Stories & expert guides from Cusco
Real advice from a local team that lives and breathes the Andes — Inca Trail planning, Machu Picchu tips, packing lists, altitude help and the stories behind every trail.
119 guides written and updated by our team in Cusco — October 2026.
Plan your Machu Picchu visit: how to get there, tickets and circuits, best time to go, what to see inside, what to bring and how many days you need.
Read guide →Machu Picchu tickets 2026 explained: circuits 1, 2 and 3, Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, current prices, rules and how to book the right one.
Read guide →How to check Machu Picchu ticket availability in 2026: how far ahead each route sells out, where to see places, rules and what to do if sold out.
Read guide →Every way to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco: train via Ollantaytambo, Inca Trail, Salkantay and Lares treks, and the budget route via Hidroeléctrica.
Read guide →When to visit Machu Picchu: dry vs rainy season, crowds month by month, the Inca Trail February closure, festivals and the best time of day to go.
Read guide →Real Machu Picchu costs in 2026: entrance tickets, train, bus, guide, tours and treks compared, plus where to save money and where not to.
Read guide →How to visit Machu Picchu on a budget: the route by car via Hidroeléctrica, cheaper trains, walking up, student discounts and costly mistakes.
Read guide →Machu Picchu in one day from Cusco: hour-by-hour timetable, what the US $375 tour includes, why to book 25 days ahead and tips for a long day.
Read guide →Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain? Compare height, difficulty, exposure, views, climbing time and tickets to choose the right climb at Machu Picchu.
Read guide →How to climb Huayna Picchu: route 3-A tickets, price, how hard the trail is, how long it takes, the best time slot, what to bring and who should skip it.
Read guide →Inca Trail or train to Machu Picchu? Compare time, fitness, permits, cost and experience, plus the in-between options of 1 and 2 days on foot.
Read guide →Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in 2 days: Chinchero, Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo, a night in Aguas Calientes and an early Machu Picchu visit.
Read guide →Three days from Cusco: Chinchero, Maras and Moray, a night with the Misminay community, Ollantaytambo and a guided Machu Picchu visit. From US $600.
Read guide →How to combine the Sacred Valley with Machu Picchu: by train in 2 days, with a community stay in 3, on the short Inca Trail or on a trek.
Read guide →Machu Picchu by road via Hidroeléctrica, with a soak in the Cocalmayo hot springs: the real 3-day itinerary, what is included and who it suits.
Read guide →How to reach Machu Picchu by car via Hidroeléctrica: the route over Abra Málaga, the 11 km walk to Aguas Calientes, 2 and 3-day options, prices and tips.
Read guide →Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo): how to get there, the bus to Machu Picchu, what to do, hot springs, where to eat and whether to stay a night.
Read guide →Machu Picchu is at about 2,430 m — lower than Cusco. Compare the altitudes of Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the treks and the peaks, and how to acclimatize.
Read guide →What to wear to Machu Picchu in any season: layers, rain jacket, the right shoes, sun and insect protection and what to carry.
Read guide →The best photo spots at Machu Picchu: the postcard view, Huayna Picchu, the mountain, the Sun Gate and the llamas, plus which circuit, light and camera rules.
Read guide →15 fascinating Machu Picchu facts: who built it and why, how it escaped the Spanish, its earthquake-proof stonework, astronomy, the 1911 discovery and more.
Read guide →Is Machu Picchu worth the cost and effort? An honest look at crowds, price, tickets and logistics, with tips for a great visit and alternatives.
Read guide →Everything about the Inca Trail: classic 4-day route day by day, permits, difficulty, best season, what is included, packing and the shorter options.
Read guide →How Inca Trail permits work in 2026: the daily limit, why your passport matters, how early to book by season and what to do if dates are sold out.
Read guide →When to hike the Inca Trail: dry and rainy seasons, month by month, the February closure, cold nights at camp and how early to book your permit.
Read guide →The Classic Inca Trail in 4 days, day by day: Km 82, Dead Woman’s Pass, the ruins, the Sun Gate at sunrise, difficulty, what is included and tips.
Read guide →Short Inca Trail (2 days) or Classic Inca Trail (4 days)? Compare distance, altitude, nights, difficulty, Sun Gate arrival and price to choose the right one.
Read guide →The Short Inca Trail in 2 days: train to Km 104, Wiñay Wayna, the Sun Gate, a night in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, with what is included and tips.
Read guide →Is the 1-day Inca Trail worth it? What the hike from Km 104 includes, how hard it is, pros and cons, and how it compares with 2 and 4 days.
