15 Things to do in Cusco Travel Guide
Many travelers to Cusco use the city as a launching pad to hike the Inca trail, visit Machu Picchu and/or explore the Sacred Valley. With so many travel options just outside of the city it is easy to forget that Cuzco has a lot to offer in and of itself. The following Cusco travel guide is our attempt to showcase what the city has to offer in terms of attractions, things to do, shopping, dining, museums and nightlife. In our opinion, you'll want to budget several days to take it all in and acclimatize to the higher altitude if you're thinking of going on hiking excursions afterwards.
Our visit Cusco travel guide covers some of the top attractions including the best in arts, entertainment, museums, nightlife and restaurants. We also cover off-the-beaten-path activities that you won't find in your typical tourism brochure or Cusco city guide.
1) Cusco Cathedral (Viracocha) - Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin (Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus)
2) Inca Wall
3) Traditional Peruvian Folk Dance at Centro Qosqo
4) Barrio de San Blas Neighborhood
5) Artisan Market on Ave del Sol
6) Cusco Food (Alpaca meat skewers - alpaca a la parrilla
7) Pisco Museum (Museo del Pisco)
8) Plaza de Armas (Square of the warrior)
9) Inca Museum (Museo Inka)
10) Chocolate Museum (ChocoMuseo)
11) Temple of the Sun (Qurikancha)
12) Templo de la Compañía de Jesús (Jesuit Church)
13) Cuy - eating Guinea pig for dinner
14) El Templo de la Merced del Cusco
15) Nightlife in Cusco - drinking a pisco sour
Alternate Cuzco/Cusco spelling: (Quechua: Qusqu or Qosqo)
15 Things to do in Cusco, Peru | Top Attractions Travel Guide:
If you're planning to walk the Inca Trail or visit Machu Picchu, you'll likely end up spending at least a few days in Cuzco. With it's lively square, quirky museums, artisans markets and traditional performances, this is exactly the type of destination you'll want to linger in...plus let's not forget, it's also a good place to adjust to the altitude! The following video will showcase 15 things to do in Cuzco:
Cuzco Cathedral is a place you shouldn't miss. The cathedral sits on the site of Viracocha Inca’s palace, and it was also built using blocks from the nearby Inca site of Sacsaywamán. Inside you'll find impressive works of art done in the cuzqueña style.
In the evenings, you can go watch a traditional dance performance at Centro Qosqo.
San Blas
San Blas is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Cuzco and it is a great area to explore on foot. The neighbourhood is known for its bright blue doors and window shutters, and it has a nice little square with a church and a water fountain. The neighbourhood has some really cool lookout points with great panoramic views of Cuzco, so you'll want to bring your camera.
Plaza de Armas is the beating heart of Cuzco. The square is flanked by a Jesuit church and cathedral, and there are also plenty of bars, restaurants, and tour agencies around the perimeter. During the day you'll find locals and tourists hanging out in the square, and if you get lucky, you might just encounter a performance followed by a demonstration like we did.
The Inca Museum is one of the main museums in town and it has rooms dedicated to different periods of Inca and Spanish history. You can also see women weaving rugs and tapestries by hand in the central courtyard.
Qurikancha was an Inca temple built to the Sun God, Inti, and it is believed that the walls of this temple were once covered in sheets of gold. If the temple looks like it has various layers of construction, that's because when the Spaniards arrived, they demolished the original temple and used the foundations to build the Church of Santo Domingo on the site.
The Church of the Society of Jesus is a historic Jesuit church. It's worth a quick visit if you're in the area.
Templo de la Merced is another church located one block from Plaza de Armas, and it contains the tomb of two famous conquistadors.
And that's a wrap for Cuzco! We hope you enjoyed this video and that it showed you a few of the places you can visit while you're in the city. We recommend spending at least 3 days here, or perhaps a few more if you also want to tour the Sacred Valley. As always, if you have any other suggestions of things to do in Cuzco, feel free to share those in the comments below.
