There is fierce competition, along with frequent price wars, between Cusco’s agencies for general sightseeing tours. Most of the agencies are clustered around the Plaza de Armas and offer competitive prices. There are also tours.

The most popular tours include a half-day city tour and the full-day tour of the Sacred Valley, which includes Pisac market, lunch in Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, and sometimes Chinchero as well.

There is also a half-day tour of the ruins outside of Cusco, which include Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.

Another half-day tour explores the ruins heading toward Puno, including the magnificent church in Andahuaylillas, Pikillacta, and Tipón.

Recommended Sightseeing Agencies

Several agencies in Cusco cater to groups and also reserve tickets and provide tours for independent travelers.

Condor Travel (Saphy 848, tel. 084/24-8181, www.condortravel.com, US$35 daylong group tour) is one of the most established and professional operators of traditional tourism.

Gatur (Puluchapata 140, tel. 084/22-3496 or 084/22-7829, www.gaturcusco.com, US$35 daylong group tour) is operated by José Altamirano, one of the most respected authorities on local history.

Orellana Tours (Garcilaso 206, tel. 084/26-3455, orellanatours [at] terra [dot] com [dot] pe, US$20 daylong group tour) is an inexpensive agency with a good reputation.

Milla Turismo (Pardo 689, tel. 084/23-1710, www.millaturismo.com, US$32 daylong group tour) is well established and very professional.

Americana de Turismo (Garcilaso 265, tel. 084/24-0999, www.americanadeturismo.net, US$28 daylong group tour) provides excellent sightseeing itineraries.

Attraction (Av. Baja 145, tel. 084/23-2143, www.attraction voyages.com, price vary, call ahead) is a French-run agency whose main focus is luxury travel. The high-end company offers alternative options for seeing the traditional sites—for example, chauffeur-driven four-wheel drive trips to Lares and special interest travel (photography tours with internationally acclaimed photographer Carlos Nishyama and culinary tours with renowned chefs).

Franco Negri, owner of Casa Ecológica (Portal de Carnes 236, interior 2, tel. 084/25-5427, www.casaecologicacusco.com, US$85 per day, prices may vary depending on trip), also runs interesting and innovative community day trips such as visiting an organic farming association in Lamay and using traditional Andean agricultural tools. The day ends with a meal prepared using local ingredients. There are also weaving trips to the community of Amaru, where you can observe and partake in all processes of ancient weaving. The visits directly benefit the people from the communities and indirectly the conservation of their environment and traditional arts and techniques.