Read guide →Three days combining the Sacred Valley, the Short Inca Trail to the Sun Gate and a full Machu Picchu tour: itinerary, permits, price and tips.
Read guide →How to get fit for the Inca Trail: how hard it really is, a simple 12-week plan, stairs and descents, back-to-back hikes and the altitude.
Read guide →The complete Inca Trail packing list: clothes, footwear, documents, gear to rent in Cusco, what porters carry and what to leave at your hotel.
Read guide →Who the Inca Trail porters are, how the law and load limits protect them, what fair treatment looks like, how to choose a responsible operator and how to tip.
Read guide →Inca Trail sold out? The best alternative treks to Machu Picchu — Salkantay, Lares, Huchuy Qosqo, Choquequirao — by days, altitude and price.
Read guide →Inca Trail, Salkantay or Lares? Compare history, scenery, culture, difficulty, altitude, permits, accommodation and price to choose your trek to Machu Picchu.
Read guide →Salkantay trek in 4 days: route day by day, the 4,600 m pass, difficulty, Humantay Lake, what is included, best season and Salkantay vs Inca Trail.
Read guide →Salkantay trek in 3 days: itinerary, how it differs from the 4-day trek, difficulty of crossing the 4,600 m pass on day one, and who it suits best.
Read guide →Salkantay and Humantay Lake in 2 days from Cusco: the route, a night in cabins, the Salkantay Pass, difficulty, what is included and how to prepare.
Read guide →Salkantay and the Inca Trail in 5 days: Humantay Lake, a 5,100 m pass, Llactapata, Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate into Machu Picchu, with what is included.
Read guide →Why choose the Lares trek to Machu Picchu: weaving villages, hot springs, glacial lakes and a 4,646 m pass, with no permit — plus the day-by-day route.
Read guide →The Lares trek to Machu Picchu in 4 days: Lares hot springs, weaving villages, the 4,646 m Sacsallaully Pass, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu.
Read guide →Lares and the Short Inca Trail in 4 days: hot springs, weaving villages, a 4,646 m pass, Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate, with what is included and tips.
Read guide →The Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu in 3 days: high passes above Cusco, the Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, day by day.
Read guide →Huchuy Qosqo and the Short Inca Trail in 4 days: high passes and lagoons above Cusco, Wiñay Wayna, the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, with what is included.
Read guide →The Huchuy Qosqo day trek from Cusco: a 4,393 m pass, original Inca trail and the royal estate of Little Cusco above the Sacred Valley, in one day.
Read guide →The Choquequirao trek in 4 days: Cachora, the Apurímac Canyon, the climb to the “other Machu Picchu”, difficulty, what is included and how to prepare.
Read guide →The Choquequirao trek in 5 days, with a full day at the site: Cachora, the Apurímac Canyon, camping at the ruins, difficulty and what is included.
Read guide →Trek from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu in 8 days: the Apurímac Canyon, Yanama, a 4,400 m pass, Llactapata and Machu Picchu, day by day, with inclusions.
Read guide →The 9-day trek from Choquequirao to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay range: a 4,840 m pass, remote Inca sites, Yanama, Llactapata and Machu Picchu.
Read guide →First time trekking around Ausangate? Which route to choose, how hard it is, acclimatization, cold nights, what to pack and how to enjoy the trek.
Read guide →The Ausangate trek in 5 days: passes up to 5,200 m, glacial lagoons, alpaca herds and the Pacchanta hot springs, with difficulty, inclusions and tips.
Read guide →Trek around Ausangate to Rainbow Mountain in 4 days: hot springs, red and turquoise lagoons, passes above 4,800 m and Vinicunca without the crowds.
Read guide →The Inca Jungle Trek explained: biking, rafting, zip-lining and hiking to Machu Picchu, a typical itinerary, difficulty and safety tips.
Read guide →The best day trips from Cusco: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, Palcoyo and hidden gems — with prices, altitude and effort.
Read guide →Everything about Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): altitude, how hard the hike is, best time to go, what to pack, prices, and how to avoid the crowds.
Read guide →Is Rainbow Mountain worth the 4:00 AM start, the altitude and the crowds? Our honest pros and cons, who should skip it and how to make the day great.
Read guide →Hike or ride a quad to Rainbow Mountain? Compare walking time, effort, altitude, Red Valley access and price of the three ways to reach Vinicunca.
Read guide →Palcoyo or Vinicunca? Compare altitude, hiking time, crowds, scenery and price of Cusco’s two rainbow mountains and pick the right one for your trip.
Read guide →Plan your Humantay Lake hike: how hard it is, altitude, best time to go, what to bring, the day schedule and prices for the full-day tour from Cusco.
