Explore Cusco Day Tours
Feel the warmth of the friendly locals who will be more than welcoming.
Cusco is the historical heart of South America and is home to a huge amount of archaeological and historical sites. As well as this, there are an array of great restaurants and bars to enjoy the delicious gastronomy of Peru.
For these reasons and more, hundreds and thousands of tourists visit the city every year. Many think that Machu Picchu is the only site to visit, but there’s so much more. Read on to find out the top places to visit in the city to learn more about its incredible past.
Cusco is the historical heart of South America and is home to a huge amount of archaeological and historical sites. As well as this, there are an array of great restaurants and bars to enjoy the delicious gastronomy of Peru.
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We are the operators! We are a licensed Tour Company. There is no middleman on a trip with us!
Expert Local Guides
Chosen for great knowledge of their country, and a passion to make your trip extraordinary.
Fantastic Meals
Our owner and all of our staff are local to Peru and care about its environment, people and culture.
Eco-Friendly Tours
Education and conservation are our passion. We aim to create lifelong ambassadors for the protection of all wilderness areas.
Small Groups
Average groups of 10; solos, couples and friends, united by a desire for authentic experiences.
Our Best Seller
If you have a love for adventure and enjoying some of the best routes in the world, our Maras Moray salt mines 1 Day is for you. It combines the most exciting trekking trails with the most incredible scenery you can imagine. Join us on your own, in a couple, or as part of a group.
Our Best Seller
Maras Moray salt mines
When visiting Cusco, some of the most exciting moments are taking trips out of the city to Inca archaeological sites and other places of interest. Two of the most significant and intriguing in the region are the Maras Salt Mines and Moray. You’ll also get to experience something special in the small town of Chinchero.
When visiting Cusco, some of the most exciting moments are taking trips out of the city to Inca archaeological sites and other places of interest. Two of the most significant and intriguing in the region are the Maras Salt Mines and Moray. You’ll also get to experience something special in the small town of Chinchero.
Discover the impressive Inca constructions and enjoy the traditional handmade weaving demonstration of textiles in Chinchero. Then, you’ll head on to the agricultural experimental station of Moray, where the Inca culture developed new crops. Finally, visit the famous Maras Salt Mines to see one of the most fascinating sights you’ll likely see and purchase one of the most unique products available in Cusco—pink Maras salt.
Experience Cusco With Day Tour
To make the most of your time in this wonderful city, you should try to visit as many of the sites as possible. This way, you’ll leave with a great knowledge of the history and some lovely memories. Below you’ll find all the one day tours.
Experience Cusco With Day Tour
With all the incredible mountainous landscapes, there are plenty of trips to choose from. Some attract more visitors and some are off the beaten path and visited by very few. Take a look at the programmes we have to offer for one day tour.
Cusco Walking Tour 1 Day
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![Trek Highest Altitude]()
3,480 m / 11,417 ft Max. altitude -
![Hiking Level Peru]()
Easy Difficulty
Cusco was the capital of the Inca empire and is buzzing with culture and history. When you visit, you’ll want to make the most of your time here and visit the most significant sites in the city. You’ll surely be visiting Machu Picchu and many other archaeological sites and museums, but what about the modern-day culture in this city?
Cusco was the capital of the Inca empire and is buzzing with culture and history. When you visit, you’ll want to make the most of your time here and visit the most significant sites in the city. You’ll surely be visiting Machu Picchu and many other archaeological sites and museums, but what about the modern-day culture in this city?
Our Cusco walking tour is the best way to see what the city offers behind the scenes and takes you to some of the busiest parts of the Inca capital. On this tour, you'll start at the vibrant traditional San Pedro market. You'll then walk through Cusco's streets while learning about its history and culture.
Qeswachaka Bridge Tour 1 Day
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![Trek Highest Altitude]()
3,792 m / 12,441 ft Max. altitude -
![Hiking Level Peru]()
Easy Difficulty
Have you heard of the Qeswachaka Bridge? It's the last Inca bridge, preserved to this day thanks to the inhabitants of the nearby communities. Every year, it needs more than 800 people, a lot of Peruvian feather grass (Ichu), and 4 days to be renovated. If you'd like to visit this more than 600-year-old Inca legend, join this full-day trip to see one of the best places in Cusco.
Have you heard of the Qeswachaka Bridge? It's the last Inca bridge, preserved to this day thanks to the inhabitants of the nearby communities. Every year, it needs more than 800 people, a lot of Peruvian feather grass (Ichu), and 4 days to be renovated. If you'd like to visit this more than 600-year-old Inca legend, join this full-day trip to see one of the best places in Cusco.
