Home > Cusco > Cusco Markets and Ruins Small Group Tour
USD $36.00
Cusco Markets and Ruins Small Group Tour
Cusco, Peru
For a great introduction to Peruvian culture, join a small-group walking tour of Cusco's vibrant markets and impressive Inca ruins. Start at the vibrant San Pedro market and buy some local snacks as you explore the street markets of Cusco. Then head out of town to explore the mysterious Temple of the Moon, an Incan ceremonial temple near Machu Picchu.
Meet your guide at Plaza Regocijo in the morning, and then head over to San Pedro Market, where you'll learn about the market's history as you explore rows of local produce, colorful fabrics, flower vendors and shaman stalls. The people of Cusco will not shy away, so be ready for some welcoming, yet entertaining local interaction.
From the bustling San Pedro market, walk together with your guide to Plaza de Armas, where you'll depart by public transport to explore the Temple of the Moon, located on Huayna Picchu near Machu Picchu. This impressive and mysterious temple is a hill with two caves inside of it. The caves contain altars, and cracks in the walls let in sunlight or, more significantly, moonlight that strikes the altars on certain nights. There are also mystery carvings in the caves and atop the hill — see if you can figure out the story they tell.
When the times comes, enjoy a leisurely stroll (approx. 30 minutes) back to Cusco via Inca streets. Along the way, listen to your guide talk about legends of the Inca Empire, then meander through the bohemian area of San Blas. Your tour concludes at the Santo Domingo Convent and Qorikancha temple, where an optional visit is possible.
amazing insight on culture and food... our guide was A she was kind carrying and full of insight and knowledge i would do it agin in a heartbeat _br/_ Andres
Review by: Keith V, November 2017
We had a great tour of the market and surrounding blocks in the heart of Cusco, as well as parts of the countryside with various Inca ruins. Our tour guide was personable and very knowledgable about Peruvian life and the Incan culture. The market was a fascinating place and we even learned enough Spanish to buy fruit and tamales for lunch. There was a bit more walking than anticipated, but it was all downhill and the weather was nice so it all worked out.
Review by: Jennifer S, June 2017
This was a great tour! Lily was friendly and fun. She took us through the local market and practiced communicating in Spanish with us to purchase our tamales, Inca cola, and fruit. We learned a lot about the locals through Lily. It was a good amount of walking, and she took us up some steep trails, but nothing that was unmanageable. I would absolutely recommend this tour!
Review by: Dawn V, June 2017
We had a great time with Lily on our market tour. We met her at the Plaza Regocijo at 9am, which is close to the Plaza de Armas. From there we went straight to the market. Lily taught us about the local foods and helped us with our Spanish as we purchased snacks for our picnic. This was all included in our tour. Lily even helped me find the right vendor to buy some coffee to take back home. I have to say that butcher section was the most interesting. I'm not squeamish at all, so this was my favorite part. After the market, we took a taxi up to the Temple of the Moon. This tour does not include admission to Sacsayhuaman itself, but you will get a good view of it. During the walk, we asked many questions and Lily gave us tons of info about Cusco, the Inca, Peruvian history...she was very knowledgeable and friendly. Yes this tour does involve a lot of walking but Lily will adjust the pace if necessary. Overall, I thought it was a great way to learn about the history as well as modern ways of Cusco.
Review by: Dawn V, June 2017
We had a great time with Lily on our market tour. We met her at the Plaza Regocijo at 9am, which is close to the Plaza de Armas. From there we went straight to the market. Lily taught us about the local foods and helped us with our Spanish as we purchased snacks for our picnic. This was all included in our tour. Lily even helped me find the right vendor to buy some coffee to take back home. I have to say that butcher section was the most interesting. I'm not squeamish at all, so this was my favorite part. After the market, we took a taxi up to the Temple of the Moon. This tour does not include admission to Sacsayhuaman itself, but you will get a good view of it. During the walk, we asked many questions and Lily gave us tons of info about Cusco, the Inca, Peruvian history...she was very knowledgeable and friendly. Yes this tour does involve a lot of walking but Lily will adjust the pace if necessary. Overall, I thought it was a great way to learn about the history as well as modern ways of Cusco.
Review by: Alan R, May 2017
Emily our guide was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and was attentive to our needs. We weren't the fastest navigating the Temple of the Moon and she slowed the pace and gave us encouragement. The Temple provides many lessons of the ways of life of the indigenous people. When in the market, she taught us the proper manners and idioms to use when buying our lunch. Be prepared to walk about 4 miles. You are treated to fantastic views of the City from on high. To see the juxtaposition of the old Plaza de Armas and the new football stadium is interesting to the eye. All in all, well worth it and wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
Review by: Deborah O, April 2017
A Wonderful Taste of Cusco! Llovana was relaxed and friendly as we visited the bustling Market, bought local unique foods, amazing opportunity to sample culture and the inside scoop Too! Ended up strolling the Inca trail nearby with visions of the Moon, monkeys and Pumas dancing in my head. ENCANTO!
Review by: Joelle P, March 2017
Absolutely phenomenal. My favorite day in Cusco.
Review by: Casie L, July 2016
Great guide! Small group so she was very focused on explaining the history. Very knowledgeable and great way to see the city of Cuzco.
Review by: Brenda O, June 2016
The best tour! Lili was great! I recommend this option , I traveled SOLO and this was a great option.