Read guide →The 7 Lagoons of Ausangate in one day from Cusco: the loop past seven glacial lakes, alpacas, the Pacchanta hot springs, difficulty and what is included.
Read guide →The Sacred Valley in one day from Cusco: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Moray and Chinchero hour by hour, with prices, tickets and practical tips.
Read guide →The Cusco city tour step by step: Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Tambomachay and Puca Pucara, with times, altitudes, the BTC ticket and prices.
Read guide →The South Valley of Cusco in half a day: Inca water engineering at Tipón, the Wari city of Pikillacta and the painted church of Andahuaylillas.
Read guide →Waqrapukara, the “horned fortress” above the Apurímac canyon: who built it, the beliefs around its rock horns, the 1.5-hour hike and how to visit from Cusco.
Read guide →Pallay Punchu, the striped “poncho mountain” south of Cusco: the meaning of its name, its link to Andean weaving, the 45-minute hike and the Raqchi temple.
Read guide →Q’eswachaka, the last Inca rope bridge, woven from grass over the Apurímac and rebuilt by hand every June: its history, the renewal ritual and how to visit.
Read guide →How many days do you need in Cusco? Our recommendation, with day-by-day itineraries for 3, 4, 5 and 7 days including Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain.
Read guide →One day in Cusco, hour by hour: the morning city tour, lunch in San Blas or San Pedro, Inca streets, a sunset viewpoint and tips for the altitude.
Read guide →Two days in Cusco: a city day, then the Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu. Hour-by-hour plan, prices of each option and how to handle the altitude.
Read guide →The best 3-day Cusco itinerary: city tour, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in the right order for the altitude, with times, prices and booking tips.
Read guide →How many days do you need in Peru? Realistic plans for 5, 8, 10 and 14 days covering Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca and the Amazon.
Read guide →The classic 8-day Peru itinerary, day by day: Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Maras and Moray, Humantay Lake, the South Valley and Rainbow Mountain.
Read guide →A day-by-day 2-week Peru itinerary: Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa, paced for the altitude.
Read guide →Cusco and Machu Picchu in 3 days: day-by-day itinerary, what the US $490 package includes, altitude tips and how it compares with longer trips.
Read guide →Four days in Cusco: city tour, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Day-by-day itinerary, what the US $530 package includes and tips to make it count.
Read guide →Five days in Cusco with Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain: itinerary, what the US $595 package includes and how to prepare.
Read guide →Six days in Cusco: Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, Humantay Lagoon and Rainbow Mountain. Full itinerary, what US $690 includes and how to prepare.
Read guide →A week in Cusco: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Humantay Lagoon, an ATV ride and Rainbow Mountain. Day-by-day plan and what the US $860 package includes.
Read guide →Eight days in Cusco: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, South Valley, Humantay, Rainbow Mountain and an ATV ride. Day-by-day itinerary and what US $890 includes.
Read guide →Eight days from Cusco to Lake Titicaca: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Humantay, Rainbow Mountain, the Andean route to Puno, Uros and Taquile. US $950.
Read guide →Nine days across southern Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, an ATV ride, Humantay, Rainbow Mountain and Lake Titicaca. US $990 per person.
Read guide →Everything you need for Lake Titicaca: getting to Puno, the Uros, Taquile and Amantani islands, the altitude, the best time to go and which tour to pick.
Read guide →The Lake Titicaca day tour from Puno: the Uros floating islands, Taquile Island and lunch with a local family. Itinerary, what is included and tips.
Read guide →Two days on Lake Titicaca: the Uros floating islands, a night with a family on Amantani, sunset at Pachatata and Taquile. Itinerary, price and tips.
Read guide →How to combine Machu Picchu and the Andes with the Amazon rainforest in one trip from Cusco: routes, how many days, sample itineraries and tips.
Read guide →The wildlife of Manu, zone by zone: cock-of-the-rock, macaws at the clay lick, monkeys, capybaras and caimans — and what you can realistically expect.
Read guide →The Manu jungle tour in 3 days from Cusco: cloud forest, the Madre de Dios River, Machuhuasi Lagoon and a parrot clay lick. Itinerary, lodge and tips.
Read guide →Four days in the Manu jungle from Cusco: cloud forest, a full day in the Guadalupe reserve, caimans at night, Machuhuasi Lagoon and a parrot clay lick.
Read guide →The best Inca sites in and around Cusco: Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Tambomachay, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and more, with tickets and how to visit.
Read guide →Sacsayhuamán guide: the giant zigzag walls, fortress or temple, the 1536 battle, Inti Raymi, tickets, how to get there from Cusco and tips for your visit.
