Almost every traveler planning an expedition to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, or the South Valley quickly collides with an acronym that causes widespread logistical confusion: the Boleto Turístico del Cusco (BTC).
Administered by the Committee of Integrated Tourism Cultural Services of Cusco (COSITUC), the BTC is the single mandatory entrance ticket required to access 16 of the region’s premier Inca archaeological citadels, agricultural terraces, and historical museums.
You cannot purchase individual S/ 10 Soles single-entry tickets at the gate of Sacsayhuamán, Pisac, or Ollantaytambo. If you show up at the turnstiles without the BTC, park rangers will require you to purchase either the Full 10-Day Ticket (S/ 130) or a Partial Circuit Ticket (S/ 70) in physical cash before stepping past the ropes.
Here is the definitive field guide to navigating the circuits, understanding prices, and planning your archaeological days with zero friction.
Boleto Integral (S/ 130) vs. Partial Circuits 1, 2 & 3 (S/ 70)
The BTC is split into four distinct purchasing tiers based on geographic regions and days of validity:
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| Ticket Type | Price (Soles / USD) | Validity Period | Attractions Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boleto Integral (Full Ticket - BTCI) | S/ 130 Soles (~$35 USD) | 10 Consecutive Days | All 16 Attractions: Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, Tipón, Pikillacta, Monumento Pachacútec, Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo, and 4 municipal museums | Travelers spending 4+ days in Cusco exploring both the Sacred Valley and city ruins |
| Boleto Parcial - Circuito I | S/ 70 Soles (~$19 USD) | 1 Calendar Day | 4 Cusco City Ruins: Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay | Express travelers doing a classic half-day Cusco City Tour |
| Boleto Parcial - Circuito II | S/ 70 Soles (~$19 USD) | 2 Consecutive Days | South Valley & Culture: Tipón, Pikillacta, Centro Qosqo (nightly folk dances), Museo Histórico Regional, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, Museo de Sitio de Qorikancha, Museo de Arte Popular, Monumento Pachacútec | Culture-focused travelers exploring the South Valley and local museums |
| Boleto Parcial - Circuito III | S/ 70 Soles (~$19 USD) | 2 Consecutive Days | Sacred Valley Core: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray | Travelers doing a 1 or 2-day Sacred Valley exploration without doing Cusco city ruins |
Financial Math Axiom: If you plan to visit Sacsayhuamán (Circuit 1) AND the Sacred Valley ruins of Pisac or Ollantaytambo (Circuit 3), purchasing two separate partial tickets costs S/ 140 Soles (S/ 70 + S/ 70). Purchasing the Boleto Integral (S/ 130) saves you S/ 10 Soles and grants you an additional 8 days of access to Tipón, Pikillacta, and all museums.
Critical Exclusions: Machu Picchu, Maras & Cathedral
A common and costly misunderstanding among international tourists is assuming that "Full Ticket" means "everything in Peru."
The following marquee sites are strictly NOT included in the Boleto Turístico and require separate admissions:
- Machu Picchu: Governed independently by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura). Timed tickets (Circuits 1, 2, or 3) must be booked months in advance online ($45–$55 USD).
- Maras Salt Mines (Salineras de Maras): Privately owned and sustainably harvested by the indigenous community of Maras. Entry costs S/ 20 Soles (~$5.50 USD) cash at the community roadblock.
- Cusco Cathedral (Plaza de Armas): Administered by the Catholic Archdiocese of Cusco. Entry costs S/ 40 Soles (~$11 USD) or via the separate Religious Art Circuit ticket.
- Qorikancha Sun Temple (The Colonial Santo Domingo Convent): While the underground archaeological site museum is on the BTC, the actual Inca Sun Temple walls inside the convent require a separate ticket of S/ 20 Soles (~$5.50 USD) cash at the door.
Purchase Logistics: Cash-Only in Soles & Physical ID
- Where to Buy in Cusco: The central headquarters of COSITUC is located at Avenida El Sol 103 (Galleria Turística, ground floor), open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
- Buying at the Ruins: You do NOT need to visit the central office beforehand. Every primary archaeological checkpoint (such as the main gates at Sacsayhuamán, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, Moray, and Tipón) sells both the Integral and Partial tickets on the spot.
- Strict Cash Payment: Ticket booths do not accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, or US Dollars. Keep crisp Peruvian Soles banknotes (S/ 10, S/ 20, S/ 50) ready in your wallet.
- Passport Required: You must present your original physical passport (or a high-resolution photocopy/national ID) when purchasing. The clerk writes your full name and nationality on the ticket.
Student Discount Rules: Physical Plastic Card Requirements
University students aged 18 to 25 qualify for a discounted student rate on the Boleto Integral: S/ 70 Soles (instead of S/ 130).
However, COSITUC enforces ruthless verification standards:
- Eligible Cards: You must present a valid, unexpired physical plastic university student ID card that clearly displays your full name, university name, your photo, and an embossed expiration year (matching the current year).
- Ineligible Cards: ISIC (International Student Identity Cards) are NOT accepted. Digital student cards on smartphone screens, university enrollment letters, library cards, and driver's licenses are rejected without exception.
- Youths (10–17 years): Pay the student rate of S/ 70 Soles simply by showing their original passport. Children under 9 years of age enter all 16 ruins 100% free of charge.
How to Route Your Days to Maximize Ticket Validity
To get the highest return on your Boleto Integral without feeling rushed:
- Day 1 (Cusco City Ruins): Morning departure to Sacsayhuamán, followed by Q'enqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay. Afternoon stroll through the historic center.
- Day 2 (Sacred Valley Highlights): Early morning departure to Chinchero textile market and ruins, descending through Moray's agricultural rings, passing Maras Salt Mines, and exploring the monolithic sun fortress of Ollantaytambo.
- Day 3 (Pisac & Craft Market): Full exploration of the massive upper citadel of Pisac and the Sunday artisan market.
- Day 4 or 5 (South Valley Hidden Wonders): Dedicated half-day trip to Tipón’s water engineering fountains and the pre-Inca Wari metropolis of Pikillacta.
