10 cheap tours that yes or yes you should do in Cusco

Cusco is one of the best tourist destinations in South America. Its main tourist destinations are the Mountain of 7 Colors, the Humantay lagoon, the Sacred Valley of the Incas and, of course, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. Visits to these destinations do not have to be expensive. Get to know seven tours (tourist packages) that you can do in Cusco economically.

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7 Colors Mountain Tour 1 day

The 7 Colors Mountain, also called Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca, is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Cusco (it is the most visited if we do not count Machupicchu). It is famous for its slopes of varied colors and tones as there are only in very few places in the world. It is located at 5,200 meters above sea level. To get there you must take an arduous 4-kilometre walk.

The tour to the 7 Colors Mountain includes: pick up from the hotel, breakfast, lunch, full transportation (round trip), professional guide and entrance fees. Unlike other tours in Cusco (such as the Sacred Valley of the Incas or the City Tour Cusco) this service is economical. It does not include the final horseback transportation to get to Vinicunca. This service is optional. Most tourists prefer to walk.

  • Approximate cost of the tour: 20 USD.
  • Tourist destination to visit: Vinicunca (Montaña 7 Colores)
Montaña de 7 colores

Machu Picchu Tour by Hydroelectric 2 days

Machu Picchu, without a doubt, is the best tourist destination in Cusco and one of the best in South America. Its attraction is its immense history, stone buildings and beautiful landscapes. There are three ways to get there: by train (most tours take this route), the Inca Trail (4 days and 3 nights camping) and the alternative route by Hidroeléctrica. This is the cheapest way.

The Machu Picchu tour by Hydroelectric includes: pick up from the hotel, complete transportation by minivan, 1 lunch, 1 breakfast and 1 dinner, 1 hotel night in Aguas Calientes, entrance to Machu Picchu and professional tour guide. This tour is the cheapest to Machu Picchu and even takes 2 days. Visitors can also do it on their own. Includes a 10 kilometer walk from the Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town).

  • Approximate cost of the tour: 120 USD.
  • Tourist destination to visit: Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu
Caminata por hidroeléctrica a Machu Picchu

Home of the Gods Tour in Cusco by ATV

The Abode of the Gods is one of the most recent tourist attractions in Cusco that has gained a lot of popularity as a result of the photographs spread on social networks. It is a set of giant carved sculptures with shapes alluding to the Andean and Inca world. It is only 12 kilometers from the city of Cusco (30 minutes by car).

The tour to the Abode of the Gods by ATV is a cultural, adventurous experience, full of incredible landscapes and all at an affordable price. Includes: full transportation, ATV equipment (with gloves, helmets, and knee pads), professional guide, and entrance fees. The ATV route is group, safe. Includes prior training. The tour also offers a visit to the Huaypo lagoon in the town of Chinchero.

  • Approximate cost of the tour: 20 USD.
  • Tourist destination to visit: Abode of the Gods, Huaypo lagoon.
Morada de lo dioses

Humantay Lagoon Tour 1 day

The Humantay lagoon is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Cusco. It is located about 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco. It offers a landscape of turquoise waters. At the top rises the snowy Humantay and also the Salkantay, the second highest in Cusco. The lagoon is located at 4,200 meters above sea level. The route to Humantay includes a final walk of only 2 kilometers.

The 1-day tour to the Humantay lagoon includes: pick up from the hotel, full transportation, breakfast, lunch, professional guide and entrance fees. Does not include final transportation on horseback (most tourists prefer to walk). The tours are cheap compared to other services such as the tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The photos you get from there are spectacular. 

  • Approximate cost of the tour: 20 USD.
  • Tourist destination to visit: Abode of the Gods, Huaypo lagoon
Laguna Humantay

Tour Salkantay trek 5 días a Machu Picchu

The Salkantay is the second highest snow peak in Cusco since its summit is at 6,271 meters above sea level. It was one of the tutelary gods most adored by the Incas, who worshiped the high mountains or ‘apus’. The 5-day route through the Salkantay pass is one of the most popular and famous towards Machu Picchu. This can be done with a tour or on your own.

The Salkantay trek 5 days tour is the most economical trek route to Machu Picchu in Cusco. Includes pick up, transportation, professional guide, 4 nights camping (1 in a tourist hotel), meals with cooks and porters, camping equipment, entrance fees and more. During the 70-kilometer route, you will also visit the Humantay lagoon and the thermal baths of Cocalmayo. 

  • Approximate cost of the tour: 200 USD.
  • Tourist destination to visit: Abra Salkantay, Humantay lagoon, thermal baths of Cocalmayo and Machu Picchu.
Trek sallkantay

Mirabus tour in Cusco

The mirabus tour in Cusco is one of the most popular services in the city ‘capital of the Inca empire’. Like most bus tours around the city, it allows you to visit the main tourist attractions of the cities. In Cusco these are: the monument to the White Christ, the mural Historia del Cusco, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay (seen from the outside) as well as a traditional textile center.

The mirabus tour in Cusco is one of the cheapest services in the Inca city. The cost starts at 20 Peruvian soles (approximately 6 US dollars). The services can be contracted online or in the Plaza de Armas of Cuzco itself. The buses leave in the vicinity of this square.

  • Approximate cost of the tour: 6 USD.
  • Tourist destination to visit: Monuments and main squares of Cusco
Mira bus Cusco

Free Walking Tour in Cusco

The Free Walking Tour is one of the most popular services in the world for tourists traveling on a budget. As its name indicates, it is done on foot and it is free. The monuments, squares and attractions of a city are covered on foot, together with a tour guide. At the end they reward the service with a free tip to the guide.

The Free Walking Tour Cusco includes a visit to tourist attractions such as: the Plaza de Armas, the San Pedro market, the Cathedral, the Stone of the 12 Angles, the Cusipata palace and the Coricancha Temple. The tour is approximately 2 hours. Tips are free. They can vary from 5 to 20 US dollars.

  • Approximate cost of the tour: Free (based on tips).
  • Tourist destination to visit: Plaza de Armas, Cathedral, San Pedro market, Stone of the 12 Angles, Cusipata and Coricancha.
Cusco free tours

Te Sugerimos leer . . .

The San Blas neighborhood is known as the 'bohemian neighborhood'. It is located just 15 minutes walk from the Plaza de Armas of Cusco. In addition to the Plaza and the colonial church of San Blas, there you can see the historic craft shops of the Mérida, Olave and Mendivil families. You can also spend a moment of tranquility, away from the intense commerce of the city center. And the best thing is that a visit to this Cusco space is free for everyone. Learn more!
Inti Raymi is the festival of the sun that dates back to the time of the Incas. Today in the city of Cusco, the residents rescued this tradition from their ancestors to perform an impressive staging every June 24 in three stages: the Coricancha, the Plaza de Armas and Sacsayhuaman. Although there are admission tickets for these shows, it is also possible to see them for free. Learn more!
The Sapantiana aqueduct in Cusco is one of the most recent free tourist attractions in Cusco. It is a colonial construction with high walls and arches, down whose stairs the water of a channeled stream descends. This allows you to get excellent photographs of the place. Entry to this construction is free for all visitors. Getting there is also free since you can go on foot. Learn more!
The town of Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, is famous for its countless Inca constructions. The streets of the town have an urban design that dates back to the Inca era. At the top, the famous archaeological site of Ollantaytambo stands out with buildings such as the Temple of the Sun or the Baños de la Ñusta. On the hill opposite this archaeological site you can see some enormous colcas (warehouses). Visiting this place is free for everyone. It offers scenic views, buildings with a lot of history and an adventurous hike. Get to know more!
Intipunku is a Quechua word that means 'Gate of the sun'. Perhaps the most famous is the one located at the top of Machupicchu. However, in Ollantaytambo – the Sacred Valley of the Incas – there is also an Intipunku made by the Incas, which offers beautiful landscapes and a lot of history. The visit is free for all tourists. But to do this you must complete a challenging short hiking route. Learn more!
The Rainbow Mountain, also called Vinicunca, is the second most popular tourist attraction in Cusco, only after Machu Picchu. This high mountain has various colors and shades on its slopes. This is due to the large amount of minerals formed millions of years ago. It is located about 100 kilometers from the city of Cusco and about 5,200 meters above sea level. To get there you must take a free but challenging final hike. Learn more!