Top Day Trips from Cusco, Peru
When you’re planning a trip to Cusco, there are so many places you’ll want to squeeze into your travel itinerary — and trust me, Cusco makes it unbelievably easy. The city sits in the perfect location for exploring mountains, lakes, ancient ruins, hot springs, and small Andean towns. It’s like the ultimate launching pad for adventure.
One thing to know: most guided tours leave very early (think 4:00–5:00am pickups), and almost all involve 2–3+ hours of driving. Breakfast is often included, lunch usually is too, and tipping is never included.
But honestly? The long days are part of the fun — half of my favorite memories are from chatting with fellow travelers in the van while watching the sun rise or set over the Andes.
Here are the top day trips from Cusco, Peru:
Machu Picchu
As the most sought-after attraction in the region, Machu Picchu is a place you cannot miss on your trip to Cusco. It lives up to the hype. It feels almost surreal stepping through the entrance gates and suddenly seeing the entire citadel open up below you.
Because of its popularity, it sells out very far in advance, sometimes as early as 4-6+ months ahead of time, especially during the dry season. The rainy season is less likely to be fully booked.
I didn’t book a traditional “day trip” because I wanted more flexibility, so I planned everything myself — train tickets, bus tickets, entry time, the whole deal. I still remember waking up before sunrise in Aguas Calientes, walking through the misty streets toward the buses, and feeling that mix of excitement + “I really hope I didn’t mess something up.”
But everything went smoothly, and the moment I saw the ruins, I actually had this quiet moment where I just stood still and took a breath. It’s one of those views you’ve seen a million times online… and yet the real thing hits completely differently.
Rainbow Mountain AKA Vinicunca
Nothing prepares you for how high Rainbow Mountain actually is — over 5,000 meters above sea level. You feel the altitude immediately, so go slow and drink lots of coca tea.
For my hike in mid-February, it was snowing on the way up, so my first view of Rainbow Mountain was snow-covered. While I was at the top, the snow melted and the fog cleared, so I was able to see the beautiful colors of the mountain, although it didn't appear as bright as you see on social media because it was wet from the snow melt.
My guide told me, “Today, you’ve seen two mountains: the one in the snow, and the one everyone comes for.”
And honestly, he was right.
Pro tip: there are actually 3 different "rainbow mountains" in the area, and each has its own full-day guided tour. The most popular is also called Vinicunca.
Sacred Valley
My Sacred Valley day trip ended up being one of the most memorable experiences of my time in Cusco. It’s such a beautiful way to understand Incan history — not just in theory, but in context. Instead of reading about the Incas in a museum, you’re literally walking through the places where everything happened. Every stop along this day trip has its own personality, its own geography, and its own stories.
Our tour included Moray, the Salt Mines of Maras, Pisaq, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo, and each destination offered something different.
Moray
Moray was our first major stop, and honestly, it’s one of the most fascinating places I’ve ever seen. The circular terraces look almost futuristic — like something built by aliens — but they were actually used as an agricultural laboratory by the Incas.
Standing at the top, looking down into the perfectly carved circles, I tried to imagine ancient farmers experimenting with crops at different temperatures and altitudes. Each terrace has its own microclimate, with temperature variations of up to 27°F (15°C) from top to bottom.
One of my favorite little moments here was talking to a woman selling handmade textiles near the entrance. She showed me how she dyed wool using plants and natural minerals — she pulled out dried leaves and little chunks of what looked like rock, rubbed them together with water, and suddenly bright color appeared. It was such a beautiful tie-in to the agricultural history of Moray.
Salt Mines of Maras
The Salt Mines of Maras were unlike anything I’d ever seen — thousands of bright white salt pools cascading down the mountainside. The contrast against the red earth is unreal, and the scenery makes you feel like you stepped into a painting.
The coolest part? These pools are still worked by local families using the same techniques they’ve used for generations. You can actually taste the famous pinkish Peruvian salt at the small market outside (highly recommend picking up a small bag if you like cooking — it’s amazing on roasted veggies).
The whole area has this peaceful, almost meditative feel to it. Even with other tourists around, it still felt calm and incredibly special.