Read guide →Qorikancha guide: the golden Inca Temple of the Sun, its perfect stonework, the Santo Domingo convent built on top, tickets, location and tips for your visit.
Read guide →Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, the Maras salt mines and Chinchero: what to see at each Sacred Valley site, tickets, the best order and how to visit in one day.
Read guide →Visit Pisac in the Sacred Valley: the Inca citadel and terraces, the artisan market, tickets, getting there from Cusco and the best time to go.
Read guide →Ollantaytambo guide: the temple-fortress, the Wall of the Six Monoliths, the Inca town, Pinkuylluna, tickets and trains to Machu Picchu from its station.
Read guide →Chinchero guide: the weaving centres and natural dyes, the colonial church on Inca walls, the Sunday market, tickets, altitude and how to visit from Cusco.
Read guide →Moray’s circular Inca terraces explained: the agricultural laboratory theory, microclimates, how to visit, tickets, and how to combine Moray with Maras.
Read guide →Visit the Maras salt mines: how the 3,000+ salt pools work, why the salt is pink, entrance fee, what you can see, best time and how to add Moray.
Read guide →The story of Huchuy Qosqo, the royal estate of the Inca Wiracocha above the Sacred Valley: its great hall, its role in the Chanka war and how to visit.
Read guide →Inti Raymi on 24 June and the other great festivals of Cusco: Corpus Christi, Qoyllur Rit’i, Santurantikuy and more, with dates and how to plan.
Read guide →What to eat in Cusco: cuy, chicharrón, rocoto relleno, Andean soups, trout, quinoa, chicha and coca tea — plus markets, local tips and vegetarian options.
Read guide →The best markets in Cusco and the Sacred Valley: San Pedro for food, Pisac and Chinchero for textiles, market days, what to buy and how to shop well.
Read guide →First trip to Peru? Altitude, best season, money, safety, what to book early, packing, water, tipping and Spanish — 12 practical tips from a local Cusco team.
Read guide →How to get to Cusco by plane, bus or train: flight times from Lima, bus routes from Puno and Arequipa, the airport and arriving at altitude.
Read guide →How to avoid altitude sickness in Cusco: symptoms, warning signs, how to acclimatize, coca tea, medication and safe planning for Rainbow Mountain and treks.
Read guide →Cusco weather month by month: day and night temperatures, rainy and dry seasons, what to pack in each season and the best time for Machu Picchu and treks.
Read guide →Visiting Cusco from November to March: what the rain is really like, which tours run normally, what changes, and how to plan and pack for green season.
Read guide →Cusco in June: dry, sunny days and freezing nights, Inti Raymi and the festival month, crowds and prices, and what to book early for a June trip.
Read guide →Cusco in December: green landscapes and afternoon rain, the Santurantikuy Christmas market, New Year in the Plaza de Armas and how to plan your days.
Read guide →Where to stay in Cusco: the historic centre, San Blas, San Cristóbal, Avenida El Sol or the Sacred Valley — pros and cons of each area and what to look for.
Read guide →What to pack for Cusco: layers for cold nights and strong sun, rain gear, shoes, documents, day-tour essentials and what to add for treks and Machu Picchu.
Read guide →Cusco Tourist Ticket 2026: prices, the full ticket vs partial circuits, which sites are included (and which are not), where to buy it and which to choose.
Read guide →Money in Peru made simple: the sol, ATMs and fees, when cards work, exchanging dollars, tipping and how much cash to carry for Cusco, Machu Picchu and tours.
Read guide →Is Cusco safe for tourists? Honest advice on petty theft, taxis, money, nightlife, protests, altitude and tours, plus emergency numbers and how to stay safe.
Read guide →Is Peru safe to visit? An honest look at petty theft, taxis, scams, protests, altitude and solo travel, with practical tips and emergency numbers.
Read guide →Travelling solo to Cusco? How to meet people, stay safe, save money on group tours, tips for solo female travellers and the best solo-friendly trips.
Read guide →Travelling to Cusco and Machu Picchu with children: altitude, the best family tours, how to pace the trip and practical tips for a smooth visit.
Read guide →Eating vegetarian or vegan in Cusco: Andean dishes to order, plant-based ingredients, where to look, useful Spanish phrases and meals on treks.
Read guide →What to do in Cusco at night: the lit-up Plaza de Armas, San Blas, folk dance shows, live music, the planetarium, cooking classes and rooftop views.
Read guide →From the Inca Trail to Rainbow Mountain, our local Cusco team can build the perfect Peru itinerary around the places you've been reading about.