Cusco UNESCO sites

Our most recommended Cusco UNESCO sites

Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Day Trip and Red Valley (Optional)

Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Day Trip and Red Valley (Optional)

Experience the incredible beauty of Rainbow Mountain on a guided hiking tour. You get a chance to see alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas while soaking in the stunning mountain views during the journey. Savor a local lunch before heading back to your accommodation in Cusco.  Your professional tour guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Cusco between 3:30 AM and 4:00 AM. After a 2-hour drive, you will arrive in Cusipata where you will stop for breakfast and buy water and snacks for the trek. Following breakfast, you'll travel one more hour to the hike starting point, at 4,850 meters. From there you will start your 3.5-kilometer trek to Rainbow Mountain over both flat and uphill terrain. During your hike, you will enjoy amazing views and encounters with wild alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas. Once you reach the top at 5,010 meters, you can make use of some free time to take a break, and if the weather is good, you will be able to enjoy views over Rainbow Mountain. You'll go downhill to the starting spot for another hour. Then, take transportation back to Cusipata where a local lunch will be waiting for you. Once you finish your buffet lunch you will travel back to Cusco, where you will arrive between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM at Plaza de Armas.

Cusco: Humantay Lake with Breakfast and Buffet Lunch

Cusco: Humantay Lake with Breakfast and Buffet Lunch

Your professional tour guide will pick you up at your homestay, hostel or hotel in Cusco between 3:30 AM and 4:00 AM. After a 2-hour drive, you will arrive in Mollepata where we will stop for breakfast and pick up water and snacks for the trek. After breakfast, travel 1 more hour to Soraypampa. Once you arrive at this high mountain plateau, admire the beautiful mountains Apu Salkantay (6,230 meters above sea level) and Humantay (5,250 meters above sea level) above sea level. The tour itself reaches an altitude of 4,200 meters. After a short time preparing your day pack you will start the 2-hour trek to Humantay Lake. The way up to Humantay Lake is steep however your group is small and your guide will let you take your time to enjoy the trek.  Enjoy the views of Humantay Lake and enjoy an optional small climb above the lake to the right or left where you can enjoy a panoramic view.  Next, you will have the easy part of your trek. Go downhill to Soraypampa for another hour. Then you will take your private transportation back to Mollepata where a local lunch will be waiting for you. Once you finish your buffet lunch you will go back to Cusco arriving between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM at the drop-off near Plaza de Armas.

From Cusco: Sacred Valley & Maras Salt Mines Tour with Lunch

From Cusco: Sacred Valley & Maras Salt Mines Tour with Lunch

Your professional tour guide will pick you up from your accommodation in the historic center of Cusco, or from a nearby meeting point, between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM. Travel first to Chinchero, a small rustic town with a long tradition of textile weaving. See various textiles woven using traditional Incan techniques, followed by a visit to the first archaeological site and a beautiful old church. Next, you will visit Moray and see the agricultural terraces built along the hillsides. These terraces were built by the Incas to grow an abundance of crops on less-than-ideal mountain terrain. Right next to this area, at Moras, there are over 5000 salt ponds which were used by the Incas for salt extraction. This helped preserve their foods for long periods. After learning about Incan agricultural techniques, make your way to Urubamba, the capital of the Sacred Valley, for a buffet lunch. After lunch, make your way to two historical towns, Ollantaytambo and Pisaq. At Ollantaytambo, you will climb over 200 steps to reach the top of the ancient terraced fortress that overlooks the town. This was an important defensive location during Incan times. At Pisaq, you will also visit an archaeological site and learn about its important history, followed by some time to shop for souvenirs and local crafts.

From Cusco: Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain ATV Tour with Meals

From Cusco: Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain ATV Tour with Meals

Itinerary: The mountain of colors or Vinicunca is one of the 5 most beautiful mountains in the world for the colors it has, it is also listed by the National Geographic magazine as one of the 100 most visited places in the world. Our trip will head towards the southern valley of Cusco. The travel company will pick you up from your hotel at a designated time one day before the trip. This adventure does not stop, we will start a 2 hour drive to the district of Cusipata. It is there where our breakfast will be waiting for us in a local restaurant (to support the economy of the poor families). After breakfast we will continue the trip for 1 hour and 40 minutes more to the rural community of Qáyrahuiri, it is here where the ATVs are waiting for us to start the adventure. Before starting the adventure in the ATVs we will have an instruction and practice. Here we all will start the adventure in the ATV machines with destination to the mountain of colors or vinicunca for an estimated time of 15 minutes (3km). To enjoy this enigmatic place we will take a 5 minute walk to take souvenir photos and an explanation of the place (approx. 50 minutes). Finally all the group will return to the atvs to return to the bus for the return trip to the restaurant for lunch. The tour has a duration of 12 hours (7h.40m round trip bus) (30m round trip atv) free time in the mountain (50m regulated by the government). The tour ends at REGOSIJO Square according to your reservation schedule. ✔️Important: The 8.30 am shift does not include hotel pick-up and breakfast, keep in mind.