This is part of our Travel in Peru series. We're making a series of videos showcasing Peruvian culture, Peruvian arts, Peruvian foods, Peruvian religion, Peruvian cuisine and Peruvian people. All things Peruano. The best of Comida Peruana and Cocina Peruana.
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All photos and video taken by Samuel Jeffery (Nomadic Samuel) and Audrey Bergner (That Backpacker).
Music in this video courtesy of Audio Network
DAY TRIP TO THE RAINBOW MOUNTAIN, PERU by AB EXPEDITIONS
NOTE: If you would like to take a day trip to the Rainbow Mountain or a multi-day trek on the Ausangate visit for more information or email info@abexpeditions.com to book a tour. You are now able to get to this amazing place on a day trip from Cusco, Peru. Have fun!
One of the most magnificent geologic features in the world is the Rainbow Mountain of the Peruvian Andes. The mountain is striped with colors ranging from turquoise to lavender to maroon and gold.
The reason we see the rainbow coloration in the stratigraphic layers of the Rainbow mountain is largely due to weathering and mineralogy. Red coloration of sedimentary layers often indicates iron oxide rust as a trace mineral. Similar to how a nail will rust and turn red when oxidized, sediments that are iron rich will change when exposed to oxygen and water. This, in combination with uplift and tectonically driven crustal shortening has tilted the sedimentary layers on their side exposing stripped stratigraphic intervals.
The different coloration is due to different environmental conditions and mineralogy when the sediment was originally deposited and subsequently diagenetically altered. The introduction of goethite or oxidized limonite will introduce a brownish coloration to sandstones. The bright yellow coloration could be due to iron sulphide as trace minerals within the pore cement. In addition, chlorite will often color sediments varying shades of green dependent on diagenetic history and concentration.
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Unexpected Detour to Cusco: Journey to Peru // Days 5 & 6
While preparing to leave Huacachina, I realized that I made a big mistake in my travel plans! I had 2 days of bus travel left on Peru Hop to complete the Full South Tour through Puno and up to Cusco, but I needed to be in Cusco in 1 day what was I going to do??
During my deliberation time, I got to visit a Pisco vineyard, see the famous Nazca Lines from an observation tower, and stop in Nazca for some delicious Lomo Saltado. Spoiler alert, everything turned out better than I expected and I got a chance to explore Cusco city, sample some unique Peruvian dishes, and also try Coca Tea to help with my altitude sickness!
Come along with me and find out how I fixed my travel blunder.
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Amanzing Rainbow Mountains in Cusco - Peru (HD1080p)
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Alternative Rainbow Mountain Tour - Trekking Tour Cusco
There's a new, magical place around Cusco: the mighty Rainbow Mountain, covered in colours you've never seen before. Many pages have called this one of the most instagramable spots in Peru, and yes we agree, but it is more than just that.
It's a very unique place created by the Inca gods, so fascinating that it will take your breath away. The best about this tour is that there are no large tourist groups around and that the hike is a piece of cake compared to the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. You will only hike for 30 minutes - 1 hour, depending on your hiking speed.
After having visited the Palccoyo rainbow mountain, we will visit the local community. This is a unique chance for you to learn more about the locals' way of living, their daily lifestyle and also about their history.
This article explains more about this new Peruvian wonder:
Our Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain tour:
Never underestimate the altitude! More tips about how to avoid the altitude sickness here:
Find out about more magical places like the Humantay Lake:
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Rainbow Mountain one Day Tour by Peru Travel Company - www.perutravelcompany.com
The majestic mountain of Ausangate is considered God’s protector and is currently the fifth tallest mountain in Peru at 6,384 meters. In the middle of the snow-capped mountains and herds of alpaca is the rainbow mountain, known as “vinicunca”, meaning hills of colors.