To see it, you'll travel to the town of Quehue. Take a chance to cross the 30-meter-long bridge, and balance over the Apurimac River. If you're traveling in June, meet the townspeople of the communities that work hard to demolish the old bridge and set up the new one. This spectacle, declared a Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, comes along with ancestral rituals and a grand celebration. On top of that, you'll visit the famous 4 Lagoons, an immersive journey you can't miss!
Why Travel With Us?
We are dedicated and commited to our clients, to the environment, and to our fellow compatriots
Knowledgeable Tour Guides
Salkantay Trekking relies on an extensive network of highly trained guides and expert ambassadors as a premise to guarantee excellence in our services. We are fully conscious that an excellent guide is key to making your trip a memorable experience, which is why we are extremely demanding when recruiting and regularly training our guides.
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Find the Perfect Destination in Peru
With astonishingly varied landscapes, stunning scenery, compelling history, and a legacy of fascinating cultures, there is truly something for everyone. Our expeditions in Peru are designed to showcase all that this country has to offer.
Our expeditions in Peru are designed to showcase all that this country has to offer.
Full Day Tour Guide
Before You Go, What You Should Know
We hope that this Peru & Full Day Tour Guide will serve as a reference for you to prepare for and undertake an exceptional and seamless journey through this “Empire of Hidden Treasures.”
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Day Tour Highlights
- Explore the cobbled streets that take you back in time to when the Incas ruled.
- Enjoy trips to the nearby archaeological sites and learn all about its fascinating history.
- Try out the local cuisine in one of the hundreds of restaurants.
- Feel the warmth of the friendly locals who will be more than welcoming.
- Walk to colorful markets and enjoy some shopping to buy local artisanal products.
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Places to Visit
To help you decide which of the places you want to prioritise, we’ve provided a short description of each.
Cusco Cathedral
Sat overlooking the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) of Cusco, this grand cathedral is a must. It was built between 1560-1654 and is even more beautiful on the inside. Attached to the cathedral is the smaller Triumph Church, which was the first Christian church in Cusco and built around the same time as the cathedral.
Within its walls, the cathedral boasts some incredible artifacts and relics, as well as some expert architecture. It's an excellent example of the colonial art in the city.
Qoricancha
It is said that Qoricancha was a political and religious centre during the Inca times. It was possibly the most important building at the time. Its name means Temple of the Sun, or Golden Temple, because its walls were covered in gold.
If you take a trip to the Santo Domingo Convent and Qoricancha you’ll find a detailed museum, original Inca structures that show off their amazing architectural skills, as well as the fascinating and beautiful convent. Unfortunately the gold is no more, as during the Spanish invasion it was all taken. However, it's one of the most visited places in the city and is a great addition to your itinerary.
Tambomachay
Situated 7km from the city centre of Cusco, you’ll find Tambomachay. Experts believe that the site was very important for the worship of water, which is why it’s sometimes known as the ‘Inca Baths’.
You’ll find an interesting complex of canals, walls, and windows. These all show how great the Incas were at architecture and understanding hydraulics. It’s very close to the city of Cusco, so can easily be visited during the morning or afternoon.
Puca Pucara
Puca Pucara is another Inca site close to Cusco that was a military construction. The fort is made up of large walls, terraces, and steps. It was part of the defensive buildings that protected the city from invasion.
Puca Pucara in Quechua means ‘Red Fort’. It got this name due to the red color the rocks took on during sunset. As well as being a military centre, it was used for administration.
Ollantaytambo
This archaeological site was a former administrative centre as well as an entrance to the Antisuyo corner of the Inca Empire. It sits in the north of the Sacred Valley. During the Spanish invasion, it was the last stronghold for the Inca leader at the time.
The town itself is quaint and home to the train station from where many tourists set off to go to Machu Picchu. The ruins sit up high overlooking the main square of the small town.
Pisaq
Pisaq is another site in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. As well as the inca ruins there, you’ll find a large market 3 times a week on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. This attracts many tourists from all around.
The terraces constructed by the Incas above the town are still used today. The archaeological site served at least three purposes in its day. These were military, religious, and agriculture.
Maras Moray
These are two sites about an hour out of Cusco. They are often visited together as they are very close to each other. Maras is fascinating as they are salt mines that are still in use today and have been around since the time of the Incas. They make for an incredible sight when you look out over them.
Moray was likely used for farming in the time of the Incas, but it’s unclear. The site itself is very unique, and almost looks as though something extra-terrestrial created it. It’s a view you shouldn’t miss when in Cusco.
Quality Service
For us quality of experience is only second to safety
We are committed to providing world-class trekking experiences for our guests that go way above and beyond the mass-produced tours so common today.
We hired Salkantay Trekking for both a day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and a half day tour of Cusco. Davide was our guide for both, and he was excellent. He was very friendly and knowledgeable. We really enjoyed our time, and I would recommend these trips as a perfect intro to the high altitudes of the area.
SARAH C
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