Day Trips Cusco

Day Trips in Cusco: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction

Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, is a city rich in history and culture. While you can spend days exploring its cobblestone streets, museums, and architectural wonders, there are also numerous day trips that allow you to experience the surrounding areas and their unique attractions. Here’s some essential information to help you plan your day trips around Cusco.

Machu Picchu

  • Distance: Approximately 72 km (45 miles) from Cusco
  • Transportation: You can reach Machu Picchu by train or bus. Trains depart from the Poroy or Ollantaytambo station, while buses leave from Cusco’s Plaza Regocijo.
  • Tips:
    • Book your tickets well in advance to secure a spot, especially during peak season (May to September).
    • Hire a guide to enhance your experience and learn more about the Incan city.
    • Consider visiting at sunrise or sunset for breathtaking views.

Sacred Valley of the Incas

  • Distance: Ranges from 15 km (9 miles) to 60 km (37 miles) from Cusco
  • Transportation: You can reach the Sacred Valley by car, minibus, or tour bus.
  • Tips:
    • Visit Pisac Market on Tuesdays and Sundays for local handicrafts and textiles.
    • Explore Ollantaytambo’s Incan ruins and its bustling town.
    • Take a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes before continuing to Machu Picchu.

Raqchi and Andahuaylillas

  • Distance: Approximately 100 km (62 miles) from Cusco
  • Transportation: Rent a car or hire a tour operator for this trip.
  • Tips:
    • Visit the Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi, an Incan temple dedicated to the sun god.
    • Explore the charming village of Andahuaylillas and its 17th-century San Pedro church, known as the Sistine Chapel of the Americas for its ornate frescoes.

Tipón, Pikillaqta, and Tambomachay

  • Distance: Approximately 45 km (28 miles) from Cusco
  • Transportation: Rent a car or hire a tour operator for this trip.
  • Tips:
    • Discover the Incan agricultural terraces at Tipón.
    • Explore the Wari archaeological site of Pikillaqta, an ancient pre-Inca city.
    • Relax at Tambomachay, an Incan bath complex featuring beautiful stone structures and cascading waters.

Maras and Moray

  • Distance: Approximately 45 km (28 miles) from Cusco
  • Transportation: Rent a car or hire a tour operator for this trip.
  • Tips:
    • Visit the ancient salt pans of Maras, still in use today by local families.
    • Explore the mysterious circular terraces of Moray, believed to have been used as an agricultural laboratory by the Incas.