The Very Best Things To Do In Cusco For Luxury Travelers
Are you looking for the very best things to do in Cusco during your luxury vacation?
Peru’s most popular city promises much more than just its staggering Andean mountains and beautiful colonial architecture. Cusco is Peru’s true cultural capital, where ancient Inca heritage meets Spanish colonial charm and modern luxury. Here you can dine at world-class restaurants, relax in boutique hotels and spas, explore ancient Inca ruins and enjoy the Sacred Valley with private guides who bring history to life.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore the very best things to do in Cusco during your luxury vacation, and why each site or activity is a must-experience. We’ll also answer your most frequently asked questions in our FAQ section.
The Best Things To Do In Cusco For Luxury Travelers
Head On The Luxury Trains To Machu Picchu Through The Sacred Valley
Machu Picchu is of course the star highlight, and visiting this iconic New Wonder of the World is a must when heading to Cusco. Now, while it’s possible to make the visit using buses or private transport - those who are after the most luxurious and seamless experience simply must head on the Machu Picchu trains. The Hiram Bingham Train is the most exclusive option, which offers on-board entertainment, high quality service and the most comfortable seats. Booking is easy when organizing your trip with us here at the Luxury Peru Travel Company - where you can easily board from the Poroy station within Cusco city.
Explore The Ancient Town Of Pisac
A visit to Cusco is much more than just its city highlights and nearby Machu Picchu ruins - the surrounding Sacred Valley region offers us an incredible range of memorable explorations, and thankfully Cusco is the gateway into this scenic mountainous region. Pisac is one of the very best destinations to visit, which is well-known for its aqueduct-lined streets, thriving local market and beautiful central plaza. It’s worth heading here early on a day trip from Cusco, where you can also visit the picturesque Pisac ruins. Sitting above the town, they offer us a perfect insight into Inca life and how they used to cultivate crops, where we can also head to the nearby Parque de las Papas to learn how locals are still actively producing potatoes to this day. We provide private transfers between all destinations, and our expert team is ready to help you to create your perfect Cusco and Sacred Valley itinerary.
Enjoy Local Andean Cuisine In Style
Peru is a country that really should be explored with all five senses - and here in Cusco there is no shortage of mouth-watering dishes to enjoy. This includes Papa a la Huancaina (a potato dish with ají sauce), Cuy al Horneado (roasted guinea pig) as well as the national dish of Lino Saltado (a Peruvian stir fry). There are many local-style markets and incredible restaurants to sample these dishes, however travelers looking for some fine comforts will love the MAP Café and Morena Peruvian Kitchen. Chicha by Gastón Acurio provides the ultimate luxury experience - which is ranked amongst the best restaurants in the country - while Nikkei provides a cultural-roots blend of Peruvian and Japanese fusion cuisine.
Enjoy A Cultural Chocolate-Making Workshop
Peru’s incredibly diverse geography means that while Cusco is located within the tall Andean mountains - we are also still relatively close to the abundant Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. And here some of Latin America’s very best cacao is sourced, which is perfect for a hot cuppa or enjoying one too many rich chocolate cake slices! Within Cusco’s historic center we can go a step further and really immerse ourselves with an all-inclusive Chocolate Tasting And Cooking Workshop, which is run by the sustainable ChocoMuseo company. Here we can try organic and sustainable cacao and cocoa, and learn about the importance of this world-famous delight - before getting to take home your very own Amazon-sourced chocolate.
Visit The Emblematic Rainbow Mountain
Along with Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain is easily one of Peru’s most elegant postcard pictures to show off to friends and families back home. With bright striations of greens, reds and yellows, it’s hard to believe that it’s real - however it indeed is after millions of years of tectonic activity resulted in rich minerals being deposited into the mountain’s layers that give off the famous colors. It’s important to note that Rainbow Mountain sits up at a high altitude of 5036m, which can sometimes cause symptoms of altitude sickness. For this reason it’s best to head with our very own experienced tour guides, who know how to prevent symptoms and ensure maximum comfort on your trip when visiting this incredible highlight.
