Cusco is a great base for travellers visiting Peru. It’s the gateway city to Machu Picchu, and the surrounding area has some of the most beautiful landscapes, picturesque towns, colourful markets and ancient archaeological sites in Peru. This guide covers popular day trips from Cusco, either independently or as part of a group tour. I’m sharing my tips, experiences, and recommendations on the best day trips from Cusco to help you plan an amazing adventure in Peru.
Don’t forget to check out my city specific guide: Top Things to do in Cusco, Peru: The Best Attractions
6 Day Cusco Itinerary
First-up I thought it might be helpful to share our itinerary for each day and how we spent our time. With so many things to see and do in the Cusco region, it can get a little overwhelming figuring things out.
- Day 1 – Explore Cusco historical centre and get acclimatised
- Day 2 – Spend the morning exploring more Cusco sights. Take an afternoon Sacred Valley ATV Tour
- Day 3 – Hire a private driver to visit the Pisac and Ollantaytambo ruins & markets, catch a golden hour train to Aguas Calientes (overnight in Aguas Calientes)
- Day 4 – Early morning trip to Machu Picchu, enjoy the thermal baths, and catch the train back to Cusco
- Day 5 – Book a tour to Rainbow Mountain (full day)
- Day 6 – Hike to Humantay Lake (full day tour)
IMPORTANT: Rail strikes in Cusco meant we couldn’t take the train back as planned on day 4, we were forced to stay an extra night in Aguas Calientes. As a result we didn’t have time to check out Humantay Lake. Strikes do happen frequently, so I’d advise checking the news regularly prior to your trip.
Boleto Turistico (Cusco)
One of the first things I recommend doing is making a list of all the things you want to see in Cusco as you look into the area. If you plan to visit multiple sites within the Sacred Valley of the Incas, it will be worthwhile buying a Boleto Turistico del Cusco (Cusco Tourist Ticket). These tickets allow access to 16 of the most popular areas. They can be purchased in Cusco at tourist offices and also any site on the ticket (except for the Museum of Contemporary Art and Monument of Pachacutec). There are a few ticket options to choose from but the main one costs 130 soles (approx. 35USD) and is valid for ten days.
Getting Around the Cusco Region
If you are short on time or travelling as a group, hiring a private driver to stop at specific areas you wish to see is worth considering. It does cost a little more but worth it in my opinion. Travelling by Colectivo (public minibuses following set routes) offers a budget-friendly option to get around the region. You can also pack in more sights by booking some group tours. During my visit, I booked group tours and a private driver and planned a visit to Machu Picchu independently. Throughout the guide I’m sharing which options our group chose to do.
Sacred Valley Trips & Tours from Cusco
There are day trips from Cusco that combine both Písac and Ollantaytambo, two of the main Inca sites in the Cusco region. Visiting these areas on the same day is a great way to maximise your time. We chose to hire a private driver from Cusco so we could see the specific sights we wanted during our trip.
Moray
In the Sacred Valley, around an hour and a half drive from Cusco, are the Inca ruins of Moray. This archaeological site consists of several terraced circular depressions and gives an insight into Inca farming. The multiple terrace rings provided varying temperatures and micro-climates to grow a variety of crops, much like modern day greenhouses. The scale is a very impressive sight.
Maras Salt Mines
The staggered mountainside Maras Salt Mines are a unique sight in the area. Pink salt has been harvested by the community here for generations, since before the Inca empire. They still use ancient traditions and customs to extract the mineral-rich salt. As Maras is in the Sacred Valley, it’s typically one of several stops you’ll make on a day tour.
*Maras Salt Mines are not included in the Cusco tourist ticket and costs an extra 10 soles (3USD).
Sacred Valley Half-Day ATV Tour from Cusco
Visiting Moray and the Maras Salt Mines were on my Cusco must-see list. After spending the morning exploring Cusco, we chose to spend the afternoon doing a half-day ATV tour through the Sacred Valley.
The ATV tour included a pick-up from the historical centre of Cusco. From there, we headed into the countryside to pick up our ATV/Quad bikes. The tour operator gave us a lesson on operating the vehicles, and we were on our way into the mountains along farm and dirt tracks towards the Moray archaeological site. The scenery was incredible! The thrill of the ride also made this an experience I will never forget. Due to the road conditions, buses take visitors to the Maras Salt Mines. We arrived not long before sunset, which made the colours of the salt pans pop even more. Tip: Wear dark clothing as the dust gets everywhere.
Písac Market & Ruins
Driving 30-40 minutes from Cusco, over the hills and into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, lies the town of Písac, a popular place to visit on day trips. It’s most famous for colourful textile markets and picturesque hilltop Inca ruins. Narrow streets are filled with ceramics, souvenirs, textiles, jewellery and crafts. There are also many restaurants and food stalls. It is open every day, but Sundays see the largest number of vendors.
Allow at least 90 minutes to explore the ancient Inca settlement as the area is large. There are also steep steps and uphill sections alongside the high altitude, so it may take longer to explore.
Ollantaytambo Ruins & Markets
Over on the other side of the Sacred Valley from Písac is Ollantaytambo. This quaint little village is often overlooked on the route to Macchu Picchu, but it has some of the most preserved Inca ruins.
