Walk through time in the ancient capital of the Inca Empire with all monument entrance tickets included.
Cusco is not just a city; it is a living open-air museum where two powerful civilizations collided. Directly atop the flawless, earthquake-resistant stone foundations of the Inca Empire, Spanish conquistadors erected grand colonial cathedrals, cloisters, and mansions—creating a breathtaking architectural fusion recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Unlike crowded "free" walking tours that only view buildings from the street, our 4-hour Historic Cusco Walking Tour is an intimate, all-inclusive cultural experience. Led by an official licensed historian guide, you will wander through the bohemian cobblestone alleys of San Blas, decode the mystery of the 12-Angled Stone, and enjoy full guided entry inside both the Cusco Cathedral and Qoricancha (The Inca Temple of the Sun). We conclude our journey at the vibrant San Pedro Market, seamlessly connecting Cusco's imperial history with the living gastronomy you can experience in our Peruvian cooking classes in Cusco.
We begin our walk in San Blas, Cusco's most picturesque and bohemian neighborhood. Known in Inca times as T'oqokachi ("Salt Cave"), its steep, narrow cobblestone streets are lined with whitewashed adobe walls, iconic blue balconies, and the workshops of Peru's most celebrated folk-art dynasties, such as the Mendívil and Olave families. Along the way, you will enjoy panoramic views over the terracotta rooftops of Cusco—making this gentle downhill stroll ideal for your first day of altitude acclimatization.
Descending along historic Hatun Rumiyoc Street, flanked by the original green diorite walls of the Palace of Inca Roca, you will stand before the world-famous 12-Angled Stone (Piedra de los Doce Ángulos). This masterpiece of ancient engineering illustrates the unmatched precision of Inca masonry—fitted so tightly without mortar that not even a sheet of paper can pass between the stones. Your guide will also point out the sacred shapes of the Andean Puma and Serpent hidden directly within the stone walls.
Arriving at the majestic Plaza de Armas—known to the Incas as Huacaypata, the ceremonial heart of the empire—we step inside the Basilica Cathedral of Cusco. Built over the foundations of the palace of Inca Viracocha using stones hauled from Sacsayhuamán, the Cathedral is a treasure trove of 16th- to 18th-century Cusqueña School paintings, silver-embossed altars, and carved cedar choirs. You will admire Marcos Zapata's famous 1753 masterpiece, the Andean Last Supper, where Jesus and his disciples dine on roasted guinea pig (cuy), native chili peppers, and chicha morada.
Walking down historic Loreto Street—one of the best-preserved Inca alleyways in Peru—we enter Qoricancha ("The Golden Courtyard"), once the wealthiest and most sacred religious, political, and astronomical center of the Inca world. Inside, your guide will walk you through the original curved stone temples dedicated to the Sun, Moon, Stars, and Rainbow, which were once sheathed in solid gold plates, and explain how the Spanish built the colonial Santo Domingo Convent directly over these indestructible Inca walls.
We conclude our walking tour by immersing ourselves in daily Cusqueño life at the historic San Pedro Market, designed in 1925 by French engineer Gustave Eiffel. Stroll through vibrant aisles stacked with exotic Amazonian and Andean fruits, artisanal cheeses, sacred coca leaves, natural cacao, and hundreds of varieties of native potatoes and corn. Located just two blocks from our colonial studio, it is the perfect cultural finale—or the ideal bridge to join our afternoon Hands-On Cusco Cooking Class.
Everything you need to know before exploring the historic center of Cusco.
Yes! Both official admission tickets—the Cusco Cathedral ticket and the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) ticket—are 100% included in your tour price, along with a licensed historian guide who will take you inside both monuments.
Crowded "free" walking tours often pack 25 to 35 people together and only point at buildings from the outside because unlicensed guides cannot enter Cusco's main monuments. Our tour is an intimate, small-group or private experience led by an official licensed guide, and includes full entry and guided tours inside the Cusco Cathedral and Qoricancha.
Absolutely. Walking at a relaxed, unhurried pace through the historic center is the best way to acclimatize to Cusco's altitude (3,399 m / 11,151 ft) on your first or second day before tackling high-altitude treks or Machu Picchu.
Your guide will pick you up on foot directly from your hotel in the Historic Center of Cusco (or meet you at a central plaza if you are staying further away). The tour concludes at the vibrant San Pedro Market, just two blocks from our cooking studio and a 7-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas.
Yes, it is our most popular combination! You can enjoy the Historic Walking Tour in the morning (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM) and join our Afternoon/Dinner Cooking Class (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM), or take our Lunch Cooking Class (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) followed by an afternoon walking tour.