Review by: Peter K, April 2016
The tour guide was very informative. It was a great way for me to be able to get some basic history of the city and be able to learn how to get around the city on my own. Being able to see the ruins is the Sacsaywaman valley was very interesting. The San Pedro Market was amazing and I liked how the guide encouraged me to try the foods and interact with the locals. Thank you
Review by: Phuon H, March 2016
My husband and I took this tour with our guide LeLeana while our 22 year old twin sons took the Cusco City Bike Tour. There is a lot of walking. We got confused about where we were supposed to meet our guide and were 20 min. late to the meeting spot. There was no one there. We saw a guide from another tour agency and she called our tour company--Urban Adventures. In 10 min. Leleana, who had been our tour guide on the Cusco Night Walking Tour showed up. It was a private tour. Just us and Lele. So much fun! We went to the San Pedro Market and bought an Inca Cola, tamale and fruit to eat later. We took a taxi way above Cusco to Sacsayhuaman ruins and walked and learned with Lele. We went to La Vicunita Factoria where we were able to choose from the most beautiful baby alpaca knit goods imaginable. We had our picnic in the grass overlooking Cusco and learned so so much about the history and like of the Inca kings. Lele did a fantastic job! Highly recommend!
Review by: Michael H, September 2015
Our guide Lily met us at the appointed time and was very welcoming and gracious. She shared the history of Cuszo as we walked tot he Market place. What a wonderful experience! She taught us a few phrases in Spanish so we could purchase some fruit and goodies to be eaten later. We learned so much about the cultural practices of the citizens of Cuszo. She then took us to the White Christ which had an awesome panoramic view and we enjoyed our purchases as we watched tradtitional indigenous women pose for pictures with their llamas. The stroll through the ruins was another great experience and very different from the one we took the next day with our regular tour group. So glad we chose this instead of the optional tour with our group!
Review by: Mary C, April 2015
Geovanna was an awesome guide. Not only could she answer all of our questions, she was also so much fun to be with. The market and historical areas we explored were amazing. Thanks Giovanna!!!
Review by: Cory, December 2014
I love this tour from the beginning, we walked to the San Pedro market, then went to Q'enqo , Blanco Kristo then sacsayhuaman. Lots of walking but lots of information about the ruins. Our tour guide Giovana was excellent too.
Review by: Bogdan O, November 2014
Awesome tour! Thank you! -Bo
Review by: Susanna B, June 2014
I always think that doing a city tour is a great way of getting to know the area, history, and culture of the local people. This tour did not disappoint and my husband and I were the only people on it. The guide Geovana was very knowledgeable and spoke good English. Without her we would have missed so much. She told us about the local history and pointed out different things. We visited the San Pedro market which was bustling with people where local produce and goods could be bought. Our guide bought us fruit that we hadn't eaten before to be eaten later on a hilltop of the Statue of the White Christ overlooking Cusco and they tasted excellent. Then a trip to the local archaeological sites of Saqsayhuaman and Qenko which was very educational. They only thing I would say was that a more precise meeting point should have been arranged as we nearly missed the guide. A tour not to be missed
Review by: Aida R, April 2014
The tour guide Patricia was excellent and she accommodate this trip according to my needs. The market visit was a great experience. She bought a lot of snacks for me to taste them and told me the story behind everything. A well knowledge tour guide.
Review by: Alfred Z, April 2014
This is the tour everybody should take in Cuzco. The guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and spoke English very well. The main focus was the San Pedro market, where the natives shop for food, household items etc. The best way to learn about the culture and way of life of the local people. Then we explored the most important and impressive Inca structures in Sachsayhuaman and Quenco. A very nice touch was that the guide with our input bought the ingredients for a delicious lunch which we enjoyed on a hilltop overlooking Cusco. The whole experience was very enjoyable, educational and pleasant.
Review by: Lee O, February 2014
I enjoyed this tour. It was organized by a different tour operator than the one for Machu Picchu. I was alone once again. We went to a food market which was very colorful and where the guide purchased some food for us. After that, we went to Saqsaywohman which required quite a bit of hiking and climbing. As I had difficulty with the altitude, we had to take it slow, and I would only view part of the site. We also hiked up to the White Christ where we had a nice view, enjoyed our food and chatted. This tour lasted about 2-3 hours and I was glad I did it. It gave me a different picture of Cusco.
Review by: Jose, December 2013
GREAT tour and amazing guide. The visit to the Central Market was awesome. Of course, the local ruins were great. Also, the tour was, truly, a private one for me and my friend (even though it was advertised as a small group). Loved it.
Review by: susan h, December 2013
We enjoyed the picnic lunch that our guide provided. It was a nice personal touch.
Review by: Miguel U, May 2013
The trip was excellent. I had my own private tour guide and we visited the market and ruins as planned. It was very informational and worth the money.
Review by: Sherry V, March 2013
I loved this trip. The guide was very knowledgeable and we all had so much fun. Great for all ages.
Review by: Georgia, September 2012
Wow - how much fun to see the real local markets. Thanks
Review by: Caryn, December 2011
Even though I was the only participant they still provided an excellent experience.
Review by: Tracie, December 2011
My guide, Alan, was great! I ended up being the only person on the tour so I had my own personal guide. We had a great time in the market and the ruins. He was very friendly and knew a great deal about the surroundings.
Review by: Bandit, August 2011
Excellent tour, beautiful city!
Review by: Temujin, August 2011
This was an excellent tour. The guide and driver were very professional. Highly recommended!
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