How Many Days In Cusco Is Enough?
I recommend a minimum of 3 days in Cusco to enjoy the city. This gives you a day to explore the centre and then two days to make the journey to Machu Picchu and back.
However, 5 days in Cusco is much better to see Machu Picchu and enjoy more of the highlights such as Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake.
Here’s what I recommend:
| How Many Days In Cusco | Activities | Perfect For... |
|---|---|---|
|
3 Days |
Cusco city day, 2-day / 1-night trip to Machu Picchu |
Travellers with limited time |
|
5 Days |
Cusco city day, Rainbow Mountain, 2-day / 1-night trip to Machu Picchu |
Travellers with extra time who want to see more of Cusco |
|
7 Days or more |
More time in the Sacred Valley or multi-day hikes such as the Salkantay |
Travellers looking to do a multi-day hike |
I did the Salkantay Trek so spent over a week in Cusco - a few days before to adjust to the altitude and see Rainbow Mountain, then a few days after to recover as well. Not every has the time to spare though. 3 days in Cusco is enough to see Machu Picchu on a whistle-stop tour. Extend to 5 to see more of the highlights.
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
Itinerary #1 - 3 Days In Cusco Without Machu Picchu
Here’s a quick breakdown of this 3-day Cusco itinerary that doesn’t include Machu Picchu:
| Day | Where? | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Cusco |
Free Walking Tour, Museums and Cooking Class |
|
2 |
Cusco |
Rainbow Mountain Tour |
|
3 |
Cusco |
Visit the Sacred Valley |
Day 1 - Cusco City Day
Begin your first day in Cusco with a free walking tour around the city. Not only will you learn the local history, but you’ll learn some local secrets and find out the best places to eat and drink.
Inkan Milkyway run tours three tours each day at; 10 AM, 1 PM and 3:30 PM, except on Sunday when there is only one tour at 10 AM.
They will take you to most of the attractions in Cusco such as Plaza de Armas, Mercado San Pedro, and the Palace of Pachaquteq.
After this, you have lots of options to fill the rest of the day.
You could head to the Choco museum. You can either buy some from the shop or go on their ‘From Bean To Bar’ tour to learn how to make chocolate yourself.
However, I always prefer a food tour and cooking class to get to know a city better.
On this highly rated tour you’ll visit San Pedro Market, pick out fresh ingredients, and cook classic dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado with a local chef.
It’s hands-on, tasty, and a great way to connect with Peruvian culture.
Day 2 - Rainbow Mountain
One of the most popular options for a day tour from Cusco is Rainbow Mountain.
The short but challenging trek up to 5,200m to see this colourful sight is a fantastic day trip if you think you can stomach the altitude.
The panoramic views and the intense colours of the mountains are breath-taking and unlike other treks you will come across in South America.
On top of this, the challenge of reaching 5,200m and conquering a high-altitude mountain can only make you feel good.
Read the full guide here for everything you need to know about how to pack, what to expect and the best companies to book with:
Day 3 - Visit The Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is a region in Peru’s Andean highlands that was the heart of the Inca Empire.
A full-day tour will take you to Pisac market, Ollantaytambo, the Moras Salt Mines and a small village called Chinchero.
The tour will lead you on a trip through time visiting archaeological sites and the spectacular agricultural terraces which the Incas are famous for.
Itinerary #2 - 3 Days In Cusco With Machu Picchu
Here’s a quick breakdown of this 3-day Cusco itinerary that includes Machu Picchu:
| Day | Where? | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Cusco |
Walking Tour, Chocolate Tour, Museums |
|
2 |
Aguas Calientes |
Travel By Train Through The Sacred Valley |
|
3 |
Machu Picchu |
6:00 AM Entrance To Machu Picchu For Sunrise |
Day 1 - Cusco City Day
Once you arrive in Cusco, follow the same day 1 suggestion as the 3-day itinerary above.
You will also want to use this time to organise your transport to Aguas Calientes.
The bus is much cheaper but takes around 8 hours so you will need to leave first thing in the morning on day 2.
If you aren’t on as tight a budget, then get the train.
It takes 3 hours, it’s a beautiful journey through the Sacred Valley and it takes you all the way to Aguas Calientes.
For more on booking bus or train transport to Aguas Calientes and visiting Machu Picchu, check out the post below which has all the information you need:
Day 2 - Travel To Aguas Calientes
The next morning, you can either take the train or bus to Aguas Calientes and stay for the night.
I recommend Super Tramp Hostel as one of the best backpacker hostels here. Or Gringo Bills for a great affordable hotel.
If you have some time, explore the small town. A couple of fun things to do include:
- Visit to the Manuel Chavez Ballon Site Museum. The museum is named after the archaeologist Manuel Chavez Ballon and pays homage to the Peruvian archaeologist who spent much of his life researching Machu Picchu.
- The Butterfly House is a local conservation project dedicated to studying local butterfly species as well as increasing the butterfly population through a reproduction-and-release program. Guided tours cost 10 soles and lasts about 15 to 20 minutes.
Day 3 - Machu Picchu
Early on the morning of day 3, it’s finally time to climb the 1,600+ stairs up to Peru’s most popular tourist attraction.
When you need to leave depends on what time ticket you purchased. However, I would recommend trying to get a 6:00 AM ticket which is the earliest entry possible.
Most people wake up around 4.30AM and wait outside the gates from 5:00 AM. When the gates open you can start the hike up. The alternative is to wait and take the bus which will get you to the top quicker.
