Cusco is among 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 onerous to do every little thing in one journey. Peru is residence to a few of the most stunning folks, landscapes, and historical past in the Western Hemisphere.
There’s nothing higher than exploring every little thing this nation gives, occurring a shocking hike, and stress-free afterward with a recent pisco bitter. I’ve traveled all through Peru for just a few months, and Cusco is one among my favourite locations. So, seize a espresso, sit again, and chill out as I am going over the most effective 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 finest spots for this in the complete nation. It additionally used to be the capital of the Incan Empire and has a whole lot of historical past. This is why it’s the nation’s hottest place to go to, and it could possibly generally really feel like a vacationer entice. But visiting Machu Picchu alone is nicely definitely 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 turned a UNESCO World Heritage web site in 1983 and was declared one of many Seven New World Wonders in 2007. Machu Picchu was stated to be a spiritual 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 vital 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 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 encircling areas of Cusco.
You can do that hike by yourself, which is able to prevent cash, or you may ebook one of many many accessible excursions.
Doing this hike independently may appear too sophisticated for some however 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 payment in Mollepata of round 10 soles (costs might have modified barely)
If that is too sophisticated 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 would possibly expertise altitude illness. So, go at your personal 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 would take folks 2 hours to end. This relies on health stage and time on the laguna.
Difficulty: I’d rank this hike as reasonable to tough due to the altitude and elevation achieve.
Incline: The elevation for this hike is round 1302 toes or 396 meters.
Hiking Guide: A information just isn’t wanted for this hike and is definitely accessible by the general public.
3. Explore the City Center and Take a Free Walking Tour
It’s onerous to miss the town middle of Cusco when visiting. It’ll at all times be energetic; even into the night time, 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 a neighborhood. You can try Free Walking Tours Cusco to ebook a time.
Some of the belongings you’ll see are:
Arms sq.
Cathedral
The firm of Jesus
The final road – 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 once I first arrive, is to discover a good bar overlooking the 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, they usually may also be stumbled upon.
Some in style ones are Ivin Inka Beer and Santo Resto Lounge. You would possibly 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 can 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 toes), 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 massive crowds, particularly throughout a hike, there’s an analogous exercise with fewer folks. Palccoyo is in the identical space as Rainbow Mountain however doesn’t have almost the identical variety of folks 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 provide you with a perspective of your new vacation spot and can be enjoyable as heck!
The Cristo Blanco statue is among the best and finest 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 take pleasure in a whole lot of 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 would possibly lose monitor of time.
8. Hike to Salkantay Trek
If you desire a distinctive journey whereas trying to attain Machu Picchu, I extremely counsel mountaineering the Salkantay Trek!
The Salkantay Trek is a 5 day hike by the mountains with the tip purpose of reaching Machu Picchu. It was by far the most effective exercise I did in Peru!
The five-day itinerary will look one thing like this:
You can be picked up out of your lodging and pushed to Soryapampa, the place you’ll start your hike to Laguna Humantay. Afterwards, spend the night time right here!
Hike by the Salkantay Pass and spend the night time in the city of Colpapampa
Wake up and hike by 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 this present day 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 would take folks 5 days to end. This relies 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 toes.
Hiking Guide: A information just isn’t 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 situated instantly inside the 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 nicely price it! A common vacationer ticket prices round 130 soles and offers you entry to 16 completely different websites.
With a lot to see, it’s a fantastic 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 can buy fruits, greens, meats, and even completely different souvenirs right here!
Also, you may’t go to Peru with out making an attempt a few of its native dishes! Try an Alpaca burger, or if you happen to’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 enchantment to you, there are many different choices at eating places all through the town and close to the town middle. If you need to get monetary savings on meals, enterprise farther from the town middle for higher costs and a extra genuine contact! Try some road 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’ve gotten time and wish to get monetary savings, 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 way 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 accessible)
Terminal Plaza Norte and La Victoria are two good stations. The web site and/or ticket will inform you which bus terminal you need to 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 is 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 the 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 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 vital vital cities in the complete Western Hemisphere. There are countless 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 not possible to do every little thing in one journey. Take every little thing in because it comes and be current. I really like this metropolis a lot that I plan to return in the future quickly. There are many extra hikes to go on and adventures to be had!