Cusco
Cusco is one of the prettiest and (second) oldest cities in South America. Its elevation is around 3400 meter (11 200 ft) which makes it one of the highest cities in the world.
The city is the gateway to many landmarks of Peru, like Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, and Humantay Lake.
From the 13th century until the 16th-century, Cusco was the historic capital of the Inca Empire. Nowadays, more than 2 million people visit the city annually.
From Lima it is an 23 hour bus ride to Cusco and 10 hours from Arequipa. Taking a plane (1,5h) is a better option te get here.
All tours I describe below are booked through Ragos Del Peru, located in Parawani hostel.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu doesn’t really need an introduction, but here it is anyway! In Quechua, the Inca language, Machu Picchu means ‘old mountain’. The site, located in the Andes of Peru at an altitude of 2430 meter (7,970 ft), is one of the new seven World Wonders. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions of the world, with more than one million visitors per year.
It was built in the 1400’s, abandoned for many decades and not discovered until 1911 by an American explorer.
To reach Machu Picchu, you need to reach Aguas Calientes, the closest town.
You can get to Aguas Calientes by hiking a couple of days from Cusco or taking a bus from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. If you arrive early in Ollantaytambo before taking the train, make sure to go check out the cool ruins.
From Ollantaytambo, you can take the train to Aguas Calientes. If you don’t have much time, I recommend taking the train. The hike from Cusco to Machu Picchu is a 3/4 day adventure.
When you are in Aguas Calientes, it is possible to hike up to the mountain all the way to Machu Picchu. It is a steep, 3 hour hike. The alternative is to buy a shuttlebus ticket in the local ticket office. They ask a lot of money for a short drive though. I recommend taking the bus up and doing the hike back down.
Note: To enter Machu Picchu you have to buy an entrance ticket in advance.
Schedule for visiting the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in two days:
Pick-up at your accommodation around 9 am
Drive one hour to Pisac
Discover the ruins for two hours
Drive one hour to Ollantaytambo
Discover the ruins for 2 hours
Take a two hour train ride to Aguas Calientes
Spent the night in Aguas Calientes
Wake up early and visit Machu Picchu
Hike back to Aguas Calientes
Take the train back to Ollantaytambo
Drive back two hours by bus to Cusco
Total cost including hotel, train, entrance Machu Picchu, guide will be around 300 euro.
Entering the ruins in Pisac and Ollantaytambo is only possible with the Cusco Boleto Turistosco, a multisite ticket which covers four of the best Sacred Valley ruins (Pisac, Chinchero, Moray and Ollantaytambo). It costs about 35 euro and remains valid for two days. Make sure to buy one at your hostel/hotel/travel agent before going, this is not included in the two day tour.
Rainbow Mountain
Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca, Montaña de Siete Colores or Montaña de Colores is one of the most popular attractions of Peru. The existence of the mountain was unknown until 2015. The colourful mountain was hidden under layers of ice for centuries, but became visible due the climate change.
It was in January 2016 when the first organised guided tour to Rainbow Mountain took place.
This day trip is absolutely worth it, but only if the weather conditions are good. Make sure to check the forecast, when it’s cloudy in the mountians, you won’t be able to see the Rainbow Mountain. For example, the day before and the day after I went to visit, it was snowing and the mountain was all covered up with snow, nothing to see. I was lucky and had a super clear day, it really depends from day to day.
Make sure to leave as early as possible in Cusco so the hike up the hill is calm and not overcrowded yet.
Schedule for visiting the Rainbow Mountain:
Pick-up at your accommodation around 3 am
Drive two hours
Breakfast-stop for 45 minutes. Make sure you drink a lot of coca leaf tea!
Drive another 1.5 hours to Rainbow Mountain car park
Hike up to the viewpoint (1,5 – 2 hours)
Enjoy the view for 20 to 30 minutes (5200 meters, 17060 ft)
Optional: Hike through the Red Valley on your way back to the bus. I would definitely recommend you to do this (2 hour walk)
Walk back to the bus (1 hour) - you will have to wait for those who do the Red Valley detour
Drive back for 1.5 hours and have a lunch stop
Drive another 2 hours back to Cusco
Do not underestimate the altitude. Rainbow Mountain trek starts at 4600 meter (1590 ft) and goes all the way up to 5200 meter (17060 ft). Don’t spend longer than half an hour on the summit of the viewpoint…
If you don’t feel like hiking, you can rent a horse that will take you up the mountain for 75% of the hike. The last 25% is too steep for the horses. Make sure to bring enough cash. A one way horse ride costs 80 Sol, 20 euro.
