Spending a few days in Cusco Peru? Many people plan a trip to Cusco just for Machu Picchu, but there is so much to explore here! As well as plenty of things to do in Cusco, there are a lot of places to visit in the Sacred Valley – many of which you can explore on day trips from Cusco. While you are in Cusco make sure you have time to explore the surrounding towns, landscapes and archaeological sites with these epic Cusco day trips!
Know Before You Go to Cusco
Before travelling to Cusco, make sure you book accommodation and popular activities ASAP as hotels and tickets can sell out.
🛌 MY FAVOURITE ACCOMMODATION IN CUSCO:
$$ Katari at Plaza de Armas Cusco right in the centre of Cusco & great value
$$ Casa Matara – a beautifully furnished boutique hotel
$ Casa Tunki – A gorgeous hotel & hostel with pretty courtyard
⭐ TOP 3 CUSCO ACTIVITIES TO BOOK IN ADVANCE:
1. Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Day Trip and Red Valley
The Best Day Trips from Cusco
No matter how long you spend in Cusco, I’d still recommend exploring more of the Sacred Valley around the city. I’d say 2 days in Cusco is the absolute minimum to enjoy the city and acclimatize to the altitude before attempting hikes or treks.
Some Cusco tours are ideal to help you acclimatize to the altitude in Cusco, whereas other more active day trips are best for once you can fully cope with the elevation here.
I’ve put together a comprehensive list of the best day trips from Cusco Peru so you can plan your trip to the Sacred Valley with ease.
Machu Picchu Day Tours from Cusco
You can’t talk about Cusco and not mention the UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu! This incredible place is one of the seven New Wonders of the World, and If you are not up for hiking the Inca Trail or doing another trek to Machu Picchu, then it is possible to take a day trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
Most tour agencies in Cusco offer day trips to Machu Picchu from Cusco, which are a great option if you are short on time, but be prepared for a very long day with an early start.
Machu Picchu day tours from Cusco typically include all transport (train and bus), a bilingual guide and entrance to Machu Picchu, but be sure to check the details of each tour package carefully. Some include standard train tickets from Cusco to Machu Picchu, and others include a ‘Vistadome’ train which has windows on the ceiling and sides of the train.
I honestly don’t know if being able to see above you makes any difference, but if you are on a once-in-a-lifetime trip then you might want to make the most of it!
It is possible to book tours to Machu Picchu while you are in Cusco, but there are a limited number of entrance tickets to Machu Picchu available each day, so I would recommend booking a tour in advance to guarantee your preferred date.
Tours are available on Viator, but I usually use GetYourGuide to book my day trips. Some of the top day tours to Machu Picchu from Cusco available on GetYourGuide include:
- Full-Day Group Tour of Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu Full-Day Tour from Cusco with Optional Lunch
- Machu Picchu Full-Day Guided Tour
Visiting Machu Picchu Without a Tour
If you prefer not to take a tour then you could book your train tickets and Machu Picchu tickets independently. In order to enter Machu Picchu, new rules mean you have to be with a guide, so you could arrange a tour guide at the entrance to Machu Picchu, or pre-book a guide with your tickets.
If you choose to travel independently, make sure you check the entry requirements and plan your trip carefully – in this case, I would suggest spending the night in Aguas Calientes to ensure you get an early start.
Trains run from Cusco to Aguas Calientes (aka Machu Picchu Town) at the base of the mountain, and you then hike up the steps to Machu Picchu, or take a bus which is much easier and quicker! Spending the night in Aguas Calientes means you can be up early and potentially see the sunrise at Machu Picchu, which was the highlight of my trip to South America.
Check routes and plan your trip to Machu Picchu here on Bookaway.
Rainbow Mountain
Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain as it’s commonly known, was only discovered a few years ago, as it was previously always covered in snow. Perhaps the only positive effect of global warming has been to melt the snow here and reveal the beautiful colours on the mountainside!
The hike is challenging, reaching over 5000 metres above sea level. Make sure you are fully acclimatized before attempting the hike and prepare for a very early start from Cusco. It is not recommended to hike in wet or snowy weather as the trail can become dangerously slippery and the visibility is poor.
Bear in mind that if you are planning to hike the Ausangate Trek to Machu Picchu, you can also visit Rainbow Mountain as part of the trek so there is no need to plan a separate day tour from Cusco.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: The Best Hikes in Peru
A day trek to Rainbow Mountain can be arranged through various Cusco tour agencies or you can pre-book online.
