How to choose a tour agency in Cusco: a checklist to get it right

Cusco has hundreds of agencies, from operators with years of experience to sellers who just resell seats. The same tour — Rainbow Mountain, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu — can vary a lot in quality, safety and what's actually included. This checklist helps you compare sensibly, whether you book online or in person.

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1. Check it's a formal agency

• Tour agencies must be registered with the regional tourism authority (DIRCETUR Cusco). Ask for their legal name and RUC (tax ID) and check it.
• For the Inca Trail, only licensed operators can obtain permits.
• Be wary if they have no physical address, invoice or written contract.

• Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: permits, when to book, the 4-day route and the short version

2. Ask exactly what's included

Two "identical" tours can differ greatly in price because of what's included. Get it in writing:

• Transport (vehicle type, hotel pickup).
• Entry fees (Tourist Ticket, Machu Picchu ticket, community fees).
• Meals and water.
• Guide: language, whether official, and whether they stay with you throughout.
• Equipment (tents, sleeping bags, poles) and horses or mules on treks.
• Train: time and class on Machu Picchu tours.
• First-aid kit and oxygen on high-altitude trips.

• Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico): what's included and is it worth it
• Machu Picchu tickets: how to buy them on the official site and not miss out

3. Group size and pace

The cheapest tours often run large groups pooling customers from several agencies. That's not necessarily bad, but ask the maximum group size and whether it's private or shared.

4. Porter and staff welfare

On treks, porters and muleteers do extremely hard work. Ask about their pay, gear, food and load limits. An exceptionally low price often means worse conditions for them. Budget for tips for guide, cook and porters.

5. Cancellation, changes and insurance

• Read the cancellation policy before paying: how much is refunded and until when.
• Ask what happens with bad weather, strikes or road closures.
• Consider travel insurance covering mountain activities and evacuation.

• Altitude sickness in Cusco: how to prevent it and what to do

6. Booking online or in Cusco

• Online (platforms such as GetYourGuide or Viator): you see verified customer reviews, conditions and often free cancellation up to 24 hours before. You pay by card and have an intermediary if something goes wrong.
• In Cusco: you can negotiate and see the office, but compare several. Avoid buying from street touts in the plaza.
• For Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, book ahead: don't wait until you arrive.

7. Payment and red flags

• Pay by card or get a receipt; avoid transfers to personal accounts.
• Insist on written confirmation with date, pickup time, inclusions and a contact number.
• Be wary of prices far below everyone else, pressure to pay "now" and vague answers.

• Is Cusco safe? Real risks and practical tips for a worry-free trip
• Money in Cusco: soles, ATMs, exchange offices and cards

Questions to ask before paying

Copy this list and send it in writing to two or three agencies to compare answers:

1. What's your legal name and RUC number?
2. Is the tour private or shared? What's the maximum group size?
3. What time and where is pickup? What time do we return?
4. Which entry fees are included and which do I pay separately?
5. Does the guide speak my language fluently? Are they an official guide?
6. Which meals are included? Can you adapt them to special diets?
7. What safety equipment do you carry (first-aid kit, oxygen, radio or satellite phone on treks)?
8. What happens if I cancel, if the tour is cancelled or if there's a strike?
9. How do I pay and what receipt do I get?

Reputable agencies answer quickly and in detail; evasive answers are a red flag.

Shared, private and tailor-made tours

• Shared: the cheapest and most social; fixed times and mixed groups.
• Private: pricier but at your own pace, leaving when you want with stops on request. Good for families or groups.
• Tailor-made: multi-day itineraries combining hotels, trains, guides and excursions; useful if time is short and you want everything to fit.

• Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco: timings, logistics and whether it's worth it
• Cusco with kids: altitude, itinerary and family activities

Before you go

eSIM for Peru

Land connected: install an Airalo data eSIM before you travel and switch it on when you land. Check first that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked.

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Notice: This guide shares advice and recommendations based on research and local experience. Prices, opening hours and rules may change: always check with official sources and operators. Cusco Tips is not responsible for third-party services, bookings or decisions made using these guides; some links are affiliate links (see our affiliate policy).