How many days in Cusco? Our answer, with itineraries for 3 to 7 days

It is the question we hear most from travellers planning Peru. The honest answer: four to five days is the sweet spot for Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, and a week lets you add the mountains. Fewer than three days is possible but rushed, mainly because of the altitude. Below you will find our recommendation and sample itineraries, built in the order that helps your body adapt.

The short answer

Why the altitude changes the plan

Cusco sits at about 3,400 m, and most visitors feel the altitude during the first day or two. That is why we always start gently — a city tour and the Sacred Valley, which is lower — and leave the high excursions such as Humantay Lake (≈4,200 m) or Rainbow Mountain (5,030 m) for later. Machu Picchu, at 2,430 m, is lower than Cusco and fits well in the middle. Read our altitude guide for more.

3 days in Cusco

1. Day 1: Arrive, rest and take the Cusco City Tour (Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán and the nearby Inca sites).
2. Day 2: Machu Picchu day tour by train.
3. Day 3: San Blas, the markets and museums, or the Maras & Moray half day before your flight.

Prefer everything arranged? Our Cusco Express 3-day package starts at US $490.

4 days in Cusco

1. Day 1: Arrival and City Tour.
2. Day 2: Sacred Valley, at lower altitude.
3. Day 3: Machu Picchu by train.
4. Day 4: Maras & Moray in the morning or a free morning, and departure.

It is the plan of our Cusco Essential 4-day package (from US $530), with hotels and transfers included.

5 days in Cusco (our favourite)

1. Day 1: Arrival and City Tour.
2. Day 2: Sacred Valley — Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Moray and Chinchero.
3. Day 3: Machu Picchu by train.
4. Day 4: Rainbow Mountain or, for an easier walk, Palcoyo.
5. Day 5: Free morning in Cusco and departure.

This is close to our Cusco Discovery 5-day package (from US $595), with hotels and transfers included.

7 days in Cusco

1. Day 1: Arrival and City Tour.
2. Day 2: Sacred Valley.
3. Day 3: Machu Picchu by train.
4. Day 4: Humantay Lake.
5. Day 5: A gentle day: Maras & Moray or the South Valley.
6. Day 6: Rainbow Mountain, walking or by ATV.
7. Day 7: Shopping, a cooking class or simply a slow morning before departure.

Our Cusco Highlights 7-day package (from US $860) follows a similar plan and adds an ATV ride to Maras and Moray.

With more time: treks and Lake Titicaca

With eight days or more, walk to Machu Picchu instead of taking the train: the Classic Inca Trail, the Salkantay or the Lares trek. You can also continue to Puno and Lake Titicaca. Always allow two or three days in Cusco before a trek. Planning all of Peru? See how many days you need in Peru.

Where to stay

For short stays, sleep in the historic centre or the bohemian San Blas quarter: everything is walkable and tour pickups are quick. For four days or more, consider your first one or two nights in the Sacred Valley — it is about 500 m lower, which helps with acclimatization, and closer to the Machu Picchu train. More ideas in where to stay in Cusco.

Tips for planning your days

• Book Machu Picchu first — it needs at least 25 days and its date shapes the rest of the plan.
• Keep a spare half day for weather, a strike or simply rest.
• Avoid two 4:00 AM starts in a row if you can.
• Do not fly out the same day as a long excursion; leave time for transfers.

Frequently asked questions