The Best Things To Do In Cusco, Peru: The Ultimate Sacred Valley Travel Guide

A High-Altitude Hello From Cusco, Peru, And The Sacred Valley 

There’s something about stepping off the plane in Cusco that hits different. I mean, it’s probably the fact that you’re at nearly 11,500 feet above sea level, but who’s counting? The altitude of Cusco, Peru smacks you awake before the coffee does, but trust me, after a couple days and once you slow down and breathe, things get a little easier.

I spent 5 weeks in Cusco during my first time in Peru. I loved so many things I’ll hit on here or in other articles.

But I’ll also talk about some of the rougher parts or things to keep in mind. Love me or hate me, I’m gonna try to keep it real because you deserve all the angles before you plan a trip to Cusco!

Cusco was once the capital of the Inca Empire and there are pristine ruins around every corner—even when you’re just walking in the city. From Cusco, you can take a tour to 16,500ft at Rainbow Mountain, wander ancient ruins in Pisac, or simply sit in the Plaza de Armas with a cup of coca tea people watching. If you’re wondering what the best things to do in or around Cusco are, this Cusco, Peru travel guide will hit all the important things to know—mostly from my own lens.

Things like exploring the markets or visiting the ruins in or around Cusco, or visiting Machu Pichu—to the lesser-known adventures like scaling the side of a mountain in the Sacred Valley while doing your first via ferrata, this Cusco travel guide will hit it. 

11 Things To Do In Cusco Or The Sacred Valley

Later on I’ll get into the good, bad, and ugly, the weather, getting around, and all those things. But I know you want to know the fun things to do in Cusco or the Sacred Valley area of Peru. There’s no shortage of things to see in Cusco, but here are the highlights I’d recommend to anyone visiting.

But first, make sure you consider travel medical insurance. I’ve never regretted always having it! It can be as cheap as $2/day!

Side note…don’t forget to always, always, always consider getting inexpensive travel medical insurance —sometimes as low as $2/day—for your trip, and a separate yearly evacuation insurance policy if you travel internationally often! And check out my list of tips for staying safe while traveling abroad.

1. Visit San Pedro Market And San Blas Market

If you love people-watching and sampling local snacks and fruit drinks on the cheap, these are the places to do it. Eat cheap, haggle a little for souvenirs, and just soak up the Cusco energy. 

2. Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha)

Once plated entirely in gold, it was the spiritual center of the Inca world. Still has some near-perfect Inca stonework that still anchors the colonial church built on top.

3. Temple of the Moon

An underrated gem and a way to get away from the noise and pollution in Cusco when you need a break. Uber or taxi up, and if it’s daylight, hike back down. You can do it on your own or by horseback on a guided tour!

4. Sacsayhuamán

A massive stone fortress with panoramic views of Cusco. A fairly cheap taxi ride if you want to do it yourself, or you can book a half-day tour for pretty cheap and hit multiple important stops and ruins in Cusco in one fell swoop. 

5. Ollantaytambo Day Trip

Take a cusco guided tour or collectivo to this ancient Inca town. The terraces and ruins are awe-inspiring, and the vibe is slower than in Cusco. I spent a day there exploring and hanging with the alpacas, and having one of the best sandwiches of my life. More about this one below.

6. Pisac Day Trip From Cusco

Colorful market, sweeping mountain views, and a massive and overwhelming Inca ruin complex. It’s one of the best things to do in Sacred Valley, and hiking the Pisac Ruins in the rain was hands down one of my most unexpected favorites of my trip. It’s also one of the easiest and best day trips from Cusco. More on this one further down in this travel blog.

Pisac Ruins is easily one of the best day trips from Cusco and a must-do if you’re there. You can also get a Hotel in Pisac if you want to experience sundown and sunup in the Sacred Valley.

7. Hike Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) And The Red Valley

Yes, it’s Insta-famous, but it’s famous for a reason. Go early or book a Rainbow Mountain tour with smaller groups to beat the crowds. Don’t skip the Red Valley views. It’s 16,500 feet, so make sure you’re acclimated!

8. Via Ferrata In Sacred Valley

Harness up, clip in, and scale the cliff face. Climbing the side of a cliff is wild, but it’s safe, and it’s one of those epic adventures you brag about later. It was my first via feratta, but it definitely won’t be my last! 

9. Q’enqo & Tambomachay

Small but fascinating Inca sites close to town. Perfect half-day hikes while acclimating to the altitude of Cusco Peru.

10. Roam Cusco Cafés, Plazas, And Cobblestone Streets

Honestly, one of the best things to do in Cusco, Peru is just wander aimlessly. If you want to get beautiful photos of Cusco with no people, explore the alleyways and stairwells in the old town near San Blas in the rain or near dawn.

