Cusco is without doubt one of the hottest cities in the world to go to, and it’s simple to see why. There are so many actions and issues to expertise that it’s exhausting to do all the things in one journey. Peru is house to a number of the most lovely folks, landscapes, and historical past in the Western Hemisphere.
There’s nothing higher than exploring all the things this nation affords, occurring a shocking hike, and stress-free afterward with a contemporary pisco bitter. I’ve traveled all through Peru for just a few months, and Cusco is considered one of my favourite locations. So, seize a espresso, sit again, and calm down as I am going over the perfect issues to do in Cusco!
The Best Things to Do in Cusco
Is Cusco Worth Visiting?
Peru is the land of journey, and Cusco is without doubt one of the finest spots for this in the whole nation. It additionally used to be the capital of the Incan Empire and has numerous historical past. This is why it’s the nation’s hottest place to go to, and it may well generally really feel like a vacationer entice. But visiting Machu Picchu alone is nicely well worth the journey right here. Read extra: 42 Amazing Ancient Ruins of the World
If you’re keen on to see historical past and mountains and join with the native tradition, then Cusco is a must-add to any itinerary in Peru!
1. Machu Picchu
I’m certain most individuals, particularly those that love to journey, have heard of the sacred website of Machu Picchu. It grew to become a UNESCO World Heritage website in 1983 and was declared one of many Seven New World Wonders in 2007. Machu Picchu was stated to be a spiritual website or royal property for Incan leaders.
A visit to Machu Picchu isn’t the most cost effective exercise in Cusco. You first have to get to the city of Aguas Calientes, which is a four-hour journey.
Cusco is commonly used as the bottom when visiting Machu Picchu however you’ll keep in Aguas Calientes for an evening or two.
It is all price it whenever you make it up to the precise website and see the wonder for your self. It’s actually one of the outstanding belongings you’ll ever see. Plan your journey to Machu Picchu with this information: How to Plan a Trip to Machu Picchu
2. Hike to Laguna Humantay
Laguna Humantay is without doubt one of the most lovely lake hikes in the area and even the nation! It’s a part of the Salkantay Trek, which showcases the great thing about the encircling areas of Cusco.
You can do that hike by yourself, which is able to prevent cash, or you possibly can guide one of many many out there excursions.
Doing this hike independently may appear too difficult for some nevertheless it’s additionally an journey. Here’s how to get to the trailhead independently:
Get a Colectivo from Cusco to Mollepata for round 20 soles. These could be discovered on the Mapsme app or ask round to discover this colectivo
Take a taxi from Mollepata to Soryapampa. This is the place you’ll start the hike to Laguna Humantay. I recommend downloading Mapsme to use offline maps when climbing.
You’ll pay an entrance payment in Mollepata of round 10 soles (costs might have modified barely)
If that is too difficult for you, you possibly can go to the lake with a tour group for round $25-$30 USD. The hike is simple however could be troublesome for some. Read my full information right here.
Laguna Humantay sits at round 4200 meters and a few may expertise altitude illness. So, go at your individual tempo!
Distance: This hike is round a 2.6-mile loop hike. This varies barely relying on the path you’re taking early on.
Duration: On common it’ll take folks 2 hours to end. This is dependent upon health stage and time on the laguna.
Difficulty: I’d rank this hike as reasonable to troublesome due to the altitude and elevation achieve.
Incline: The elevation for this hike is round 1302 ft or 396 meters.
Hiking Guide: A information shouldn’t be wanted for this hike and is well accessible by the general public.
3. Explore the City Center and Take a Free Walking Tour
It’s exhausting to miss town middle of Cusco when visiting. It’ll at all times be full of life; even into the evening, there’s at all times one thing to see and do.
A free strolling tour is a well-liked exercise for many who need to expertise the historical past of Cusco whereas being proven it by an area. You can take a look at Free Walking Tours Cusco to guide a time.
Some of the belongings you’ll see are:
Arms sq.
Cathedral
The firm of Jesus
The final avenue – Inca Street Loreto
The coricancha or Temple of the solar
The Palace of Pachacutec
Inca Roca Palace
The 12-angle stone
The San Blas neighborhood
Remember that simply because it’s referred to as a “free” strolling tour doesn’t make it free. Please tip your guides!
4. Grab a Beer and Look Over Cusco
One of my favourite actions to do wherever, particularly after I first arrive, is to discover a good bar overlooking town. And it’s no completely different in Cusco.
What we did was go to a bar after climbing up to Cristo Blanco. There are many to select from, they usually can be stumbled upon.
Some standard ones are Ivin Inka Beer and Santo Resto Lounge. You may even get to hangout with a cat! Read extra about eating in Cusco at 5 Authentic Cusco Restaurants Where you Can Eat Like a Local
5. Take a Tour to Rainbow Mountain
One of Cusco’s fastest-growing actions over the past decade is visiting the beautiful Rainbow Mountain. Be warned, there might be lots of people doing this exercise with a number of tour firms.
You’ll attain an elevation of round 5,000 meters (16,400 ft), so be ready! You should take a tour to attain Rainbow Moutain.
A tour right here prices round $30, which incorporates breakfast and lunch. It is a full-day tour that may take round 12 hours to full. Plan your journey to Rainbow Mountain right here: What To Expect When Hiking Rainbow Mountain Peru
Alternative to Rainbow Mountain – Palcoyo Mountain
If you’re like me and don’t love giant crowds, particularly throughout a hike, there’s the same exercise with fewer folks. Palccoyo is in the identical space as Rainbow Mountain however doesn’t have practically the identical variety of folks climbing there. Look into this trek to escape the crowds and see one thing barely completely different! This extremely rated tour takes you on a full-day trek to Palcoyo Mountain of colours.
