Is Cusco Worth Visiting?
Yes, Cusco is absolutely worth visiting—if you only go to one place in Peru, make it this one.
With its mix of ancient Inca sites, epic hikes, and easy access to Machu Picchu, it deserves most of your time.
Here are some of the highlights to consider:
| Cusco Highlights | Worth It For... | 'Worth It' Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Sacred Valley |
Ancient Inca ruins, terraces and salt mines |
🔥🔥🔥 |
|
Humantay Lake |
High altitude lake surrounded by glaciers and mountains |
🔥🔥🔥🔥 |
|
Rainbow Mountain |
Becoming a bit touristy but still a great day trip |
🔥🔥🔥 |
|
Salkantay Trek |
5 days of epic hiking in the Andes |
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 |
|
Machu Picchu |
The number 1 reason people come to Peru |
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 |
My Thoughts On Cusco
- It’s a popular travel hub and there's so much to do and see
- The hiking opportunities are endless and most treks are easily accessible to beginners.
- Some sights like Rainbow Mountain are so popular that the crowds can get a bit much
“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.
My 10 Favourite Reasons To Visit Cusco
1. Get To Know The City On A Free Walking Tour
My first port of call when visiting a new city is to join a free walking tour. Not only will you learn the about the fascinating history of this city, but you’ll gain some local secrets and find out the best places to eat and drink.
I went with Inkan Milkway. There are 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.
You can book on their website here.
2. Explore The Sacred Valley
Located 12 miles (20kms) from Cusco in the Urubamba Valley, this area was ruled by the Incan empire until the Spanish conquest of 1533.
A full-day tour will take you to the highlights such as Pisac Market, Ollantaytambo and the Maras Salt Mines.
The tour will lead you on a trip through time visiting archaeological sites and the spectacular agricultural terraces which the Incas are famous for.
3. Trek Up To The Beautiful Humantay Lake
If you’re not embarking the epic multi-day Salkantay Trek, you may miss out on seeing Humantay Lake whilst in Cusco.
However, I think it’s definitely worth a visit and you can see it on a single day from Cusco. It’s a short but challenging trek up to 4200m but it’s well worth it once you reach the top.
This picturesque turquoise lake is fed by the glacial ice from the bordering snow-capped mountains.
If you want to see more of the Andes, then Laguna Humantay is a must. This highly rated tour is a great option.
Humantay Lake is one of my many reasons why I think you should visit Peru. For more great reasons, check out the post below:
4. Reach 5,200m Above Sea Level At Rainbow Mountain
Of course, the two hottest tourist destinations close to Cusco are; Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain.
If you’re in Cusco, Rainbow Mountain should naturally be on your to-do list. 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.
I’ve covered the whole day and what to expect in my Rainbow Mountain guide.
However, if you’re worried about the difficulty and want a slightly easier trek, but still see a Rainbow Mountain (yes, there’s more than one in the region) then Palccoyo could be for you.
5. Get To Know The City Better With A Food Tour
Cusco has some of the best food experiences in Peru. Here are my three favourites:
- Cocktails – Learn to make a proper pisco sour in a fun cocktail -making class.
- Chocolate – try your hand at chocolate making from bean to bar at the ChocoMuseo.
- Cooking Class – dive into local life with a market tour and cooking class. 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.
6. Learn About The Ancient Incan Empire
If you want to learn more about the Incas while you’re in Cusco, there are a few must-visit spots in the city.
- Start at Qorikancha (the Temple of the Sun), once the most sacred temple in the empire, where you can still see the original Inca walls beneath the colonial church.
- Then head up to Sacsayhuamán, a huge stone fortress just above the city with sweeping views and mind-blowing stonework.
- Finally, visit the Museo Inka, which brings everything together with artefacts, mummies, and displays explaining Inca life, culture, and craftsmanship.
If you hit these three sites in a day, you’ll have gotten a great feel for the ancient city and the Inca history.
“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.
7. Soothe Your Aching Muscles With A Massage
After all the hiking you’ve likely done, having a massage is the perfect way to relieve the tension and stress in your body.
Massage parlours are plentiful in Cusco, you’ll realise this by the number of times you’re asked if you want one when walking around the square.
The excess of supply means that massages are cheap and start at around $10. There are lots of options with deep-tissue, Swedish and the local Incan techniques (whatever that is), on offer. Expect to pay between $20-30 for their full treatments.
I went with Vitality Day Cusco located just off the main plaza at 2nd Floor, 204, Calle Espinar 190.
Some other excellent options are:
8. Get Yourself Ready For The Salkantay Trek
I think the Salkantay Trek is a must for hiking lovers and adventure enthusiasts coming to Cusco.
The five day trek takes you through the Andean mountains, from Humantay Lake on the first, to Machu Picchu on the last.
One of the best things about this trek is that it avoids the admin of having to plan and book a trip to Machu Picchu yourself.
Your ticket is included in the price and you end up reaching the ancient Incan site on the 5th day of the trek for sunrise, avoiding most of the crowds at the same time.
I’ve covered my experience on the Salkantay trek in the post below if you’re considering it:
9. Climb The 1600 Stairs To Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is the most iconic sight in Peru—and for good reason.
This ancient Inca citadel sits high in the Andes, surrounded by misty peaks and steep green terraces. It’s worth visiting not just for the ruins, but for the magic of the setting.
