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
47 guides
Dozens of day trips leave Cusco: the Sacred Valley, glacial lakes, rainbow mountains and lesser-known ruins. We cover distances, difficulty, altitude and how to go on your own or with a tour.
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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Day trips
Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake? A comparison to choose your day trip
We compare Vinicunca and Humantay: altitude, difficulty, schedule, scenery, weather and approximate cost, to decide which to do with one day (or how to do both).
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Day trips
Ollantaytambo: ruins, a living Inca town, the Machu Picchu train and tips
Guide to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley: what to see at the archaeological site, the town and Pinkuylluna, getting there from Cusco, the train station and whether to stay.
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Day trips
Pisac: Inca ruins, craft market and how to visit from Cusco
Pisac guide in the Sacred Valley: what to see in the archaeological park, the market, getting there from Cusco, entry with the Tourist Ticket, the walk down and tips.
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Day trips
Waqrapukara: how to visit the "horned fortress" from Cusco
Waqrapukara guide: what it is, where it is, how to get there from Cusco on a tour or independently, the hike, altitude, what to pack and when to go to this little-visited site.
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Day trips
Palccoyo: the alternative rainbow mountain, easier and quieter than Vinicunca
Palccoyo guide: the hike, altitude, getting there from Cusco, the stone forest, entrance, comparison with Vinicunca and tips to enjoy it without the crowds.
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Day trips
Ausangate Seven Lakes: a one-day hike from Cusco
Ausangate Seven Lakes guide: the loop from Pacchanta, altitude and difficulty, hot springs, getting there from Cusco, best season, what to pack and comparison with Humantay.
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Day trips
Chinchero: weaving, Inca ruins and market between Cusco and the Sacred Valley
Chinchero guide: weaving centres and natural dyes, the Inca site and colonial church, the Sunday market, the Tourist Ticket, getting there from Cusco and how to combine it.
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Day trips
Hot springs near Cusco: Cocalmayo, Lares, Aguas Calientes and Pacchanta
Guide to hot springs near Cusco: Cocalmayo in Santa Teresa, the Aguas Calientes baths, Lares and Pacchanta; how to get there, when to go, what to bring and health tips.
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Day trips
Moray and the Maras salt mines: how to visit from Cusco or the Sacred Valley
Guide to Moray and the Maras salt mines: what they are, tickets (Tourist Ticket and separate fee), getting there by tour, taxi or on foot, best time, combos and tips.
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Day trips
The Amazon from Cusco: Manu or Tambopata, how many days and how to get there
How to visit the Peruvian Amazon from Cusco: Manu vs Tambopata (Puerto Maldonado), trip length, flights or road, what to expect, vaccines, packing and why a day trip doesn't work.
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Day trips
Cusco's South Valley: Tipón, Pikillacta, Andahuaylillas and local flavours
Guide to Cusco's South Valley: Tipón's Inca waterworks, the Wari city of Pikillacta, Andahuaylillas church, Huacarpay lagoon, chicharrón, Oropesa bread and how to get there.
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Day trips
Huaypo and Piuray lakes: a quiet escape near Chinchero
Huaypo and Piuray lakes on the Chinchero plateau: getting there, walks, cycling, kayaking, birds, communities, combining with Maras and Moray, and altitude tips.
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Day trips
Quillabamba: the city of eternal summer near Cusco
Quillabamba in the high jungle of La Convención: getting there from Cusco via Abra Málaga, climate, coffee and cacao, rivers and waterfalls, food, health and tips for a warm escape.
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Day trips
Kinsa Cocha lakes: a high-altitude hike above Pisac
Kinsa Cocha lakes above Pisac: getting there by taxi or on foot, altitude, difficulty, local communities, best season, what to bring and pairing with Pisac's market and ruins.
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Day trips
Qeswachaka bridge: how to visit the last Inca rope bridge from Cusco
Qeswachaka bridge guide: where it is, how to get there from Cusco by tour or public transport, entry fee, the yearly June renewal, altitude, what to bring and what to combine.
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Day trips
Tipón Cusco: Inca hydraulic terraces and how to combine them with the South Valley
Tipón guide: Inca terraces and water channels, tourist ticket, how to get there from Cusco and combining with Pikillacta and Andahuaylillas. Verify current hours and fees.
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Day trips
Raqchi: the Temple of Wiracocha, how to get there from Cusco and tickets
Raqchi guide: the 14 m Inca wall of the Temple of Wiracocha, 152 storehouses, official entry fee (not on the Tourist Ticket), hours and how to get there from Cusco.
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Day trips
Pikillacta: the Wari city in Cusco's South Valley, how to visit and tickets
Pikillacta, the planned pre-Inca Wari city near Cusco: what to see, Tourist Ticket (circuit II), official hours and how to combine it with Tipón and Huacarpay.
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Day trips
Humantay Lake vs Ausangate Seven Lakes: which day hike to choose
An honest comparison of Humantay Lake and the Ausangate Seven Lakes: altitude, difficulty, drive time, crowds, hot springs and which traveller each day hike suits best.
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Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco: timings, logistics and whether it's worth it
How to visit Machu Picchu in a single day from Cusco or Ollantaytambo: typical schedule, trains, buses, tickets, tour or DIY, and when it's better to sleep in Aguas Calientes.
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Neighbourhoods and places
Urubamba: the central base of the Sacred Valley (things to do, getting there and where to stay)
Urubamba guide: why it's the best base for exploring the Sacred Valley, things to do in town and nearby, getting there from Cusco and the airport, and what kind of lodging there is.
