Cusco
The homeland of the Inca Empire, where Machu Picchu, the old city of Cusco and the Sacred Valley make it one of South America's most popular destinations.
Cusco lies in the Andes of southeastern Peru and was once the heart of the Inca Empire. The old city of Cusco and the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu are both World Heritage Sites. Along the Sacred Valley are Pisac, Ollantaytambo, the Moray terraces and the Maras salt pans, and the Inca Trail trek and Rainbow Mountain are also very popular. The eastern lowlands extend into the Amazon rainforest. The May–September dry season is peak tourist season, and the Inti Raymi sun festival in June is especially lively. Cusco's airport has flights to Lima and other cities, and most people go to Machu Picchu by train.
Destinations
Itineraries
- Peru Classic Southern Loop – A gradual altitude-acclimatizing loop from Lima via the White City, Colca Canyon, and Lake Titicaca to Cusco and Machu…
- Cusco First Visit Highlights – Old-town churches and the Qorikancha, a Sacred Valley day trip, and a downhill walk past four northern ruins. Three day…
- Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain – Arrive in Cusco and descend immediately to the Sacred Valley to acclimatize, then visit Machu Picchu, and finally climb…
- Cusco in Depth and a Machu Picchu Day Trip – Stay all five nights in San Blas, visiting the old-town museums and ruins and the Sacred Valley's salt pans and terrace…
- Inca Trail & Tambopata Amazon Rainforest 11-Day Adventure – Trek the classic 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, then fly into the Amazon rainforest to spot macaws and giant river o…
- Cusco Highland Hikes: Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain – Sightseeing walks, the Sacred Valley, Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain, ordered from low to high altitude, with rest…
- Peru & Bolivia Highlands Highlights – From Machu Picchu across Lake Titicaca to La Paz and the Uyuni Salt Flats
- Galapagos and Machu Picchu – A multi-country route connecting Quito, the Galapagos, Lima, the Sacred Valley, and Cusco, covering the islands and Inc…
- Cusco Inca and Colonial Art – Old-town churches, Inca and pre-Columbian museums, and a textile center, then Tipón, the Wari ruins and the church know…