9 Epic Day Trips and Tours from Cusco: Fall 2024
One of the main reasons I tout Cusco as my favorite city to digital nomad, is the legendary day trips.
Cusco serves as the jumping off point for so many of Peru’s most iconic attractions, from Machu Picchu to Rainbow Mountain.
Read on for the most epic day trips you can take from Cusco in Fall, as well as a bonus stay-cation activity at the end!
Altitude Tip: before going on ANY day trip, it is best to hang out in Cusco for a couple days to acclimate to the altitude. And drink lots of coca tea!
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Cusco Tourist Ticket (Boleto Turistico)
Before diving into the epic day trips from Cusco, be aware that many items on this list are included on the Cusco Tourist Ticket.
The Cusco tourist ticket allows you to enter 16 tourist attractions located in the city of Cusco, adjacent places and nearby valleys such as the southern valley and the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
The Integral Tourist Ticket is valid for 10 calendar days and with it you can visit 16 tourist sites in Cusco. Below is a list of the sites included:
There are also three other types of tickets available at a lower cost that break this list into smaller chunks called ‘Circuits’. Popular sites that are NOT included: Maras Salt Mines and Machu Picchu.
After reading, make a list of the places that interest you and compare with the sites included above. Some of the sites cannot be purchased individually so to visit you would need the tourist ticket regardless (Sacsayhuaman for example).
The Cusco tourist ticket cannot be purchased online but can be purchased at any place included in the Tourist Ticket (except for the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Pachacutec Monument) the same day of your visit.
For more information and pricing, visit the official Cusco Tourist Ticket website.
The Best Day Trips from Cusco in the Fall
Machu Picchu
Of course I have to start off with the classic.
Machu Picchu is one of the most legendary places in all the world, and part of the New7Wonders of the World. If you came all the way to Cusco without seeing this incredible time capsule, what are you even doing with your life!
Machu Picchu is an ancient Incan citadel located in the Andes Mountains of Peru. It was built in the 15th century during the height of the Incan Empire, and is believed to have been a royal estate or sacred religious site.
Machu Picchu was abandoned during the Spanish conquest of Peru, and remained largely unknown until it was rediscovered in 1911 by Hiram Bingham, an American historian. Today, it is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, and a symbol of the rich history and cultural heritage of Peru.
The fall is the perfect time for visiting Machu Picchu; it’s right before the rainy season, and the temperature is warm. In fact, Machu Picchu can actually get quite hot and humid.
We started our day pretty bundled up, thinking the weather would be chilly like Cusco, but ended up stripping off all our outer layers.
If you wear shorts, beware of the sand flies. After a day in the jungles of Machu Picchu, Jack’s legs were covered in baseball sized welts. The man at the pharmacy was even shocked. He gave us some allergy-type medications and it cleared up after a day or two.
Travel Tip: Bring insect repellent, or buy some as soon as you get to the top.
Machu Picchu Day Trip Tour
This Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco tour makes all the arrangements for you – even picking you up and dropping you off right at your hotel.
You will start your journey by getting dropped off at the train station, where you can ride the Vistadome (glass on all sides) to Aguas Calientes. From there, your guide will meet you and take you up to Machu Picchu where you will receive a world-class tour of the ‘sacred city’.
Afterwards, there will be time to freely wander on your own until it is time to board the train back to Cusco. Trust me, you will sleep good tonight.
Booking your Machu Picchu day trip as an all-inclusive package will save you so much headache instead of planning everything yourself.
The price may seem a bit much at first glance, but after you consider taxis to and from the train station, train tickets, Machu Picchu tickets, and the cost of private guide (which I highly recommend), it starts to add up. Plus you are juggling all these details and making bookings yourself.
★ Rated: 4.5 out of 5 (1000+ reviews)
Franklin did an EXCELLENT job of leading our group through the site and so much was learned! We ended up having about 4 hours in the site, and enough time for breakfast and lunch in the city beforehand. The organizers sent very detailed instructions the night before and were great with communicating.
The only thing that might be difficult for some travelers is that you are taking the bus, and the train unaccompanied. This is very easy and your hand is held the entire way. Once at the site, your guide will help you out with everything, and ours took some great photos for us! I would for sure use them again!
