Tours in Cusco and Machu Picchu: The Capital of the Inca Empire
Explore the city that was once the capital of the Tahuantinsuyo, the Sacred Valley, and the citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, located 2,430 meters above sea level.
- 22 tours available
- From $25.00
- April through October · Dry season and clear skies
- 4 to 5 days
Why Visit Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World
- The Sacred Valley of the Incas, between Pisac and Ollantaytambo
- The Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trek, two of the most famous trails in the Americas
- Sacsayhuamán and the Architecture of Stone Fitted Together Without Mortar
Tours and Experiences in Cusco and Machu Picchu
Packages that include Cusco and Machu Picchu
7 days, 6 nights
Wonders of the South in 7 days
- LIMA
- Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Puno and Lake Titicaca
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
4 days, 3 nights
Cusco Ancestral Capital 4 Days 3 Nights
Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Guide
- Tickets
3 days
Salkantay - Machu Picchu 3 days 2 nights
Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
8 days
The best of the south 8 days 7 nights
- LIMA
- Paracas
- Ica and Huacachina
- Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
7 days
Lima - Cusco: 7 days, 6 nights
- LIMA
- Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Tickets
5 days
The best of Cuzco 5 days 4 nights
Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
4 days
Inca Trail 4 days 3 nights
Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
- Tickets
20 days, 19 nights
Peru Adventurer
- LIMA
- Paracas
- Nazca
- Arequipa and Colca
- Puno and Lake Titicaca
- Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
15 days, 14 nights
Lima – Arequipa – Cusco – Puno – Huaraz
- LIMA
- Arequipa and Colca
- Puno and Lake Titicaca
- Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
8 days, 7 nights
Cuzco Classic 8 Days 7 Nights
Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
5 days, 4 nights
Lima - Cuzco Express
- LIMA
- Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
11 days, 10 nights
Southern Peru
- LIMA
- Arequipa and Colca
- Puno and Lake Titicaca
- Ica and Huacachina
- Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Nazca
- Paracas
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
14 days, 13 nights
Magical Peru
- LIMA
- Paracas
- Nazca
- Arequipa and Colca
- Puno and Lake Titicaca
- Cusco and Machu Picchu
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transfers
- Guide
Things to Do in Cusco and Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu
The 15th-century Inca citadel, rediscovered in 1911. You can get there by train to Aguas Calientes and then by bus along the Hiram Bingham Highway.
Sacred Valley of the Incas
Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Moray, among agricultural terraces, markets, and salt flats, in a valley at a lower elevation than the city.
Mountain of Seven Colors
Vinicunca, at 5,200 meters, features colorful mineral bands. It requires thorough prior acclimatization: it is the highest point on the circuit.
City Tour and Sacsayhuamán
Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha, the San Blas neighborhood, and the Sacsayhuamán fortress, with stone blocks weighing over 100 metric tons.
How to Get to Cusco and Machu Picchu and When to Visit
-
From Lima
1 hr 20 min
Direct flights throughout the day to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport.
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From Puno
7 h
Sun Trail, with stops in Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, and La Raya. There is also a scenic train.
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From Arequipa
10 h
Overnight sleeper buses. By plane, the trip takes just over an hour.
When to Visit
Cusco has two distinct seasons. The dry season runs from April to October, with sunny days, clear skies, and cold nights that can drop below zero in June and July: this is the best time for hiking and visiting Machu Picchu. The rainy season runs from November to March, with rain falling mainly in the afternoon, much greener landscapes, and fewer visitors. The classic Inca Trail is closed throughout February for maintenance. June is when the most important festivals take place, including Inti Raymi on the 24th, and it is also the busiest month.
Before Traveling
- Arrive one or two days before any hike to acclimate to the altitude
- Drink plenty of water and eat light meals for the first 24 hours; coca tea helps
- Admission to Machu Picchu is time-slot-based and subject to capacity limits: reservations must be made in advance
- Bring your original passport; it is required to enter the citadel.
- The weather can change throughout the day: dress in layers and bring a raincoat
- The Inca Trail requires reservations to be made months in advance due to limited capacity
Frequently Asked Questions About Cusco and Machu Picchu
The minimum recommended length of stay is four days: one to acclimate and take a city tour, one for the Sacred Valley, one for Machu Picchu, and one extra day. Five- to eight-day itineraries allow you to add a visit to the Mountain of Seven Colors or a trek.
By train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, and from there by bus along a winding road to the entrance. The other option is on foot, via the Inca Trail or the Salkantay trek.
Cusco is located at an elevation of 3,399 meters, and it’s common to experience shortness of breath, headaches, or fatigue during the first few hours. It’s a good idea to arrive one or two days before any hike, stay hydrated, and eat light meals at first.
Yes. Admission has a limited daily capacity, designated trails, and set entry times, and during peak season, it sells out weeks in advance. The Inca Trail requires booking several months in advance.
From April to October, during the dry season, the days are clear. June and July are the busiest months and also the coldest at night. From November to March, it rains more, but there are fewer people and the landscape is green.
Guide to Cusco and Machu Picchu
Cusco was the capital of Tahuantinsuyo, the Inca Empire that once stretched from southern Colombia to central Chile. The city retains this dual character: churches and colonial mansions were built atop the stone walls—laid without mortar—that the Incas erected, and the result is a historic center designated as a World Heritage Site.
At an elevation of 2,430 meters and about three and a half hours from the city lies Machu Picchu, the 15th-century citadel that remained hidden from the Western world until 1911 and is now one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. You can reach it by train to Aguas Calientes and then by bus, or on foot via the Inca Trail, the original cobblestone route that takes four days to traverse through the mountains.
Between Cusco and Machu Picchu lies the Sacred Valley, at a lower elevation and with a milder climate, home to Pisac, Ollantaytambo, the Maras salt mines, and the circular terraces of Moray. Higher up, at 5,200 meters, the Mountain of Seven Colors has become one of the country’s most photographed destinations.
Altitude affects your plans: Cusco is at 3,399 meters, so it’s best to spend the first few days acclimatizing before embarking on any strenuous hikes. The dry season, from April to October, offers the clearest skies; between November and March, it rains frequently, and the Inca Trail is closed throughout February.
