7-Day Cusco Itinerary, Peru
Here is our practical 7-day Cusco itinerary, featuring must-visit places and attractions in the Peruvian capital of the Inca Empire. There are lots of day trip options, hikes, and things to do in Cusco so that you can extend your travel itinerary to a 10-day alternative. This travel guide includes tips on how to plan your week-long trip, tours, and accommodation.
Cusco is the Peruvian dream destination. A former capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco offers so many things to do that some travelers decide to plan their holidays solely around this city thanks to the diversity and a large number of day trips in the surroundings.
Sure, a day or two in Cusco allows you to take a glimpse at how Incas lived. You will have enough time to visit some of the best attractions in the city and its vicinity. But you will barely scratch the surface.
To get the most of your trip to Cusco, you need to allow yourself at least a week. Only this way can you peel off the touristy skin and soak up the historic atmosphere of the Peruvian major tourist destination.
During our long-year journey around South America, we based ourselves in Cusco for three weeks.
At times, long term travel can be physically and mentally challenging, but the possibility of taking time off is one of its greatest advantages, alongside having the chance to get to know the place better.
Unfortunately, not everyone can afford that much time off work, or many travelers prefer to visit also other places in Peru than only this area.
And that was one of the reasons we've created this 7-day Cusco itinerary.
A week in Cusco gives you the freedom to visit the city, best places in its surroundings, adjust the itinerary to your needs and preferences, and manage to see other Peru's top destinations.
This seven and, by extension, ten-day Cusco itinerary includes the top attractions and aims to help planning your trip as smoothly as possible.
CUSCO ITINERARY
There are several ways to approach this Cusco one-week itinerary.
To make things as easy as possible, we assume that you will fly into Lima and head out directly to Cusco.
There is no need to stay in Lima before visiting the Cusco region, so we suggest you leave the visit to Peru's capital city for the end of your holiday, once you know you're on time and everything went successfully.
Sure, this is only if you plan to come back and fly out and do not continue your trip to Bolivia or Ecuador, for instance.
If you arrive from Arequipa or even Bolivia, you are more than welcome to use this itinerary as well.
Although we planned this trip to be a week-long, you can easily extend it to a 10-day Cusco itinerary version by adding a multiday hike such as Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek. We are going to share the details about both treks at the end of the post.
One of the best things about our itinerary is that it works in the real world.
It's not just a bunch of top places in Cusco sorted in random order that you won't have time to visit in the end.
We planned it quite carefully, so your trip should go according to your plans, and you should not be a slave to your schedule.
On top of that, our itinerary offers you to choose from multiple alternatives on most of the days so you can adjust it as you please.
ALTITUDE
Before we dive into the itinerary itself, we have to mention one of the most important facts about Cusco first.
Cusco sits at an altitude of 3400 meters above sea level (over 11000 feet), and this is the kind of fact you shouldn't take lightly.
Acclimating your body to thinner air is an essential step to prevent altitude sickness (that occurs from 2500 meters) because without following a few simple rules and adjusting to the altitude, you can easily ruin your stay in the city.
On top of that, many places that you are going to visit are even higher than Cusco, and you will get over 4000 meters plenty of time during your trip, sometimes even above 5000 meters.
Mild altitude sickness symptoms are tiredness, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, loss of appetite, etc., and most visitors experience at least a few of them to some extent.
There are a few common tips to acclimate your body to the altitude you should follow.
Stay active, but take things slowly. Drink plenty of water during the day, even if you are not that thirsty. Avoid alcohol, and try to get a good night's sleep. Staying at party hostels might not be the best idea this time.
A locals' tried and tested trick is to drink a coca tea (or chew coca leaves).
The most problematic thing about the altitude is that it's quite unpredictable and affects everyone differently. Stay safe.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY - LIMA - CUSCO
As it takes about 24 hours to get from Lima to Cusco by bus, it's reasonable to assume that you might want to take a flight instead, especially if your itinerary is packed.
Cusco has an international airport, but most international flights don't fly directly there and make a quick stop in Lima.
Once you arrive at Cusco, take a taxi for a few soles from the Terminal Terrestre to the hotel of your choice.
One of the things to know about Peru is that before taking a taxi, you should agree on the price first. Also, don't settle on the first price; try to bargain a bit. Now is the time when having a Spanish Phrase Book comes in handy.
The area around Plaza de Armas is known as Centro Historico, and if we were you, we would stay there.
The historical part of Cusco is packed with hotels, restaurants, attractions, and travel agencies. It's the most tourist-friendly area in Cusco, also considered relatively safe.