Either way, you’ll be one of the first people into Machu Picchu, catching the sunrise and largely having the place to yourself (at least for half an hour, until it eventually becomes packed as more and more tour buses turn up).
You can buy tickets from the official website here:
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
Itinerary #3 - 5 Days In Cusco With Machu Picchu
Here’s a quick breakdown of this 5-day Cusco itinerary that includes Machu Picchu:
| Day | Where? | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Cusco |
Walking Tour, Chocolate Tour, Museums |
|
2 |
Cusco |
Rainbow Mountain Tour |
|
3 |
Cusco |
Rest Day, Massage & Prep For Machu Picchu |
|
4 |
Aguas Calientes |
Travel By Train Through The Sacred Valley |
|
5 |
Machu Picchu |
6:00 AM Entrance To Machu Picchu For Sunrise |
Day 1 - Cusco City Day
As already mentioned, use the Cusco city day recommendations from the first itinerary to fill out your day – whether it be massages, walking tours or museums.
Day 2 - Rainbow Mountain
You have so many options for how you want to visit Rainbow Mountain.
If you are just looking for the most afforable tour, then this highly rated one is worth checking out:
The difficult trek isn’t for everyone though. If you want a slightly easier trek but still want to see a Rainbow Mountain (yes, there’s more than one in the region) then Palccoyo could be for you.
It’s an easier trek as you less elevation to climb but you still get incredible views of the Andes:
Day 3 - Cusco City Day
It’s likely that the day after Rainbow Mountain you’ll be feeling a little tired. Take this day to sleep in, rest up and recover before another two big days filled with activities.
You may want to go and get a massage or do some last-minute shopping before your trip to Machu Picchu.
You can also do this day to get any final admin done such as booking your bus or train tickets to Aguas Calientes
For more information on things to do in Cusco:
Day 4-5- Aguas Calientes
Follow the same plan outlined in the previous itinerary, either taking the train or bus to Aguas Calientes on Day 4.
On Day 5 you visit Machu Picchu and either stay the night in Aguas Calientes or return to Cusco.
For more information on booking the train, head to the post below for everything you need to know:
Itinerary #4 - 7 Days In Cusco With The Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu
Here’s a quick breakdown of this 7-day Cusco itinerary that includes Machu Picchu and the Salkantay Trek:
| Day | Where? | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Cusco |
City day, Prep for Salkantay |
|
2-6 |
Salkantay Trek |
Humantay Lake, Salkantay Mountain, & Machu Picchu |
|
7 |
Cusco |
Recovery Day |
Day 1 - Cusco City Day
Aside from seeing the city, make sure you also book yourself onto the Salkantay Trek. This was one of the best experiences during my time in Peru.
Day 2-6 - The Salkantay Trek
Hopefully, you’ve spent some time in Arequipa or at Lake Titicaca so you will need less time to acclimatise in Cusco before starting the Salkantay Trek.
On the first day you have a 5:00 AM start in Cusco, a long drive and then a short but intense trek up to 4,200m at Humantay Lake.
I won’t go into the details of each day of the Salkantay Trek here, but after Humantay Lake, you’ll cross the Salkantay Pass, visit thermal baths and trek through jungles before finally making your way to Machu Picchu.
Everything you need to know about the other days is covered here in the Salkantay Trek Guide below for more information:
Day 7 - Cusco
You will want an extra day planned in after the Salkantay Trek for several reasons: general rest and recovery, a massage, and travel admin such as washing your clothes and repacking before heading on to your next destination.
The 5 day trek is intense, and you will come back feeling fantastic but also in need of a bit of rest and relaxation.
All my clothes needed washing, and I hadn’t had a lie in for 4 days. Getting on a plane or bus the next day to a new town is not what you want to be doing – trust me.
If you need some ideas for backpacking routes and itineraries across South America , then the posts below have everything you need:
Cusco & Machu Picchu Itinerary FAQs
How Many Days Do You Need In Cusco?
You need a minimum of 3-days in Cusco to enjoy everything it has to offer.
Due to the altitude change, you will need a day to adapt and take it easy exploring the city. The other two days can be spent on treks or tours, visiting all the incredible scenery outside of Cusco.
If you would like to see Cusco as well as visit Machu Picchu, I recommend taking a minimum of 5 days in total.
How Many Days Do You Need For Cusco and Machu Picchu?
You will need 3 days minimum to visit Cusco and Machu Picchu. Your first day can be spent in Cusco acclimatising and organising your transport.
The second day will be for travelling to Aguas Calientes – the nearest town to Machu Picchu. The third day is spend climbing up to Machu Picchu.
However, 5 days is the perfect amount of time for Cusco and Machu Picchu as it means you can spend a bit longer in the city and do some of the other great activities around Cusco such as Rainbow Mountain without having to be in a mad rush all the time.
This will also give you an extra day in Cusco after you return from Machu Picchu to rest and recuperate.
For more on backpacking in Peru , check out these expertly planned backpacking itineraries and travel routes:
To see how a visit to Machu Picchu can be combined with the Galapagos Islands, check out the post below:
“We ended up with a better itinerary than anything a travel agent suggested – and without the hefty price tag!
Jerry & Maria – 5 Weeks In South America
Planning a trip to
Struggling with any of this?
✔ Don’t know where to start planning
✔ Spending hours researching… and still feeling stuck
✔ Want freedom, not a rigid tour
✔ Don’t want to spend $5,000+ on a travel agent
You don’t have to figure it out solo.
I help travellers like you plan custom South America trips that are efficient, affordable, and totally personalised.