11. Hike The Inca Trail Or Take A Trip To Machu Picchu

Of course the thing most people come to Cusco, Peru for a trip to Machu Picchu. Plan early and book an all-inclusive tour now (you can always cancel for free in advance), or you could miss your chance, like I did. Womp Womp. Check guided tours for Machu Picchu here.

Exploring The Sacred Valley

Cusco is the launchpad for dozens of day trips. And a list of things to do in Sacred Valley would take up this whole travel blog post, but here’s a shortlist…

Ollantaytambo Day Trip From Cusco

The ruins in Ollantaytambo were pretty darn epic. The way the Incas put together structures with rocks by making them fit together perfectly may sound like an odd thing to be stoked about, but honestly, it’s pretty impressive. Go all the way to the top of the trail where very few venture for some of the best views of the Ollantaytambo and the Sacred Valley.

Ollantaytambo Ruins is easily one of the best day trips from Cusco and a must-do if you’re there.

Pisac Day Trip From Cusco

Pisac is super easy to get to by 45m collectivo from many spots near San Blas and it will run you less than 10 SOL each way. Hiking the Pisac Ruins in the rain was easily one of the best things I did while I was in Cusco, since I took the hard route where nobody goes and had amazing views and ruins exploring time to myself.

I highly recommend that you plan for a full day in Pisac to get the most out of it and take it slow. 

Maras & Moray Day Trip From Cusco

The salt pans of Maras shimmer like a science-fiction landscape, while Moray’s circular terraces look like crop art from space. You can get a guided tour like I did for around $20+ USD if you want to take the guesswork out of it, which I highly recommend.

Via Ferrata And Zipline Adventure In The Sacred Valley

I did my first via ferrata in the Sacred Valley in Cusco, Peru, but it won’t be my last. Talk about an adrenaline rush.

A little pricey at first glance, but while I was hanging off the side of a mountain, I was all “TAKE MY MONEY PLEASE!”

I can’t wait til I can do my next via ferrata. Read all about my first via ferrata experience in the Sacred Valley here.

Whether you book guided tours in Cusco (easiest is through sources like GetYourGuide or Viator IMO) , or go DIY, the Sacred Valley is pretty easy to navigate and has endless epic memories to be made and photo opps to be had.

The Good Things About Cusco

Just a few of the things I loved about Cusco to whet your appetite. I’ve spent over a 16 months in Latin American countries over the last few years, and Cusco has many of the reasons why!

The People In Cusco

Interactions with the people living in Cusco is almost always a pleasure.

While Gringo pricing can be real, most of the time it’s honest interactions with kind people simply trying to make a living.

Personally, I’m not much of a haggler or negotiator, since I’m happy to give a tiny bit more of my money since I know it’s important to the hard working folks. But that’s just me. 

The Cobblestone Streets In The Old Town and San Blas Areas

I’m a hopeless romantic, and I just love me a good old cobblestone street. Getting lost in the alleyways after dark will forever be one of my favorite ways to pass time. Add a little rain and it completely changes the vibe, in the best way possible. Go out at sunrise and you get the added luxury of little to no tourists or honking taxis. 

The Food In Cusco

There are tons of places to eat in Cusco, and you can get amazing meals for one person for anywhere up from $4 USD. One Cusco travel tip would be to eat at San Blas Market at least once a day to get some delicious food for hella-cheap.

Even at the mid-range restaurants you can easily spend around $20-30 per person (less drinks) and have an absolutely stunning meal. But for me, I stick to the $4-15 meals because I find them equally imaginative and delicious, and more bang for my buck than some super fancy place. But you do you boo. 

The Bad & The Ugly Things About Cusco

There are always some “bad” things you’ll want to keep in mind about most locations you travel to. Traveling in Cusco, Peru is no different. Here are just a few of the more…real things… to keep in mind when you travel to Cusco. 

The Taxis & Cars And Roads Are Pretty Annoying

Taxis are constantly honking to get the attention of tourists and locals. And I mean constantly. And it seems like anything with an engine is out to get you, since traffic flows like water, but not in the tranquil way you might want.

Stopping at stop signs and respecting divided road paint are optional, and passing at full speed with limited sight lines on curvy mountain roads seems mandatory. Pack a puke bag for any tours, or when you go long distances in a taxi, Uber, or collectivo. You’ve been warned! 

The Pollution 

No filter isn’t a good thing when it comes to exhaust and fumes.

The data says, on average, air quality in Cusco hovers between 60–90 AQI (moderate to unhealthy), largely due to old diesel vehicles and limited emission controls.

But while you’re getting crop dusted by black fumes every 20 seconds you’ll likely think it’s much worse. (Luckily there are so many ways to get into nature in the Sacred Valley you can get some reprieves!)

