Cusco day tour
Cusco City Tour
Half-day guided tour of Cusco: Qoricancha, the Cathedral, Sacsayhuamán and three nearby Inca sites. All entrance tickets included.
Excursions around Cusco
Cusco Tours and Day Trips
Cusco is a starting point for Inca temples, Sacred Valley villages and high-Andes day trips. Choose an easy city or valley visit, explore Maras and Moray, or compare hikes to Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake and quieter highland sites. Tours start at US$ 39 for a half day and US$ 69 for a full-day valley route; listed entrance fees are included in the itineraries.
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Compare Cusco tours and day trips
Use these trips to acclimatize, explore the Sacred Valley or add a high Andean hike before or after Machu Picchu.
| Tour | Duration | Difficulty | Group from | Private from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cusco City Tour | Half day | Easy | US$ 39 | US$ 99 |
| Sacred Valley Full Day | Full day | Easy | US$ 69 | US$ 149 |
| South Valley | Half day | Easy | US$ 39 | US$ 99 |
| Maras & Moray | Half day | Easy | US$ 49 | US$ 119 |
| Humantay Lake | Full day | Moderate-challenging | US$ 79 | US$ 159 |
| Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley | Full day | Challenging | US$ 89 | US$ 169 |
| Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain | Full day | Moderate (altitude) | US$ 89 | US$ 169 |
| Pallay Punchu | Full day | Moderate (altitude) | US$ 89 | US$ 139 |
| Waqrapukara | Full day | Moderate | US$ 89 | US$ 179 |
| Ausangate 7 Lakes | Full day | Moderate-challenging | US$ 89 | US$ 179 |
Cusco day tour
Sacred Valley Tour
Full-day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas with buffet lunch and every entrance fee included. Classic or Maras & Moray route.
Cusco day tour
Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley
Hike Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain, and the Red Valley in one day from Cusco. Breakfast, lunch, guide and community fees included.
Cusco day tour
Humantay Lake
Day hike to the turquoise Humantay Lake below the Salkantay glacier. Transport, breakfast, lunch, guide and entrance fee included.
Cusco day tour
South Valley Tour (Tipón, Pikillacta & Andahuaylillas)
Half-day South Valley tour from Cusco: the Inca water gardens of Tipón, pre-Inca Pikillacta and the painted church of Andahuaylillas. Tickets included.
Cusco day tour
Maras & Moray Tour (Half Day)
Half-day tour from Cusco to the Moray terraces, the Maras salt mines and the weaving village of Chinchero. Guide, transport and entrance fees included.
Cusco day tour
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
Day trip from Cusco to Palccoyo, the alternative Rainbow Mountain: three colorful mountains, the Stone Forest and Ausangate views on a gentle hike.
Cusco day tour
Pallay Punchu Tour from Cusco
Full-day hike from Cusco to Pallay Punchu, the jagged striped peaks above Langui-Layo lake at 4,700 m. Transport, guide, meals and entrance included.
Cusco day tour
Waqrapukara Tour (The Horned Fortress)
Full-day hike from Cusco to Waqrapukara, the horned fortress above the Apurímac canyon. An off-the-beaten-path Inca site with transport, meals and guide.
Cusco day tour
Ausangate 7 Lakes Tour (Siete Lagunas)
Full-day hike from Cusco to the seven glacier lakes of Ausangate, with alpacas, snow peaks and Pacchanta hot springs. Transport, meals and guide included.
Find the right day trip
Types of Cusco tours: culture, valleys and high-Andes hikes
Cusco day trips range from short visits among Inca stonework to long drives and hikes above 4,000 m. Compare the time on the road, walking effort and elevation as well as the headline attraction. The half-day options are a gentler way to begin; save high-altitude hikes for later if you have just arrived.
Easy cultural tours and half-day visits
The Cusco City Tour takes about five hours in the afternoon and visits Qoricancha, the Cathedral and nearby Inca sites including Sacsayhuamán. It is a practical introduction to the city, though walking and altitude still matter on your first day.
The South Valley tour combines Tipón's Inca water channels, the pre-Inca site of Pikillacta and Andahuaylillas' painted church. It is a quieter alternative to the busiest Sacred Valley route. The Maras & Moray tour links Moray's circular terraces with the Maras salt mines and a weaving community; allow about six hours.
The Sacred Valley: a full day at a lower elevation
The Sacred Valley tour visits places such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero, with a buffet lunch on the listed route. At around 2,900 m in many valley towns, it is lower than Cusco and can be a useful early itinerary for travelers who want to take a gentler first step. If you have an evening train, ask in advance whether the route and drop-off can be arranged to finish in Ollantaytambo.
Use our Sacred Valley guide to compare the main sites, and read whether to start in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before choosing your first overnight.
High-Andes day trips: elevation and effort
These full-day excursions usually start early and return to Cusco in the evening. Elevation can make a short-looking walk feel strenuous, so check the route and your own health needs before booking.
- Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley reaches about 5,000 m. The hike takes roughly 1.5–2 hours uphill, with a steeper final section; it is the most demanding of these day trips.
- Humantay Lake sits around 4,200 m above Soraypampa. The climb is steep and commonly takes about 1.5 hours; the descent follows the same trail.
- Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain offers several colorful ridges and a shorter, gentler walk than Vinicunca, but the viewpoint is still at high elevation, around 4,900 m.
- Pallay Punchu has sharp striped peaks above Langui-Layo Lake at about 4,700 m. The drive is long, and the final walk includes a steep section.
- Waqrapukara is an Inca fortress above the Apurímac canyon, around 4,150 m, reached by an approximately 6 km round-trip hike.
