Before you go

Your trip to Cusco.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Cusco – Cusco Destination Cusco, the Vale Sagrado and Machu Picchu Capital

How to get there

Aeropuerto Internacional Alejandro Velasco Astete (CUZ) Cusco · 4 km
Terminal Terrestre de Cusco 3 km
Estación de Poroy (trem para Machu Picchu) Poroy · 13 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Check before buying. The most common route is via Lima, with about a 1h20 flight to Cusco. Aeropuerto Internacional Alejandro Velasco Astete is 4 km from the Plaza de Armas, a 15–20 minute taxi ride. Buses from other cities arrive at the Terminal Terrestre, and the train to Machu Picchu departs from Poroy station, 13 km away.

How many days

Two days for the city: one for the Plaza de Armas, the Catedral, Qorikancha and San Blas; another for Sacsayhuamán, the Mercado de San Pedro and the museums. The first day should be light because of the altitude. With three or four days you can add Vinicunca or Laguna Humantay after you have acclimatised.

When to go

The dry season usually runs from May to September, with sunny days and cold nights near zero degrees. From December to March it usually rains in the afternoons. June is the month of Inti Raymi, the Sun festival, on June 24, and of Corpus Christi, when the city is crowded.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The centre is done on foot, with ups and downs, and taxis cover the longer journeys, such as to Sacsayhuamán and the terminal. For the Vale Sagrado there are vans, buses, taxis and organised tours. Driving in the centre, with narrow cobbled streets, is not worth it.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Cusco

Morning
Plaza de Armas and Cathedral
Start slowly at the Plaza de Armas and go into the Catedral, which houses the Last Supper by Marcos Zapata and the Señor de los Tremores. On the way out, see the façade of the iglesia de la Compañía.
Afternoon
Qorikancha
Walk down Avenida El Sol to Qorikancha, the Inca Sun temple beneath the convent of Santo Domingo, and see the fitted stone walls.
Late afternoon
San Blas
Walk up Hatun Rumiyoq street, featuring the 12-angle stone, to San Blas square, with workshops and views over the rooftops.
Evening
Dinner in the centre
Dine near the Plaza de Armas, with the square lit up. At altitude, choose a light meal and take alcohol slowly.

2 days in Cusco

Day 1

Morning
Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas and Catedral, with time to sit and acclimatise to the altitude.
Afternoon
Qorikancha
The Sun temple and the convent of Santo Domingo, with the garden and the onsite museum.
Late afternoon
San Blas
Hatun Rumiyoq, the 12-angle stone and the church of San Blas with its cedar pulpit.
Evening
Illuminated center
Dinner in the centre and a short walk around the square.

Day 2

Morning
Sacsayhuamán
Take a taxi up to Sacsayhuamán and see the zig-zag walls. If you have the energy, continue to Q'enqo and Tambomachay, which are included on the same ticket.
Afternoon
Mercado de San Pedro
Head down to Mercado de San Pedro for lunch at the stalls, jungle fruit juices and Oropesa breads.
Late afternoon
Museo de Arte Precolombino
Visit the MAP, in the Plazoleta de las Nazarenas, with gold, silver and ceramics from various cultures.
Evening
Andean dinner
Try Andean cuisine: quinoa soup, trout and grilled alpaca.

3 days in Cusco

Day 1

Morning
Light arrival
First day easy: Plaza de Armas and Catedral, with breaks.
Afternoon
Qorikancha
Sun temple and the convent of Santo Domingo.
Late afternoon
San Blas
Workshops, the 12-angle stone and the square's viewpoint.
Evening
Dinner
Light dinner near the square.

Day 2

Morning
Sacsayhuamán
Fortress and, if possible, Q'enqo and Tambomachay.
Afternoon
San Pedro
Lunch at Mercado de San Pedro.
Late afternoon
MAP
Museo de Arte Precolombino and the Plazoleta de las Nazarenas.
Evening
Rest
Sleep early: the next day's tour starts before dawn.

Day 3

Morning
Vinicunca or Humantay
Early-morning departure with an agency to Montaña Colorida (Vinicunca) or Laguna Humantay, with a high-altitude hike.
Afternoon
Hike and return
Descend at your own pace and return by van to Cusco, with a lunch stop en route.
Late afternoon
Arrival in Cusco
Arrival in Cusco late afternoon, tired; rest at the hotel.
Evening
Dinner and preparation
Dinner near the hotel and bags ready for the Vale Sagrado or Machu Picchu.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

What is the altitude of Cusco?

About 3,400 metres. Many travellers feel the altitude in the first days. Take it easy on the first day and, if possible, start the trip in the Vale Sagrado, which is lower. Consult your doctor before travelling.

What is the Cusco tourist ticket?

It is the ticket that groups several sites and museums of Cusco and the Vale Sagrado, such as Sacsayhuamán, Q'enqo, Tambomachay, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and Chinchero, with circuit versions. The Catedral, Qorikancha and Machu Picchu have separate tickets. Check the rules before buying.

When does Inti Raymi take place?

On June 24, with the reenactment of the Inca Sun festival at Qorikancha, the Plaza de Armas and Sacsayhuamán. The city fills up that week: book accommodation in advance.

Can you go from Cusco to Machu Picchu and return the same day?

You can, with the early-morning train departing from Poroy and the return in the late afternoon, but it's a long day and there is little time at the sanctuary. One night in Aguas Calientes makes the visit more relaxed.

Is it cold in Cusco?

Nights are cold year-round, and from May to September temperatures often reach near zero at dawn. By day, in the sun, it can be warm. Bring layered clothing.

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