Dog Poop. 

Yeah. I said it. Cusco seems to have even more street dogs than many places I’ve been in Latin American , and that means more dog poop landmines to evade. Personally, I’ve had or seen too many scary encounters with street dogs, so I prefer not to pet them or get too close.

But I almost always give a “hola perro” as I walk by because…doggos are still the best. 😊 

Weather And Seasons And When To Visit Cusco

You can visit Cusco year-round, but your experience will likely be effected pretty drastically with the seasons. The wet months can get a ton of rain, and the dry months are really, really dry, especially at Cusco’s high elevation.

The shoulder seasons can save you some cash and be cheaper for travel in Cusco.

Guided tours around Cusco, in the Sacred Valley or the mountains can be cheaper, but you might deal with different types of weather than in the high travel season. Pick your poison!

• Dry Season (May–September): Clear blue skies, perfect for hiking and photography. Peak tourism season—expect higher prices and crowded cusco guided tours.
• Wet Season (November–March): Green, lush valleys and fewer tourists. You’ll get afternoon rainstorms but also killer deals.
• Shoulder Season Months (April & October): My personal favorite time to visit most places. The weather behaves, the crowds haven’t arrived, and prices are more forgiving.

Whichever season you choose, give yourself a couple of days to acclimate to the altitude of Cusco Peru. Walk slowly, drink coca tea, skip the Pisco Sours for a day or two until you’re grounded.

Local Peruvian Food To Try When In Cusco

Here are just a few foods to try when in Cusco.

• Trucha (Trout) from Andean lakes. You’ll actually find they make a lot of sushi from trout, which is kinda weird, but give it a try and you won’t regret it!
• Lomo Saltado (stir-fried beef and veggies over rice). You can get a massive lunch at San Blas or San Pedro Market for around $10-15 SOL!
• Cuy (guinea pig) if you’re feeling adventurous. I wasn’t. 

• Alpaca. Imagine a pork tenderloin but a bit more gamey tasting. Alpaca is to pork as duck is to chicken in the flavor department. Not my favorite, but I kept trying it, so I guess I liked it!
• Chicha Morada, a purple corn drink that tastes like spiced punch. A tough one on my type 1 diabetes, but one of my new favorite drinks! 
• Fresh juices from San Blas or San Pedro market. Blended right in front of you from fresh local fruits for only a few SOL. Only $2-3USD for a giant drink. Perfect for when my blood sugar tanks from exploring.

Meals in local joints and mercados run USD $3–10. Fancy dinner with a view? USD $20+. Lots of places take credit cards, but you should always carry some local cash!

Getting Around Cusco

Cusco’s old town and tourist center is best explored on foot—though you’ll definitely feel the altitude of the Andes on uphill climbs. Don’t worry, that subsides the moment you stop climbing.

• Airport Roundtrips: Alejandro Velasco Astete International (CUZ) is about 15 minutes from downtown. You can get to the old town for less than $5USD.
• Taxis & Rideshares: Taxis are everywhere. Use the app InDriver or Uber for fair prices. It’s really easy to get around Cusco for cheap.
• Colectivos: Shared vans to Sacred Valley spots like Pisac or Ollantaytambo cost just a few soles.
• Car Rentals: Great if you’re planning multiple day tours from Cusco, but roads can be wild, and I feel more comfortable letting someone else do the driving. Check the best deals from every rental car company in Cusco here.

You can join small-group Cusco guided tours for most destinations if you don’t feel like driving or dealing with any logistics.

Budget: What Things Cost In Cusco, Peru

Exchange rate at the time of writing: 1 USD ≈ +/-3 Peruvian soles. For me the easiest way to keep that straight was to think: 30 SOL = About 10USD. Or 10 SOL = About 3 USD. That rough math always keeps me under budget!

• Budget Travelers: $30–50/day (hostel dorm, long-term rentals, market meals, public transport).
• Mid-Range: $80–150/day (private rooms, sit-down restaurants, shared tours).
• Luxury: $250+/day (boutique hotels, private drivers, multi-day rainbow mountain tour add-ons).

Street food is cheap and filling, so stop at San Blas Market or into a local restaurant for your early meals then splurge on dinner. You’ll find coffee for $2-3, craft beer for $5–6USD, and Uber or taxis around town will usually only run you about 5-15 SOL (around $2-6USD).

Safety & Etiquette In Cusco

Cusco feels safe, but basic street smarts still apply. (Check out this post with 18+ tips for staying safe while traveling.) Keep your phone close in busy markets and don’t flash big bills. When visiting sacred Inca sites—which can be found littered around Cusco and the rural areas—stay on paths and be respectful. Locals treat these as living spiritual places, not just photo ops.