- Ausangate 7 Lakes follows an 8–10 km loop among glacial lagoons near 4,700 m. The route combines high-altitude walking with views of Ausangate and local communities.
Breakfast and lunch are included on several of these hikes, but inclusions differ by route. Horses may be available locally on some trails; availability, route access and price are not guaranteed, so confirm details for your selected tour.
How to plan Cusco tours around the altitude
Cusco is about 3,400 m (11,150 ft) above sea level. The Sacred Valley is lower, while Machu Picchu is about 2,430 m; the high-Andes hikes rise above 4,000 m. Give yourself time to rest after arrival and choose activities according to how you feel. A route order can support a gentler trip, but it cannot guarantee acclimatization or prevent altitude illness.
- Day 1: Rest, or consider the afternoon Cusco City Tour at an easy pace.
- Day 2: Visit the lower Sacred Valley or choose a half-day route such as the South Valley or Maras & Moray.
- Days 3–4: Allow time for Machu Picchu, which is lower than Cusco. The Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu 2-day trip is one way to separate the valley and citadel visits.
- Later days: Consider Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain or another highland hike after you have had time to adjust.
Do not schedule a strenuous high-altitude hike as your first activity after arriving in Cusco. Travelers with heart or breathing conditions, or concerns about altitude, should seek medical advice before choosing a hike. Review our Machu Picchu altitude guide; age limits and walking conditions are listed on each tour page.
What's included in our Cusco day tours
Each product page lists the services for that specific route. Most tours include transport and a bilingual guide; listed entrance tickets and community fees are included where stated. For example, the city tour includes the partial Cusco Tourist Ticket for its sites plus Qoricancha and Cathedral admission. Valley tours list their relevant sites, and high-Andes hikes identify the applicable community entrance fees.
Meals also depend on the itinerary: the Sacred Valley route includes a buffet lunch, while several full-day hikes include breakfast and lunch. Horses, tips and personal purchases are not part of the standard inclusions unless the tour page says otherwise. Bring the original passport used for any named ticket and check the product details before sending your enquiry.
Combine Cusco tours with Machu Picchu
Book a Cusco excursion on its own or ask us to include it in a wider itinerary. The Cusco & Machu Picchu 4-day package includes the city and Sacred Valley visits; the Cusco, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain itinerary adds a high-Andes day after the main visit. If you prefer another pace, hotel level or route, request a custom trip and our Cusco team will check the components for your dates.
Plan your days in the right order
How to plan Cusco tours around the altitude
Cusco is about 3,400 m above sea level, while several high-Andes hikes climb above 4,000 m. Start gently, allow time to adjust and leave the strenuous hikes until later in your stay.
Day 1: rest or take a gentle afternoon visitCusco City Tour
Day 2: choose a lower valley or half-day routeSacred Valley or South Valley
Days 3-4: visit Machu PicchuSacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Later days: consider a high-altitude hikeHumantay Lake or Rainbow Mountain
Want a quieter high-altitude hikePalccoyo, Pallay Punchu or Waqrapukara
Planning guides
Plan your Cusco tours: useful guides
Use these guides to understand tickets, altitude, timing and route options before sending your enquiry.
Plan with our Cusco team
Want it all arranged?
See the Cusco & Machu Picchu 4 Days and Cusco, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain 6 Days packages, or ask us to build a custom trip around your dates.
Frequently asked questions
Cusco tours: FAQs
What are the best tours in Cusco?
For a first visit, consider the Cusco City Tour, the Sacred Valley and, if suitable for your health and acclimatization, one high-Andes hike such as Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake. The South Valley and Palccoyo are alternatives if you prefer a quieter route.
Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake?
Rainbow Mountain reaches about 5,000 m and has a steep final section. Humantay Lake is around 4,200 m and includes a steep uphill walk from Soraypampa. Both are strenuous at altitude; allow time to acclimatize and choose based on your fitness and health.
Which Rainbow Mountain is best: Vinicunca, Palccoyo or Pallay Punchu?
Vinicunca is the best-known and includes the option to continue to the Red Valley. Palccoyo has a shorter, gentler walk but still sits at high altitude. Pallay Punchu has pointed ridges and a longer drive. Compare the route and elevation, not only the photos.
Are entrance fees included in Cusco tours?
The listed entrance fees are included for each itinerary. Depending on the tour, this can include the relevant partial Cusco Tourist Ticket, Qoricancha or Cathedral admission, community fees or the Maras salt mine fee. Check the individual tour inclusions for the exact sites.
Which Cusco tours are suitable for acclimatizing?
A gentle city visit or a half-day route involves less hiking than the high-Andes excursions. The Sacred Valley is lower than Cusco, but no tour prevents altitude illness. Rest after arrival and ask a medical professional about personal health concerns.
How early do full-day hikes from Cusco start?
Many high-Andes day trips have pickups between about 3:30 and 5:00 am and return in the evening. Exact times vary by route and pickup location; half-day departures are later.
Can I book a Cusco day tour on its own or privately?
Yes. Day tours can be requested on their own or combined with a Machu Picchu itinerary. Shared and private options vary by tour; the product page and your quote confirm the service type, group size and price.
Are Cusco tours suitable for children and older travelers?
The city and valley tours involve less strenuous hiking than the high-altitude routes. Some hike products specify a minimum age of 8, but age alone does not determine suitability. Consider elevation, walking conditions and health, and review the individual tour details before booking.
Talk to a local specialist
Plan your Cusco Tours and Day Trips
Tell our Cusco team your dates and travel style. We will check available services and send a clear quote.