Cusco and the Sacred Valley
Cusco, once the capital of the Incan Empire, is now one of the most visited cities in South America not only because it is a jumping off point for Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, but also because it is a beautiful city with well preserved colonial architecture – evidence of a rich and complex history. The city itself represents the center of indigenous Quechua culture in the Andes – although you can also see Spanish colonial buildings erected directly atop the Inca walls.
Just outside of Cusco are many famous Incan ruins, such as Sacsayhuaman, as well as the beautiful Sacred Valley. Because of its fertile land and the nearby Urubamba River, the Sacred Valley was used by the Incan’s to harvest many of their crops. Today, the panoramic views of the Andes and well-preserved Incan sites make the valley an inviting spot to visit.
Besides its obvious proximity to Machu Picchu – Cusco also serves as a great precursor to the Inka Trail or Salkantay Trek, since visitors can slowly adjust to the high altitude and thin mountain air for several days before the strenuous hike up to Machu Picchu.
- Popular itineraries
- What to see?
- How long to visit?
- When to visit?
- How to get there?
- Additional details
Lima-Cusco – This 7 day trip includes city tours of both Lima and Cusco as well as a full day in the Sacred Valley and culminates with a visit to Machu Picchu!
Lima-Puno-Cusco – This 9 day itinerary includes all the sites of Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu from our classic Lima-Cusco itinerary as well as several days exploring Lake Titicaca (plus a ride on the world famous Andean Express train from Puno to Cusco).
Lima-Arequipa-Puno-Cusco – This 12 day adventure allows you to see most of southern Peru – it builds upon our Lima-Puno-Cusco tour by offering you the chance to explore beautiful Arequipa and see the stunning Colca Canyon.
Inka Trail – Spend 9 breathtaking days hiking the world famous Inka Trail, exploring Cusco, Lima and the Sacred Valley and top it all off with a full day at Machu Picchu.
Salkantay Trek – For those who want a more intense and beautiful hike to Machu Picchu, the Salkantay Trek is just the thing. This 10 day trip includes tours of Lima, Cusco and the Sacred Valley as well as a full day to explore Machu Picchu.
Please inquire about a trip to Cusco when you submit your booking information and we can provide you with all relevant details!
Before setting out on your journey to Machu Picchu via the Inka Trail, Salkantay Trek or train – make sure to spend a few days exploring historic Cusco and the surrounding Sacred Valley. And, a visit to Cusco wouldn’t be complete without visiting some of the culinary hotspots such as Chicha or Inka Grill. Here are some of the most popular sites:
Cusco
- Plaza de Armas (Main square)
- Cathedral
- Koriqancha
- Sacsayhuaman
- Qenqo
- Pucapucara
Sacred Valley
- Pisac ruins
- Pisac market
- Ollantaytambo (Inca village and fortress)
- Moray (Inca ruins with enormous circular terraces)
- Chinchero (Quechua village)
Check out our pictures on Flickr:
We recommend spending at least 3 days in Cusco and the Sacred Valley for several reasons. Most importantly, you body needs time to acclimate to the high altitude (you don’t want to ruin your whole trip to Peru because of altitude sickness). Secondly, Cusco and the Sacred Valley are full of stories and sites from Incan times that you don’t want to miss – you will need at least two days to tour all the sites. Lastly, flights to Cusco can be delayed or cancelled at the last minute and you want to allow a buffer so that you don’t miss anything.
Cusco can be visited year round, although the most popular time to visit is during the drier season (April – October). However, the rainy season (November – March) also has its advantages: temperatures are often warmer (and there are still many beautiful sunny days), there are less crowds and prices are often reduced.
Weather
Cusco is located in a subtropical highland climate. There are two marked seasons: a dry season (April – October) and a rainy season (November – March). Temperatures are relatively stable, with annual lows of 6 degrees Celcius and highs around 21 degrees Celcius (40 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit). However, it can get colder during the evening/night during the dry season.
Plane & Bus – All visits to Machu Picchu will start in Cusco, which is easily accessible via an hour long flight on all three Peru airlines (LAN, StarPeru and Peruvian Airlines). Flights on LAN are more reliable, but often more expensive. StarPeru and Peruvian Airlines provide alternatives for those on a budget. Additionally, you can also reach Cusco via a 21.5 hour bus ride from Lima – which is the cheapest transportation option.
Train – The most spectacular route to Cusco is on the 10 hour Andean Explorer train service to/from Cusco – which is one of the most beautiful and highest train rides in the world. The train operates on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday (with an additional departure on Fridays from April to October).
- Machu Picchu (2,450 metres or 8,040 ft) and Cusco (3,600 metres or 11,800 ft) are both at higher altitudes than most visitors are accustomed to. Thus we recommend consulting with your doctor about the best ways to combat altitude sickness – including getting a prescription for Acetazolamide. Other typical remedies for altitude sickness include drinking coca tea and/or chewing coca leaves (which is what the locals do) as well as spending several less-active days in Cusco getting acclimated to the altitude before hiking the Inca Trail or visiting Machu Picchu.
- Because Cusco is at a high elevation, ultraviolet (UV) light is extremely strong (in fact, Cusco is listed as having one of the highest levels in the world). This means that you will burn much quicker in Cusco than you would at home. So be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen plus a hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun.