Cusco is one of those rare places that grabs you from the moment you step off the plane. Thin mountain air, cobblestone streets, centuries-old traditions woven into daily life, and landscapes so dramatic they hardly feel real, this former Incan capital has a way of getting under your skin in the best possible way.
This post is a collection of my absolute favourite places around Cusco accessible on a day-trip— ancient ruins, rainbow-striped mountains, blue-on-blue glacial lakes, and the kind of Andean scenery that stays with you long after you leave. I’ve spent months exploring this region over two separate trips, and these are the experiences I’d recommend to any traveller wanting to soak up the history, culture, and soul of the Andes!
1 | Machu Picchu
It’s safe to say that nearly every traveller to Peru has plans to see Machu Picchu, the iconic Incan citadel perched high in the Andes— yet many don’t realise it’s possible to visit on a (long) day trip from Cusco!
Built in the 15th century and hidden for centuries under dense jungle, Machu Picchu is one of the 7 Wonders of the World and a truly staggering site to behold. Its perfectly fitted stone walls, sweeping terraces, and celestial alignments reveal a civilisation of astonishing architectural and astronomical sophistication— structures positioned to frame sacred peaks like Salkantay and Ausangate, and windows angled so sunlight passes through only on the winter solstice.
I’ve visited Machu Picchu twice now and I can honestly say that it is one of the rare sites that actually lives up to all of its hype, even on a repeat visit. For a day trip, you’ll need to train or drive to Aguas Calientes and then either hike or bus to the site entrance up the mountain.
👉🏼 Interested in one of the epic hiking routes to Machu Picchu? Check out my comparison of the classic Inca Trail and alpine Salkantay Trek!
2 | Salineras de Maras
High above the Sacred Valley, thousands of terraced salt pools spill down the mountainside in a patchwork of white and caramel— this is Salineras de Maras, one of the most photogenic and surreal landscapes near Cusco. From a distance, the pans look almost like an ancient mosaic; up close, you can see the salty water trickling through narrow channels just as it has for centuries!
Believed to have been constructed by the Wari civilisation, the salt mines were greatly expanded by the Incas and used, in conjunction with a natural spring, to harvest enormous amounts of salt from subterranean deposits. Popular ATV and bike tours visit this site as an easy day-trip from Cusco, and it’s a fun, low-effort activity as you acclimatise to the altitude for higher adventures in Peru!
3 | Laguna Humantay
An impossibly blue lake below Humantay peak in the Peruvian Andes, Laguna Humantay has recently gained popularity as an excellent day-trip from Cusco. Tours are as cheap as S/65 and include return transportation out to the trailhead at Soraypampa, from which it’s only a 1hr hike up to the Laguna.
On a clear day, this is one of the most beautiful views in the world, but be warned that the 4,200m altitude can be really troublesome if you’re not properly acclimatised. Cold mornings are also common, especially before the sun reaches the valley, so make sure to toss a fleece into your daypack to pile on extra layers at the top!
👉🏼 It’s possible to combine your visit to Laguna Humantay with the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Several trekking companies offer this detour or you can even tackle this 4- or 5-day trek independently!
4 | Sacred Valley
Stretching between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, the Sacred Valley is the heartland of the Incan empire— a lush corridor of terraced hillsides, traditional weaving villages, ancient temples, and wide river plains framed by dramatic peaks.
It’s easily one of the most atmospheric regions in Peru, and you could spend days exploring here: wandering the maze of Pisac’s mountaintop ruins, marvelling at the circular agricultural terraces of Moray, watching weavers at work in Chinchero, or getting wonderfully lost among Ollantaytambo’s stone alleyways.
For those seeking a more adventurous day trip to the Sacred Valley, Natura Vive operates via ferrata climbing and ziplining tours that include transport from your hostel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. Climbing high over the Sacred Valley for an incredible condor’s view of the stunning landscape before soaring down to the valley floor on a series of exhilarating zip lines is the most exciting way to experience the Sacred Valley and one of my very favourite adventures around Cusco!
👉🏼 Read more: VIA FERRATA CLIMBING & ZIPLINING IN THE SACRED VALLEY: AN ADRENALINE-FILLED DAY TRIP FROM CUSCO
5 | Tambomachay, Puka Pukara, Q’enqo & Sacsahuamán
Just above Cusco, a chain of fascinating archaeological sites reveals the scale and sophistication of Incan engineering long before you reach Machu Picchu. The most impressive is Sacsahuamán, a massive fortress built from enormous interlocking stones— some weighing over 200 tonnes— fitted together with precision so perfect it feels supernatural. Although much of the structure was torn apart by the Spanish after their bloody conquest of Peru, archaeologists believe this was the most spectacular complex ever built by the Incas!
