{"id":5008,"date":"2023-06-26T18:44:51","date_gmt":"2023-06-26T18:44:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peruadventuretrek.com\/blog\/?p=5008"},"modified":"2024-11-26T03:12:25","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T03:12:25","slug":"13-best-things-to-do-in-cusco-peru","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/peruadventuretrek.com\/blog\/en\/13-best-things-to-do-in-cusco-peru\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Best Things To Do in Cusco, Peru"},"content":{"rendered":"

Going on vacation is a time for relaxation, escaping from reality, and most of all, having a whole lot of fun! When you visit a new place, there are often a lot of activities and trips on offer, so it can be hard deciding which ones to go for.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve had a long hard think about all that there is to do in the fantastic city of\u00a0Cusco<\/strong>\u00a0and have come up with the best ways to make sure your holiday is full of fun and enjoyment. So, sit back and read because we\u2019ve done all the hard work for you.<\/p>\n

1.- Trek to Machu Picchu<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the most fun things you can do, or perhaps the best of them all, is to\u00a0trek to Machu Picchu<\/strong>. This world wonder is incredible by itself, but if you get the chance to walk there, do. Treks tend to be very enjoyable because not only do you see a lot of rural parts of the country, but you\u2019ll get to meet new friends and have a great time with them.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll end it all off with the visit to Machu Picchu and will have made friends for the rest of your trip. You\u2019ll be able to toast together when back in Cusco regarding your huge accomplishment and then plan other fun activities together if you so wish. This is a must for the fun factor.<\/p>\n

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\u00a02.- San Blas District<\/h2>\n

San Blas is the trendy, creative district of Cusco and away from the main tourist area. Wander around at Plaza San Blas and discover the streets filled with cafes, clothing shops, and some of the city\u2019s best restaurants.<\/p>\n

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3. Palccoyo Alternative Rainbow Mountain<\/h2>\n

The rainbow mountains have been hidden under ice, but due to climate change, they are now visible in the right season. This unfortunate truth revealed countless colors (formed by metals) on the mountain tops.<\/p>\n

The popular Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain<\/a> in Peru is one of the things you must do in Cusco! It attracts over 1000 visitors each day that all have to hike a narrow path for 3 hours to 5.200 meters! (17.000 feet)<\/p>\n

Not an ideal situation, and that\u2019s the reason why the\u00a0Palccoyo Alternative Rainbow Mountain<\/a> is starting to get more attention. It is a relatively easy 1.5-hour walk to the top at 5,000 meters; you will see three rainbow mountains, and the best part \u2013 there are only a handful of tourists.<\/p>\n

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4. Qoricancha Temple in Cusco<\/h2>\n

Qoricancha (or Koricancha or Corikancha) was a holy temple covered in pure gold of the Inca people. The Spanish forced them to change religion and built a Christian monastery on top of the Qoricancha temple.<\/p>\n

Nowadays, it is possible to visit the Santo Domingo monastery, where you read and see everything about its impressive history and relax in its garden. The entry ticket for Qoricancha is 15 Soles (~ 5 USD). It is closed on Sundays, and expect to spend 1-2 hours inside. We recommend booking a city tour<\/a> that includes Qoricancha and other Cusco highlights.<\/p>\n

Whilst walking towards Coricancha, make a little detour to\u00a0this\u00a0huge street art painting.<\/p>\n

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5. Coffee on a balcony<\/h2>\n

Overlooking the beautiful streets of Cusco while drinking a delicious Peruvian coffee. Your list of things to do in Cusco isn\u2019t complete without tasting one of the world\u2019s top coffee producers. Many cafes in Cusco have balconies that make your morning coffee experience even better. Two great spots are L\u2019Atelier in San Blas and Cappuccino Cusco on Plaza De Armas square.<\/p>\n

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6. Discover the Sacred Valley<\/h2>\n

The\u00a0Sacred Valley<\/a> Peru holds some of the best-preserved Inca architecture in Peru. Most of the land was being used for farming, and the structures built, helped them do so. The most affordable and best way is to book a multi-day tour with Peru Adventure Trek.<\/p>\n

6.1 Pisac Ruins<\/h3>\n

Machu Picchu\u2019s little brother, the Pisac Ruins, is just 45 minutes away from\u00a0Cusco, Peru. It overlooks the entire Urubamba Valley, and the terraces are still in use today.<\/p>\n

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6.2 Moray \u2014 something you must do in Cusco<\/h3>\n

The man-made terraces in a circular shape named the Moray Ruins were an agricultural laboratory. They could experiment with different lighting and temperature conditions for growing crops. Moray is one of the reasons Peru has over 2000 species of potatoes today.<\/p>\n

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6.3 Maras Salt Mines<\/h3>\n

The Salineras de Maras are thousands of shallow salt pools tucked away in a valley.<\/a> During your visit, workers are still doing the hard work of scraping off the salt to be sold as one of the most expensive salts in Peru.<\/p>\n

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6.4 Ollantaytambo<\/h3>\n

Discover the picturesque old town of Ollantaytambo and its impressive ruins overlooking the village. It is one of the most-visited ruins since it is close to Machu Picchu and the main train stations towards Machu Picchu. Nevertheless, Ollantaytambo ruins are very much worth your time.<\/p>\n

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7. Sacsayhuaman \u2013 most popular thing to do in Cusco<\/h2>\n

A 30-minute walk uphill from Cusco<\/a> town is a large wall Inca site named Sacsayhuaman (pronounce it as \u2018sexy human\u2019) The wall is made of stones, and each one weighs around 300 tons! Only think of the method to move a single stone!?<\/p>\n

To visit Sacsayhuaman, a Cusco Tourist Ticket is required. The partial ticket costs 70 soles (21 USD) and 130 soles (40 USD), including the Sacred Valley. Alternatively, book an organized tour that includes transportation, entry, and a guide.<\/p>\n

It is situated at 3.700 meters, so before you walk up, consider you taking a taxi if your condition isn\u2019t great or if you haven\u2019t gotten time to get used to the height.\u00a0Tip:\u00a0<\/strong>Drinking Coca Tea helps with altitude sickness.<\/p>\n

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8. Cusco\u2019s Historical Center<\/h2>\n

Cusco\u2019s historical center is a mix of Spanish and Andean buildings. The main square, Plaza de Armas, is a lively place with plenty of restaurants and iconic buildings like the Cusco Cathedral. It is a great place to spend your sunset moment in Cusco.<\/p>\n

Tip:\u00a0<\/strong>In the center, sellers will try to sell artwork or sunglasses. Kindly say \u2018No gracias\u2019 and they will leave you.<\/p>\n

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9. Viewpoints sunset<\/h2>\n

The best view from Cusco is from the top. It is a great thing to do in Cusco to walk up to one of the many viewpoints. During sunset, the golden light will cover the entire valley and makes it incredibly picturesque.<\/p>\n

Some of the best viewpoints in Cusco are:<\/p>\n