The ruins are an ancient Inca fortress built into the steep hillside. Climbing 200 steps will take you to the top with beautiful views of Ollantaytambo and the river valley.
There is a market at the foot of the ruins and down some narrow streets. They’re selling much of the same souvenirs and crafts, but the traditional decorations seem a little more authentic. Tip: I found this market cheaper than those in Cusco and Písac.
Machu Picchu
No list of the best day trips from Cusco would be complete without featuring Machu Picchu. The famous New World Wonder is one of the top tourist attractions in South America and a visit to the Inca citadel is a must-do.
Day Trips to Machu Picchu from Cusco
Visitors often choose to visit Machu Picchu and head back to Cusco on the same day. It is possible to coordinate on your own or as part of a tour. Get Your Guide has a number of day trip tours from Cusco that takes care of bus transportation, rail and citadel tickets. But if you want to coordinate the trip yourself, I advise buying tickets from the official site instead of a third party. Below are some more tips to help you coordinate a trip to Machu Picchu on your own.
How to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco
One of the easiest ways to get from Cusco to Machu Picchu is by taking the train up to Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu town. Inca Rail and Peru Rail are two companies offering this service. Several train types include entertainment, food and a glass roof to make the most of the view.
We chose to board the train in Ollantaytambo and made the scenic journey up to Machu Picchu in 1.5 hours. We set off early from Cusco and spent the day exploring sights in both Pisac and Ollantaytambo before boarding the train. This meant we were spending the night in Aguas Calientes and had citadel tickets for Machu Picchu the next morning. Unless you wish to hike, remember to purchase bus tickets from Aguas Calientes up to the citadel as these are not included in your entry tickets.
Inca Trail Trips from Cusco
Another option is to hike on the famous Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu. There are Inca trail trek options that take anywhere from 1 day to 4 days to complete, with various starting points.
Check out my in-depth guide on how to plan your trip: How to Buy Machu Picchu Tickets Online
Day Trips to Rainbow Mountain from Cusco
In recent years day tours to the Rainbow Mountains have become increasingly popular. The Rainbow Mountains or Montaña de Siete Colores sit at a very high altitude up in the Andes Mountain range and display spectacular colourful mineral layers resembling a rainbow.
There are tours to two different Rainbow Mountain areas. Vinicunca is the famous one. It sits at 17,060 ft (5,200m) and is the highest peak. The hike is more challenging as there is a steep incline to reach the top. There is also an option to continue hiking to see the Red Valley. It’s an area where the mountains are varying shades of, you guessed it, red.
Palccoyo is off the beaten path and much lesser-known. It sits at 16,076 (4,900m) and is slightly lower in elevation. The elevation gain is slow, steady and shorter than the hike in Vinicunca. There are three rainbow mountains to see here. There is also an opportunity to witness Andean farming communities at work during the drive up there. Whichever you visit, you’re in for breathtaking views and beautiful nature. You can check out the various day trips available from Cusco.
Read more about my tour to Rainbow Mountain: Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain: An Alternative Tour
Day Trips to Humantay Lake
Humantay Lake is an alpine lake with turquoise blue waters surrounded by dramatic glacial peaks. The hike to the lake is around 6.2miles (10km) round trip and takes a full day due to the altitude. The elevation goes from 12,700ft (3900m) to 13,780ft (4200m). The trail can become crowded, so booking a tour that leaves early in the morning will help avoid the crowds. Ensure you have spent some days in Cusco acclimatising before doing this hike. Due to circumstances outwith our control, we didn’t make it to Humantay Lake.
Thanks so much for reading. I hope this guide has inspired you to check out the best day trips and tours from Cusco. Have a great adventure in Peru, and if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below or find me over on Instagram.
Don’t forget to save and share for later!
Cusco looks like a great place to base yourself, particularly for doing day trips. Macchu Piccu is on my bucket list. Your post will make my visit, when I finally get there, so much easier to organise.
Thank you, that’s great to hear!
Visiting Machu Picchu is one of the items on my bucket list. Thanks for this detailed guide. I’ll definitely come back to it.
Thank you, Machu Picchu is a dream!
This looks incredible. I visited Cusco back in 2015 and did the Inca trail but I never knew there was so much more to do! Think I missed a beat there… thanks for sharing 🙂
Well done on doing the Inca Trail 🙂
Cusco is somewhere I don’t often hear about. I’m glad to have stumbled upon your post! Thanks for sharing some interesting info!
Glad to hear you found it interesting 🙂
I LOVED Cusco! Honestly, it’s a fantastic place to base yourself. We did Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain, but I need to flag this for my next trip.
I loved it too, such a great city 🙂
Lovely post about a lovely country! I wish I had gotten to see Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain, but if you go back you must hike Huyana Picchu! 🙂
I’d love to but I think I’d be terrified coming back down the narrow steps!!
I went to Peru last year I did a 9 day trip (https://www.valenciatravelcusco.com/the-best-of-peru) and your post is bringing back so many memories of this amazing country! Thank you! You have inspired me to go back there!
Claire (another freckled-face expat hahaha)