The rest of your today's itinerary depends on your arrival time.
Early morning arrival gives you the whole day to spend in Cusco. And believe us, you are going to need that extra time as there is so much to see and do in Cusco that one day might not be enough.
There are some must-visit places, museums, and historical sites in Cusco, such as Qorikancha, Cusco Cathedral, San Blas neighborhood, or San Pedro Market.
You can take one of many guided Centro Historico Tours or wander aimlessly around the cobblestone streets.
Even if you arrive late to Cusco, you might want to stretch your legs a bit and go for a walk. Having a traditional Peruvian meal in one of the local restaurants is always a great way to start your trip.
By the way, if you are a foodie, consider this Peruvian Cooking Class.
Either way, take things slowly on your first day in Cusco and try to acclimate your body.
HOTELS IN CUSCO
Staying near Cusco's historical center is the best option. Centro Historico is home to many excellent restaurants and hotels, plus you will find most of the travel agencies there.
This district is relatively safe, not something you should take for granted when traveling in South America.
You might find cheaper accommodations in Cusco during the low season, but keep in mind, that for example, the Inca Trail is closed in February for maintenance.
Hotel room prices vary depending on many factors, but you can find great deals if you book early.
So if you are looking for a fancy hotel, budget hostel, or something in between, we hand-selected a collection of the best hotels in Cusco.
Budget | Cusco Bed and Breakfast - Spacious and clean rooms, comfortable beds, very quiet at night, excellent location.
Mid-range | Tierra Viva Cusco Centro - Providing a tranquil environment, beautiful rooms and also has one of the top-rated locations in Cusco.
Luxury | JW Marriott El Convento Cusco - The hotel features impressive interiors, has a charming colonial courtyard, luxury rooms, and Cusco’s cathedral or main square are only three blocks away.
DAY 2: CUSCO - SACSAYHUAMAN RUINS
The early bird gets the worm, so start your day early in the morning as possible. As usual, you have a few options to spend the day in Cusco.
You can visit either Sacsayhuaman Ruins first and explore the city's historical part later, or vice versa.
If you have explored Centro Historico thoroughly on your arrival day, then we are going to share a few more places you shouldn't miss.
Although you have probably seen some of the Inca's architectural features already on some structures in the city, Sacsayhuaman is going to take things to an entirely new level.
Although Sacsayhuaman is the shiniest star of all Inca sites in Cusco, there are three more ruins along the way leading to Pisac worth seeing.
Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay are all located on the same road, and you can take a taxi, colectivo, tour, or even hike in order to get there.
Some tours have Cusco's City Center with Inca Sites on their itinerary, which might save some time.
If you still have some time and energy left or looking for less-visited sites in the Cusco area, head out to the east part of the valley.
Compared to the famous ruins in the area, Pikillacta and Tipon are sites that international visitors often overlook.
It's almost impossible to get off the beaten path in Cusco and escape the crowds, but these two sites are some of the best ways to do it.
DAY 3: PISAC RUINS
Early in the morning, have a hearty breakfast and then take a colectivo to the town of Pisac.
Once you get there, find the trailhead to Pisac Ruins hike (north of Plaza Constitucion), and start climbing steadily up towards the ruins perched on the top of the hill.
The walk is quite strenuous (at least the first part), and you might want to make frequent stops to catch a breath.
There are a few structures along the way, so take your time to explore them a bit, and enjoy the incredible views with the Urubamba Valley in the background.
Once you reach the main Pisac ruins, you can explore them on your own or hire a guide at the entrance. The Pisac ruins are quite extensive, and you should allocate roughly two hours for the site.
And by the way, the trail is quite exposed, receiving not much shade, so make sure to apply sunscreen frequently.
After the tour, start descending back to the valley (it's the same trail). You might want to consider using trekking poles (they help with the climb as well) to decrease stress and strain on your knees.
Hiking to Pisac is the most challenging way to visit it, though it's the most rewarding one. To make your trip less demanding, you can take a taxi to Pisac ruins and then hike only downhill or not at all.
Of course, you can shop around Cusco for Pisac Ruins Tour that includes a local guide and transport (these tours usually include more places in the Sacred Valley).
Staying safe is an essential part of your holiday. Try not to rush things. Plenty of short term visitors make this mistake each year, and it's not worth it.
However, if your body acclimates faster, you might consider squeezing Pisac Ruins and Sacsayhuaman into one long day. As a result, you will end up with an entire free day.
If you are wondering what to do on that extra day, Humantay Lake is one of the most obvious choices.