From Cusco: Moray, Maras Salt Mines & Chinchero Weavers Tour

From Cusco: Moray, Maras Salt Mines & Chinchero Weavers Tour

Get picked up from your hotel in Cusco and set off for Chinchero, situated at an elevation of 3,762 meters. Take a tour of a weaving workshop, where local artisans continue the Quechua tradition. See how they use natural plants to extract colors for their Andean art. Continue to Moray, situated at an elevation of 3,450 meters (11,318 feet). Marvel at the mesmerizing terraced landscape and irrigation system. Next, visit Maras Village and see the preserved colonial architecture and thin-stoned buildings. Proceed to the remarkable Salineras salt mines, comprising 3,000 small pools. Explore this historic site that dates back to pre-Inca times and continues to produce salt that is processed and distributed in the region. Finally, return to the city in time to enjoy lunch on your own.

From Cusco: Full-Day Group Tour of Machu Picchu

From Cusco: Full-Day Group Tour of Machu Picchu

Start the adventure by picking up your accommodation within the historic center of the city of Cusco, traveling by tourist bus to the train station in Ollantaytambo (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes). Boarding the train to Aguas Calientes (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes), arrival at the train station in Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo). Assistance from the agency to take the bus to the entrance gate of Machu Picchu (approximately 25 minutes), Guided tour of Machu Picchu (approximately 2 hours), after the guided tour, assistance to take the bus back to the town from Aguas Calientes (approximately 25 minutes), free time to have lunch on your own in one of the typical restaurants in the area, at the previously indicated time, you must be at the Aguas Calientes train station to board the train to destination to Ollantaytambo station (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes), when you arrive at Ollantaytambo station, the bus will be waiting to take you back to your accommodation in Cusco (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes).

Cusco: Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Guided Day with Meals

Cusco: Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Guided Day with Meals

Begin your adventure with a hotel pickup in Cusco between 3:00 AM and 3:30 AM. Enjoy a scenic 1.5-hour drive to Qollasuyo, passing through the Cusipata district, where you'll stop for a 30-minute breakfast. Afterward, continue your journey for another hour until you reach Fulawasipata, where you'll receive a brief introduction to your hike. Set off on your trek at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range, starting a 1-hour and 45-minute ascent to the summit of Rainbow Mountain. Along the way, you may spot various South American camelids, such as llamas and alpacas. Upon reaching the red hill, you'll be greeted by breathtaking views of the vibrant landscape. After taking in the views, begin your 1-hour descent through flatter terrain, returning to the trailhead. From there, head back to Cusipata to indulge in a delicious buffet lunch. Finally, you'll return to Cusco, arriving at Plaza Regocijo/Kusipata around 4:30 PM, conveniently located near many hotels.

From Cusco: Moray and Salt Mines Quad Bike Tour

From Cusco: Moray and Salt Mines Quad Bike Tour

Get your adrenaline pumping as you ride quad bikes through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Visit the Incan archeological site of Moray and discover the Maras Salt Mines on a trip from Cusco. Depart Cusco and head to Cruzpata where you'll receive instructions on how to drive your quad bike safely. Start your adventure riding through the Sacred Valley while taking in beautiful views of snow-capped mountains. Drive your quad bikes to the Moray archeological site and enjoy a quick visit with your guide. after drive again your atv from Moray Until the basecamp. Park the quads and take the van to visit the the Salt mines of Maras. Hop back on our Minivan to Cusco.

Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Early-Access Tour with Red Valley

Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Early-Access Tour with Red Valley

Start with pickup from your hotel in Cusco between 3:00 AM and 3:30 AM. Travel for approximately 1.5 hours to Qollasuyo. Pass through the district of Cusipata with a stop for a 30-minute breakfast. From there, continue onwards with the journey for 1 hour until reaching Fulawasipata. Here, take a pause for a quick brief on how the journey will be carried out. Begin the walk at the foot of the Ausangate mountain range. This will be followed by an ascent of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to the highest point of the Rainbow Mountain. During this journey, you will have the opportunity to see the different types of South American camelids, a relative of the camel. Upon reaching the red hill, take in the beautiful scenery. Finally, continue the journey with a 1-hour descent into the flat terrain and back to the starting point of the hike. Return to Cusipata to enjoy a buffet lunch.  Following lunch, return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 4:30 PM at Plaza Regocijo/Kusipata, centrally located and close to all hotels.

