Cusco, Lived In

This one-day experience is a comprehensive introduction to Cusco through its streets, markets, and historic sites. You begin at a street food market, browsing lively stalls where locals shop each day and tasting everyday foods such as pan chuta (sweet bread), choclo con queso (corn with cheese), and seasonal fruits. The city’s historic core was built directly atop Inca foundations, a pattern that still shapes movement through Cusco today. As you move through the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, your guide explains Cusco’s role as the former capital of the Inca Empire and how that history remains present in daily life. With Renato, you visit Cusco Cathedral, Qorikancha (the Sun Temple), and the Santo Domingo Convent, tracing how Inca and colonial traditions came to coexist within the same spaces. The day concludes at Sacsayhuamán, the Inca complex overlooking the city, where you learn how the site functioned both as a ceremonial center and a defensive stronghold.

This is an immersive, sensory exploration of Cusco. Designed as a first encounter with the city, you will visit iconic landmarks preserving Cusco’s pre-Inca and early colonial layers. Unlike standard tours that begin with architecture, this itinerary starts at a local market where Cusqueños shop for groceries daily — an entry point into how food, economy, and culture intertwine in the Andes. The full-day pacing — starting with tasting bites in the market, then moving through the religious core and on to the fortress — allows deeper observation of Cusco’s historical and contemporary layers. Your guide shares insight into everyday life and living traditions. While covering a lot of ground, you'll avoid overexertion. Arriving at Sacsayhuamán in the later afternoon allows you to see its monumental walls and terraces in changing light and deepening shadow — an effect many visitors miss when they come earlier in the day. The tour concludes at sunset at San Cristobal Church.

Renato is a native cusqueño of Quechua origin, born in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Growing up surrounded by the traditions of the Andes, he developed a deep passion for sharing the stories, rituals, and heritage of his homeland. After years of guiding travelers through Peru, he decided to create his own company, offering personalized experiences that go beyond typical tours while also supporting native communities through tourism. Renato’s goal is to connect visitors with the heart of Andean life—its people, history, and natural beauty—through thoughtful adventures and unforgettable experiences. Renato continues to lead his tailor-made experiences. In the instance where he is not available to host you himself, you will be accompanied by one of Renato's carefully selected local guides who share his philosophy and commitment to providing an authentic, culturally rich experience.

Comfortable footwear for walking. Sun protection. A light jacket may be useful on cooler days. Bottled water. Maximum altitude: 3,700 meters above sea level. The tour is suitable for arrivals seeking to acclimatize. *Please advise Renato/Juan Carlos of any dietary restrictions when booking the experience.