Best Things To Do In Cusco

Cusco is not just a city — it is the living heart of the Inca Empire, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the gateway to some of the most extraordinary landscapes on Earth. At 3,400 meters above sea level, cradled by the Andean mountains of southern Peru, it has been drawing explorers, archaeologists, and travelers for centuries.

But with so much to see and do — from the towering ruins of Sacsayhuaman to the surreal striped ridges of Rainbow Mountain — knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. This guide cuts through the noise.

We have organized the 15 best things to do in Cusco by category, included honest time and budget estimates, and linked to the top-rated guided tours on Viator for each experience. Whether you have 3 days or 3 weeks, this guide has you covered.

Cusco at a Glance — Essential Facts for Travelers

15 Best Things To Do In Cusco — Master List

Here is your at-a-glance overview of every top experience, ranked by popularity and traveler satisfaction:

Top Cusco Tours on Viator — Compared (2026)

These are real, currently-listed Viator tours, verified directly via the Viator catalog — names, ratings, review counts, and prices as found at time of writing (prices fluctuate; always check the live listing):

Note: all tour names, ratings, and prices above were verified directly against live Viator listings. The Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail trek do not offer free cancellation — most day tours do. Always confirm cancellation terms on the listing before booking.

The 15 Best Things To Do In Cusco — In Detail

1. Visit Machu Picchu — The #1 Reason to Come to Cusco

No trip to Cusco is complete without a visit to Machu Picchu — the 15th-century Inca citadel perched 2,430 meters above the Sacred Valley. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, it is one of the most awe-inspiring places on the planet.

The journey itself is part of the experience: a spectacular train ride through cloud forest and the Urubamba River gorge, followed by a winding bus ascent to the Sun Gate. A knowledgeable guide transforms the stone terraces, temples, and astronomical alignments into a living story of Inca civilization.

Our recommendation: The Machu Picchu Full-Day Tour from Cusco with Panoramic Train (4.9★, 162 reviews) is a strong choice for a small group capped at 10 travelers, from $349. Entrance tickets are strictly limited — book at least 4–6 weeks in advance during peak season (June–August).

Internal link: Read our complete guide: Best Machu Picchu Tours from Cusco (2026)

2. Hike Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) — Cusco's Most Stunning Natural Wonder

Rainbow Mountain — known locally as Vinicunca or Montaña de Colores — is one of the most photographed landscapes in all of South America. Its extraordinary mineral-striped ridges of red, yellow, green, and purple were only exposed to the world when the glacier covering them melted around 2015. In less than a decade, it has become one of Peru's top travel destinations.

Most full-day tours from Cusco depart very early (around 4am), drive into the high Andes, then involve a moderate hike to the summit viewpoint at 5,200 meters. One well-reviewed option, the Rainbow Mountain Tour from Cusco | Vinicunca Hike | Optional 8AM, operated by Andina Expeditions (4.67★, 754 reviews), even offers a later 8AM departure for travelers who don't want the brutal pre-dawn start — from $85 for a roughly 12-hour day, with horses available to rent for the climb and views of the Ausangate mountain range along the way.

Altitude note: At 5,200m, this is a serious high-altitude hike. Do not attempt it on your first or second day in Cusco. Acclimatize for at least 2 days first. The guided tours include support and usually offer coca leaves and horses for those who need them.

3. Explore the Sacred Valley — Inca Ruins, Salt Mines & Traditional Markets

The Sacred Valley of the Incas stretches from Cusco to Machu Picchu along the Urubamba River, and is one of the most historically rich corridors in the Americas. Tour itineraries vary by operator, but typically combine highlights such as the artisan market in Pisac, the weaving village of Chinchero, the magnificent fortress ruins of Ollantaytambo, the geometric circular terraces of Moray, and the spectacular salt evaporation pools at Maras — still actively harvested using Inca-era techniques.

Real example: The Ultimate Full Day Sacred Valley Tour (4.92★, 673 reviews) caps groups at 8 travelers and visits Chinchero, the Maras Salt Mines, Moray, and Ollantaytambo in a single unhurried day — about 40–50 minutes per stop — from $139.

The Sacred Valley also sits at a lower altitude than Cusco (around 2,800m), making it a gentler introduction to the region if you are freshly arrived and still acclimatizing.

4. The Cusco City Tour — Sacsayhuaman, Qorikancha & Plaza de Armas

Before heading into the mountains, spend at least a half-day exploring Cusco itself. The standard city tour visits four major Inca sites on the outskirts of the city — Sacsayhuaman (the massive ceremonial fortress with stones weighing up to 125 tonnes), Qenko (a carved limestone labyrinth), Puca Pucara (a red military garrison), and Tambomachay (a ceremonial water fountain system) — before returning to the colonial heart of the city.