Pisaq
Pisaq was one of the stops that surprised me the most. I knew it was beautiful, but I didn’t expect the ruins to be so expansive. There are terraces that stretch across the mountainsides and lookout points with sweeping valley views.
The walk through the site was a mix of quiet pathways, panoramic views, and steep stairways that make you wonder how the Incas navigated this so effortlessly. Our guide pointed out the stone architecture and water channels, and suddenly everything clicked — the Inca really were experts in creating cities that worked with the landscape instead of against it.
Pisaq town itself is adorable and known for its artisanal market. If you love picking up souvenirs that aren’t mass-produced, this is a great place to shop.
Urubamba
Urubamba isn’t necessarily the “main attraction” of the Sacred Valley, but it’s where most tours stop for lunch — and it’s a perfect break in the middle of an otherwise full day.
We had a buffet-style lunch with Peruvian dishes, and I still remember being way too excited about the quinoa soups and the fresh passionfruit juice. Urubamba sits in a wide, green valley and the mountains rise up on both sides, so even lunch felt scenic.
It’s the kind of stop where you get to regroup, rehydrate, and refuel for the rest of the adventure.
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo was the highlight of the tour for me. The entire town feels like it hasn’t changed in centuries — cobblestone streets, running water channels originally built by the Incas, and massive terraces carved deep into the mountainside.
Climbing up the terraces was such a cool experience. Every layer offers a new view, and it’s easy to imagine guards standing at the top, watching over the valley. The stonework here is also incredibly impressive. Some of the huge stones used in the Sun Temple were transported from miles away — and we’re talking massive stones.
What I loved most was the feeling of being surrounded by living history. After exploring the ruins, we walked through the town and saw locals going about their day just like any other afternoon. Shops, cafés, travelers with backpacks — it was that perfect mix of ancient and modern, all wrapped into one place.
7 Lagoons of Ausangate
This is one of the most underrated hikes near Cusco and genuinely one of my favorite memories.
The landscapes here feel untouched — turquoise lakes tucked between dramatic snow-covered peaks… it’s unreal. The hike was moderately challenging, and I remember the air feeling thin, so I just took my time and enjoyed the views. Every lake has its own color and personality, and the scenery kept changing as we climbed.
After lunch, many people in my group headed to the hot springs. I skipped it for two reasons:
- I totally forgot to bring anything I could wear in the hot springs
- It started raining… and then hailing. I was absolutely not getting in water at that point.
But if the weather is nice and you come prepared, it’s worth it.
If you like hiking and want to experience something that isn’t crowded or overly commercialized, this is a fantastic choice.
Waqrapukara
This one is a true hidden gem.
When I visited, our tiny group of six was the only tour group heading out to the site that day. During the entire hike, we passed maybe four other people. It felt like we had the mountains entirely to ourselves.
Waqrapukara has 3 different trailheads, and the tour determines which one you take. Mine happened to be the shortest, though all of them are similar in difficulty. The hike is beautiful — quiet, open landscapes, sweeping canyon views, and total tranquility.
When we finally reached the site, I felt this wave of gratitude. Waqrapukara is perched dramatically on a ridge with views in every direction. And for a solid hour or so, we had it all to ourselves except for the one local ranger who watches over the site.
It felt like discovering something ancient before the rest of the world catches on.
If you want a day trip that feels off-the-beaten-path and absolutely unforgettable, put Waqrapukara on your list.
Lake Humantay
While I didn't go on this tour myself, it is known to be a top day trip in the Cusco region. I actually booked a day trip here and then decided not to go because I was exhausted from all the 4am pickups from all the other day trips I had been on.
If I go back to the Cusco region, this is the first guided tour I would book.
Every traveler I met who had gone raved about the color of the lake and the surrounding glaciers. If you have the energy (and you’re not five sunrise hikes deep like I was), definitely add it to your plans.
If the city of Cusco or the country of Peru is on your travel bucket list, you can learn more about the area, the culture, day trips, and more here.
Learn more about Cusco, Peru
How to Prepare for Your First Visit to Machu Picchu from Cusco
Cusco for Solo Travelers: A Guide to Exploring the City Alone
...or see all the resources available!
