How to Choose a Tour Agency in Cusco: 9 Things to Check
How to Choose a Tour Agency in Cusco: 9 Things to Check
There are hundreds of tour agencies in Cusco. In the streets around the Plaza de Armas alone you'll see dozens of offices and street touts offering the same tour at very different prices. Most of them do a good job, but there are also informal agencies that sell one thing and deliver another. This is the checklist we would use if we were tourists.
1. A tax ID (RUC) and a registered company name
Every formal business in Peru has a RUC (taxpayer number). Ask for it and look it up on SUNAT's RUC lookup: it should show as active (activo) and located (habido). If an agency can't give you its RUC or issue a receipt or invoice, don't book.
2. Registered as a travel agency
Formal agencies are listed in the MINCETUR / DIRCETUR Cusco directory of tourism service providers. You can ask for their registration. It doesn't guarantee quality, but it does mean the company exists and answers to the authorities.
3. Official guides
A good guide is what changes a tour the most. At Machu Picchu and the main sites, guides must be licensed (with an official ID). Ask whether the guide is licensed and which language the tour will be in: "bilingual" sometimes means very basic English.
4. For the Inca Trail: an official permit
The 4-day Inca Trail can only be run by authorized agencies, and permits are issued in your name with your passport number. Be wary of anyone offering the Inca Trail "for tomorrow" in high season: permits sell out months ahead. More in our Inca Trail step-by-step guide.
5. A price that says exactly what's included
Most misunderstandings start here. Before paying, ask in writing for:
- What's included: transport, guide, meals, entrance tickets, train, bus, hotel.
- What's not included: the Tourist Ticket, separate entrance fees (such as Maras or Qoricancha), tips, horses, trekking poles.
- Times: approximate pickup and return times.
A real example from our tours: the Sacred Valley VIP (US$32) includes pickup, transport, guide and buffet lunch, but not the Tourist Ticket or the Maras Salt Mines entry. An agency that tells you this clearly is a good sign.
6. Prices that are too cheap
If a tour costs half of what other agencies charge, something is being cut: groups of 40, unlicensed guides, a lunch that doesn't exist or entry fees "paid on site". Compare what each offer includes, not just the final number. Our post on how much a Machu Picchu trip costs has reference prices.
7. Safe payment
- A deposit, not 100% up front for day tours. For Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail a deposit is normal, because the agency has to buy tickets and trains in your name.
- Proof of payment: ask for a receipt, invoice or at least a voucher with the agency's details.
- Be wary if you're asked to transfer money to the personal account of someone unrelated to the company.
8. Clear communication before you pay
A good agency replies quickly, answers your specific questions and sends you a written itinerary. If it's hard to get a reply before you pay, it will be worse afterwards. Message them on WhatsApp and see how they treat you.
9. Recent, genuine reviews
Check Google and TripAdvisor, but read the reviews, not just the score. Look for guide names, tour details and recent dates. Lots of identical five-star reviews with no details, posted on the same day, are suspicious.
Red flags
- Street touts who insist and offer "the last spot".
- No company name, address or RUC.
- Being told the Machu Picchu ticket "is bought there".
- The price changes once you're already on the bus.
- Pressure to pay everything in cash immediately.
Also read our post on common scams in Cusco.
How we work at Danfer Tours
We are a local agency based in Cusco. We quote by WhatsApp with full details of what is and isn't included, we book Machu Picchu with a deposit (to buy your ticket and train in your name) and the balance is paid on arrival. Some of our tours:
| Tour | From |
|---|---|
| Cusco City Tour | US$15 |
| Sacred Valley VIP | US$32 |
| Rainbow Mountain | US$30 |
| Humantay Lake | US$35 |
| Machu Picchu 2D/1N | US$280 |
Ask us anything before you book. If anything on this list doesn't convince you about us, tell us.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to book tours in Cusco or online?
Day tours (City Tour, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain) can be booked on arrival. Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are best booked in advance, because tickets and trains have limited capacity.
How do I know if a Cusco agency is legitimate?
Ask for its RUC and verify it on SUNAT's RUC lookup, ask about its DIRCETUR Cusco registration and request a proof of payment.
How much of a deposit is normal?
For day tours, little or none. For Machu Picchu or the Inca Trail a deposit is normal, because the agency must buy tickets and trains with your details. The balance is usually paid on arrival in Cusco.
What should I do if the tour didn't include what was promised?
Complain to the agency first with your proof of payment. If it isn't resolved, you can file a complaint in the company's complaints book (libro de reclamaciones) or with INDECOPI.
