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Things to do in Cusco: 30 essentials in the city and beyond
Things to do in Cusco: the city's essentials, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, day trips, treks, food, markets and festivals, with 1- to 3-day plans.
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Cusco · Machu Picchu · Sacred Valley
Cusco tips and travel guide for Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley
Honest, up-to-date information to plan your Andes trip without stress: how to get there, how to acclimatize and where to book safely.
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Machu Picchu tours
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Travel guides
Everything essential to plan your visit, step by step.
Machu Picchu
How to get to Machu Picchu: train, Inca Trail or Hidroeléctrica
Every way to reach Machu Picchu from Cusco: PeruRail and Inca Rail trains, the Inca Trail, the Hidroeléctrica route, buses to the citadel and tickets.
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Practical tips
Altitude sickness in Cusco: how to prevent it and what to do
Cusco sits at about 3,400 m. Altitude sickness symptoms, warning signs, how to acclimatize, coca tea, medication and when to do the highest day trips.
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Practical tips
Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turístico): what's included and is it worth it
Guide to the Cusco Tourist Ticket (COSITUC): full and partial tickets, sites in each circuit, what it does NOT include, where to buy it and how to use it.
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Day trips
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): a practical guide to visiting
How to visit Rainbow Mountain from Cusco: tours, the hike, altitude (~5,000 m), horses, Red Valley, Palccoyo, best season and what to pack.
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Day trips
Humantay Lake: how to get there, the hike and tips
Practical guide to Humantay Lake (~4,200 m): tours from Cusco, going independently via Mollepata and Soraypampa, the hike, altitude, best season and packing.
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Day trips
Sacred Valley of the Incas: what to see and how to visit
Sacred Valley guide: Pisac, Chinchero, Moray, the Maras salt pans and Ollantaytambo, tickets, how to visit (tour, independently or with a driver) and a 2-day plan.
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Practical tips
How many days in Cusco + 3, 5 and 7-day itineraries
How many days do you need in Cusco? Short answer, key factors (altitude, Machu Picchu, treks) and day-by-day 3, 5 and 7-day itineraries.
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Where to stay
Where to stay in Cusco: best areas for your trip and budget
Historic centre, San Blas, Sacred Valley or Aguas Calientes: pros and cons of each area, accommodation types and practical tips.
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Food and drink
What and where to eat in Cusco: typical dishes, markets and tips
Cusco dishes worth trying, typical drinks, types of places to eat, markets and food-safety tips at altitude.
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Practical tips
Best time to visit Cusco and what to pack
Dry and rainy seasons month by month, main festivals, approximate temperatures and a practical packing list for Cusco and Machu Picchu.
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Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu tickets: how to buy them on the official site and not miss out
Where to buy official Machu Picchu tickets, how far ahead, approximate prices, entry time slots, in-person tickets in Aguas Calientes and common mistakes.
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Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu circuits explained: which to choose (1, 2 or 3) and what you see
Differences between Machu Picchu circuits 1, 2 and 3 and their routes: classic view, temples, Huayna Picchu, the Mountain and the Sun Gate. How to choose.
Read guide →Recommended tours
The most popular day trips from Cusco. Compare options on two platforms.
Machu Picchu · Full day (about 14–16 h)
Machu Picchu full-day tour from Cusco
Return train, shuttle bus, entry ticket and guided visit in one very long day. Best if you're short on time.
Guide: Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco: timings, logistics and whether it's worth it
Machu Picchu · 2 days / 1 night
Machu Picchu 2-day tour with a night in Aguas Calientes
Arrive by train in the afternoon, sleep in Aguas Calientes and go up early at a gentler pace. The relaxed, flexible option.
Guide: Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town): getting there, things to do and where to stay
Mountains and lakes · Full day (pre-dawn start)
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
A trip to over 5,000 m to see Vinicunca's mineral stripes. Acclimatise first.
Guide: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): a practical guide to visitingMountains and lakes · Full day
Palccoyo rainbow mountains
An alternative to Vinicunca with a shorter, gentler walk and fewer people. Good for families.
Guide: Palccoyo: the alternative rainbow mountain, easier and quieter than Vinicunca
Mountains and lakes · Full day
Humantay Lake
A turquoise lake at about 4,200 m below the Humantay glacier, with a steep 1–1.5 h climb from Soraypampa.
Guide: Humantay Lake: how to get there, the hike and tips
Sacred Valley and surroundings · Full day
Sacred Valley of the Incas
Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero (depending on the tour) in a day: market, terraces and Andean villages.