Do not miss the Plaza de Armas — Cusco's main square, flanked by the ornate Cathedral of Cusco (built on the foundations of the palace of Inca Viracocha) and the Jesuit Church of La Compania. Beneath almost every Spanish colonial building in the historic center lie Inca stone foundations — the city is literally built on two civilizations.

Qorikancha (the Temple of the Sun), once the most sacred site in the Inca Empire and covered floor-to-ceiling in sheets of pure gold, is now partially preserved beneath the Convent of Santo Domingo. It is one of the most fascinating architectural overlays in the world.

Real example: The Cusco City Tour Four Ruins in Half-Day (4.86★, 596 reviews) covers the Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay in about 5 hours, from $40, with free cancellation.

5. Trek the Inca Trail — The World's Most Famous Hike

The classic Inca Trail is a 4-day, 3-night guided trek through the Andes along original Inca stone pathways, past a series of remote archaeological sites, through cloud forest and glacial passes, arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at dawn. Daily trekker numbers are capped by permit — including guides and porters — making permits one of the most sought-after commodities in Peruvian tourism.

Real example: The 4-Days Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu (4.8★, 20 reviews) is priced from $880 and does not offer free cancellation — book early and confirm terms before paying.

Book permits early: Inca Trail permits for peak season (June–August) sell out as early as February. If the dates you want are gone, the Salkantay Trek is the next best alternative — equally stunning, more physically demanding in places, and with no permit cap.

6. Salkantay Trek — The Alternative to the Inca Trail

The 5-day Salkantay Trek is widely considered the most spectacular alternative to the Inca Trail. The route crosses dramatic high-Andean mountain scenery — including views of the Ausangate range — descends through cloud forest, and finishes at Machu Picchu. It attracts serious trekkers looking for raw Andean wilderness and fewer crowds — and it does not require a permit.

Real example: The Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days (4.94★, 180 reviews) is priced from $480. Like the Inca Trail, this multi-day trek does not offer free cancellation.

7. Humantay Lake — The Most Beautiful Easy Hike Near Cusco

If you want a stunning high-altitude lake hike without the demanding multi-day commitment of the Inca or Salkantay trails, Humantay Lake is your answer. Situated in a glacial bowl beneath the Salkantay mountain range, the lake's surreal turquoise waters surrounded by snow-dusted peaks make it one of the most photogenic spots in all of Peru. It is also a popular day-trip alternative for travelers who cannot fit in the 5-day Salkantay trek.

Real example: Excursión to Humantay Lake Full Day from Cusco is the single most-reviewed activity we found anywhere in this guide — 4.90★ from 2,824 travelers — and at from $25 for a roughly 15-hour day, it is also one of the best-value tours in Cusco.

8. Maras Salt Mines & Moray Terraces

The Maras salt mines are one of the most visually extraordinary landscapes in the Andes: thousands of small terraced salt evaporation pools cascading down a hillside, still operated by local communities using methods that date back generations. Nearby, the Moray archaeological site features concentric circular terraces descending like a natural amphitheater — believed to have been an Inca agricultural laboratory for experimenting with microclimates.

Real example: The Maras, Moray & Salt Mines Tour (4.89★, 377 reviews) runs about 6 hours, includes a box lunch, and is priced from $48, with free cancellation.

These two sites are usually combined into a half-day tour and can be added to a full Sacred Valley day, making them excellent value.

9. San Pedro Market — Cusco's Best Food Experience for Free

San Pedro Market is where Cusco's local life unfolds in all its color and chaos. Unlike the artisan markets catering to tourists, San Pedro is primarily a working food market: stalls piled with varieties of Peruvian potatoes, jungle fruits from the Amazon, chicha morada (purple corn drink), freshly squeezed juices, and Peruvian desserts. Entrance is free and the experience is entirely unlike anything you will find in a restaurant.

Real example: The Cusco Food Walking Tour & Central Market (4.93★, 58 reviews) is a small-group, roughly 4-hour walking tour through the market with tastings of tamales, adobo, coffee, chocolate, exotic fruits, and Peruvian desserts — from $60, with free cancellation.

10. Cusco Food & Pisco Evening Tour

Cusco has quietly become one of South America's most interesting food cities, with a wave of restaurants applying modern Andean cuisine techniques to traditional ingredients like cuy (guinea pig), alpaca, aji amarillo chili peppers, and kiwicha grain. A food and pisco tour takes you to multiple tasting stops across the city and gives you the real Cusco food scene in a single outing.

Real example: The 10 Tastings of Cusco With Locals: Private Food Tour (4.58★, 77 reviews), run by Withlocals, is a private, roughly 3-hour tour covering 10 tastings — including ceviche and pisco sour — from $87.

