Most visitors to Cusco will use it as a jumping off point to visit Machu Picchu or to complete the famous Inca Trail. The city itself is also a fabulous place to visit, with countless things to do in Cusco. Of course, visiting Machu Picchu and exploring the city of Cusco are absolute musts for any visit to Peru, but there are also many amazing short day trips from Cusco as well. These excursions are easy to reach in only one day from this former Inca Imperial capital, and well worth the time.
Day trips from Cusco range from fascinating archaeological sites to gorgeous mountain hikes and enriching cultural experiences and all can be experienced in one day, departing from the city of Cusco. Make sure to check out some of these wonderful day trips from Cusco while you’re visiting this beautiful and historically-rich city!
The Best Day Trips From Cusco
Below are some of our favorite day trips from Cusco. Don’t miss out on these wonderful places when you visit!
Laguna Humantay
The extraordinary Laguna Humantay is a glacial lake located just a couple hours from the city of Cusco. It is usually a stop on the 4-day Salkantay Trek, but it is also possible to reach Laguna Humantay on a quick day trip from Cusco. The trail is not considered difficult, but it’s important to make sure you’re acclimatized before attempting it.
Rainbow Mountain
The striking multi-colored Rainbow Mountain of Cusco has quickly become one of the area’s top attractions and is easily reached on a day trip from Cusco. Most people are familiar with Vinicunca, the most famous rainbow-colored hill in the area, but the new circuit through the valley of Palcoyo is also gaining in popularity due its easy hiking path and relative lack of tourists.
Moray
These unusual circular terraces are one of the Inca Empire’s most enigmatic constructions. The exact purpose of Moray is still unknown, but the unique shape and orientation of the terraces creates a difference of as much as 27 degrees Fahrenheit between the top and bottom terrace, leading many to conclude that it acted as a sort of agricultural laboratory for growing different regional crops.
Salineras de Maras
These salt evaporation ponds are an ingenious way of collecting the salt from a subterranean flow of brine (a mixture of salt and water) which runs through the area. These pools were thought to have been built by the Wari Empire, one of the most important forerunners to the Incas. The salt is still used to day and is known for the special minerals it contains. Bring a bag of sal da maras back home for an excellent Peruvian souvenir.
Tipón
This impressive site represents some of the finest in Inca engineering capabilities. Tipón consists of a number of large agricultural terraces irrigated by a network of canals which lead out from a natural spring. The exact purpose of the site is still unknown, but it’s theorized that it was used as a type of laboratory for agricultural experimentation, much like Moray. Tipón is part of Circuit II of the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
Pikillacta
Pikillacta is a large archaeological site east of Cusco which is attributed to the Wari Culture, an earlier Andean Empire which was highly influential on the later Incas. There is still very little that is definitively known about the Wari Culture, so a visit to one of their major cities is the best way to gain some understanding of this important ancient culture. Pikillacta is part of Circuit II of the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
Sacsayhuamán
While it’s debatably a part of Cusco City proper (and thus not a “day trip from Cusco”), Sacsayhuamán is fantastic enough of a place that it’s worth recommending many times over. These enormous stone blocks overlooking the city of Cusco have reminded many people of Stonehenge and other megalithic art. Not only is Sacsayhuamán absolutely fascinating, you’ll also find one of the best views of the city of Cusco here. Sacsayhuamán is part of Circuit I of the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
Pisac
The town of Pisac is easily reached from the city of Cusco, and is a great place to explore the day before returning to Cusco in the evening. Pisac is well-known for its Sunday market, where you can buy some of the best traditional handcrafts in all of Peru. In the mountains above the town, you’ll also find a series of fascinating and well-maintained Inca ruins which are included as part of Circuit III of the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
Tambomachay
This Inca archaeological site is also known by the Spanish name Baño del Inca (“Bath of the Inca”). Its exact purpose is unknown, but it may have been used as a type of spa resort for the Inca and his inner circle. The site itself consists of a number of aqueducts, canals and baths made of intricately-carved stone. This is one of the most dazzling Inca archaeological sites in the Cusco area, and it is part of Circuit I of the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
Wakrapukara
The stunning Inca fortress of Wakrapukara is a true hidden gem in the Cusco countryside. If you take the time to hike to this remote mountaintop citadel, you’ll be able to experience some of the Cusco area’s most extraordinary scenery and most mysterious ruins, likely without running into a single other tourist. Wakrapukara is highly recommended for those who want to see one of Peru’s best off-the-beaten-track attractions.
Hopefully our list has helped you make the most of your stay in Cusco by discovering some of the most amazing day trips from Cusco available. Make sure you also read up on the best Machu Picchu treks for every type of traveler as well before planning your trip to Cusco. All these options and more are available as part of a personalized, bespoke Peruvian tour itinerary!
Header Image: Modified from Flickr / Sergio Zeiger