What to bring: comfortable hiking shoes, jacket, gloves, scarf, sunscreen, sunglasses and plenty of water and snacks!
Price: 50 euro for the full day, breakfast, lunch, park entrance… included.
If you want to visit Red Valley you will have to pay an additional 10 sol, 2,5 euro.
Red Valley
The Red Valley is a 2 – 2.5 hour walk right next to Rainbow Mountain. If you descend from the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint, make a left instead of going straight, to get back down. I think the Red Valley was even more impressive than the Montaña de Siete Colores. I don’t understand why most touragencies don’t even tell you about it or give you the option to go check it out.
The hike through Red Valley is not as difficult to get to the viewpoint of Rainbow Mountain and the landscape is just incredible! Another advantage to do the Red Valley hike is that there will be less people than going down from RM viewpoint. This can be crowded, especially when a lot of people decide to take a horse.
To enter the Red Valley path, you will have to pay an additional 10 Sol, 2,5 euro.
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo, also called Ollanta, is located in the Sacred Valley, two hours from Cusco at an altitude of 2792 meter (9100 ft). Most people in the village are people who are going to visit Machu Picchu or just came back from it.
The ruins are the best surviving examples of how the Incas built their streets and channels. Amazing place, definitely worth visiting.
Entering the ruins is only possible with the Cusco Boleto Turistosco, a multisite ticket which covers four of the best Sacred Valley ruins (Pisac, Chinchero, Moray and Ollantaytambo). It costs about 25 euro and remains valid for two days. Make sure to buy one at your hostel/hotel/travelagency before going.
Did you know: the village has been continuously inhabited since the 13th century and was the only place in Peru where the Incas defeated the Spanish army.
Humantay Lake
Humantay Lake, or Laguna De Huamantay, is one of the most popular day trips leaving from Cusco. The one-day hike is very popular because of its blue water and beautiful scenery. If the weather is clear, you are able to see snowy peaks and green hills around the lake.
Schedule for visiting Laguna De Huamantay:
Pick-up at your accommodation around 4:30 am
Drive two hours
Breakfast-stop in Mollepata for 45 minutes. Make sure you drink a lot of coca leaf tea!
Drive another hour to Soraypampa, the Humantay Lake trailhead (3800 meter, 12500 ft)
Hike up to the lake (1 – 1.5 hours)
Enjoy the view and the lake for an hour or more (4200 meters, 13800 ft)
Walk back to the bus (30 min)
Drive back for 1 hour and have a lunch stop
Drive another 2 hours back to Cusco, arriving 6 pm
The hike is steeper than the one to Rainbow Mountain viewpoint, but shorter. Also, the altitude will be less of an issue here. You will be amazed how the lake pops up out of nowhere!
What to bring: comfortable hiking shoes, jacket, gloves, scarf, sunscreen, sunglasses and plenty of water and snacks!
Price: 30 euro, 130 sol for the full day, breakfast, lunch, park entrance,… included.
Pisca
The Pisca Ruins are less than one hour away from Cusco, perfect for an early morning or afternoon trip.
The ruins are some of the biggest of the Sacred Valley including agricultural terraces, ancient temples and plazas. From here you can enjoy incredible views over the Peruan countryside.
The city used to be a strategic controlling point in the Sacred Valley, located at an important connection route of the Inca Empire. Archaeologists still don’t know when it was built, probably not earlier than 1440.
Entering the ruins is only possible with the Cusco Boleto Turistosco, a multisite ticket which covers four of the best Sacred Valley ruins (Pisac, Chinchero, Moray and Ollantaytambo). It costs about 25 euro and remains valid for two days. Make sure to buy one at your hostel/hotel/travelagent before going.
The Plaza de Armas
The Plaza de Armas Cusco was the political and economic center of Cusco until the Spaniards arrived in 1534. Nowadays, it is still the main square of the city, housing gardens and a fountain. The Cusco Cathedral and Church of the Society of Jesus, built in the 16th century are the main attractions.
San Pedro Market
San Pedro Market is the biggest market of Cusco. Here you can shop for local food, clothing, crafts,… This market and the street around it have an authentic and local vibe!
You can also get breakfast, lunch or dinner here.