SKYLODGE ADVENTURE SUITES Cusco, Peru | Via Ferrata Climbing & Zipline | by Natura Vive
Would you dare sleep here? Perched high above the Sacred Valley of Cusco in Peru, you will find Skylodge: three totally transparent capsule suites and a dining room/kitchen suspended 400m above the valley floor. Getting to your bed has never been such an adventure. After a 1.5 hour climb straight up the mountain, you will enjoy a gourmet dinner in a circular, glass dining room pod and then enjoy a good night's sleep under the stars in your sleeping capsule (complete with its own private bathroom). The next morning, climb back to the dinning room and enjoy a delicious breakfast with a view before zip-lining back down the mountain.
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RAINBOW MOUNTAIN TOUR - 01 DAY PERU MYSTERIES
The Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca, is in the area of the famous Ausangate (Snow Mountain 6 372 masl.), the mountain considered an Apu (God of the mountain). That's why locals always perform rituals or ceremonies before starting activities, in honor of the gods or mountains. For this and much more the rainbow mountain (VINICUNCA) is one of the most majestic attractions of Cusco.
TRAVEL TO PERU!
Oh my god, Peru. The beauty! I would recommend everyone to go. Peru has so much to offer, definitely a lot more than Machu Picchu and Cusco. We traveled with Peru Hop from Lima to Paracas, Huacachina, Arequipa, Puno and Cusco, and got to see all of the highlights!
I shot this video using my Sony A7iii and Mavic Pro drone. Hope you enjoy it! If so, consider subscribing!
Adventure Machu Picchu Tour in Cusco Peru
Best Machu Picchu Adventure tour in Peru.
Alternative to the Inca Trail Trek is this amazing Jungle Adventure, which offers the possibility of high-altitude mountain biking, rafting, trekking and zip-lining to reach Machu Picchu.
Quadcopter Flight Over Megalithic Qenqo Above Cusco In Peru
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Rainbow Mountain by Inkayni Peru Tours
BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE WITH INKAYNI PERU TOURS
ITINERARY:
FULL DAY: CUSCO – QUESIUNO – VINICUNCA – QUESIUNO – CUSCO
We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and head south from Cusco through the beautiful landscapes of valleys and agricultural communities. This route to the community of Quesiuno (4,326m / 14,192 ft) will take about 3 hours. Upon arriving to this community we will have a delicious breakfast prepared by our chef.
After breakfast we will begin our hike, following a beautiful creek through a portal in between the mountains, accompanied by our first views of Ausangate, the fifth highest peak of Peru. Along the way we will pass through herds of hundreds of alpacas and llamas and the occasional shepherd or local people moving about their daily activities.
Our total ascent will last about 4 hours, bringing us to our final destination and highest point on our trek, Vinicunca or Rainbow Mountain (5,020 mts / 16,466 ft), or, as we like to call it, Apu Ausangate’s Poncho! Here we will stop to admire and appreciate the outstanding views in all directions and the rare geological formations that appear to be painted with exotic colors by Gods hand. Far below and into the distance are infinite valleys and glaciers as far as one can see.
We will stop for about 30 minutes – the perfect amount of time to rest, to have a snack, and immerse yourself in this wild environment before we must begin our descent, roughly three hours. Upon arrival at the trailhead our chef will be waiting with a delicious hot lunch. We will have time after lunch to visit some of the local households and observe the lifestyle and customs that are still being practiced today since Inca times. Here the native language of Quechua is spoken very well and agriculture is essential for life.
At the end of the day our tour will conclude with an opportunity to meet with local people from the community before making our journey back to Cusco in our private van. We will leave you back at your hotel around 7:00 p.m.
Meals: Continental Breakfast / snacks / fresh lunch
Lowest Altitude: 4,326 m / 14,189 ft
Highest Altitude: 5,020 m / 16,466 ft
Distance: 15 km / 9 ¼ mi
Travel time: 4-5 hours ascent; 3-4 hours descent
Level of Difficulty: Very Challenging
Full Day Rainbow Mountain /Vinincunca Trek by Inkayni Peru Tours
Inkayni Peru Tours offers DAILY DEPARTURE, as long as we have a minimum of people.
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Inkayni Peru Tours is a highly reliable company, exceptionally recommended by its clients, guidebooks, forums, etc. Our principle objective is to provide the best service, achieve the maximum satisfaction of our customers, and to assume the responsibility as guardians of Nature in all our undertakings.