You can reach it by train and bus via Aguas Calientes (the easiest option), or take on one of the multi-day treks like the famous Inca Trail, Salkantay, or Inca Jungle for a more adventurous route through the mountains.
10. Cusco's Best Kept Secret - Asuangate
If you’re into hiking and want something off the beaten path, the Ausangate Trek is one of Peru’s best-kept secrets.
This high-altitude loop (around 70 km) takes you through the Vilcanota range southeast of Cusco, with jaw-dropping views of snow-capped peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, and herds of alpacas grazing in the wild.
It’s a physically demanding trek—most of it is above 4,000 m, with passes over 5,000 m—but the scenery is unreal and the trails are blissfully quiet.
If you’ve already done Machu Picchu or want something more remote and nature-focused, Ausangate is absolutely worth it.
“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.
How Many Days Do You Need In Cusco?
As you can tell, there’s a lot to do in this city.
I recommend a minimum of 5 days in Cusco to give you time to see the city and also visit Machu Picchu without rushing.
However, I feel like a full week is perfect to fit in the all the highlights.
This will likely be split over two occasions with a trip to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu in the middle.
Cusco 5-Day Itinerary
Here’s how I would spend 5 days in Cusco:
| Day | Where? | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Cusco |
Walking Tour, Museums and Food Tour |
|
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 |
On day 5 you can either stay in Aguas Calientes or return to Cusco before heading on to your next destination.
Are you travelling to other countries in South America apart from Peru? See how you can cross the border into Bolivia to turn this month into an extended South America backpacking trip:
Cusco 7-Day Itinerary
Here’s how to spend a week or more in Cusco and include a multi-day trek like the Salkantay:
| Day | Where? | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Cusco |
Walking Tour, Chocolate Tour, Museums |
|
2 |
Cusco |
Rest Day, Massage & Prep For Salkantay |
|
3-7 |
Salkantay Trek |
Humantay Lake, Salkantay Mountain, Thermal Baths & Machu Picchu |
|
8 |
Cusco |
Recovery Day |
Check out my full itinerary breakdown for 3, 5 and 7 days in Cusco here:
Where's The Best Area To Stay In Cusco?
Best Area To Stay In Cusco?
There are two main areas to stay when in Cusco. Either close to the main square or in the Urb San Cristobal region.
The latter is more of the party hostel district with hostels such as Loki and Wild Rover all located up the steep hill. However, it’s only a ten minute walk to the centre.
Everything in Cusco is centrally located so as long as your hotel or hostel is around the main square you’ll be fine.
Best Hostels In Cusco
I recommend staying at Kokopelli Hostel in Cusco. The delicate balance between a good social scene and being able to relax in peace and quiet has been well-curated here.
We always recommend staying somewhere a bit calmer and venturing out for the madness that establishments like Wild Rover offers.
How To Get To Cusco
Cusco is located in the South East of the country near the Urubamba Valley in the Andes. It isn’t located within the Amazon, but tours to the Amazon are available from the city.
There are two main ways to get to Cusco:
Flying To Cusco
The city has its own airport in the south-eastern part of the town. Internal direct flights from Lima cost under £30 ($40) and take just over an hour.
Most flights are operated by Sky Airlines Peru or LATAM.
Where to next after spending time in Peru? If you are looking to do an extended South America tour and include more countries then be sure to check out our expertly crafted itineraries below:
Buses To Cusco
Most people will be arriving from Arequipa, Puno or La Paz (Bolivia).
- The overnight bus from Arequipa takes roughly 11 hours and costs £10-20 ($15-25).
- The bus from Puno takes roughly 10 hours and costs £10-20 ($15-25).
- The bus from La Paz takes roughly 14 hours and costs £30-50 ($40-65)
The main terminal is called Terminal Terrestre de Cusco and is in the south of the city. You’ll need to take a taxi or uber into the city costing around £5 ($8).
The bus companies in Peru are numerous and easy to navigate. You can book your bus online or turn up on the day.
When's The Best Time To Visit Cusco?
Cusco has two distinct seasons, a rainy and dry season.
The rainy season is from November to April and the dry season is May to October.
November and December remain great times to visit as the weather is still pleasant and there are fewer tourists.
I was in Cusco during December and early January, and the weather was mostly dry. You probably want to avoid visiting between January and March as that’s when the rainfall is highest.
The high rainfall can also have an impact on trekking activities such as the Salkantay Trek and Rainbow Mountain, making trails muddier and more slippery.
For many people, they’ll visit during the summer holidays in June, July, and August. This is a great time to visit with clear skies and very little rain but it will be busier and prices will be higher. You’ll want to pack sunscreen!
For more on backpacking in Peru and South America, check out our itineraries and travel routes:
Cusco Elevation
Cusco is at an elevation of 3,400m above sea level.
That means it gets cold at night regardless of what the weather was like in the day. You’ll need warm clothes in the evening whichever month you visit.
This altitude makes it the ideal place to acclimatise before visiting Rainbow Mountain or embarking on the Salkantay Trek.
However, you may suffer altitude sickness in Cusco as 3,400m is still very high and walking around the city can be difficult. Take things slowly, drink lots of water and coca tea if you start suffering from sickness.
“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.
