesus, the Inca street of Loreto, the Qorikancha or Temple of the Sun, the Palace of Pachacútec, the Inca Roca Palace, and the 12-angled stone. The walk also covers the San Blas neighborhood with its colonial streets from the 16th and 17th centuries, the home of an artisan family, and a viewpoint with views over the city.

It suits first-time visitors who want an orientation to Cusco's history and customs before exploring further. Reviewers repeatedly describe it as a strong introduction to the city and a good way to begin a trip. One reviewer also mentioned having time to go through a market and try a few foods along the way.

Itinerary

1. Meet at Plaza de ArmasMeet your guide at Portal de Comercio 121, at the corner of the Plaza de Armas in front of the Plaza de Armas Hotel. The guide wears a purple polo shirt reading Free Tour Cusco and carries a purple umbrella.
2. Plaza de ArmasThe first stop on the route is the Plaza de Armas, Cusco's main square. The cathedral and the Church of the Company of Jesus are among the sights the tour covers.
3. QorikanchaThe second stop shown on the booking page is the Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun. The Palace of Pachacútec is another of the sights the tour takes in.
4. Inca Roca Palace and 12-angled stoneThe tour also takes in the Inca Roca Palace and the 12-angled stone, two of the listed sights.
5. San Blas neighborhoodThe walk visits San Blas, with colonial streets from the 16th and 17th centuries such as Pasñapacana, Tandapata, and Cuesta San Blas, plus a visit to the home of the Olave family, artisans of the city.
6. ViewpointThe tour arrives at a viewpoint where the group sees the city of Cusco. The full walk lasts approximately two hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this walk.

• Wear walking shoes. The route covers the historic center and the San Blas neighborhood, so comfortable shoes matter. Expect to be on your feet for the full two hours.
• Bring cash. The tour is free to book, and guests pay the guide what they think the walk was worth at the end. Having money on hand for the tip is the practical way to handle this.
• Language options. The tour runs in English and Spanish. Reviewers writing in English praise the guides' knowledge and clear explanations, and a Spanish-language reviewer described an enthusiastic, friendly guide.
• Camera ready. The route passes photogenic colonial streets in San Blas, the 12-angled stone, and a city viewpoint. The listing itself notes these are beautiful streets for photos. Keep your camera or phone accessible rather than buried in a bag.
• Good first-day activity. Several travellers describe this as a great way to start their tourism in Cusco and a very good introduction to the city's history. If it is your first day and you are unsure what to do, this walk gives you an orientation you can build on.
• Market stop may vary. One reviewer mentioned having time to go through a market and try a few foods. Treat this as a possible bonus rather than a guarantee.

Common issues. The listing does not state a fixed group size or an accessibility policy, so anyone with specific mobility needs should check with the operator before booking. One reviewer wished there were a second tour covering different material, so those wanting deeper history may find one walk is not enough.

Common Questions