In Cusco (minimum 2-3 days), the must-sees: Plaza de Armas and cathedral (1559-1654, 400 paintings of the Cusquenian school, Last Supper with guinea pig), Coricancha (former Inca sun temple, became Santo Domingo monastery after conquest, unique architectural fusion), Sacsayhuamán (cyclopean fortress on the heights, perfectly fitted 100-300 ton stone blocks), Q'enqo and Puca Pucara (annex Inca sites), San Pedro market (local life, exotic fruits, juices, cuy comedor), San Blas quarter (artisans, painter and weaver workshops, Plaza San Blas), Inka museum and Museo de Arte Precolombino (MAP). Evening: Plaza de Armas restaurants (Pacha Papa, Cicciolina, MAP Café, Chicha Gastón Acurio), Andean clubs with live music.
In the Sacred Valley (2-3 days), classic loop: Pisac (Sunday colorful market, spectacular Inca agricultural terraces, ruins on high), Urubamba (comfortable hotel base in the valley heart), Ollantaytambo (Inca fortress with its 17 monumental terraces, still-inhabited Inca village with its original alleys, train departure for Machu Picchu), Maras (millennial pink salt pans stepped in basins, 4,500 basins), Moray (circular Inca agricultural amphitheatre at 3,500 m), Chinchero (traditional Quechua textiles with natural dye and backstrap loom weaving demonstrations). Day excursion possible from Cusco but far more restful to sleep 2-3 nights in the valley.
Machu Picchu (1-2 dedicated days): access by PeruRail/IncaRail train from Ollantaytambo (1h30, spectacular scenery) to Aguas Calientes (the village at Machu Picchu's foot), then 25 min Consettur shuttle bus to the site (USD 12 return). Ideal: night at Aguas Calientes or Sanctuary Lodge (only hotel at site entrance, Belmond, €1,500-2,500/night) the day before to enter at 6am at opening, sunrise on the citadel. Mandatory guided visit since 2017 (€35-50 the guide for 2-5 people, 2-3h on site). For sports lovers: ascent of Huayna Picchu (mountain 'young peak', vertiginous staircase 45 min, plunging view, extra ticket PEN 200, limited spots 400/day, book 4-6 months ahead) or Montaña Machu Picchu (higher but less technical, 1h30 ascent, 360° panorama). Optional: short 2-day Inca Trail from km 104 (Wiñay Wayna and arrival via Sun Gate on day 2), more accessible than classic Inca Trail.
Alternative treks from Cusco: classic 4-day Inca Trail (43 km, permit 6 months ahead, USD 600-900/person all-inclusive, closed February), 5-day Salkantay trek (glacial landscapes under Salkantay 6,271 m, no permit, USD 350-550), 3-day Lares trek (authentic Quechua villages, hot springs, USD 280-400), Choquequirao trek (4-5 difficult days to Machu Picchu's 'sister', less touristic, USD 350-500), 5-day Ausangate trek (sacred peak 6,384 m, glacial lakes, Vinicunca the Rainbow Mountain on the route).
The Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca, 5,200 m), popular day excursion from Cusco (3h drive + 1h30 altitude walk, beware soroche), €50-80. The Red Valley optional nearby. The Laguna Humantay (4,200 m, turquoise glacial lake under Salkantay), day excursion €50-70.
Read also
- Machu Picchu — The 1450 Inca citadel, UNESCO 1983, named among the New 7 Wonders of the World.
- Cusco — The former Inca capital at 3,400 m, Plaza de Armas, Sacsayhuamán, UNESCO 1983.
- Peru — Complete country guide: visa, currency, regions, best time to visit.
- Arequipa and Titicaca — The other major Andean region — White City, Colca Canyon and sacred lake at 3,812 m.