Cusco Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Cusco tours, Machu Picchu day trips and tickets, Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain treks, Humantay Lake hikes and Cusco city tours. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Cusco and Machu Picchu itinerary.
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Explore Cusco by interest
Whatever brings you to Cusco — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Machu Picchu
Day trips and 2-day tours by train to the lost Inca city.
ExploreSacred Valley
Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras and Moray on a classic day tour.
ExploreRainbow Mountain
The striped slopes of Vinicunca above 5,000 metres.
ExploreHumantay Lake
A turquoise glacial lake beneath the Salkantay peak.
ExploreTreks
The classic Inca Trail and the permit-free Salkantay route.
ExploreCity tours
The Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha and Sacsayhuamán fortress.
ExploreFood & cooking
Ceviche and pisco sour classes plus Andean market tours.
ExploreATV & adventure
Quad biking at Maras, Moray and the Rainbow Mountain.
ExploreTop attractions in Cusco
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Machu Picchu
The lost Inca city among cloud-forest peaks, by train from Cusco.
Sacred Valley
Pisac, Ollantaytambo and the Inca terraces of the Urubamba.
Rainbow Mountain
The striped mineral slopes of Vinicunca above 5,000 m.
Humantay Lake
A turquoise glacial lake beneath snow-capped Salkantay.
Cusco city
The Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha and Sacsayhuamán fortress.
Maras & Moray
The cascading salt pans of Maras and the terraces of Moray.
Inca Trail
The legendary multi-day trek to Machu Picchu’s Sun Gate.
Peruvian cuisine
Ceviche, lomo saltado and pisco sour cooking classes.
Machu Picchu from Cusco
- 1Train to Aguas Calientes
- 2Bus up to the citadel
- 3Guided tour of the ruins
- 4Return to Cusco
Cusco in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Cusco city & acclimatise
- 2Day 2: Sacred Valley
- 3Day 3: Machu Picchu
- 4Evening return to Cusco
Cusco adventure
- 1Rainbow Mountain
- 2Humantay Lake
- 3Maras & Moray by ATV
- 4Salkantay or Inca Trail
Cusco with kids
- 1Cusco city & San Blas
- 2Sacred Valley & Pisac market
- 3Machu Picchu by train
- 4Alpacas & cooking class
Sacred Valley in a day
- 1Pisac ruins & Andean market
- 2Moray terraces & Maras salt pans
- 3Ollantaytambo fortress
- 4Chinchero weavers at golden hour
Rainbow Mountain & high-altitude lakes
- 1Pre-dawn pickup from Cusco
- 2Vinicunca hike to 5,036 m
- 3Palccoyo, the easier alternative
- 4Turquoise Humantay Lake
Full day awayMachu Picchu
The lost Inca city by scenic train and bus from Cusco.
Full day awaySacred Valley
Pisac, Ollantaytambo and the Inca terraces of the Urubamba.
3 hrs awayRainbow Mountain
The striped slopes of Vinicunca above 5,000 metres.
3 hrs awayHumantay Lake
A turquoise glacial lake beneath snow-capped Salkantay.
Half day awayMaras & Moray
The cascading salt pans of Maras and the terraces of Moray.
Multi-day awaySalkantay Trek
A spectacular permit-free trek to Machu Picchu.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Cusco visitor asks before booking.
The best months
The dry season from May to September brings sunny days and clear skies — the best time for Machu Picchu, treks and Rainbow Mountain.
Dry season (May–Sep)
Sunny days and cold nights, ideal for hiking; the busiest and priciest season, so book Machu Picchu and treks early.
Shoulder (Apr & Oct)
The edges of the dry season offer good weather with thinner crowds — a sweet spot.
Wet season (Nov–Mar)
Greener and quieter with lower prices, but frequent afternoon rain; trails can be muddy.
Inca Trail closed in February
The classic Inca Trail closes each February for maintenance; the Salkantay Trek and train remain available.
Inti Raymi (June)
The Inti Raymi sun festival in late June is Cusco’s biggest celebration — spectacular but very busy, so book well ahead.
Two days
Acclimatise in Cusco, then visit Machu Picchu — tight but possible.
Three to four days
The sweet spot: Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu at a sensible altitude-friendly pace.
Five days
Add Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake once you’ve acclimatised.
Trekking (4–5 days)
Allow extra days for the Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek, plus acclimatisation before.
A week or more
Combine Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and the high hikes, or continue to Lake Titicaca.
Travelling with kids
Keep a gentle pace, build in rest days for altitude and favour the lower Sacred Valley.
Take it easy at first
Spend your first day or two resting and exploring Cusco gently before any hard hikes or high-altitude trips.
Hydrate & coca tea
Drink plenty of water and try the local coca tea, a traditional remedy for mild altitude symptoms.
Go low first
Visit the lower Sacred Valley early on, saving Rainbow Mountain (5,000 m) and Humantay Lake for once you’ve adjusted.
Watch for symptoms
Headache, nausea and breathlessness are common; rest, and seek advice or descend if symptoms are severe.
Altitude medication
Some travellers take preventative medication — consult your doctor before your trip.
Sun & cold
The high-altitude sun is strong by day and nights are cold — bring sunscreen, a hat and warm layers.
On foot
The historic centre around the Plaza de Armas and San Blas is compact and best explored on foot — take it slowly at altitude.
Taxis
Taxis are cheap for getting around the city; agree the fare first or use a ride app.
Tours with transport
Day trips to the Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain and trailheads include early transport — the easiest way to reach them.
Trains to Machu Picchu
Trains run from Cusco (Poroy) and Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes; most tours use the Ollantaytambo departure.
From the airport
Cusco’s airport is close to the centre; pre-booked transfers or taxis are easy, and many flights connect via Lima.
Sacred Valley stays
Some travellers sleep in the lower Sacred Valley to ease altitude and shorten the Machu Picchu journey.
Machu Picchu tickets
Timed entry tickets are capped daily and sell out in high season — book well ahead with your train.
Inca Trail permits
Permits are strictly limited and often sell out months in advance; the trail also closes each February.
Trains to Aguas Calientes
Train seats, especially the better classes, fill up in the dry season — book early.
Popular day hikes
Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake group tours fill fast in peak season.
Inti Raymi (June)
Accommodation and tours around the late-June festival book out far ahead.
Salkantay Trek
No permit needed, but reputable Salkantay operators still book up in high season.
Machu Picchu trips
Around $250–450 for a full-day tour with train, bus, entry and guide.
Sacred Valley
Roughly $25–60 for a guided full-day Sacred Valley tour.
Day hikes
About $25–50 for a Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake group day trip with breakfast.
Multi-day treks
Around $280–700+ for the Salkantay or Inca Trail trek, depending on length and service.
City tours
Roughly $15–40 for a half-day Cusco city tour with Sacsayhuamán.
How to save
Join group tours, book trains early for better fares, and travel in the April or October shoulder months.
Cusco through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Sunny days and clear skies — the best time for Machu Picchu, treks and Rainbow Mountain.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak season — book Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail early.
- Best for
- Good weather at the edges of the dry season with thinner crowds — a sweet spot.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great-value months with reliable trails.
- Best for
- Green, quiet and cheaper, with frequent afternoon rain and muddier trails.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- The Inca Trail closes in February — use Salkantay or the train.
- Best for
- The Inti Raymi sun festival fills Cusco with colour in late June.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Spectacular but very busy — reserve far ahead.