Azul VoyagesYour Travel Experts
Peru · Cusco
Cusco, Gateway to the Lost City
The former capital of the Inca Empire, where cobblestone streets built on stone foundations lead out through the Sacred Valley toward Machu Picchu itself.
4.9 (3.2k travelers)·Best for: history, hiking, culture
Best Time to Visit
May – Sep
Flight Time
2 Stops (13h 40m)
Currency
Peruvian Sol
Language
Spanish
Overview
Most travelers use Cusco as a two-day base before the train to Machu Picchu, and that undersells it.
The Plaza de Armas, San Pedro Market, and the Inca stonework still holding up colonial walls are worth their own full day before you ever leave the city. Plan a slow first day too: the altitude here sits above 3,400 meters and rewards taking it easy.
Things to Do
Curated moments that make Cusco unforgettable
From £220
Machu Picchu Full-Day Tour
Train through the Sacred Valley to the citadel above the clouds
From £65
Sacred Valley & Ollantaytambo
Inca terraces, a working village, and a fortress still standing
From £55
Rainbow Mountain Trek
A striped ridge at 5,200m, best reached before the clouds close in
From £40
San Pedro Market Food Walk
Fresh juices, alpaca skewers, and a hundred kinds of potato
Handpicked Stays
Hotels our travel experts vouch for
Limited Time Offer
Save on Cusco Escapes
Book by November 30 and add a private guide for your Machu Picchu day to any 6-night Cusco itinerary.
15%Off Select Stays
Travel Guide
What our travel experts want you to know before you go
01
Acclimatize Before You Hike
Cusco sits at 3,400m. Spend your first day or two resting and drinking coca tea before attempting Rainbow Mountain or the Inca Trail.
02
Book Machu Picchu Tickets Months Ahead
Daily entries are capped and sell out, especially for the Huayna Picchu add-on climb, so reserve as soon as your dates are fixed.
03
Bring Cash for the Sacred Valley
Cards work in central Cusco but stop working fast once you're in Ollantaytambo or the smaller villages.
04
When to Go
May through September is the dry season and the clearest mountain views, but also the busiest and coldest at night. Shoulder months trade a little rain for thinner crowds.