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Culture and history
Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay: the Inca sites above Cusco and how to visit them
How to visit Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay: what to see at each site, the Tourist Ticket, the walking route back to Cusco, city tours, approximate hours and tips.
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Hiking and trekking
Huchuy Qosqo trek: the one-day hike from Cusco to the Sacred Valley
Huchuy Qosqo trek guide: what this Inca site is, the 1–2 day route from Cusco to Lamay, elevation, difficulty, entrance, going with an agency or independently, and what to pack.
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Adventure sports
Rafting in Cusco: Urubamba sections, the Apurímac, seasons and safety
Guide to rafting in Cusco: Urubamba River sections (Cusipata, Sacred Valley, Santa Teresa), Apurímac expeditions, difficulty grades, seasons, safety and choosing an operator.
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Adventure sports
ATV tour to Maras and Moray: what the quad-bike trip from Cusco is like
Guide to the ATV tour to Maras and Moray: route, duration, licence questions, entrance fees, safety, best season and alternatives like biking or the classic tour.
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Culture and history
Paucartambo and Tres Cruces: the Virgen del Carmen festival and sunrise over the Amazon
Guide to Paucartambo and Tres Cruces: the Virgen del Carmen festival in July, its dances, the Tres Cruces sunrise over the jungle, when to go, getting there from Cusco and tips.
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Adventure sports
Ziplining and via ferrata in Cusco: the Sacred Valley and Santa Teresa
Guide to ziplines and via ferrata in Cusco: what the Sacred Valley via ferrata is like, the Santa Teresa ziplines, difficulty, ages, safety, combos and what to bring.
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Where to stay
Where to stay in the Sacred Valley: Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and more
Comparing towns to stay in the Sacred Valley: Pisac, Calca, Yucay, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero; pros, cons, Machu Picchu connections and who each suits.
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Adventure sports
Paragliding in Cusco: tandem flights over the Sacred Valley
Paragliding in Cusco guide: tandem flights over the Sacred Valley, duration, best season and time of day, weight and health requirements, safety, choosing an operator and packing.
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Adventure sports
Horseback riding in Cusco: routes, what to expect and choosing responsibly
Horseback riding in Cusco: the Temple of the Moon and sites near Sacsayhuamán, the Sacred Valley, horses at Rainbow Mountain, duration, requirements, animal welfare and tips.
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Adventure sports
Mountain biking in Cusco: routes, tours, rental and safety
Mountain biking in Cusco: Maras and Moray descent, Abra Málaga on the Inca Jungle, Sacred Valley routes, guided tours versus rental, level, gear and safety.
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Practical tips
Cusco to the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo: colectivo, taxi, tour and train
Transport from Cusco to the Sacred Valley: colectivos to Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, taxis and private transfers, from the airport, tours and trains, with rough times and tips.
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Food and drink
Saylla chicharrón: Cusco's fried-pork town
Saylla, the town of Cusco chicharrón: how to get there from Cusco, what to order, when to go, the July festival and how to combine it with the South Valley.
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Crafts and shopping
Ceramics in Cusco and the Sacred Valley: styles, workshops and what to buy
Cusco ceramics: Inca aryballos, Pucará bulls, Cerámicas Seminario in Urubamba and workshops in San Blas and Pisac. How to choose and carry fragile pieces.
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Adventure sports
Birdwatching in Cusco: Huacarpay, Abra Málaga and Machu Picchu
A guide to birdwatching around Cusco: the Huacarpay wetland, polylepis woods at Abra Málaga, hummingbirds and cock-of-the-rock near Machu Picchu, season, gear and guides.
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Adventure sports
Canyoning in Cusco: Limatambo and Santa Teresa waterfalls, difficulty and tips
What canyoning near Cusco is like: waterfall descents at Limatambo and around Santa Teresa, season, fitness level, gear, safety and how to choose an operator.
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Adventure sports
Kayaking and paddleboarding in Cusco: paddling Piuray lake at 3,700 m
What kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding near Cusco is like: Piuray lake by Chinchero, what an outing includes, cold, altitude, level, season and what to bring.
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Hiking and trekking
Pumamarca hike from Ollantaytambo: route, timings and tips
How to hike from Ollantaytambo to the Inca ruins of Pumamarca: route up the Patacancha valley, distance, elevation gain, walking down only, what to bring and tips.
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Hiking and trekking
Chinchero to Urquillos hike: the Inca road down to the Sacred Valley
How to hike from Chinchero to Urquillos on an Inca road: start point, distance, descent, tourist ticket, getting back from Huayllabamba, season and tips.
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Practical tips
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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Culture and history
Andahuaylillas: San Pedro church, the "Sistine Chapel of the Andes"
Guide to Andahuaylillas and San Pedro Apóstol church: Andean baroque art, visit tips, South Valley with Tipón and Pikillacta, entry separate from the Tourist Ticket. Verify hours and prices.
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Tours
Day trips from Cusco: the 8 best options (updated 2026)
Day trips from Cusco: Rainbow Mountain, Humantay, Palccoyo, Sacred Valley, Maras and Moray, South Valley, Waqrapukara and Machu Picchu. Travel times, altitude, fees.
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Crafts and shopping
Awana Kancha: llamas, alpacas and weaving on the road to Pisac
What to see at Awana Kancha, the living museum of camelids and textiles at km 23 of the Cusco–Pisac road: four species, natural dyes, how to get there and shopping tips.
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Culture and history
Señor de Huanca: the sanctuary and the 14 September pilgrimage
Guide to the Señor de Huanca sanctuary in San Salvador (Calca): the Christ painted on rock, the night walk from San Jerónimo, the 14 September feast and how to get there.
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