Guide: Sacred Valley of the Incas: what to see and how to visit
Sacred Valley and surroundings · Half day
Maras and Moray (also by ATV)
Moray's circular terraces and the Maras salt pans. Many operators offer an ATV (quad bike) version.
Guide: Moray and the Maras salt mines: how to visit from Cusco or the Sacred Valley
Sacred Valley and surroundings · Half day
South Valley: Tipón, Pikillacta and Andahuaylillas
Inca hydraulic engineering at Tipón, the Wari city of Pikillacta and the Andahuaylillas church, away from the crowds.
Guide: Cusco's South Valley: Tipón, Pikillacta, Andahuaylillas and local flavours
Cusco city, culture and food · Half day
Cusco city tour
Qorikancha, the Cathedral and nearby sites: Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay.
Guide: Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun: tickets, hours, what to see and history
Cusco city, culture and food · 2–4 hours
Peruvian cooking class
A market visit and hands-on cooking of Peruvian dishes such as ceviche, lomo saltado and pisco sour.
Guide: Cooking classes in Cusco: what to expect, typical dishes and how to chooseAdventure · Half or full day
Rafting on the Urubamba River
Rapids on sections of the Urubamba/Vilcanota near Cusco; difficulty depends on the section and season.
Guide: Rafting in Cusco: Urubamba sections, the Apurímac, seasons and safety
Multi-day treks · 1–2 days
Huchuy Qosqo trek
A hike across high plateaus to an Inca site overlooking the Sacred Valley, away from the busiest routes.
Guide: Huchuy Qosqo trek: the one-day hike from Cusco to the Sacred Valley
Multi-day treks · 4 days / 3 nights
Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The most famous route: about 42 km on Inca paths to the Sun Gate. Permits are limited, so book months ahead.
Guide: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: permits, when to book, the 4-day route and the short versionMulti-day treks · 2 days / 1 night
Short Inca Trail
From km 104 via Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate, with a night in Aguas Calientes. Also needs a permit.
Guide: Short Inca Trail (2 days): the route from km 104, permits and what to expectMulti-day treks · 4–5 days
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
A pass of about 4,600 m beside snowy Salkantay, Humantay Lake and cloud forest. No Inca Trail permit needed.
Guide: Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: route, difficulty, best season and how to plan itMulti-day treks · 4–5 days
Choquequirao trek
Machu Picchu's remote 'sister': huge elevation changes in the Apurímac canyon and very few visitors.
Guide: Choquequirao trek: Machu Picchu's remote "sister" (route, difficulty and tips)Popular activities on GetYourGuide
Where to stay
The areas that work best for your itinerary.
Historic Centre and Plaza de Armas
Best for: First visits, short stays, walking everywhere
Everything is close: the plaza, museums, restaurants and tour meeting points. More noise and slightly higher prices on the main streets; some streets are steep.
Guide: Where to stay in Cusco: best areas for your trip and budget
San Blas
Best for: Bohemian feel, artisan workshops, views
Cobbled streets and workshops a few minutes from the plaza. Streets are steep with stairs: think twice with heavy luggage or if the altitude hits you hard.
Guide: San Blas, Cusco's artisan quarter: what to see, viewpoints and tipsSan Cristóbal
Best for: Panoramic views, quiet, close to Sacsayhuamán
On the hillside above the plaza, with viewpoints and the path to Sacsayhuamán. Quieter, but with steep climbs and stairs.
Guide: Where to stay in Cusco: best areas for your trip and budgetAvenida El Sol and Wanchaq
Best for: Flat streets, good connections, moderate prices
A flatter, more modern area between the centre and the airport, with banks, supermarkets and easy taxi access. Less colonial charm; at night stick to busy streets.
Guide: Where to stay in Cusco: best areas for your trip and budgetNear the airport
Best for: Very early flights or late arrivals
Handy only for one night before or after a flight. Far from the historic area; for the rest of your stay the centre is better.
Guide: Cusco airport to the city centre: taxi, ride apps, transfers and approximate pricesUrubamba
Best for: Central valley base, resorts and haciendas
The midpoint of the Sacred Valley, lower than Cusco. Many spacious places with gardens, haciendas and resorts are here.
Guide: Urubamba: the central base of the Sacred Valley (things to do, getting there and where to stay)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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Airport transfer
Book a private Welcome Pickups transfer from Cusco airport to your hotel before you land, with your driver waiting in arrivals. Check the price and cancellation terms when booking.
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