Lake Titicaca Tour from Cusco
Day trips from Cusco to Lake Titicaca are only possible if you take an overnight bus from Cusco to Puno, spend the day at Lake Titicaca, and return to Cusco on another night bus.
It is a long way, and if you have more time then it is probably better to spend at least one night at Lake Titicaca so you’re not exhausted from the journey. However, if you only have one day (and two nights) and you want to see Lake Titicaca then this is a good way to do it.
Peru Hop offers these day tours from Cusco to Lake Titicaca from $79 USD per person, leaving Cusco at 9pm at night, spending the next day at the lake, and getting back to Cusco at 5 or 6am the following morning.
These tours include a guided visit of the Uros Islands on the lake (man-made reed islands) and a tour of Taquile Island, as well as the chance to enjoy the beautiful waters of the highest navigable lake in the world. >>>LEARN MORE
Sacred Valley Day Tours from Cusco
There are agencies who arrange Sacred Valley tours from Cusco to take in several of the following sites in one day, but they can be very rushed. However, if you want to fit in as much as possible into just one day then a day tour like this will be your best bet.
If you have enough time I would recommend spending at least one full day in Pisac and the same for Ollantaytambo, staying there overnight if you can. Moray and Maras can be easily done in a day trip from Cusco including a quick stop at Chinchero as well if you decide to take a Sacred Valley tour from Cusco.
Pisac (Pisaq)
Pisac is a quaint little town, and definitely worth a day trip from Cusco or more time if you can spare it. Plan your visit to coincide with the huge market on Saturday, for one of the best markets in South America. There is a smaller market here every day though, so don’t worry if Saturday won’t fit with your itinerary!
Pisac is also known as a centre for alternative therapies and is a great place to arrange a massage before or after your trek to Machu Picchu! The entrance fee to Pisac archaeological site is included in the Boleto Turistico tourist ticket, and you can either hike up from a path at the back of the market or take a taxi up to Pisac ruins from the centre of town to explore and admire the scenery across the valley.
READ MORE: Visiting Pisac Market & Inca Ruins
Ollantaytambo
I loved Ollantaytambo as it was much quieter and less touristy than Cusco. I would recommend spending a couple of nights here on your way from Cusco to Machu Picchu as it is mid-way between the two and gives you a different base for exploring the Sacred Valley. However, some people choose to visit Ollantaytambo on a day trip from Cusco which is a good option if you are short on time.
The Inca ruins here are built high up on a mountain above the town and were the site of Manco Inca’s last stand against the Spanish before he fled into the jungle. Although originally built as temples, the ruins here are often referred to as a fortress for that reason. Access is included in the Boleto Turistico Cusco Tourist Ticket.
There are plenty of other things to do in Ollantaytambo aside from the ruins, including a chocolate museum, the market and visiting local communities. Ollantaytambo is also closer to Moray and Maras, so you can visit those sites on a day trip from Cusco or as a tour from Ollantaytambo if you spend a couple of nights here.
To get to Ollantaytambo from Cusco you can take a collectivo shared taxi, or book a private transfer.
READ MORE: Why You Should Visit Ollantaytambo Before Machu Picchu
Moray and Maras Tours from Cusco
These two unique sites are quite close together, so typically visited together as part of a day trip from Cusco or Ollantaytambo. It is possible to visit them independently but the public transport isn’t reliable, so taking a day tour is much easier.
Day trips from Cusco to Moray and Maras Salt Mines on quad bikes are popular, or you can arrange a bike tour or a horse riding tour for a unique way to travel! If you prefer something a little less adventurous then try a tour with car or bus transportation. No matter how you get there, both sites are definitely worth exploring.
Moray, the agricultural experimentation centre of the Incas, is a unique Inca site as it was built specifically for agriculture, not as a religious or residential site. The circular terraces allowed the Inca to experiment with different plants and climates to find the perfect conditions to grow their crops.
Incas were accomplished farmers, and the unique terraces at Moray show how advanced they were in farming. The circular terraces look more like alien crop circles than an agricultural centre and Moray was one of my favourite archaeological sites. Entry is included with the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
Maras salt mines or Salinas have been used for salt evaporation since Inca times. Salty water surfaces from a subterranean stream and is directed through a system of channels down the mountainside, trickling through a series of man-made salt ponds. As the water gradually evaporates, the salt is harvested. It is a surreal sight on the mountainside and a fascinating insight into how the Inca developed salt harvesting.
Chinchero
The archaeological site at Chinchero is the remains of the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, with a series of terraces overlooking beautiful mountains. There is also a colonial temple built on Inca foundations which you can go inside.