Humantay Lake is a beautiful high altitude lagoon in the Vilcabamba mountain range, roughly a three-hour bus ride from Cusco.
The lake is located between Humantay and Salkantay Mountains, and on a clear day, the scenery will take your breath away.
And not only in a figurative sense as Humantay Lake sits at an altitude of 4200 meters above sea level.
This stunning blue lake is one of the most classic day trips from Cusco you shouldn't miss.
As usual, Humantay Lake Tour is the easiest way to get there.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
Regular travel insurance might be enough when planning a trip to the Peruvian Andes.
It's also important to make sure your travel insurance covers hiking at an altitude between 4000 and 5000 meters above sea level.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
DAY 4: SACRED VALLEY
Valle Sagrado de los Incas, also known as the Urubamba Valley, stretches for 100 kilometers between Pisac and Machu Picchu.
The altitude of the wide valley's bottom ranges from 2000 to 3000 meters. The overlooking mountains that create natural borders rise to almost 6000 meters above sea level.
Add a few Inca Ruins, ancient salt mines, traditional weaving cultures, and indigenous villages, and as a result, you get one of the most beautiful places in Peru.
At this point, you have a few things to consider.
If you decided to take the Sacred Valley Tour from Cusco, you will head back to the city at the end of the day after sightseeing and leave for Machu Picchu later from there.
If you feel a bit more adventurous, you can visit the Sacred Valley without a tour independently and end your day in Ollantaytambo, from where you can later take a train to the sacred citadel.
Either way, Sacred Valley is a must-visit place.
So what can you see at Sacred Valley?
Chinchero is a typical Andean village known for epic terraces, colonial church, and weaving culture. A popular market is held in the plaza next to the church, and you can buy some traditional souvenirs there.
Maras Salt Mines are ancient pre-Inca evaporation salt pools on a hillside high above the Urubamba Valley. The salt mines have been used for centuries, though the main income comes from tourism now.
Sitting at an altitude of 3500 meters, Moray is a unique Inca ruins that resemble a giant amphitheater at first sight.
Although the purpose is not still clear, scientists now believe that the Incas used Moray as an agricultural laboratory to study climate conditions on crops.
The landmark has an intricate irrigation system, and the oval-shaped terraces have different microclimates.
The temperature difference between the lowest and highest terrace is 15 Celsius making it one of the most extraordinary places we've ever visited.
Ollantaytambo Ruins present one of the finest samples of Inca architecture. The massive stones, some weighing up to 50 tones, were brought from the quarries on hillsides opposite of the site and stacked up with the typical surgical precision.
From the train station in Ollantaytambo, trains depart daily to Machu Picchu as well. In fact, it's the last train station on the way.
DAY 5: MACHU PICCHU
Finally, the most anticipated day of your Cusco itinerary has arrived. Built by Incas in the 1450s, Machu Picchu is a top attraction in Peru and one of the world's most iconic places.
Perched on the mountain ridge high above the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu is the Incan citadel visited by thousands of tourists every day and one of the Peruvian symbols.
Often referred to as The Lost City of Incas, the site remained unknown to Spaniards during Peru's conquest.
In 1911, American historian Hiram Bingham introduced Machu Picchu to the rest of the world, and it became one of the most sought-after places ever since.
In 1983, Machu Picchu was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Machu Picchu has many rules and regulations to prevent overtourism, and you should definitely read our in-depth blog post, Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Machu Picchu.
The small town of Aguas Calientes is the entrance point to Machu Picchu, but surprisingly, no road connects the town (Machu Picchu Pueblo) with the rest of the country.
There are a few ways to get to Machu Picchu.
If you decided to stay in Cusco, your best bet is to take a guided Machu Picchu Tour in order to get there. The selection of Machu Picchu tours is almost endless, and every travel agency or tour operator in the city offers several variants of it.
Needless to say, the quality of the tours varies. You might have a lucky hand and have the time of your life. Or not.
Choosing a trustworthy tour operator is part of the success, so make sure to read some reviews before booking the tour.
If you are traveling independently and decide to depart from either Cusco or Ollantaytambo, make sure to have your train tickets and Machu Picchu entrance tickets booked in advance.
The demand for tickets is extremely high in the peak season, so make sure to reserve everything before the trip.
The scenic train ride to Machu Picchu is not exactly cheap, but it's worth it.
There are currently two companies, Inca Rail and Perurail, operating on this route. Both operators offer similar services, so choose the one that fits your schedule.
Once you get to Aguas Calientes, you can either hike to the entrance (not really worth it), or there's another time and energy-saving alternative, a bus - here you can buy your shuttle bus tickets in advance.
