Top Cusco Archaeology Tours

Discover the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu on this 2-day tour. Visit key sites such as Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo and discover their individual archaeological sites with your guide. Spend the night at Aguas Calientes, the village at the base of Machu Picchu, and rest up before catching the sunrise at the famous Inca citadel the next day.

Spend a day exploring the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu during this all-inclusive day trip leaving from Cusco. Discover this renowned mountaintop Inca site with a guide, learning about its construction, history, and what daily life was like for its residents. The trip’s relaxed, non-strenuous pace is a great option for first-time visitors, families, and solo travelers alike, and features three different train ride options. The trip also includes round-trip hotel transport, transfer from Cusco to Machu Picchu (via train and bus), and the site entrance fee.

Peru's Sacred Valley has played an important role in the region since the time of the ancient Incas. On this full-day excursion, join a small group to visit the historic sights and cities that dot the fertile valley. Stop at Chinchero, Moray, the Maras salt mines, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac to learn how the Incas grew crops in the region.

Learn the secrets of Cusco’s Incan and Spanish history on this half-day tour with a private guide. In addition to navigating, your guide offers little-known facts and anecdotes about each stop on the itinerary, from the Koricancha, an anti-seismic sun temple in the historic center, to Sacsayhuamán, an Incan citadel with sweeping views of Cusco. Booking a private tour ensures plenty of time for photos and questions.

Immerse yourself in the grand colonial majesty of Cusco on a half-day guided sightseeing tour of the city. Wander winding Incan streets to discover the ancient Temple of the Sun, the sacred Convent of Santo Domingo and the colossal Cusco Cathedral. Gain insight into the fascinating history of the city with an interesting and informative guide as you explore one of Peru’s most treasured places on foot.

Explore local Andean communities and ancient Inca ruins in the countryside outside Cusco during this horseback riding adventure. Learn about the daily rhythms of local life, observing farming techniques along with alpaca and sheep herding as you pass these tiny districts. You also discover Inca temples, soaking up the ancient energy of these spiritual sites, and visit the ‘Devil’s Balcony,’ a natural cave once used as an Inca shrine. Your horseback ride near Cusco also includes a guide, horseback riding gear, snacks and water, and round-trip transport from your hotel to the ranch.

Begin your Peruvian vacation with comfort and convenience with a stress-free arrival airport transfer from Cusco. Skip crowded taxi lines and avoid navigating confusing public transport systems with this shared transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport to your hotel. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, these transfers accurately coincide with your flight and guarantee a tranquil arrival into Peru.

We begin with the transfer from your hotel in Cusco to the bus station. From here we will take the bus to Ollantaytambo, where you will board the train at the scheduled time. Enjoy a scenic train ride through stunning scenery to the Aguas Calientes station. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will be greeted by our professional guide or support staff, who will give you the necessary directions to begin your guided tour. Explore Machu Picchu for 2.5 to 3 hours with an expert guide who will provide you with information in English or Spanish about the history and architecture of this Inca wonder. Other languages are available upon request. After the tour, you will have free time for lunch at local restaurants in Aguas Calientes before heading back. You will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where a bus will take you to Cusco. Upon arrival at the bus station in Cusco, our transportation will take you back to your hotel in the historic center.

Discover the shorter version of the famous Inca Trail during this 2-day excursion. Visit the archeological sites of Chachabamba, Winay Huayna, the Sungate, and Machu Picchu both in the afternoon and the early morning to see the citadel in two different lights. Learn about the history of the Incas on a comprehensive tour and explore the site on your own before heading back to Cusco.

Snack and sightsee on this small-group Cusco street food tour limited to 10 people or fewer. Try favorite local dishes like papas (potatoes), meats, and sweets, and even chat with the street food vendors to learn more about their goods. Between bites, learn about Cusco history as you walk around the city.

Visit the top five attractions in Peru’s Sacred Valley on a group tour from Cusco. All-inclusive transportation enables you to comfortably see the best of the Inka empire in a single day. The thorough itinerary takes you to Ollantaytambo, Moray, Chinchero, Pisac, and the Salinas de Maras salt mines. Along the way, enjoy lunch and a visit to a craft workshop in the colonial city of Chicneros.