In the village of Chinchero, go to one of the many Textile Workshops where local women do demonstrations of traditional weaving techniques with the opportunity to buy the goods they make. A visit to Chinchero is usually included in Sacred Valley tours to Moray & Maras or Pisac, or you can take a collectivo from Cusco for an independent visit.
Off The Beaten Path Cusco Day Trips
Some tours around Cusco go where most of the tourists don’t – so if you want a more unusual experience check out some of these day trips from Cusco:
Humantay Lake
Humantay Lake is a spectacular turquoise lake surrounded by mountains. It makes a wonderful day trip from Cusco either with a tour or independently with a taxi (there is no public transport to the lake). It’s about a 3-hour drive from Cusco to the trailhead and about an hour to an hour and a half hike to the lake itself.
The scenery is absolutely stunning, and the hike isn’t particularly challenging as it is quite short, but it is a constant upward trail to the lake which gets slippery after heavy rain.
Make sure you are fully acclimatized to the altitude in Cusco before attempting the hike and remember to bring food for breakfast and lunch, and plenty of water. Most Cusco tour agencies will offer a day trip to Humantay Lake, including transport, breakfast, lunch and a guide. Some tours include the entrance ticket to Humantay Lake, with other tours you will have to pay the 10 soles entrance fee yourself.
If you do the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, you will stop off at Humantay Lake so you wouldn’t need a separate day trip in that instance.
Rafting and Ziplining
If you like more adventurous activities then a rafting and zip-lining trip could be right up your street. Cusco is close to several good rafting rivers, and you can arrange a rafting tour with most agencies in Cusco.
The Urubamba River is one of the most popular spots for rafting, with class II and III rapids about an hour and a half outside of Cusco. During the rainy season, the rivers are higher and rapids can get up to class III or IV after heavy rain.
Tours typically include all rafting and safety equipment, lunch, transport and a guide. You can also take a separate half-day zip line tour if you prefer to keep dry!
Horse Riding Tours from Cusco
There are several options for horseback riding excursions from Cusco, to take in the countryside and some of the less-visited Inca sites around Cusco. Popular trail rides usually visit the Temple of the Moon and Temple of the Rainbow or the “Devil’s Balcony”.
Other horse riding half-day tours from Cusco include visits to the Inca archaeological sites Puca-Pucara, Tambomachay, Qenko, and Saqsayhuaman. Check out some options here.
A South Valley Day Trip from Cusco
About an hour’s drive south-east of Cusco are two lesser-visited archaeological sites which are both special in their own ways. Most tourists don’t explore this side of Cusco and stick to the archaeological sites closer to the city, but with a little extra effort, you will be rewarded with a unique pre-Inca settlement at Pikillacta and a feat of hydrological engineering at Tipon.
You can visit independently by taking a taxi to Tipon and/or Pikillacta from Cusco, or take a day tour to include transport and a guide. You will need the Cusco Tourist Ticket to visit these two sites.
Pikillacta Archaeological Site was built by the Wari culture around 500AD and shows how the Inca learned from previous civilisations. The site is huge, and best visited with a guide who can explain the functions of the different areas. Don’t miss the views from the viewpoint at the wall above the main entrance.
Tipon demonstrates the skill of the Inca’s hydrological engineering, with large terraces and lots of water channels bringing water to crops and so the Inca had fresh water to drink. The town of Tipon is also renowned for its Guinea Pig dishes, so plan a stop for lunch there if you’re feeling brave!
These Cusco tours include visits to Pikallacta and Tipon:
Want More Peru Travel Ideas?
Check out these blog posts for your Peru vacation inspiration, or click here to read all my Peru blog posts.Where to Stay in Cusco
The central area around the Plaza de Armas is the most convenient and close to all the major attractions but it tends to be busier and noisy at times. The San Blas neighbourhood is pretty and quieter, but anywhere away from the central plaza tends to be a good walk up a hill which can be a challenge with heavy bags!
READ MORE: The Ultimate Cusco City Guide
The Best Hostels in Cusco
There are a dizzying number of hostels in Cusco to choose from, these are some of the best Cusco hostels for backpackers and budget travellers.
La Wak’a Perdida Hostel
La Wak’a Perdida is a small new hostel which only has one 8 bed dorm and a double room, so is cosy and quiet. The owner is friendly, and breakfast is included in the rate or there is a kitchen to cook your own food. It’s about 15 minutes’ walk from the Plaza de Armas, close to San Blas. BOOK NOW>>>
Pariwana Hostel Cusco
Pariwana Hostel is a very popular Cusco Hostel, and is a sociable place with a bar and large terrace area for ping pong and socialising. It is a borderline party place, but at the same time not crazy so you can still sleep.