★★★★★ Austin S. (read more reviews)
Interested in hiking the 3 days, 4 nights Inca trail to Machu Picchu instead? Check out this guide.
Rainbow Mountain
and the very top.
Surprisingly, Rainbow Mountain (also called Montaña de Siete Colores) is a stunning mountain located in the Andes of Peru and a fairly new addition to Cusco’s day trip adventures. It is famous for its vibrant rainbow-like colors caused by the natural mineral deposits in the rock.
The mountains were previously covered up by snow, hiding the colorful mountain underneath. Even after the snow melted, it took several years to construct a more direct route to get to the base of the mountain.
Now, it is one of Peru’s most visited sites. But take caution, the altitude is no joke. Especially if you haven’t acclimated in Cusco beforehand.
Rainbow Mountain Day Trip Tour
The Rainbow Mountain Day Trip starts very very early in the morning, as it is a several hour drive from Cusco to the base of the mountain. We stopped for breakfast on the way which basic but delicious (food is included in the tour, drinks are extra).
I also bought some llama leg warmers because I realized I had greatly underestimated the temperature drop the closer we got.
The start of the hike was quite lovely, we saw a ton of alpacas and even some vicuña (low-key Jack’s favorite animal). It was nice and sunny and I even took some of my layers off.
However, the higher we climbed, the colder and harder it became. People started dropping like flies, some even needing oxygen assistance.
At the very top, the views were absolutely incredible. But the weather was freezing, and it was starting to snow or rain or something. We stopped for lunch again on the way home, and I chugged tea.
Our guide was very helpful to those who were having difficulty hiking, and got everyone up and down in a reasonable amount of time. I 1000% recommend this tour.
I went on this exact tour and can say it was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. And thankfully I did not get altitude sickness or need oxygen assistance.
★ Rated: 4.5 out of 5 (370 reviews)
What to Pack for Rainbow Mountain
Rainbow Mountain is not for the faint of heart. Although the tours claim it is a ‘moderate’ hike, I was huffing and puffing. You might be in the best shape of your life, but it does not feel that way at 17,000 ft. This tour brings oxygen tanks, but hopefully you won’t need it.
Some important things you should pack:
- Water(s)
- Lots of layers, the hiking will make you hot at times, but the temperature can drop dramatically.
- Some things that are easy to take off and on are gloves, scarves, and hats.
- If you didn’t pack enough warm items (like us), the stop for breakfast has a shop where you can get decked out. Jack even bought fleece leggings.
- Toilet paper, you can buy some, but its nice to have your own just in case they run out.
- Passport, you can stamp it at the top!
- A plastic bag, in case you get altitude or motion sickness (or a combination).
Learn more about riding horseback to Rainbow Mountain!
Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is a region in Peru that follows the Urubamba River between the town of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. The valley is known for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant culture, and rich history.
It is home to several ancient Incan ruins, including the famous Machu Picchu, as well as traditional Andean villages, markets, and agricultural terraces. The Sacred Valley is a popular destination for tourists and is often visited as part of a day trip from Cusco and the surrounding area.
Moray
Moray was a very interesting place, as it was an agricultural testing and experimentation area for the Incas. The Incas would plant crops on the different terraces to see how they reacted to the climate, and each year, plant the seeds from the previous harvest on the terrace above, essentially genetically modifying them to withstand harsher and harsher weather conditions until they reached the top of the terraces.
Moray is an Incan archaeological site located near the town of Maras in the Sacred Valley of Peru. It consists of several large circular terraces that were used for agricultural experimentation by the Incas. The terraces are arranged in concentric circles and have varying microclimates, which allowed the Incas to test and cultivate different crops.
Basically, they would plant crops on the different terraces to see how they reacted to the climate, and each year, plant the seeds from the previous harvest on the terrace above and so on, genetically modifying them to withstand harsher and harsher weather conditions until they reached the top of the terraces.
Today, the site is a popular tourist destination and a fascinating example of Incan engineering and agricultural practices.
Maras & Salt Flat
Before you bought your pink salt from Whole Foods, there’s a chance it started it out in the Maras Salt Mines, one of the largest salt mines in the world.
The Maras Salt Mines are a series of terraced salt ponds located near the town of Maras in the Sacred Valley of Peru. The salt ponds have been in use since pre-Incan times and are fed by a natural saltwater spring.
