Things to do in Cusco and southern Peru
From Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley to Rainbow Mountain, the Inca Trail, Amazon jungle lodges and Lake Titicaca — experiences for every traveller in southern Peru
Top experiences in Cusco
The most-loved activities by Cusco Spirit readers — instant booking, free cancellation on most tours.
Cusco: Machu Picchu + Tourist Train + Entrance Ticket
From Cusco: 4-Day Inca Trail Guided Trek to Machu Picchu
From Cusco: Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain Day Trip
Cusco: 5-Day Salkantay Ultimate Trek to Machu Picchu
Cusco: Pisac, Maras, Moray, Ollantaytambo Small Group Tour
Humantay Lake Tour from Cusco
Cusco: Half-Day City Tour with Sacsayhuaman and Q’enco
Puno: Full-Day Tour of Lake Titicaca and Uros & Taquile
Browse by category
Machu Picchu
Train options, ticket types, Huayna Picchu permits, Sun Gate hike and how to avoid fake ticket sites
10 guides
Inca history & sites
Sacsayhuaman, Qorikancha, Tambomachay, Pisac and Ollantaytambo — the Inca empire explained site by site
7 guides
Treks & hiking
Inca Trail permits, Salkantay, Ausangate circuit, Humantay Lake and the best multi-day treks from Cusco
10 guides
Rainbow Mountain
Vinicunca vs. Palccoyo, acclimatisation tips, what to expect at 5,200 m and how to book a reputable tour
5 guides
Sacred Valley
Pisac market and ruins, Ollantaytambo fortress, Chinchero textiles, Maras salt pans and Moray terraces
7 guides
Food & drink
Peruvian cuisine in Cusco — cuy, lomo saltado, chicha de jora, the best local markets and food tours
7 guides
Culture & festivals
Inti Raymi at Sacsayhuaman, Corpus Christi, Cusco Week (June) and the Andean festival calendar
6 guides
Day trips
Rainbow Mountain, Sacred Valley loop, Tipon and Pikillacta, Chinchero and Maras-Moray full-day excursions
9 guides
Adventure
White-water rafting on the Urubamba, zip-lining, ATV quad tours, paragliding and mountain biking near Cusco
5 guides
Nature & wildlife
Puerto Maldonado Amazon jungle lodges, Manu National Park, Tambopata and birdwatching in the cloud forest
4 guides
Trip planning
How many days in Cusco, budget guidance in PEN/USD, altitude first days, families, solo travel and photography spots
9 guides
Getting around
Cusco airport to city, trains to Machu Picchu (PeruRail vs. Inca Rail), buses to Puno and Lima flight options
7 guides
Altitude & health
Soroche (altitude sickness) prevention, acclimatisation schedule, coca tea, acetazolamide and when to descend
5 guides
Seasonal travel
Cusco in dry season (May–Oct) vs. wet season, Inti Raymi in June, best months for trekking and Rainbow Mountain
5 guides
Comparisons
Inca Trail vs. Salkantay, Vinicunca vs. Palccoyo, PeruRail vs. Inca Rail, Cusco vs. Aguas Calientes basing
6 guides
Family travel
Cusco with children — altitude safety for kids, best age for Machu Picchu, family-friendly tours and Sacred Valley
3 guides
Honest Cusco
Fake Machu Picchu ticket sites, Boleto Turístico traps, overpriced altitude remedies and airport taxi scams
8 guides
Tickets & passes
Boleto Turístico breakdown, Machu Picchu ticket types, Huayna Picchu vs. Machu Picchu Mountain permits — break-even maths
4 guides