5 Best Day Trips from Cusco
Are you looking for the best day trips from Cusco? Cusco is one of the best places to visit in South America and the perfect place to start or end your Peru Itinerary.
Wondering why to visit Cusco?
Cusco is the perfect base for day trips to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, and Humantay Lake.
Since each day trip from Cusco requires a separate day, and each is unique, you should plan in advance which one you don’t want to miss during your visit to Peru.
In our detailed guide, you will find the best and most popular day trips from Cusco with practical information and tips.
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Best Day Trips from Cusco
You need at least 1-2 days to acclimatize in Cusco before taking day trips.
You can book your day tours at all hotels and tourist offices in Cusco or reserve in advance online!
Are you spending limited time in Peru but want to make the most of your visit? Book the best 6-day Peru Tour, including a visit to Machu Picchu.
1. Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco
It is one of the most famous day trips from Cusco. Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and the most famous attraction in Peru.
Take a day trip from Cusco and explore the ancient Inca Ruins, which are even more beautiful than it looks in the pictures!
You can visit Machu Picchu on your own or join a group or private tour. To learn more about Machu Picchu, hire a local guide.
Make the most of your visit and book day trips from Cusco to Machu Picchu via Viator. This tour is one of the most reviewed, so you will not be disappointed.
Wondering how to get to Machu Picchu?
It is good to know that you cannot travel directly from Cusco to Machu Picchu.
The quickest and most comfortable way is to take the scenic train to Aguas Calientes and then the bus to Machu Picchu.
Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes, buy your bus ticket to Machu Picchu, which costs 24 USD round trip.
Spend a few magical hours exploring the Inca Ruins and then travel back to Cusco.
We recommend you take the PeruRail Vistadome train from Cusco to Machu Picchu. After that, save money and travel back to Cusco on the PeruRail Expedition.
Important note
Buy your ticket to Machu Picchu at least 1 month in advance and bring your passport when you visit!
If you want to make the most of your trip to Peru, we recommend spending one night in Aguas Calientes. Then visit the Inca Ruins at sunrise and enjoy one of the most magical experiences of your life in Peru.
We have a detailed post on how to visit Machu Picchu with all the information you need.
2. Rainbow Mountain – Best Day Trips from Cusco
Palccoyo Mountain is one of the best places to visit in Peru and a must-do in South America. It is one of the most popular day trips from Cusco.
There are two beautiful rainbow mountains in Peru, so if you’re in a limited time in Cusco, you’ll have to decide which one to visit. Both rainbow mountains can be reached on a day trip from Cusco.
One is the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain (5,200 meters), and the other is the Palccoyo Alternative Rainbow Mountain (4,900 meters).
Whichever you choose, you will not disappoint, although the Vinicunca is always crowded. Book your Cusco Rainbow Mountain Tour.
The Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain hike is steep and difficult, and it takes about 3-3.5 hours.
The hike to Palccoyo Mountain is much easier, with only a short steep part, and takes about 1.5-2 hours. Therefore we chose Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain.
For the perfect experience, book the best of Cusco in 3 days or choose an epic 4-day tour.
Did you know that Rainbow Mountain is the highest hike in Peru? Because it is higher than Machu Picchu (2,430 meters) or the Sacred Valley (2,800 meters).
No public transport to Rainbow Mountain. You can join a group tour or a private tour.
The pick-up time usually starts between 3-4 AM, but it’s worth it!
Depending on traffic, the journey time from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain takes 3-3.5 hours.
The entrance fee to Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain is 15 Soles (4 USD).
Usually, the Palccoyo Mountain group tour price starts at 144 Soles (around 38 USD) per person.
The whole Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain hike will take about 1.5-2 hours. (It takes about 45-60 minutes to reach the top and 40-45 minutes to return to the car park.)
Recommended post → Ultimate Peru Itinerary
3. Sacred Valley
Are you looking for the best day trips from Cusco? A must-do in Cusco Itinerary is a visit to the Sacred Valley.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is a beautiful place close to the Urubamba River. It is famous for its unique attractions, historic towns, and important archaeological sites.
You can easily take a day trip from Cusco and explore the Sacred Valley sights on your own or join a private or group tour.
Wondering what to do in Sacred Valley, Peru?
Walk around the Chinchero Ruins, enjoy the best view at Ollantaytambo, visit the Maras Salt Mines, buy Peruvian souvenirs, and explore the Moray Terraces.
