Top Cusco Day Trips & Excursions

Spend a day exploring the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu during this all-inclusive day trip leaving from Cusco. Discover this renowned mountaintop Inca site with a guide, learning about its construction, history, and what daily life was like for its residents. The trip’s relaxed, non-strenuous pace is a great option for first-time visitors, families and solo travelers alike, and features four different train ride options. The trip also includes round-trip hotel transport, transfer from Cusco to Machu Picchu (via train and bus) and the site entrance fee.

Uncover the fascinating architecture and culture of the ancient Incas during this 8- to 10-hour day trip covering the highlights of Peru’s Sacred Valley from Cusco. Check out the market in Pisac, stopping on Sundays to observe its famous mass. You’ll also visit the Inca settlement at Ollantaytambo and explore the ruins of its fortress and the Temple of the Sun, a mysterious structure composed of giant 12-foot (3.5-m) stones. Your Sacred Valley tour also includes a guide, lunch, entrance fees and round-trip hotel transport.

Explore the famous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu on a full-day tour from Cusco. Take the train to Aguas Calientes and then follow your guide on a 2-hour walking tour of the ruins. Visit key landmarks and learn about the Inca empire before exploring the sites on your own. Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant in Aguas Calientes before heading back to Cusco by train.

Machu Picchu is Peru’s headline act, but you don’t have to trek the Inca Trail to visit the Lost City of the Incas. This private full-day tour from Cusco includes a spectacular train ride through the Sacred Valley, a tasty buffet lunch, and a private tour of the UNESCO-listed archaeological site. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

No trip to Peru is complete without a visit to Machu Picchu. See the iconic Incan ruins from both on the ground and in the clouds on this guided tour from Cuscuo, which takes you to the ruin's most famous spots before heading up Huayna Picchu for a view from above. This private tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Cusco.

Peru’s Sacred Valley is dotted with archaeological ruins dating back to the lost civilization of the Incas, but reaching them all by public transport is difficult. On this comprehensive 2-day tour, see the best of the Sacred Valley with overnight accommodation and all travel included. Explore top sites of interest including UNESCO–listed Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo , and Pisac with your guide, and gain insight into the region’s rich heritage.

Travel for a few hours from Cusco through the rugged mountain countryside of Peru to reach the aptly named Rainbow Mountain, striped with colorful mineral deposits and located far off the beaten path. Hike with a guide to the summit for a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness adventure, or rent a horse (own expense) for easier access to the same incredible views.

Don’t let limited time in Peru stop you visiting the magnificent Sacred Valley. See more of the region in less time on a private full-day tour from Cusco, ideal for travelers short on time. With a private guide, you’ll visit Pisac, home to the Pisac Indian Market and Inca ruins; marvel at the archeological sites of Moray and Ollantaytambo Fortress; and learn about pre-Inca industrial processes at Salineras of Maras. Lunch, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Explore the ample attractions just outside Cusco as you enjoy a full-day tour of the attractions of the Sacred Valley and Urubamba Valley in Peru. This increasingly popular area offers a wealth of idyllic towns, ancient Inca sites and beautiful scenery. Visit the archaeological site at Moray, used by the Incas as an agricultural testing ground. Then discover the Inca-era salt pans of Maras, a series of intricately terraced ponds used to gain salt. You'll also have a chance to visit Chinchero, a picturesque town that's home to a collection of Inca-era walls and an Andean textile center. This full-day tour also includes round-trip transport from Cusco hotels and a guide.

Travel back in time aboard the elegant Belmond Hiram Bingham train, enjoying the ultimate in luxury train transportation on a 13-hour tour of the world-famous Machu Picchu. Climb aboard the train’s richly appointed 1920s Pullman cars to enjoy fabulous views of the Andes, white tablecloth dining and high-end wine. Then explore Machu Picchu with an expert guide, followed by afternoon tea at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. This VIP Machu Picchu experience also includes welcome drink at the station, appetizers, lunch and dinner, full drink service, entrance fees at the site, live on-board entertainment and round-trip transport to your hotel.

The floating islands of Lake Titicaca are an important part of Peru’s cultural heritage and this full-day tour from Puno visits two of the island’s communities. Cruise around the Uros islands, learn more about local life and traditions, admire the colorful handicrafts made by the islanders, then enjoy a typical Peruvian lunch on Taquile Island. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Get ready for an adventure on this full-day tour to Qaranahui Cave and the Qeswachaka Hanging Bridge from Cusco. Walk across the last great Incan bridge at Qeswachaka, which is hand-woven from natural fibers, before gearing up to search for stalactites and stalagmites inside the massive Qaranahui Cave. This tour is the perfect way to get your fix of nature after a stay in the city, and it includes all entrances fees, transportation, and lunch.

UNESCO–listed Machu Picchu ranks among Peru’s most highly prized treasures, with a history dating back to the days of the Incas. On this tour, reach the famous site in complete comfort by luxury train, with entry fees and round-trip travel from your Cusco hotel included. Travel in style with plush seating and panoramic picture windows, and enjoy a fully guided tour of majestic Machu Picchu.

Relive the glory of the Lost City of the Incas on this full-day tour to the UNESCO-listed wonder of Machu Picchu from Cusco. Wind your way through the jungle-clad mountains on a thrilling 1.5-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes, then follow your guide to the mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu. Learn the fascinating history of the ‘Lost City’ as you roam the ruins, look out over the Sacred Inca Terraces and see the sacred temples of the Sun and Condor, then enjoy free time to trek to the Sun Gate or Incan Bridge.

The Sacred Valley is home to some of Peru’s most historically significant sites of interest, with Incan settlements dating back thousands of years. On this full-day tour, reach key attractions including Moray and the Salinas de Maras by private vehicle, and learn how the Incas worked the land to survive and thrive. With pickup and drop-off at your Cusco hotel, cover the ground with ease and see the sights in one day.

Marvel at the architectural and archeological majesty of Cusco on a 4-hour tour of the city’s most significant sites. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, visit fascinating ruins of Qenco; the sacred temples of Puca Pucara and the ecclesiastical structure of the Cusco Cathedral. Admire exquisite architecture and gain insight into Peru’s alluring history on this enriching excursion.

Challenge yourself and get a great payoff on this 16-hour day trip to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca Mountain) from Cusco. This little-known spot in Peru is not only a must-see because of its naturally colorful mountains, but it’s the perfect location to take trip pics. Go on an exciting 3- to 4-hour hike to make your way to where the mountains are. Plus, enjoy breakfast, snacks, lunch, and round-trip transport on this trip.

Explore the legacy of the Inca and Peru’s indigenous culture during this 6-hour trip to Maras, Moray, and the ‘Salineras’ from Cusco. Walk the streets of Maras and sample some ‘Chicha’ (corn drink), then learn about Inca engineering and agricultural practices at the Moray archaeological site. You’ll also get to see the “Salineras” salt mines. An optional private trip upgrade is also available.

Explore the colorful landscape of Rainbow Mountain on a full-day, guided hiking trip from Cusco, and discover glacier-capped peaks, wildlife, and views across the Cordillera Vilcanota mountain range. Walk 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) with a high point of 16,520 feet (5035m), then meet some Quechua-speaking locals in a traditional Andean community. This 15-hour hiking tour includes breakfast, lunch, and entrance fees, as well as round-trip transport from your hotel in Cusco.

If you’re interesting in Peru’s Inca Empire then don’t miss this full-day tour of the Sacred Valley from Cusco. Over the course of just one day, you’ll travel through Urubamba Valley, visit Pisac Indian Market, and ascend to the top of Ollantaytambo Fortress, an Inca archaeological site. Plus, you’ll enjoy a traditional Peruvian lunch beneath the snow-capped  Mt. Chicón. Lunch and hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Immerse yourself in the majesty of Cusco’s splendid Moray Terraces on a full-day excursion with a professional guide. Visit the traditional town of Maras to learn about its intriguing indigenous culture and history; uncover the ancient mysteries of the Moray Terraces, a unique archeological site with gigantic natural holes; and see the salt mines used by the Incas to create trade and prosper. Enjoy the convenience of round-trip hotel transportation on this enriching tour.

Discover why the Ballestas Islands are nicknamed the ‘Peruvian Galapagos’ on a full-day tour of the Paracas National Reserve. Set sail for the islands to spot Humboldt penguins, Peruvian booby, and red-legged cormorant, then explore the desert dunes, red sand beaches, and archeological sites of the Paracas National Reserve.

Visit one of Peru’s most famous areas, aside from Machu Picchu, on this 10-hour day trip to the Sacred Valley from Cusco. Pass through the ancient Inca sites of Saqsaywaman and Tambomachay, and explore the Inca site of Pisac. Along the way, visit a Peruvian weaving house, and see a demonstration on dyeing and weaving techniques. Plus, this tour operates with a maximum of 15 people, ensuring you’ll enjoy a small-group experience your expert guide.

Most hikers come to Cusco to trek to Machu Picchu, but for a thrilling day hike, there is nowhere quite like the Rainbow Mountain of Vinicunca. Set out on a challenging full-day hike through mountain valleys, Quechan villages, and herds of alpaca; tuck into a delicious breakfast and lunch along the way; and enjoy spectacular views of the multi-colored topography.