Cusco Tours

Before choosing your Cusco tour, review the type of experience, duration, start time and entrance conditions. Some routes are relaxed cultural visits, while others involve early departures, uphill hiking or activity-specific safety instructions.

Choose the right tour style:

1. Select the Cusco City Tour if you want a half-day introduction to the Cathedral, Qorikancha and nearby ruins.
2. Choose the Sacred Valley tour for a full-day route through Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Urubamba.
3. Consider Humantay Lagoon or Rainbow Mountain if you are comfortable with uphill hikes of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
4. Pick the Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley combo if you want to add an extra hike of around 1 hour after visiting Rainbow Mountain.
5. Choose the ATV tour if you prefer an active half-day experience with safety briefing and quad riding near Moray and Maras.

Plan around departure times:

1. Mountain hikes usually start very early, around 04:00 AM to 04:30 AM from Cusco.
2. The Sacred Valley full-day tour begins around 07:00 AM and returns in the evening.
3. The ATV tour starts around 08:30 AM with transfer to the operations center in Cruzpata.
4. The Cusco City Tour runs in the afternoon, with pickup around 01:00 PM and return near Plaza de Armas.
5. Return times are approximate and may vary with route conditions and group pace.

Review entrance fees and tickets:

1. Some tours include site entrances, while others require separate payments.
2. The ATV route excludes the entrance to Moray and the Maras Salt Mines.
3. The Cusco City Tour includes Qorikancha entrance but excludes the Cathedral ticket and the General Tourist Ticket required for the ruins.
4. The Rainbow Mountain full-day tour excludes the park entrance, while the Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley combo includes entrances to both sites.
5. The Sacred Valley tour includes Sacred Valley entrances but notes that the General Tourist Ticket must be purchased separately.

Prepare for physical effort:

1. Humantay Lagoon and Rainbow Mountain include uphill trekking of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
2. The Red Valley combo adds an additional hike of about 1 hour.
3. Optional horses are mentioned for Humantay Lagoon and Rainbow Mountain, but they are not included in the tour price.
4. The Rainbow Mountain tour includes emergency oxygen and a first aid kit, but travelers should still assess their own condition before booking a hike.
5. If you prefer a lower-effort day, consider the City Tour, Sacred Valley tour or ATV option depending on your comfort level.

Check meals before departure:

1. Humantay Lagoon, Rainbow Mountain and Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley include breakfast and lunch.
2. The Sacred Valley tour includes a buffet lunch but excludes breakfast and dinner.
3. The ATV and Cusco City Tour descriptions do not list meals as included.
4. For early departures, confirm whether you need to arrange a light snack or breakfast before pickup.

Confirm exclusions and personal expenses:

1. Tips, extra water and items not mentioned are generally not included where specified.
2. Personal insurance is excluded on the ATV tour.
3. Trekking poles are excluded on the Humantay Lagoon tour.
4. Carry local currency for entrance fees, optional horse service, extra water or personal purchases.

Pack according to the route you choose. Cusco tours can range from city visits to full-day hikes, so your checklist should match the activity, duration and inclusions of the selected experience.

Essentials and documents:

1. Personal identification or passport copy.
2. Booking confirmation and pickup details.
3. Cash in soles for entrance fees, optional services, tips, extra water or items not included.
4. Small daypack for personal belongings.

Clothing for changing conditions:

1. Comfortable layers suitable for early departures and daytime activity.
2. Light jacket or warm layer for mountain routes such as Humantay Lagoon, Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley.
3. Comfortable pants for hiking, walking or ATV riding.
4. Rain protection if the forecast suggests unstable weather.

Footwear and activity gear:

1. Comfortable walking shoes for the City Tour and Sacred Valley visits.
2. Hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers for Humantay Lagoon, Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley.
3. Gloves or extra grip-friendly clothing may be useful for the ATV tour, although helmet and safety equipment are included.
4. Trekking poles if you normally use them, especially for Humantay Lagoon, since they are not listed as included.

Hydration and personal food:

1. Reusable water bottle or extra water, especially for hikes where extra water is excluded.
2. Light snacks for long transfers or early morning departures.
3. Any personal dietary items you may need between included meals.
4. Breakfast plan for tours where breakfast is not included, such as the Sacred Valley tour.

Sun, comfort and personal care:

1. Sunscreen, sunglasses and hat or cap.
2. Lip balm and basic personal medication.
3. Hand sanitizer or tissues for long travel days.
4. Small bag for waste so you can keep personal trash with you until disposal is available.

Photo and practical extras:

1. Phone or camera with enough battery for landscapes, ruins and viewpoints.
2. Portable charger for full-day tours.
3. Waterproof pouch or protective case for electronics if needed.
4. Minimal luggage only; large bags are not practical for hikes, ruins visits or ATV activity.

Which Cusco tour is best for a first visit?

If it is your first time in Cusco, the Cusco City Tour is a practical introduction because it includes the Cathedral, Qorikancha and nearby ruins such as Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. If you have a full day, the Sacred Valley tour offers a broader route through Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Urubamba.

What is the difference between the half-day and full-day Cusco tours?

Half-day tours are shorter and easier to fit into a travel schedule. The City Tour runs in the afternoon, while the ATV tour to Moray and Maras starts in the morning. Full-day tours involve longer transfers, earlier pickups and more extensive routes, such as Humantay Lagoon, Rainbow Mountain, Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley and the Sacred Valley.

How difficult are the hiking tours from Cusco?

Humantay Lagoon and Rainbow Mountain both include uphill hikes of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley combo adds an extra hike of around 1 hour to Red Valley. These tours are more physically demanding than the City Tour, Sacred Valley tour or ATV experience.

Are entrance tickets included in the Cusco tours?

It depends on the tour. The ATV tour excludes entrance to Moray and Maras. The City Tour includes Qorikancha but excludes the Cathedral ticket and the General Tourist Ticket for the ruins. The Rainbow Mountain full-day tour excludes the park entrance, while the Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley combo includes entrances to both sites. The Sacred Valley tour includes Sacred Valley entrances but notes that the General Tourist Ticket must be purchased separately.

Do the Cusco tours include meals?

Meals vary by experience. Humantay Lagoon, Rainbow Mountain and Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley include breakfast and lunch. The Sacred Valley tour includes a buffet lunch but excludes breakfast and dinner. The ATV tour and Cusco City Tour do not list meals as included in the provided tour details.

What time do tours usually depart from Cusco?

Departure times vary by route. Rainbow Mountain and the Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley combo start around 04:00 AM, while Humantay Lagoon begins around 04:30 AM. The Sacred Valley tour starts around 07:00 AM, the ATV tour around 08:30 AM, and the Cusco City Tour around 01:00 PM.

Is transportation included in these Cusco tours?

Yes, the listed tours include transport or roundtrip transport from Cusco according to each itinerary. Some tours specify hotel pickup, while others mention transfer from/to Cusco or pickup from Cusco hotels. It is recommended to confirm your exact pickup point when booking.

Can I take a horse on the mountain hikes?

Optional horse service is mentioned for Humantay Lagoon and Rainbow Mountain, with an approximate cost listed for some routes. It is not included in the base tour price. In the Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley combo, horse service is also listed as excluded.

What should I bring for a Cusco tour?

Bring comfortable clothing, walking or hiking shoes, sun protection, water, cash in soles and a small daypack. For hiking routes, pack extra water and warm layers. For tours with excluded tickets or optional services, carry cash for entrances, horse service, tips or personal purchases.