6. Visit the Cristo Blanco Viewpoint
Seeing a brand new metropolis from a beautiful viewpoint is a staple of my itinerary in all places I am going. It helps offer you a perspective of your new vacation spot and can also be enjoyable as heck!
The Cristo Blanco statue is without doubt one of the best and finest viewpoints in city. This giant statue could be seen from afar the nearer you get. It’s additionally a improbable spot to watch the sundown! After visiting Cristo Blanco, you possibly can stroll down the steps down the road to the East. Tjere are many bars and hostels with superb views of Cusco! Grab a drink and calm down.
7. Explore the San Blas District
The San Blas district is barely out of the city middle and has many outlets and eating places!
Here you possibly can take pleasure in numerous buying and purchase souvenirs just like the well-known alpaca sweaters and plenty of others.
Take a break whereas having fun with a espresso at one of many cute cafes! There’s a lot to do right here, you may lose monitor of time.
8. Hike to Salkantay Trek
If you desire a distinctive journey whereas making an attempt to attain Machu Picchu, I extremely recommend climbing the Salkantay Trek!
The Salkantay Trek is a 5 day hike by means of the mountains with the top aim of reaching Machu Picchu. It was by far the perfect exercise I did in Peru!
The five-day itinerary will look one thing like this:
You might be picked up out of your lodging and pushed to Soryapampa, the place you’ll start your hike to Laguna Humantay. Afterwards, spend the evening right here!
Hike by means of the Salkantay Pass and spend the evening in the city of Colpapampa
Wake up and hike by means of the canyon and low plantations to attain the city of Lucmabamba.
Day 4 is all about reaching the city of Aguas Calientes, the bottom of Machu Picchu. During at the present time you’ll attain viewpoints the place you possibly can see Machu Picchu from afar.
On the final day, you’ll get up early to go to Machu Picchu earlier than heading again to Cusco.
Salkantay Trek Details
Distance: To attain Machu Picchu, this hike is a 46-mile loop. Just the Salkantay Pass is 12.3 miles from level to level.
Duration: On common, it’ll take folks 5 days to end. This is dependent upon health stage and time on the laguna.
Difficulty: I’d rank this hike as troublesome due to the altitude, elevation achieve, and size.
Incline: The max elevation for the Salkantay trek is 4,630 meters or 15,190 ft.
Hiking Guide: A information shouldn’t be wanted for this hike, however it’s accessible to the general public.
9. Visit Sacsayhuaman
Sacsayhuaman or Saqsaywaman, is without doubt one of the hottest actions in Cusco, and it’s positioned immediately inside town!
This is an previous Incan archeological website made of enormous stones. This historic civilization put these stones collectively with out mortar.
To entry this website, you’ll have to purchase a ticket, which is costly however nicely price it! A basic vacationer ticket prices round 130 soles and offers you entry to 16 completely different websites.
With a lot to see, it’s a terrific value for such a historic landmark.
10. Explore the Markets and Try Street Food
Cusco is thought for its superb markets, just like the San Pedro Market. You should buy fruits, greens, meats, and even completely different souvenirs right here!
Also, you possibly can’t go to Peru with out attempting a few of its native dishes! Try an Alpaca burger, or if you happen to’re up for it, strive the Guinea Pig! Check out Peruvian Food: 20 Traditional Peruvian Dishes You Have to Try
If these choices don’t attraction to you, there are many different choices at eating places all through town and close to town middle. If you need to get monetary savings on meals, enterprise farther from town middle for higher costs and a extra genuine contact! Try some avenue meals. It’s scrumptious and low-cost!
Things to Know Before Visiting Cusco
How to Get from Cusco from Lima
Most folks will discover getting to Cusco from Lima simple. The best means is to take a aircraft, however this isn’t the most cost effective possibility.
If you might have time and wish to get monetary savings, taking the bus from Lima to Cusco is a viable possibility. However, the bus trip is in a single day and 20+ hours lengthy.
Flights are round $40 USD, however that’s with no bag. A carry-on bag will practically double this value, and a checked bag will price much more.
Here is what to do if you would like to take the bus:
If you don’t need to go to the bus terminal, you possibly can order your ticket on Redbus. This is the go-to for on-line bus tickets in Peru.
Julio Ceasar is without doubt one of the highest-rated bus firms however they’re all fairly good.
I recommend paying for VIP or first-class tickets. It doesn’t price rather more however you’ll be far more comfy. I did this for each bus I took in South America that was 5+ hours (if it was out there)
Terminal Plaza Norte and La Victoria are two good stations. The web site and/or ticket will inform you which bus terminal you could go to.
Take a taxi/Uber to whichever bus terminal it states
Best Restaurants in Cusco, Peru
How Many Days to Spend in Cusco?
The quantity of days you need to spend in Cusco will range from individual to individual. If you’re restricted on time, I’d recommend staying for 3 days in town.
This doesn’t embody your time visiting Machu Picchu or any multi-day trek you need to take. Check out: Top Three Little Known Hiking Day Trips in Cusco, Peru
I’d recommend round every week if time isn’t a giant deal. There’s a lot to do right here and out of doors of city, together with day journeys.
Remember, Cusco used to be one of the necessary cities in the whole Western Hemisphere. There are limitless quantities of issues to see and do.
Final Thoughts about Cusco
Peru is a magical nation the place journey meets historical past, and Cusco is on the middle of this. There’s a lot to see and do right here that it’s unimaginable to do all the things in one journey. Take all the things in because it comes and be current. I like this metropolis a lot that I plan to return someday quickly. There are many extra hikes to go on and adventures to be had!