The process of extracting salt from the ponds has been passed down through generations of local families and continues to this day.
Maras, Moray, & Sacred Valley Day Trip
The day started out a bit rocky; my friend, who had flown in just the day before, got very sick in the car, which in turn made me sick as well. Motion sickness plus altitude sickness is a hell of a combo. Luckily our guide gave us some peppermint (?) thing to smell.
Once we arrived to our initial destination, I was terrified to learn I booked a tour that included zip-lining. I was panicking. However after our first zip-line over Sacred Valley, I have to admit it was an incredible experience.
There are four zip-lines total, and our guide even tried to teach us tricks. By ‘we’ I mean absolutely not me because I was hanging on for dear life the entire time. But Jack did one where he was flying through the air like Superman (but if I’m being honest he looked more like a dead bug than a super hero…).
Our next stop was to the Salt Mine where we learned a lot about the process, took some cool pictures, and bought a little salt to take home.
Finally, we got to the ATV portion of the tour, which was my personal favorite – somewhat high-adventure, but I’m still very close to the ground. We saw all kinds of cute farm animals on our way to Moray.
I personally went on this tour and had an absolute blast (paid full price fyi).
★ Rated: 4.5 out of 5 (321 reviews)
Humantay Lake
Humantay Lake is a stunning glacial lake located in the Vilcabamba mountain range of Peru, about a 4-hour drive from the city of Cusco. At an altitude of 4,200 meters above sea level, it is surrounded by towering peaks, including the Humantay mountain.
The lake is known for its brilliant turquoise color, which is caused by minerals and sedimentation from the surrounding mountains. It is a popular destination for hiking and trekking enthusiasts who come to enjoy the spectacular views and natural beauty of the area.
Peru is home to some pretty incredible lakes, but most are difficult to get to without an off-roading vehicle. Luckily Humantay Lake is quite popular and you can get there easily by booking a tour.
Humantay Lake Day Trip Tour
Expect to wake up before sunrise for pretty much anything you do in Cusco.
On the 3 hour bus ride to Soraypampa, you will stop in the town of Mollepata for breakfast to fuel up for the 1.5-2 hour hike to the top. The pinacle of the hike is the majestic Humantay lagoon at nearly 15,000ft elevation (4250 m). The hike difficulty is considered moderate, but that elevation adds another degree of difficulty in my opinion.
After ample time to admire the lake and take all the pictures, you descend back to Soraypampa where the bus will be waiting. It again stops in Mollepata for a delicious, well-deserved, Peruvian lunch.
The best part of this tour is it is less than $30 USD.
★ Rated: 5 out of 5 (60 reviews)
Pisac
Pisac is a small town located in the Sacred Valley of Peru, about 35 kilometers northeast of the city of Cusco. The town is known for its impressive Incan archaeological site, which includes a complex of terraces, temples, and tombs.
The site was an important religious and agricultural center during the Incan Empire, and served as a strategic point for trade and communication between different regions of the empire. Today, the town is a popular tourist destination and is known for its colorful traditional market, which sells local crafts and textiles.
Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is a small town located in the Sacred Valley of Peru, about 72 kilometers northwest of the city of Cusco. The town is home to an impressive Incan archaeological site that includes a massive fortress, stone terraces, and ceremonial temples.
Ollantaytambo served as both a royal estate and a military stronghold during the Incan Empire, and was later occupied by the Spanish during their conquest of Peru. Today, the town is a popular tourist destination and a starting point for visitors traveling to Machu Picchu, as it is the location of the nearest train station to the famous site.
Pisac and Ollantaytambo Full-Day Tour
Calling all history lovers!
Pisac Inca Town, Artisan Market and Ollantaytambo Full-Day Tour takes you back in time to explore Sacred Valley and the ancient Inca civilization.
On the way to Ollantaytambo, the tour stops in the Inca town of Pisac and it’s legendary market where you can buy jewelry, alpaca sweaters, or souvenirs, and afterwards enjoy a traditional Peruvian lunch (included in tour).
Ollantaytambo is known for it’s massive Inca fortress with large terraces going up the hillside which served as a stronghold of the Incan empire. The tour will take you here and it’s main attraction, the Temple of the Sun.
