Cusco is among the hottest cities in the world to go to, and it’s straightforward to see why. There are so many actions and issues to expertise that it’s exhausting to do every part in one journey. Peru is house to among the most stunning individuals, landscapes, and historical past in the Western Hemisphere.
There’s nothing higher than exploring every part this nation gives, happening a surprising hike, and stress-free afterward with a recent pisco bitter. I’ve traveled all through Peru for a number of months, and Cusco is one in every of my favourite locations. So, seize a espresso, sit again, and chill out as I am going over one of the best 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 among the greatest spots for this in the complete nation. It additionally used to be the capital of the Incan Empire and has lots of historical past. This is why it’s the nation’s hottest place to go to, and it will probably typically really feel like a vacationer lure. But visiting Machu Picchu alone is effectively 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 web site of Machu Picchu. It grew to become a UNESCO World Heritage web site in 1983 and was declared one of many Seven New World Wonders in 2007. Machu Picchu was mentioned to be a non secular web site 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 web site and see the sweetness for your self. It’s actually one of the exceptional 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 among the most stunning lake hikes in the area and even the nation! It’s a part of the Salkantay Trek, which showcases the great thing about the encompassing areas of Cusco.
You can do that hike by yourself, which is able to prevent cash, or you may e book one of many many obtainable 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 counsel downloading Mapsme to use offline maps when mountaineering.
You’ll pay an entrance charge in Mollepata of round 10 soles (costs could have modified barely)
If that is too difficult for you, you may go to the lake with a tour group for round $25-$30 USD. The hike is easy however could be tough 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 is going to take individuals 2 hours to end. This will depend on health stage and time on the laguna.
Difficulty: I’d rank this hike as average to tough 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 individuals who need to expertise the historical past of Cusco whereas being proven it by an area. You can try Free Walking Tours Cusco to e book 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 known 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 mountaineering up to Cristo Blanco. There are many to select from, and so they can be stumbled upon.
Some in style 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 gorgeous Rainbow Mountain. Be warned, there will likely 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 can 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 massive crowds, particularly throughout a hike, there’s the same exercise with fewer individuals. Palccoyo is in the identical space as Rainbow Mountain however doesn’t have almost the identical variety of individuals mountaineering 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 all over the place 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 among the best and greatest viewpoints in city. This massive 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 may stroll down the steps down the road to the East. Tjere are many bars and hostels with wonderful views of Cusco! Grab a drink and chill out.
7. Explore the San Blas District
The San Blas district is barely out of the city middle and has many retailers and eating places!
Here you may get pleasure from lots of procuring 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 observe of time.
8. Hike to Salkantay Trek
If you need a distinctive journey whereas making an attempt to attain Machu Picchu, I extremely counsel mountaineering the Salkantay Trek!
The Salkantay Trek is a 5 day hike by way of the mountains with the top purpose of reaching Machu Picchu. It was by far one of the best exercise I did in Peru!
The five-day itinerary will look one thing like this:
You will likely 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 way of the Salkantay Pass and spend the evening in the city of Colpapampa
Wake up and hike by way 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 may 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 is going to take individuals 5 days to end. This will depend on health stage and time on the laguna.
Difficulty: I’d rank this hike as tough 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 among the hottest actions in Cusco, and it’s positioned straight inside town!
This is an outdated Incan archeological web site made of enormous stones. This historic civilization put these stones collectively with out mortar.
To entry this web site, you’ll have to purchase a ticket, which is expensive however effectively 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 an amazing worth for such a historic landmark.
10. Explore the Markets and Try Street Food
Cusco is understood for its wonderful markets, just like the San Pedro Market. You should purchase fruits, greens, meats, and even completely different souvenirs right here!
Also, you may’t go to Peru with out attempting a few of its native dishes! Try an Alpaca burger, or in case you’re up for it, attempt 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 lower your expenses 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 individuals will discover getting to Cusco from Lima easy. The most effective means is to take a airplane, however this isn’t the most cost effective possibility.
If you’ve gotten time and need to lower your expenses, taking the bus from Lima to Cusco is a viable possibility. However, the bus journey 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 almost double this worth, and a checked bag will value much more.
Here is what to do if you need to take the bus:
If you don’t need to go to the bus terminal, you may order your ticket on Redbus. This is the go-to for on-line bus tickets in Peru.
Julio Ceasar is among the highest-rated bus firms however they’re all fairly good.
I counsel paying for VIP or first-class tickets. It doesn’t value far more however you’ll be far more snug. I did this for each bus I took in South America that was 5+ hours (if it was obtainable)
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 it’s best to spend in Cusco will range from particular person to particular person. If you’re restricted on time, I’d counsel staying for 3 days in town.
This doesn’t embrace 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 counsel round per week if time isn’t an enormous 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 essential cities in the complete 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 unattainable to do every part in one journey. Take every part in because it comes and be current. I like this metropolis a lot that I plan to return sooner or later quickly. There are many extra hikes to go on and adventures to be had!