Cusco, Peru is a Peruvian city located in the Andean region of Peru. The city is famous for being the first stop on the long journey to Machu Picchu. While Machu Picchu is the main reason many people travel to Cusco each year there is so much more to the city. This article dives into the best way to explore the city of Cusco, Peru, and will help readers know what they can do, where they should eat and so much more. Here are 18 activities you’ll love to do while in Cusco, Peru.
HISTORY OF CUSCO, PERU
The city of Cusco dates back to the 11th and 12th century and was officially founded in 1100. The city is located at an elevation of 11,152 ft., has roughly 428,450 thousand people and is well known as being the capital of the Incan Empire. Cusco is the main starting point for the journey to Machu Picchu, exploring the Sacred Valley, seeing Rainbow Mountain and so much more. It is filled with history, Incan culture and architecture and many different things to do.
You can learn more about the history of Cusco, Peru here: https://www.britannica.com/place/Cuzco
18 THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND CUSCO, PERU
1. Day Trip to Machu Picchu
The day starts early in the morning and includes transport from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, the train ticket to Aguas Calientes and back, entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, bus ride up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, a Professional Guide and the ride back to Cusco.
2. Day Trip to Rainbow Mountain
The day starts at 4:00 am with a pickup from your hostel and hotel. There is a 2-hour drive to breakfast then another hour to the start of the Rainbow Mountain hike. The hike isn’t very hard but because of the altitude, it will feel close to impossible. The tour includes a ticket to Rainbow Mountain, transportation, a guide, breakfast, and lunch.
3. Full Day Trip to Sacred Valley aka Valle VIP
The day starts bright and early at 6:50. The day includes 6 different stops: Chinchero, Maras Moray, Salt Farm Education, Salineras, Ollayatambus Ruins/Town, Pisaq Ruins, and the Town of Pisaq.
The tour costs 100 soles and then you will need to pay an additional 10 soles for the Salineras entrance and 70 for the tourist ticket. The full day includes lunch, a guide, and transportation to all the different locations
4. Basic Sacred Valley Tour
The VIP Tour is a tour that includes everything in one day but if you would rather split it up you can split the tour into two days. One day can be a half-day where you visit Maras Moray and Salineras and the other day can be the Sacred Valley Tour.
The Basic Sacred Valley Tour includes transportation to Pisaq, Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. Lunch and a guide are provides. The tour costs 100 soles and starts at 7:45 and ends around 6:30pm.
5. Laguna Humantay
This is part of the first day on the Salkantay trek but if you don’t want to do the full 4 night and 5 day trek to Machu Picchu you can still visit the lake on a day trip. The day trip starts at 4:00 am with a 2-hour road trip to the start of the hike. Then a 2-hour hike to the base of the lake followed by a 30-minute hike uphill to the lake.
The tour includes transport to the lake and back, a guide, breakfast and lunch and entrance tickets.
CITY ACTIVITIES:
6. Shopping at San Pedro
San Pedro is the local market that sells souvenirs, fruits and vegetables, meat, bread, nuts and other market goods. It is a great place to buy cheap products, have a cheap lunch and cheap souvenirs.
INSIDER TIP: Visiting San Pedro is a must do in Cusco however there are a lot of souvenir shops throughout the town where you can buy cheaper souvenirs.
7. Cusco City View Point
The viewpoint is famous for the giant Jesus Christ statue that is at the top. You can either take a taxi to the viewpoint or walk. If you go through the houses and neighborhoods it is free. If you enter from the entrance of Sacsayhuaman Ruins you will need to have the Tourist Ticket to enter. This ticket lasts for two days and costs $40 USD. You can use this ticket to get into other Cusco Attractions.
8. Dance the Night Away at Mama Africa
Mama Africa is the nightclub to visit when in Cusco. It is free to enter and goes almost all night. Be prepared to hear salsa, bachata, regatton, and other music from around the world.
9. Sacsayhuaman Ruins
These ruins are open from 7:00am to 6:00 pm and require a tourist ticket to enter. The Tourist Ticket is 130-soles roughly $40 USD and it will get you into 15 other Cusco attractions. The city is filled with Incan ruins and is worth a visit when visiting the area.
10. Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
Open Monday through Sunday from 8:30 – 20:00 this museum is a look into the Andean art world. The museum costs 20 soles for foreigners and 10 soles if you bring your student ID. Locals the cost is 10 soles normally and 5 soles for students.
11. Cooking Class at Green Point Vegan Restaurant
Green Point is a famous vegan restaurant in Cusco, Peru. They are open for lunch and dinner and even have their own bakery. They also offer cooking classes for those who are interesting in learning how to cook vegan.
12. Sightseeing Cusco Churches
They are many historical and beautiful churches in Cusco that date back tot eh Incan time period. The main one is in the Plaza de Armas. You have to pay to enter but it is well worth the ticket. If you really don’t want to pay you can go from 6:00 am – 8:00 am on Sunday morning and get in for free.
The other churches around the city are free.
13. Chocolate Museum
The Choco Museum is a store that offers lots of different sorts of chocolate. It is a great place to buy some presents for the family. The museum also offers chocolate-making classes.
14. Free Walking Tour
Like other free walking tours this tour uses tipping. The tour lasts around 3-hour and meets in La Plaza de Armas. At the end of the tour you tip the guide based on your satisfaction with the tour.
OVERNIGHT TRIPS
15. Salkantay Trek
A 4 night and 5 day tour starting from Cusco, Peru and ending in Aguas Calientes to visit Machu Picchu.
Learn more about the Salkantay Trek HERE: SALKANTAY TREK: 5 DAY TREK
16. Tambopata Jungle Tour
A 4 nights and 5 day tour starting at Puerto Maldonado and staying on El Rio Madre Dios followed by a night in Tambopata National Park.
If you don’t want to go for the full 5 days and 4 nights you can chose 2 nights and 3 days or 3 nights and 4 days. But I recommend making sure you spend at least one night inside the Tambopata National Park.
17. Camino Inca
A 4 nights and 3 days trek on the Incan Trail to Machu Picchu. You can hike this yourself if you want to bring all your food and gear or you can go with a tour group. This trek is very touristic so be prepared to see a lot of people on the trail.
18. Lares Trek
A 4 days and 3 nights trek that includes a bus ride to Valle Larres, horses, a bilingual guide, camping, food, hostel in Aguas Calientes, entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, train ticket to Ollantaytambo and a bus ride back to Cusco.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Overall, Cusco, Peru is a beautiful and historical city to explore. It is filled with history, interesting things to do and see and wonderful people. The town can feel a bit touristic at times but well worth the visit. Be sure to add Cusco to the top of your list when visiting Peru.
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