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Itinerary
You will need to wake up early to enjoy this natural marvel at its best. Between 3:45 am and 4:15 am, we’ll pick you up directly from your hotel to start our ride to the south of Cusco through beautiful landscapes of valleys and agricultural communities. First we will drive for around 2 hours to to the town of Cusipata (3,329m / 12,772 ft.).
After breakfast near Cusipata we will continue our trip by van, following a beautiful way between the mountains, accompanied by our first views of Ausangate, highest peak of Cusco. Along the way we will pass through herds of hundreds of alpacas and llamas and the occasional shepherd or local people moving about their daily activities.
Our ascent will begin in Phuluwasipata and last about 2 hours, bringing us to our final destination and highest point on our Rainbow Mountain trek (or Vinicunca trek), at 5,020 mts / 16,470 ft. Here we will stop to admire and appreciate the outstanding views in all directions and the rare geological formations that appear to be painted with exotic colors by Gods hand. Far below and into the distance are infinite valleys and glaciers as far as one can see. We will stop for about 30 minutes – the perfect amount of time to rest, to have a snack, and immerse yourself in this wild environment before we must begin our descent, roughly an hour and a half hours towards the point where we started the day’s hike in Phuluwasipata, there our transport will be waiting to take us to restaurant in Chillihuani where we enjoy an energizing lunch. We will have time after lunch to visit some of the local households and observe the lifestyle and customs that are still being practiced today since Inca times. Here the native language of Quechua is spoken very well and agriculture is essential for life.
At the end of the day our tour will conclude with an opportunity to meet with local people from the community before making our journey back to Cusco in our private van. We will leave you back at your hotel around 4:30 p.m to 5:30 p.m.
Meals: Continental Breakfast / snacks / fresh lunch
Lowest Altitude: 3,890 m / 14,189 ft
Highest Altitude: 5,020 m / 16,466 ft
Distance: 3 km / 1 miles.
Travel time: 2 hours ascent; 1,5 hours descent
Level of Difficulty: Challenging
Cusco Travel Guide | The Ancient Inca Capital of Peru
Some say Cusco is the Rome of the Americas and to be honest...we'd have to agree. Join Alex and Marko, the Vagabrothers, and explore the ancient Inca capital in the Andes. Cusco is one of the coolest cities in South America and it's time to travel!
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MACHU PICCHU TRIP PERU HIKING
GROUP OF 13 FRIENDS VISITS THE LAND OF PERU FOR A 5 DAY HIKING ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME.
OMG Trip 39: Peru - Cusco, Palcoyo rainbow mountains and Lake Titicaca
Jeden deň sme len tak ležali v posteli a z ničoho nič nás napadla myšlienka dlhodobejšieho cestovania. Začali sme pomaly s plánovaním, ale takým reálnym sa to stalo, až keď sme v decembri 2017 kúpili prvú letenku do Iránu a oznámili to rodine. Našu cestu okolo sveta sme nazvali ako OMG trip, pretože na začiatku to naozaj bolo stále také neuveriteľné: óóóó môj Bože, my naozaj ideme. A sme tu, Filip a Zuzka, ktorí sa vzdali všetkého na Slovensku, práce, bytu a vybrali sa do sveta. Cestovali sme aj predtým s našimi kamošmi, ale vždy to bolo iba na 3 - 4 týždne. Tentokrát sme sa vybrali s dvomi 65l a dvomi 30l ruksakmi do sveta na dlhšie, zatiaľ bez dátumu návratu.
Ak sa vám naše videá páčia, dajte nám prosím “like” a stlačte sledovať. Ďakujeme
One day we were just lying down in the bed and suddenly idea of long-term travel came out with. We started slowly to plan, but it became real after buying the first ticket to Iran in December 2017 and announcing it to our family. We called our around the world trip as OMG trip because at the begining it was still incredible: oh my God, we are really going. And here we are, Filip and Zuzka, who gave up of everything in Slovakia, work, flat and chose the world. We had already traveled with our friends, but it was only for 3-4 weeks. This time we hit the road with two 65l and two 30l backpacks for longer time, still without return date.