Nearby, Q’enqo hides chambers carved directly into a giant limestone outcrop, while Puka Pukara stands guard over the route into the Sacred Valley. Tambomachay, with its ceremonial water features, showcases the Incan mastery of springs and hydraulic design.
You can easily visit all four sites in a single half-day outing from Cusco, with or without a tour, and the walk is fairly straightforward. I’d highly recommend a DIY walking tour while you’re acclimatising for longer, harder treks around Peru!
👉🏼 Read more: DIY INCA RUINS WALKING TOUR: VISITING TAMBOMACHAY, PUKA PUKARA, Q’ENQO & SACSAHUAMÁN WITHOUT A GUIDE
6 | Rainbow Mountain
Few places in Peru have risen to fame as quickly as Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)— and when you finally stand before its vibrant stripes, it’s easy to understand why. The trail climbs through windswept open plains dotted with alpacas and framed by towering red and ochre hills, and as you gain altitude, the landscape becomes increasingly surreal, culminating in a summit view that looks almost painted.
It’s a long, high-altitude day (the lookout sits at over 5,000m), but the scenery is extraordinary from start to finish. Dozens of travel agencies in Cusco offer day hikes out to Vinicunca for as little as S/80, which includes return transport to the trail head (3.5hrs each way). However, if your goal is to see Rainbow Mountain with as few people as possible, it might be worth considering one of the more expensive tours that will get you there first (departing Cusco ~2.15am).
👉🏼 Read more: A GUIDE TO TREKKING AUSANGATE & RAINBOW MOUNTAIN IN PERU
*Practical information
Getting to Cusco
From Lima
Many visitors will catch an inexpensive flight from Lima to Cusco (1.5hr, S/130-300) and then take a S/15-25 taxi from the airport into the city; it’s hard to fault this option if your main objective is just to get there quickly and comfortably.
My first time in Peru, I was determined to save a few Soles and opted instead to take a 24hr bus ride over the Andes (S/80-120). It ended up being the most excruciating journey of my entire life and I spent most of the day laying in the aisle of the bus near the toilet because I was too sick to even sit up. Likely a combination of severe car sickness, questionable food, and the dramatic increase in altitude, I got off the bus convinced that I had made a grave and stupid mistake for the sake of a few dollars. I really would not recommend taking this bus!
From Arequipa
There are other (far better) ways to get to Cusco than flying from Lima. During my second trip to Peru in 2019, I spent 9 days travelling from Lima to Cusco via bus, stopping to spend time in Paracas, Huacachina, Nazca, and Arequipa along the way. I’m now thoroughly convinced that this is the best way to get to Cusco!
From Arequipa, buses are well-timed so that you can depart after dinner and arrive to Cusco first thing in the morning (10hrs, S/40-80). Peru Hop also drives the route, including a few interesting stops and some much-needed stretch breaks over the 12hr daylight journey.
Where to stay in Cusco
The very best areas to stay in Cusco are either San Blas or the Centro Histórico:
- San Blas is a trendy, artsy neighbourhood on the hills of Cusco, still within walking distance of the Plaza de Armas but also located near some of the best artisan markets, coffee shops, and Sacsahuáman. Expect accommodation here to be slightly more expensive, but the views and atmosphere are surely worth the price.
- The Centro Histórico is also a wonderful place to stay, perfectly located for access to any of Cusco’s main attractions and with a wide variety of hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs on offer.
Unlike other cities in South America where you can just arrive and find somewhere to stay on the fly, it’s a good idea to book your room in Cusco online, as places tend to fill up quickly. Millions of people visit Cusco every year, with a particularly large influx during the austral winter, so you’re more likely to snatch a good room at a decent price if you plan ahead.
Dealing with the altitude
Considering that altitude begins to affect our bodies at 2,500m and Cusco sits at 3,400m, there is a very real possibility that you will experience some symptoms associated with the altitude or even altitude sickness while exploring the Incan capital.
I wrote an extremely comprehensive post about dealing with altitude sickness in South American cities, plus another in-depth post about treating and preventing altitude sickness on high altitude treks and climbs, so please check out one or both of these posts for more information and heaps of useful tips to prevent altitude sickness from ruining your trip.
👉🏼 Read more: A practical guide to altitude sickness in South America
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THE ULTIMATE CUSCO TRAVEL GUIDE: 25 AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN CUSCO, PERU
HIKING TO MACHU PICCHU: COMPARING THE CLASSIC INCA TRAIL VS SALKANTAY TREK
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO INDEPENDENT & SOLO HIKING THE HUAYHUASH CIRCUIT IN PERU
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