Altitude sickness can sneak up fast. If you start feeling woozy and get a strong headache, drink coca tea, hydrate, and rest. There’s no trophy for pushing through the altitude of Cusco.

Taxis and collectivos in or around Cusco, or to the Sacred Valley area, are considered pretty safe. But when in doubt, Ubers are readily available. 

When in doubt, read this article about tips to reduce your fear of traveling anywhere!

Cusco Travel Guide Conclusion: Go Slow, Get Curious, And Plan Some Adventures!

My biggest advice? Don’t rush Cusco. Again, I spent 5 weeks there (working, taking 20 hours of Spanish classes a week, and exploring…), and barely scratched the surface. You* won’t* be able to do it all, so don’t even try! Slow down and enjoy! 

There are endless things to do in Cusco, Peru, but the magic often hides between the planned stops. Chat with a shop owner. Wander down a street because a dog looked at you funny. The mountains are ancient here, and they reward curiosity over checklists.

Unexpectedly getting lost by myself while hiking the Pisac Ruins was the best misadventure of my whole trip to Peru!

Take it easy with the altitude, sip your coca tea, and let the Andes show you their pace. When you finally tackle that via ferrata climb or watch sunrise from Rainbow Mountain, you’ll realize how worth it every slow breath was.

Poco a poco my friend!

— Jason 

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Cusco & The Sacred Valley Of Peru

What Is The Altitude Of Cusco, Peru?

Cusco sits around 3,400 m (11,200 ft). It can take a day or two (or more if you have a major medical condition or heart issues like me) to adjust, so hydrate and take it slow. 

How Do I Book A Rainbow Mountain Tour?

You can book online, at your hostel, or through dozens of local agencies offering early-morning departures. But if you don’t speak great Spanish, that could be tough, so I would suggest checking out this all-inclusive. Yeah, the early morning wake-up can be rough, but getting to Rainbow Mountain before the crowds is totally worth it. 

What Is The Altitude Of Rainbow Mountain in Peru?

The basecamp of Rainbow Mountain in Peru sits at roughly 4,326 meters (14,189 feet), but the viewpoint of the actual Rainbow Mountain Peaks is at 5,036 meters (about 16,522 feet). The relatively short hike (under a mile) took over an hour because you have to hike it really, really slow and take lots of breaks. Luckily there are plenty of Alpaca to chat with!

Are Via Ferrata Climbs Safe?

Yes—gear is provided, guides are professional, and the views are insane. It’s a must to do the via ferrata with 5 different ziplines—one over 700 meters long—if you’re an adventure seeker like me. Check out how my via ferrata went here—well worth the price tag. Book it early!

What Are Some Must-See Ruins Or Temples in Cusco?

The Pisac Ruins were my absolute favorite, only 45 minutes from Cusco. Take a tour to Ollantaytambo to check out my next favorite ruins—or tale a collectivo for cheap and take your time. Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Moon, and Sacsayhuamán are either in or super close to Cusco and definitely a few of the best things to see in Cusco.

How Far Is Cusco From The Sacred Valley?

About 1–2 hours to get from Cusco to the Sacred Valley by car, collectivo, or bus, depending on where you’re headed. Perfect for an Ollantaytambo day trip, Pisac day trip to check out the best bang for your buck ruins around Cusco (in my humble opinion), or more like 3-4 four hours for an epic tour of Rainbow Mountain. 

How Much Does A Day Tour Cost?

Expect $30–80 depending on comfort level and whether it’s a group or private guide. There are tons of adventures and tours around Cusco, so plan ahead!

Is Cusco Safe For Solo Travelers?

Very much so. Just use normal caution and trust your instincts. If you’re drunk and out after midnight by yourself, then you’re tempting fate in any city in the world, and that goes for Cusco too.

After speaking with many locals, the consensus says you’re generally safe in the historic districts of San Blas and Plaza De Armas areas, but in high tourist season especially, you can do a lot of things to make yourself a little safer. Check this article for many of those things! 

When Is The Best Time To Visit Cusco?

April–May or September–October for great weather and fewer crowds. These windows are considered the shoulder season, so just be careful to look at the seasons since snow at higher elevations could be an issue and could dampen your day tours to places like Rainbow Mountain or other high-altitude tours.

What’s One Thing Travelers Often Overlook?

Taking it slow! Too many people try to see everything without acclimating to the altitude of Cusco, Peru first. It takes a minimum 24-48 hours or more to acclimate.

With my heart condition and type 1 diabetes, I didn’t feel “good” until about 3-4 days in.

I met people who literally landed at midnight (from 30 hours of flights from Australia) and were climbing the side of mountain doing this via ferrata and zipline adventure with me less than 10 hours later, and planning to start the Inka Trail 24 hours later. One star, do not recommend that approach!