Breakfast is included, there is no kitchen but you can order food at the bar if you don’t fancy going out to eat. Private rooms and dorms are available. Very central, a couple of blocks from Plaza de Armas. BOOK NOW>>>
Hospedaje Turistico Recoleta
Hospedaje Turistico Recoleta is small and homely hostel with great reviews for being a lovely place to relax and chill before or after the trek to Machu Picchu! >>>BOOK NOW
Kokopelli Hostel Cusco
Kokopelli Hostel Cusco is THE place to stay in Cusco if you want to party but still with a comfy bed in a decent dorm room. >>>BOOK NOW
Cusco Hotels
There is no shortage of hotels in Cusco either, from luxury properties to family-run guesthouses. Check out the ratings for all Cusco Hotels on Booking.com or check out my top picks for Cusco hotels:
Antigua Casona San Blas
Antigua Casona San Blas is a 4* boutique hotel in the San Blas neighbourhood, which gets rave reviews for the friendly staff, excellent service and well-appointed rooms. San Blas is up a steep hill from Plaza de Armas so it isn’t ideal if you have mobility issues. >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
Katari at Plaza de Armas Cusco
The location of Katari at Plaza de Armas Cusco can’t be beaten – it is on the corner of the Plaza de Armas right in the centre of Cusco. Guests love the location, staff and comfort but the free wifi isn’t the best. >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
Casa Matara Boutique
Another lovely boutique hotel, the family-owned Casa Matara is beautifully furnished with a blend of modern and traditional Peruvian decor. The comfortable beds and spacious bedrooms, and it’s just a 9 minute walk from Plaza de Armas. >>>CHECK PRICES & AVAILABILITY
Airbnb in Cusco
There are also plenty of options for Airbnb in Cusco, like this charming apartment in the city centre, or check out the range of apartments on Booking.com, which often have better cancellation terms than Airbnbs in Cusco.
Have you been to Cusco and taken any day tours? What were your favourite day trips from Cusco Peru? I’d love to read your comments below.
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I visited Peru a decade ago so much of this sounds familiar but I missed most of your suggestions! The Rainbow site sounds amazing and Ollantaytambo is a city I’d gladly return to. Sadly altitude sickness messed with much of my comfort during my entire trip!
A visit to Peru is very high up on my list. We wanted to go there last spring, but we ended up in Patagonia instead, lol. We are hoping to make it to Cusco by the end of the year and I’d love to try some of these day trips. I would particularly be interested in visiting Lake Titicaca. I’m glad to see some hotel recommendations in your post. That’s very helpful.
We were so disappointed last to have to cancel our Machu Picchu trip. But with some idea about day tours from Cusco, we can plan a better trip next time. But I did not know that you could do just a day trip to see Machu Picchu. Pictures of Rainbow Mountain have been tantalizing for me a while. Not sure that the climate change reason for the colours being visible is great. But the colours are great to see. The Sacred Valley would definitely be on our list. It looks like we could probably spent a week just travelling from Cusco.
Would definitely make Cusco my central point for like 3-4 days, after this post, when I visit Macchu Picchu. Everyone I know has only visited Cusco to see Macchu Picchu and some went on to explore Moray. But I am so glad you included Pikillacta and Humantay in your list! Also I didn’t know you could get day tours from Cusco to Lake Titicaca! Thanks for such a thoughtful list 😀
I prefer traveling independently and doing things on my own. For visiting Machu Picchu I would hike up by myself.
And afterward, I would go to Pisac and would have a good massage there.
To be honest Peru and Machu Picchu have been on my bucket list for a quite long time now. But, what keeps me away from Machu Picchu are the crowds. I have read somewhere that about 4.000 people a day visit Machu Picchu. That was a huge deal breaker for me. Please tell me that’s not true.
xoxo Milijana
What a fascinating area. I can see why you have spent so much time there, so much to absorb! I’d love to visit the Uros Islands as I’ve not heard of any islands made of reed before. But those Circular Terraces, wow. They look like perfect circles, which can’t possibly have been easy to do considering the terrain. Have they always been so ‘perfect’ looking? Or did modern times clean them up a bit? Excellent write up Claire, so interesting!
I didn’t know about the Rainbow Mountain Day Tour from Cusco to add to the Macchu Pichu Tour/ Wow, all these make a trip to Cusco so valuable!
This year I need to go back to South America and Peru is at the top of the list at the moment. I’m glad I found your post – some of these options look very interesting (lake, biking). Lots to consider…