Book a multi-day tour, including Machu Picchu.
The altitude sickness in Peru can be a challenge for many people. Although the Sacred Valley is lower than Cusco, we recommend you drink plenty of water and wander slowly!
You cannot buy individual tickets for most of the attractions in the Sacred Valley! You must therefore buy the full or one of the partial Boleto Turistico Ticket.
Bring enough cash! Because the Boleto Turistico Cusco Ticket and the Maras Salt Mines entrance fee can only be paid in cash!
Usually, the Sacred Valley group tour price starts at 120 Soles (32 USD) per person.
TIP
Book the best Sacred Valley tours through GetYourGuide, where you can get great prices.
Keep reading → Best Places to Visit in Peru
4. Humantay Lake
One of the most frequently asked questions is Humantay Lake vs Rainbow Mountain? Since we only spent a short time in Peru, we chose the colorful Rainbow Mountain.
But Humantay Lake is one of the best day trips from Cusco. Book your Humantay Lake tour via GetYourGuide.
Humantay Lake is a famous turquoise alpine lake located at 4,200 meters above sea level. The hiking trail offers fantastic photo opportunities of Humantay Mountain and the lake.
Humantay Lake is a stop on the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. But if you don’t have time for the multi-day trek, take a day trip from Cusco instead.
The best way to visit Humantay Lake is to join a private or group tour. Driving time from Cusco takes about 6-7 hours round trip.
Shuttles usually pick up between 4-4:30 AM and return between 5-6 PM.
For the perfect experience, book the best of Cusco in 4 days.
The entrance fee to Humantay Lake is 10 Soles (3 USD).
Although the hike is only 10 km and takes about 2 hours to reach the lake and 1 hour to return, it is a moderate to difficult trek at a high altitude! The total hike takes 3 hours.
Read our → Cusco Guide
5. Ollantaytambo
Are you looking for other popular day trips from Cusco?
About a 30-minute drive from Urubamba is Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved Inca Ruins in Peru.
Ollantaytambo was our favorite place on the Sacred Valley tour. But in our opinion, Ollantaytambo is worth a full-day visit, or you can stay a night here before making a day trip to Machu Picchu!
The archaeological site of Ollantaytambo is at an elevation of 2,792 meters, so hike slowly! Book your Sacred Valley tour.
Hiking around the fortress of Ollantaytambo was exhausting for many people due to the altitude.
Ollantaytambo Ruins are open from 7 AM to 5 PM.
You must buy a full or partial tourist ticket to visit. Learn more about the Boleto Turistico Ticket.
There are some fantastic local vendors around Ollantaytambo Ruins, so look around after the hike and buy some souvenirs.
Good to know
Most people take a scenic train ride from Ollantaytambo or walk about 28 km to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu).
See also → Desert Oasis of Huacachina
Cusco Day Trips with More Time
Once you’ve done the must-do tours, there are still a few hidden gems you can visit on day trips from Cusco.
- Huchuy Qosqo
- South Valley (Tipon, Piquillacta, Andahuaylillas & The Sistine Chapel of America)
- Q’eswachaka Bridge
- 7 Lakes of Ausangate
- Sacsayhuaman (Although located on the outskirts of Cusco, you will need at least half a day to wander around.)
See also → What to Do in Lima
Altitude Sickness in Cusco, Peru
Plan your Cusco Itinerary to go slow on the first day, with a comfortable pace to discover the city.
Some people may experience mild symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, or heavy breathing.
Avoid altitude sickness in Peru! Always stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, and go slowly during the Cusco day trips.
Chewing coca leaves or drinking coca tea is good for altitude sickness.
There are coca leaves in every hotel in Cusco, so have a cup of coca tea before you start sightseeing or hiking!
Cusco is located at 3,400 meters above sea level.
Therefore the weather is often unpredictable, and conditions can change rapidly (especially when hiking).
Arequipa is the perfect place to get used to the altitude of 2,335 meters before heading to Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Where to Stay in Cusco
If you don’t want to walk a lot or use a taxi, we recommend you stay near the historic center (Plaza de Armas).
But the San Blas area also offers fantastic accommodations, about 15-20 minutes walk away.
The accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Cusco, Peru
- Luxury: JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
- Mid-Range: Taypikala Hotel Cusco
- Budget: Wild Rover Cusco
We hope you found our post on the best day trips from Cusco inspiring and will visit these places. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comments below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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