The 12 best day trips from Cusco (with prices and tips)
Cusco is the perfect base for exploring the Andes: within a few hours you can reach Inca citadels, rainbow mountains, glacier lakes and traditional villages, and be back in town for dinner. With so many options, choosing is the hard part. Here are the twelve day trips we recommend most, what makes each one special, and how to combine them sensibly with the altitude.
All twelve at a glance
| Tour | Length | Max altitude | Effort | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu by train | 17 h | 2,430 m | Easy | US $375 |
| Sacred Valley | 13 h | 3,762 m | Easy | US $35 |
| Rainbow Mountain | 12 h | 5,030 m | Moderate | US $40 |
| Humantay Lake | 13 h | 4,200 m | Moderate | US $40 |
| Palcoyo | 12 h | 4,900 m | Easy | US $45 |
| 7 Lagoons of Ausangate | 15 h | 4,700 m | Moderate | US $40 |
| Cusco City Tour | 4 h | 3,765 m | Easy | US $18 |
| Maras & Moray | 4.5 h | 3,500 m | Easy | US $30 |
| South Valley | 7 h | 3,560 m | Easy | US $35 |
| Waqrapukara | 13 h | 4,300 m | Moderate | US $50 |
| Q’eswachaka Inca Bridge | 13 h | 3,700 m | Easy | US $40 |
| Pallay Punchu & Raqchi | 13 h | 4,770 m | Moderate | US $50 |
The unmissable classics
Machu Picchu by train — yes, it can be done in a day from Cusco. A 4:30 AM pickup, the train from Ollantaytambo, a guided visit and back by 9:30 PM. Long, but the Wonder of the World is worth it.
Sacred Valley — the terraces of Pisac, the fortress of Ollantaytambo, the Maras salt mines, the circular terraces of Moray and the weaving village of Chinchero, with a buffet lunch in the valley. At lower altitude than Cusco, it is the ideal first excursion.
Cusco City Tour — four relaxed hours at the Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. Perfect for your first morning in town.
Choose your next day trip
Hotel pickup, guide and meals included — tours from US $18.
Mountains and lagoons
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) — the famous striped ridge at 5,030 m, with an optional visit to the Red Valley. A demanding but unforgettable hike; read our complete guide. Prefer less walking? Try the ATV Express.
Humantay Lake — a turquoise glacier lake beneath the Salkantay range, reached by a steep 1.5-hour climb. See our Humantay guide.
Palcoyo — three rainbow ridges and a stone forest with only a one-hour walk and far fewer people than Vinicunca. Compare them in Palcoyo vs Vinicunca.
7 Lagoons of Ausangate — a circuit of coloured lagoons at the foot of the Ausangate glacier, finishing in the hot springs of Pacchanta.
Short and easy half-day trips
Maras & Moray — the circular Inca terraces of Moray and thousands of salt pans clinging to the hillside at Maras, plus Chinchero. South Valley — the water channels of Tipón, the pre-Inca city of Pikillacta and the painted church of Andahuaylillas, often called the Sistine Chapel of the Andes. Both are gentle and great for days when you want to rest your legs.
Off the beaten path
Waqrapukara — a dramatic “horned” fortress, built by the Qanchis and expanded by the Incas, perched above a canyon, with very few visitors. Q’eswachaka — the last Inca rope bridge, rewoven every year by local communities from grass. Pallay Punchu & Raqchi — a jagged mountain of coloured stripes and the great Inca Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi.
How to plan your day trips around the altitude
- Days 1–2: City Tour and Sacred Valley — lower and gentle.
- Day 3: Maras & Moray or the South Valley, or Machu Picchu (2,430 m).
- Day 4 onwards: the high trips — Humantay, Palcoyo, then Rainbow Mountain or the 7 Lagoons.
Leave an easy day between two very early starts if you can. Read our altitude guide and how many days to spend in Cusco for sample plans.
Booking tips
- All our day tours include hotel pickup in Cusco and a bilingual guide; the full-day trips also include meals.
- You can book online until 5 hours before pickup — perfect for deciding at the last minute. Machu Picchu is the exception: it needs at least 25 days because of tickets and trains.
- Shared groups of 3 or more travellers get automatic group discounts on most tours.
Frequently asked questions
Machu Picchu for history and the Sacred Valley for a complete, easy day. For nature, Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake are the most spectacular.
The City Tour, Sacred Valley, Maras & Moray, the South Valley and Palcoyo involve little walking or gentle walks.
You can if you are well acclimatized, but it is tiring. We recommend a rest or an easier day between them.
Most of our day tours can be booked online up to 5 hours before pickup. Machu Picchu needs at least 25 days in advance.
Start with the City Tour or the Sacred Valley: they are lower and gentle, which helps you acclimatize before the high excursions.