Machu Picchu: Full-Day Tour from Cusco with Optional Lunch

Machu Picchu: Full-Day Tour from Cusco with Optional Lunch

Discover the magic of the Andes and Machu Picchu on a full-day trip from Cusco. Marvel at mountain views on a train to Aguas Calientes. Hop on a comfortable bus to Machu Picchu and begin a guided tour. Upgrade your experience with the option to include an authentic Peruvian lunch. Start with pickup from your hotel in Cusco and travel to Ollantaytambo Station to board the train to Aguas Calientes. This is the nearest town to Machu Picchu. Enjoy a scenic train journey through dramatic Andean landscapes. The train has ample seats with large windows allowing for grand views of the surrounding jungle and mountains.  Board a coach for a 25-minute ride to Machu Picchu. The city of Machu Pichu is believed to have been built in the 1450s by the Inca emperor Pachacuti as a holiday retreat. Within a century the city would be abandoned following the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards never found it, so it was spared the destruction they brought on other Inca sites. Instead, it was slowly swallowed up by the jungle and hidden from harm. Take a guided tour of the site which explains the origins behind this awe-inspiring citadel and its most prominent landmarks such as the monumental Main Square, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Circular Towers, the Sacred Sun Dial, and the Burial Grounds. After the tour, be returned to Aguas Calientes where you can take some free time to explore the city, or enjoy an optional lunch.  After some time in the town, return to Aguas Calientes station to take the train back to the Ollantaytambo Station, from there you will be taken back to your hotel.

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8 of the best museums in Cusco and what to see in them
8 of the best museums in Cusco and what to see in them

Cusco is internationally known as the launch point for Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan archeological site on many travelers' bucket lists. If you plan to visit the famous ruins, give yourself enough time to explore things to do in Cusco as well. It's an undeniably charming city with incredible food, history, architecture, and interactive places to visit. 

From colorful textiles to Incan artifacts to chocolate, here are the best museums in Cusco for your trip to the heart of Peru. 

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How to celebrate an epic Easter in Cusco
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Many Cuzqueños are devout Catholics, so Holy Week is one of the most important celebrations of the year in Cusco. The Incan and Spanish influences that shaped the city are reflected in longstanding traditions and customs today: Easter in Cusco is marked by everything from solemn religious events to lively family feasts.

Whether attending a spiritual mass at Cusco Cathedral, watching a dramatic procession wind its way through the streets from Plaza de Armas, or venturing to Macchu Picchu — the spectacular 15th-century Incan city — here’s how to spend Easter in Cusco.

Everything you need to know about Easter in Cusco

Easter traditions: The procession of Señor de los Temblores; Hampi Rantikuy (an event where healing herbs are purchased)
Best seasonal food to try: Sweet Easter empanadas
Key Easter dates: Holy Thursday and Good Friday are public holidays in Cusco
Average temperatures around Easter: Spring in Cusco sees pleasant daytime temperatures of 65-70 F (18-21 C), dropping to 40-45 F (4-7 C) at night

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The 8 best ways to experience Cusco in summer this year
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Discover Cusco in summer, from December to March, when the rainy season transforms the ancient Inca capital into a lush green landscape. Despite the frequent rainfall, summer is a great time to explore Cusco’s best sights, including the Saksaywaman fortress and the artisan quarter of San Blas. If you love discovering a city through food, you’ll enjoy Cusco’s local food tours and the San Pedro Market. When it rains, simply escape into Inca history at the Museo Inka. And remember: visiting Cusco in summer means discounted rates, fewer tourists, and stunning rain-washed landscapes when exploring its archaeological wonders.

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New Year’s Eve in Cusco: What to do and where to go
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Cusco knows how to ring in the new year with tradition and festivity. Join locals for fireworks at the Plaza de Armas, where they’ll show you how to welcome the year ahead, running around the fountain for luck or circling the block with a suitcase for a travel-filled year. Being a popular town in Peru and the gateway to Machu Picchu, there are plenty of ways to spend New Year’s Eve in Cusco, from sipping Pisco Sours, catching panoramic views from San Blas, or dancing the night away. Here’s how to spend New Year’s Eve in Cusco for a memorable, fun celebration.

Everything you need to know about New Year’s Eve in Cusco

  • Best free New Year’s Eve activity: Partaking in Peruvian traditions like running around the fountain in the main square and wearing yellow clothing
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  • Average temperature: 44–70 F (7–21 C)
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What people are saying about Cusco

Overall rating

4.8
(62 reviews)

It has been a unique experience. It is important to research the Circuits before booking, since this tour includes Circuit 3, and from this one you do not take the "popular photo" of Machu Picchu; however, you can also get nice photos. The tour is super organized, they give you all the information a day before and both Maria and Uriel are very attentive. Uriel gave us the tour, and he is not only very knowledgeable about the history of Machu Picchu, he is also a very good photographer. I recommend this tour 100%.

So well organized. Everything was as promised. Getting to and from Machu Picchu was super easy since the company had planned everything out so well. We booked Eduardo as our private guide in Machu Pichhu and he was so wonderful! Also, going during the offseason isn’t a bad idea at all. We have absolutely no complaints about our trip. An experience we will gladly remember for the rest of our lives. Thank you to everyone from Willka Travel who made it possible!

This trip was fantasti and well organized. Machu Picchu is an unbelievable place. our guide struggled a bit with conveying the history (language limitation ), but what's understood need not be explained. Definitely a MUST do when in Peru.

Lennin was the absolute man. Loved this tour, if you want to forget about everything book it.

It was amazing. Very professional company. Ask for the tour guide Willian!!!