Get a taste for Peru’s high-alpine scenery and ancient Inca customs during this full-day hike to Lake Humantay from Cusco. Ascend to this scenic body of water located at 13,779 feet (4,200 meters), learning about its sacred place in Inca mythology during your climb. An included buffet lunch back at base camp is an added bonus.

Discover the wealth of history and fascinating modern-day culture of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire, during this 4-hour walking tour with a private guide. Get off the tour bus and out into the streets of this amazing Inca city, following your guide on foot through the city’s main square and past its imposing cathedral. You’ll also check out the impressive ruins of the Incas’ Qorikancha temple and do some shopping for produce and handicrafts at San Pedro Market. This private walking tour also covers all site entrance fees and round-trip hotel transport.

When you arrive in one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, ensure your journey from Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport is smooth and stress free with an arrival transfer service that saves you the hassle of taking public transport or waiting in line for a cab.

There’s no better way to experience Machu Picchu than on a private tour from Aguas Calientes. Receive undivided attention from a personal guide as you discover the history of ancient temples, terraced hills, and sacrificial sites. Capture photographs from the best vantage points, come face-to-face with resident llamas, and absorb spectacular views of the Sacred Valley from your vertiginous perch. Round-trip bus transfers and admission tickets from Aguas Calientes are included.

Moray archaeological park and the Maras salt mines rank among the top attractions outside Cusco, with a history dating back to the days of the Incas. On this tour, hit the gas and zoom through the Peruvian countryside, and explore both sites in one day—with safety kit plus pickup and drop-off at your Cusco accommodation included. With your guide to lead the way, enjoy outdoor adventure in Peru and learn how the Incas worked the land.

Explore a local market in Cusco, then take a workshop on Peruvian cuisine during this 4-hour culinary experience. Learn about the functions of traditional Andean kitchens and local specialties from a professional Peruvian chef. Tastings, meal, and drinks included.

Visit one of Peru’s most famous areas, aside from Machu Picchu, on this 10-hour day trip to the Sacred Valley from Cusco. Pass through the ancient Inca sites of Saqsaywaman and Tambomachay, and explore the Inca site of Pisac. Along the way, visit a Peruvian weaving house, and see a demonstration on dyeing and weaving techniques. Plus, this tour operates with a maximum of 15 people, ensuring you’ll enjoy a small-group experience your expert guide.

Discover the fascinating history of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire. This small-group tour takes you to the city's most-important landmarks, including Qurikancha, once the Inca Empire's important temple; the Cathedral of Cusco, and the archaeological sites of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.

Explore the legacy of the Inca and Peru’s indigenous culture during this day trip to Maras, Moray, and the Salinera’ from Cusco. Walk the streets of Maras and sample some *chicha* (corn drink), then learn about Inca engineering and agricultural practices at the Moray archaeological site. You’ll also get to see the Salineras salt mines. An optional private trip upgrade is also available.

Travel for a few hours from Cusco through the rugged mountain countryside of Peru to reach the aptly named Rainbow Mountain, striped with colorful mineral deposits and located far off the beaten path. Hike with a guide to the summit for a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness adventure, or rent a horse (own expense) for easier access to the same incredible views. Entrance to the mountain is not included.

Embark on a thrilling outdoor adventure that combines white-water rafting with zip-lining and satisfies your need for speed. Depart Cusco for Oropesa, where you can ease your butterflies with a bite of the town's iconic bread before hitting the Vilcanota River. Tackle Class III and IV rapids and battle intense waves as you make your way downstream, enjoying the remarkable scenery of the surrounding Andes as you go. Afterward, soar through the sky on an exhilarating zip ride.

Peru’s Sacred Valley lies in the Andean Highlands—a landscape of rugged mountains, open plains, and soaring cliffs—and reaching the remote sites is a challenge. Choose a morning or afternoon half-day safari, and tackle the rough ground by powerful all-terrain quad bike. With your guide to lean the way, reach historic sites including Moray and Maras with ease, enjoy sweeping views across the Peruvian countryside, and learn of life here under Incan rule.