This tour does sell out, so be sure to book in advance if you’re interested!
★ Rated: 4.5 out of 5 (360 reviews)
Me and my partner had lots of fun on this trip. We had great food, great views, and a great guide. He was super helpful and even gave us some great recommendations on what to do on our last two days in the area. This was one of the best experiences I’ve had.
★★★★★ Jes (read more reviews)
Sacsayhuamán
Sacsayhuamán is an Incan archaeological site located on the outskirts of the city of Cusco in Peru. The site is known for its impressive megalithic stone walls, which were constructed by the Incas using massive stones weighing up to 200 tons.
The site served as a religious and administrative center during the Incan Empire, and was also the site of a major battle between the Incas and Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.
Today, Sacsayhuamán is a popular tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is visited by thousands of tourists each year who come to marvel at its impressive stone structures and learn about its rich history.
Cusco Ruins Day Trip
Is this a day trip? Or a staycation? I’ll let you decide.
This Cusco Ruins tour takes you to several historic ruins in and around Cusco, starting with the Qorikancha. A must-see located in the center of town, whether you take this tour or not. It’s crazy to see intricate Inca-style building techniques adjacent to the Spanish whose walls look like something a preschooler hobbled together.
Then to the incredible archiological site, Sacsayhuamán, where you will also get sweeping views of the city.
The next stop, which is just North of Cusco, is Q’enqo, an ancient city and tunnels carved into the rock.
Venturing even further out is Puka Pukara. It served as a military fortress of the Inca civilization, and has turned red from vast amounts of iron in its rocks.
Finally, in Tambomachay you will witness aqueducts and water fountains from nearby springs, once a center of the adoration and worship of water.
The last three sites on this itinerary are a bit outside Cusco, so if you want to visit, this tour is the most convenient way to get to them instead of renting a car or paying a taxi.
Entry to these archeological sites is actually not included in the tour price, but you can buy the Cusco Tourist Ticket which gives access to all of these plus more!
★ Rated: 5 out of 5 (80 reviews)
Bonus Stay-cation: Peruvian Cooking Class & Market
Peruvian cooking is *chef’s kiss*, and you know what they say… when in Rome Cusco.
You will start your 4-hour culinary journey at the San Pedro Central Market, the city’s largest and most popular, walking though the isles, and learning about traditional Peruvian staples like corn and potatoes.
Of course you must begin the class with a lesson on pisco sours, the national drink of Peru. You’ll learn to make this famous Peruvian drink, and sip on it as well. This is a very important skill.
As Jack loves to say, “listo para picso!“
Now your culinary experience begins. Depending on your choice of lunch or dinner, you will prepare some traditional Peruvian dishes, with a modern twist, guided by a Peruvian chef.
And what would be a proper meal without desert. The last step of the class is a typical Peruvian dessert, tasting some of Peru’s most exotic fruits.
YUM. I’m ready to fly back just for this. Be sure to specify lunch or dinner tour time when booking.
★ Rated: 5 out of 5 (121 reviews)
When is the best time to visit Cusco, Peru?
As the title of this post may suggest, I think fall is the best time to visit Cusco.
It is on the cusp of summer in Peru – remember, the seasons are opposite since Peru is south of the equator – but still early enough to avoid the wet season. Unfortunately, the cooler months are the dry season, while the warmer months are the wet season.
And no need to pack your bikini, ‘summer’ in Cusco will still only reach the mid 70’s °F (~25 °C).
September through November is ideal because it is just before the busy tourist season. For similar reasons, the ‘in between’ season in the spring (March-May) is a great time to visit as well.
Find out more about what it’s like to digital nomad in Cusco!
Travel Tip: although it was chilly outside during our visit, it really wasn’t that bad. What got to me the most is that even inside I couldn’t get warm. I recommend booking an accommodation that guarantees to have heat – and not just a sh*tty space heater.
Iconic Cusco Day Trips for Fall
Cusco has so many epic day trips to choose from, you will be busy non-stop. That’s one of the best reasons to make Cusco your home base as a digital nomad. You wont have to choose and you can do all these day trips!
After you’ve seen and done everything in Cusco, continue on through the rest of Southern Peru on this adventurous itinerary for digital nomads.
Start your trip off right – get a ride from the Cusco airport!
