Cusco and Machu Picchu travel guide
The old Inca capital is the gateway to Machu Picchu, but a destination in its own right too: Cusco at around 3,400 m, the Sacred Valley lower down (between 2,600 and 3,000 m) and the citadel of Machu Picchu at the end of the route, reached by train and bus.
Season by month
When to travel- Peak season
- High season
- Shoulder season
- Low season
What to do in Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu by train approx. 12 h A long day on a fixed train schedule; it books before almost everything else.
- The city, Qoricancha and Sacsayhuamán approx. 4 h A gentle half-day: the right outing for the first day at altitude.
- Maras, Moray and the salt pans approx. 9 h A full day through the Sacred Valley; ideal acclimatisation before Machu Picchu.
- The seven-colour mountain approx. 12 h Above 5,000 metres: not a day-three activity, and it demands prior acclimatisation.
- Pisac and Ollantaytambo approx. 9 h The valley's two great sites in one day; Pisac's market is busiest on Sundays.
- The luxury train to Machu Picchu Three and a half hours each way, brunch on the way out and dinner on the way back, with an observation car.
- An evening of Andean music and dance approx. 2 h An hour of the region's own repertoire; it fills the first evening at altitude.
- The Humantay lagoon approx. 12 h Ninety minutes to two hours on foot at 4,200 metres; it belongs late in the stay, never early.
Neighbourhoods in Cusco and Machu Picchu
- San Blas Cusco's historic artisan district, about a 15-minute uphill walk from the Plaza de Armas via Calle Triunfo, with cobbled streets, Inca-era walls and artisan workshops; walkable in 2-3 hours.
Where to eat in Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Cicciolina A central Cusco restaurant and wine bar, a long-standing Lonely Planet recommendation.
- Baco A gourmet pizza and wine bar from the same owners as Cicciolina.
- Organika A vegetable-forward menu sourced from the restaurant's own organic farm in the Sacred Valley.
What to do in Cusco and Machu Picchu without booking an excursion
- Plaza de Armas & its arcades A self-guided walk around Cusco's main square and its colonial arcades.
- Mercado San Pedro The central market, about a 10-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas, with juice, bread, meat and alpaca-textile stalls.
Who to offer it to
When to go
The dry season (April to October, and June–August above all) offers clear days, ideal for walking and photography. The rainy season (November to March) brings greener landscapes and fewer people, with afternoon showers.
How many days
A minimum of four days allows time to acclimatise, see Cusco, tour the Sacred Valley and visit Machu Picchu without rushing; Machu Picchu itself calls for a full day.
What not to miss
The historic centre of Cusco, the Sacsayhuamán ruins, Pisac and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, and the citadel of Machu Picchu.
What to offer and why
Five to six nights with the Sacred Valley before Machu Picchu, so altitude is gained in the right order. A programme that puts the citadel on day two sells a bad experience to save one night.
When to book
Six to twelve months for June, July and August and for any Inca Trail departure, which runs on limited permits. Four to six months for April, May and October.
Practical and operational
Altitude orders the itinerary: the Sacred Valley first, which is lower than Cusco, and only then the city and the high-altitude excursions. Vinicunca is above 5,000 metres. The train runs on a fixed schedule and defines the whole day.
How we arrange it — the altitude
We design the itinerary to drop first to the Sacred Valley, lower than Cusco, for a more gradual acclimatisation, with one or two nights there before going up to Machu Picchu. Staying hydrated and keeping activity gentle in the first days reduces the risk of altitude sickness.
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Booking & policies
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