Yes - Cusco is home to about a dozen free "pay-as-you-wish" tours, in which a group accompanies a local guide on foot through the key sites of the former capital of the Inca Empire. Most tours depart from the Plaza de Armas, last about two to three hours, and at the end, the participant is left to estimate how much to give the guide as a thank-you.

Alongside the classic historical tour of the city centre, there are operators offering more focused versions - chocolate and pisco tastings, tasting local products, a tour of the artists' neighbourhood of San Blas, and even outings on bike or horseback to archaeological sites near the city. Most tours are conducted in Spanish and English, and sometimes in French.

Cusco also serves as a common starting point for trips to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, so a free tour of the city itself is a pleasant way to start your visit and get your bearings before heading further.

Why take a walking tour of Cusco?

A city born to walk

Cusco was built as the capital of the Inca Empire, and after the Spanish conquest, colonial churches and palaces were built directly on top of the original Inca stone foundations. The result is a compact city center where every corner tells two layers of history at once - so walking, with a guide who can point out the difference between dressed Inca stone and colonial stone, is much more worthwhile than a self-guided tour.

The main square, Plaza de Armas, is surrounded by the cathedral and the church of La Compania de Jesús, and from there, narrow alleys and steep steps branch off into the surrounding neighborhoods. Loreto Street, for example, still preserves one of the city's most impressive Inca walls - a series of huge stones precisely hewn so that a knife blade cannot be inserted between them.

Beyond history, Cusco is also a city of heights - the neighborhoods surrounding the center are built up the hills, and every turn reveals a new vantage point over the red-tiled roofs and the surrounding mountains. A local guide also knows how to adjust the walking pace to the high altitude of the city, so the tour remains pleasant even for those who have just landed.

Areas and starting points of the tours

From the Plaza de Armas to the surrounding streets

Most free tours depart from the Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city and Cusco's natural gathering point. From there, the classic route heads into the surrounding narrow streets, including Loreto Street with its Inca stone walls and the Ass Street, home to the Twelve Angles Stone - one of the city's most photographed symbols.

From the city center, many routes climb to the San Blas neighborhood, Cusco's artistic district, where cobblestone alleys lead between artists' houses, small galleries and panoramic viewpoints over the entire city - and sometimes continue to the San Cristobal viewpoint, up the hill above the historic center. Some tours also stop at the Coricancha area, the former Inca sun temple on which the Santo Domingo church was built, or at the San Pedro market for a glimpse into local daily life.

The more active versions - on a bicycle, on horseback or on a longer walk - go to archaeological sites beyond the boundaries of the historic center, offering a different perspective on the landscape surrounding the city.

Important tips before you go out

Practical tips before going out

• It is recommended to register in advance via GuruWalk - This is how you reserve a place and receive an update on the meeting point and exact time of each tour.
• Most tours are held in Spanish and English, and some operators also offer French - it is worth checking in advance which language the tour you have chosen is conducted in.
• It is a good idea to arrive at least fifteen minutes before the start of the tour, to get organized and sometimes even divide into groups by language.
• Cusco sits at a very high altitude, and most visitors feel it in the first few days - it's a good idea to rest and drink plenty of water before your first tour, and local coca tea is considered a common aid to acclimatization.
• Comfortable walking shoes are a must - a significant portion of the route is up sloping streets and stone steps.
• Mornings in Cusco tend to be cooler and quieter, while afternoons become sunnier and warmer before the temperature drops again as evening falls - layers of clothing, a hat and sunscreen are recommended throughout the day.
• The tip for the guide is given in cash, in local soms, at the end of the tour - the amount is at your discretion based on the experience, in accordance with the "pay as you wish" model on which the tour is based.
• As with any crowded tourist site, it is worth keeping an eye on personal belongings in the central square area and in the markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the free tours in Cusco really free?

Registration for tours does not require advance payment, but at the end it is customary to tip the guide based on the experience - this is the 'pay as you wish' model that is common on tours of this type around the world.

Do I need to book in advance?

It is recommended to register in advance through GuruWalk, especially during busy seasons, to guarantee a spot and receive the exact meeting point details.

In what languages are the tours held?

Most tours in Cusco are held in Spanish and English, and it is worth checking in advance with the specific operator whether there is also an option for additional languages, such as French.

Is the tour suitable for families with children?

Most historical walking tours are suitable for families, but it is worth considering the walking pace, steep steps, and high altitude of Cusco before bringing small children.

How much is it customary to tip a guide?

There is no fixed amount - the tip is given at your discretion and according to the quality of the tour and your personal budget, and it is customary to give it in cash in local soms at the end of the tour.

Do I need to acclimatize to the altitude before the tour?

It is recommended to rest and drink water on the first day in the city before a long walking effort, as Cusco is at a considerable altitude and many feel it at first.