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Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour 1 day
A mountain of the seven colors in Palccoyo Cusco: how to get #PalccoyoRainbowMountainTour. Peru will always surprise us with new tourist places. 1 year ago, 2018 was unveiled to tourists Palccoyo Combapata, the new mountain of seven colors that will cause a furor.
Get to know the second rainbow mountain that Cusco has, which stands out for its easy accessibility and beautiful natural landscapes.
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Did you know that there is another natural landscape with the same colorful appeal, which is easier to reach?
We speak of the Cordillera Rainbow of Palccoyo, a destination that has gained fame due to the coloration in the sediments of this part of the Andes, such as Vinicunca, but with better accessibility that allows enjoying spectacular views.
#PalccoyoDayTrek
The place, still little known and far from many tourists, is located in the community of Palccoyo in the district of Combapata, at 4,900 meters. To get there, it takes approximately three and a half hours to travel southeast of the city of Cusco It does not require much physical effort, because mobility leaves us at almost 5 thousand meters, it is 30 minutes of walking and we will appreciate the rainbow mountain range.
During the trip, you will appreciate the magical stone forest that will welcome you to the place and enjoy the beautiful postcards of the area, where alpacas and llamas graze freely.
It should be noted that the 7 colors of Palccoyo Mountain were discovered due to the degradation of the snow-capped mountains that covered the upper part of the mountain range, which is part of the other known mountain.
Natural beauty is full of attractions.
Beyond the splendid panorama with which it is located, in Palccoyo you will enjoy different activities that you can do.
On the way to Checacupe, you can visit the colonial temple that has excellent works of woodcarving, gold leaves and paintings of houses of the school of Cusco. In addition, you can learn about the Inca, colonial and republican ancestral bridges.
What should I do to get to the destination?
To get to Palccoyo, it is better to take a full day tour to fully enjoy the place. Now came the idea of combining the Qeawachaka Bridge the last Inca suspension bridge built with straw or maybe visit Palccoyo for long.
A journey of approximately 2 hours to tour the area of Palccoyo 4 rainbow mountains
Breakfast and lunch
Round trip transportation
Entrance tickets
First aid kit
Optional visits around the place (depending on the selection of expeditions).
#Palccoyo
Always take into account a series of recommendations, such as wearing warm and comfortable clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, lots of water, but above all, your desire to live a beautiful experience in Palccoyo Peru.
Machu Picchu Tour Full day
“With Expedition Train Service : USD $ 295.00 per person The Adventure Starts in the Journey
“With Panorámic Vistadome Train : USD $ 345.00 per person A journey for your senses
One day visit to one of the wonders of the world, Machu Picchu.
The beautiful Machu Picchu Inca citadel was built in the fifteenth century by Inca Pachacutec, this impressive archaeological monument was considered a Royal hacienda destined to the cult of the Gods and a challenge to the ruling skills builders.
Built as a refuge for the elite of the Inca aristocracy, is considered one of the seven wonders of the world since 2007 and is located at 2430 meters altitude in the Urubamba river valley. Visiting this place is for you an unforgettable experience ever imagined.
This trek is often known as the twenty one day to Machu Picchu Tours
Peru 2014: Salkantay 5D/4N Trail + Machu Picchu Mountain
Took a trip to Peru in December of 2014 and randomly joined a group to do the Salkantay Trail 5D/4N. Also tagged on an entrance ticket to MP Mountain since it was the highest I could go up.
We had the ABSOLUTE best guide ever, Quilla. Her contact info is below:
Elizabeth Quillahuaman Mañaccasa
Mountain Gods Peru (Tour operator)
mountaingodsperu@gmail.com
+51 84 632788
Trip was awesomesauce and totally worth it. If anyone has any questions, leave it in the comments below, and I'll do my best to answer. Everyone really should go and do this trek once in their lives.
Music: Nujabes - Reflection Eternal