Despite the fact that this site is often overhyped, our two trips to Machu Picchu exceed our expectations, and we tremendously enjoyed them.
Of course, if you have more than seven days for the Cusco area, consider taking this trip to Machu Picchu more leisurely, arrive in Aguas Calientes, spend there a night in a hotel - search for Machu Picchu accommodation here - and visit the citadel the next day.
DAY 6: RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
By now, your body should be fairly acclimated to the altitude. So if all goes well and you feel good, a day trip to Rainbow Mountain is a must.
Even though the Rainbow Mountain was discovered not that long ago, its popularity skyrocketed from the start and now belongs among Peru's top attractions.
The photos of Rainbow Mountain are all over Instagram and other social media thanks to its out-of-the-world colors and surrounding scenery.
So far, it sounds really good, right? The trip is not going to be that easy, though.
The famous viewpoint and the highest point of Rainbow Mountain sits at an altitude of 5000 meters above sea level, and you shouldn't take this fact lightly. We met a girl in Cusco who ended up in hospital after this tour.
On top of that, it takes three hours to get there by minivan from Cusco. Yes, that's another three hours to get back to Cusco, so be prepared to spend a long time on Peruvian winding roads.
Luckily, the ride is smooth as silk. I almost had you, right?
Once you turn off the main road, the rest of the road is unpaved. For us, it was one of the most uncomfortable rides we experienced in Peru.
The aircon in the van didn't work, so it was boiling inside, and every time the driver opened the window, he was forced to shut it as the largest plume of dust from the road blew into the car instantly.
We felt really sorry for that guy who was part of some expensive Peruvian tour and accidentally ended up on this cheap day tour and then tried to complain about the conditions without any success.
At the end of the day, this is one of those stories we will always remember that makes traveling so entertaining.
And despite some minor hiccups, Rainbow Mountain is definitely worth a visit.
Before you book the classic Rainbow Mountain Tour, check out if the combination with Red Valley is available.
We did the Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Tour and think it is much better and even more photogenic than the classic trip.
DAY 7: DEPARTURE DAY - CUSCO - LIMA
It's time to bid a farewell to the region of Incas and fly back home. If you haven't visited Lima on your arrival day, now might be a good time to put things right.
With a population of 10 million people, Lima is, together with Sao Paulo, one of the largest cities we've ever visited.
There are so many things to do in Lima that you would need at least another week to fully explore it. Simply put, one day in Lima is barely enough to see the city's top sights.
If you have another week in Peru, you can slowly return back to Lima by bus and visit places such as Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, or Nazca along the way.
Those who travel from Ecuador to Bolivia (or vice versa) might also find useful our 4-Week Peru Itinerary.
DAY 8 - 10: INCA TRAIL
If you are looking for a way to extend your itinerary, adding a multiday trek is always a good idea. There is only one trek that ends at Machu Picchu, and we believe that it's a perfect fit with our itinerary.
One of the most sought-after treks in the world, the fabled 4-day Inca Trail exceeded our expectations.
Hiking on the traditional stone trail while exploring the Inca ruins along the way is once in a lifetime experience. On the last day, you will walk to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), from where you get the first glimpse of the renowned Inca citadel.
But Inca Trail is not only about the destination but the journey itself.
You can't hike the Inca Trail without a guide, and if you've never hiked also with porters, you should check out our Inca Trail Packing List.
Due to high demand during the peak periods, this trek reservation is required six months in advance. Only 200 hikers and 300 guides and porters can hike the Inca Trail each day, making things a bit more complicated.
As a result, the trek is often booked out, and it might prove difficult to secure the spots, even when planning the trip well ahead.
Also, people traveling on a budget might find this trek a bit pricey.
Salkantay Trek is often considered a budget alternative to Inca Trail, but we believe it's no fair comparison. This trek has its strong sides and offers a bit different, not worse, experience.
We created a useful post on Inca Trail vs. Salkantay Trek to highlight each trek's pros and cons.
Lastly, Lares Trek is getting more attention, so you now have more choices than ever.
BOLETO TURISTICO
If you plan your Cusco itinerary, you should learn a new term, Boleto Turistico. Buying Cusco Tourist Ticket is unavoidable. Currently, there are four different tickets to choose from.
The general Cusco ticket costs S/130, is valid for ten days and includes sixteen major sites in Cusco and Sacred Valley.
Then you have three partial tickets that divide those sixteen sites into three groups, and each ticket costs S/70 and is valid for a day or two.
Choosing the Cusco ticket that is right for you might be a bit confusing, so for better orientation, read our Boleto Turistico guide.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