11. White Water Rafting on the Urubamba River

The Urubamba River runs through the Sacred Valley and offers good white water rafting for beginners and intermediate paddlers. A rafting tour from Cusco includes equipment, a safety briefing, a certified guide, and return transport. The scenery along the canyon walls is exceptional.

Real example: Rafting & Zip Line Urubamba River 1 Day, run by Mayuc Cusco (an operator with 40+ years of experience), combines rafting on the Chuquicahuana section of the Urubamba with a zipline at a private riverside lodge with hot showers and a sauna — about 8 hours, from $79, free cancellation, 4.79★ (81 reviews).

12–15. More Adventures Near Cusco

Cusco's surroundings offer an almost inexhaustible menu of experiences beyond the major highlights:

• ATV & Zip-line Tours: The Cusco ATV (Cuatrimotos) and Zipline Full Day Tour is a private, full-day (~9 hr) combo visiting Moray, Huaypo Lake, and the Maras Salt Mines — from $188, rated 5.0★ (9 reviews; a strong score but a small sample, worth weighing alongside other operators).
• Lake Titicaca (2-Day Tour): The world's highest navigable lake, reachable from Cusco by bus or flight to Puno. The Lake Titicaca 2-Day Tour: Uros, Amantani and Taquile Islands (4.6★, 35 reviews) visits the Uros floating islands and Taquile and Amantani Islands — from $269, with free cancellation.
• Chinchero Textile Workshop: The Textile Workshop Experience in Cusco Region, run by ANDEAN COLORS (5.0★, 136 reviews), is a private, ~4-hour hands-on workshop in wool-dyeing and weaving with an Andean lunch and an alpaca/llama encounter included — from $79.
• Pisac Ruins & Market: Often bypassed in favor of Ollantaytambo, but the hillside ruins above Pisac are among the most impressive in the entire Sacred Valley — and the Sunday market below is one of the best artisan markets in the region.

Best Time to Visit Cusco

Cusco Travel Tips — What You Need to Know Before You Go

Altitude & Acclimatization

This is the single most important practical issue for Cusco visitors. Arriving from sea level to 3,400m can cause altitude sickness (soroche) — symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Here is how to manage it:

• Rest for the first 24 hours. Do not rush to activities on day one.
• Drink plenty of water and herbal teas — coca leaf tea is widely available and genuinely helps.
• Avoid alcohol for the first 24–48 hours — it accelerates dehydration at altitude.
• Take it slow on stairs and slopes. Your heart will be working harder than you expect.
• Consult a pharmacist about Soroche pills (acetazolamide/Diamox) if you are very sensitive to altitude.
• Remember: Machu Picchu is at 2,430m — significantly lower than Cusco. Most people feel much better there.

Getting Around Cusco

The historic center of Cusco (where most attractions and hotels are located) is compact and walkable — but remember that walking uphill at 3,400m feels very different from sea level. For longer distances, taxis are inexpensive ($2–$5 for most city journeys), widely available, and should be agreed with the driver before you get in. Uber also operates in Cusco. All guided tours include transport.

What to Wear in Cusco

• Layers are essential — mornings can be near-freezing in winter (June–August), afternoons can be warm (18–22°C).
• Comfortable walking shoes — the city center has steep, uneven cobblestones.
• Rain jacket for afternoon showers, especially November–April.
• Sun protection — UV intensity at altitude is much higher than at sea level.

Money & Budget

• Budget traveler: $40–$60/day (hostel, local food, one activity)
• Mid-range traveler: $80–$130/day (guesthouse, restaurant meals, daily tours)
• Comfortable traveler: $150–$300+/day (boutique hotel, private tours)
• ATMs are widely available in the city center. Carry some cash for markets and small vendors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cusco

Final Thoughts — Why Cusco Belongs on Every Traveler's List

Cusco is one of those rare destinations that exceeds expectations — and people's expectations of it are already sky-high. The combination of Inca history, Andean landscapes, vibrant local culture, extraordinary food, and adventure activities is simply unmatched anywhere else in South America.

Whether you come for 3 days or 3 weeks, the key is to slow down, acclimatize properly, and let Cusco reveal itself at its own pace. The city rewards those who look beyond the postcard and explore on foot — every alley in the historic center hides a colonial doorway built on Inca stones, and every local market offers a glimpse of a culture that has survived five centuries of history with remarkable grace.

About GoPeruGuide

GoPeruGuide.com is an independent Peru travel resource dedicated to helping international visitors plan unforgettable trips to Cusco, Lima, and Arequipa. Our editorial team has over a decade of combined experience traveling, guiding, and writing about Peru. We earn a commission from Viator when you book through our links — at no extra cost to you.

Related guides

• Best Machu Picchu Tours from Cusco
• Rainbow Mountain Tour from Cusco
• Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco
• Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco
• Inca Trail Permits
• Salkantay Trek 5 Days