Visit A Local Weaving Community For The Most Authentic Souvenirs
A big part of Cusco’s appeal is its warm and hospitable people, and it’s really worth getting to see how ancient traditions and local life has been preserved despite the changes that global tourism is bringing to the region. Weaving is one of such practices that locals have continued for thousands of years, where they are able to create high-quality and authentic handicrafts, cosy jumpers among other must-bring souvenirs. Chinchero is a town within the Sacred Valley where weaving is a popular practice, and during a visit here we can learn about their sacred ways, as well as purchase beautiful garments while getting to support the local communities. Chinchero, like Pisac, is just a one hour taxi ride away from Cusco.
Visit The Salt Mines Of Maras And Ruins Of Moray
Situated deep within the Sacred Valley lies two of the region's most striking and otherworldly sites - and are both a must-visit when in Cusco. The Salt Mines of Maras has thousands of bright white, yellow and brown salt pools, which makes for an incredible backdrop when looking for that perfect Andean Mountains photo. Passed down from Inca ancestors to local families, each owns a pool and harvests rich salt which is also sold on-site. Nearby we can also head to Moray Ruins, which are a series of eccentric, circle-shaped terraces. Believed to have once been used for agriculture, their designs were genius - each terrace was just a couple of meters lower than the former, however were built in such a way that water would vary greatly in temperatures - allowing the Inca to grow multiple types of crops within the same structure.
Indulge In A Spa Treatment Day
After a long day of city exploring or hiking around the Sacred Valley, there’s nothing quite like treating yourself to a relaxing spa. Within Cusco there are many resorts that provide luxury treatments, which include therapeutic massages, facial treatments and even local wellness rituals that use special local ingredients - allowing for faster recovery and more deep relaxation. Tambo del Inka is a great choice for those within Cusco in need of a a spa day treatment, while those staying at the luxury Palacio Nazarenas hotel by Belmond can enjoy the on-site Hypnôze Spa - which includes steam rooms, a hot tub as well as several private treatment rooms. We often book Cusco hotel stays during our Peru tours at the Palacio Nazarenas - meaning you will have full access to this incredible spa during your stay.
Hike The Unforgettable Inca Trail Trek
One of the most famous treks in all of South America, the Inca Trail is by far the ultimate hiking experience to enjoy when visiting Cusco. With four days of beautiful vistas of cloud forests and Andean peaks, wild Alpacas grazing the plains and many hidden Inca ruins to explore - it really is a memorable trek. Its ending point is at Machu Picchu, so you can also easily tick-off two experiences in one here! It’s worth noting that there’s also a Two Day Inca Trail option too, which is a shorter route and can include either a hotel stay in Aguas Calientes or camping by the Inca ruins. For those who want to combine adventure with comfort, we arrange the Inca Trail trek with private porters, gourmet meals, and seamless connections as you enjoy this sacred trail.
Stay At An All-Inclusive Cusco Hotel
With enchanting colonial architecture, mysterious ruins and many day trips to enjoy, Cusco is really worth getting out and exploring. However that doesn’t mean you can’t wind down after your days out and enjoy the very best comforts that the city’s luxury hotels have to offer! The Palacio Nazarenas by Belmond is one of Cusco’s most luxurious options, and has everything you need to fully relax after a day of exploring - including the luxury restaurant of Mauka which is run by famous Peruvian chef Pía León. When booking your trip to Peru here with us at The Luxury Peru Travel Company, we can arrange for your stay to include a junior suite for the ultimate Cusco hotel experience.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding The Best Things To Do In Cusco
Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about the best things to do in Cusco, as well as anything else important that you need to know.
What To Do In Cusco In One Day?
If you have just one day to explore the city of Cusco, then it’s still possible to see many of the star attractions with the right plan and attitude. This includes seeing the Inca ruins of Sacsayhuamán, exploring the vibrant San Pedro Market, walking around the beautiful streets of San Blas as well as wandering inside the impressive Cathedral of Cusco.
Is 2 Days Enough In Cusco?
It’s certainly possible to see the majority of Cusco in two days. Given you’ll still be acclimating, it’s important to not push too hard - and to instead focus on more gentle experiences such as visiting the ruins of Pisac, Moray and Ollantaytambo, as well as the city highlights of Cusco that we’ve mentioned in this article. When creating your luxury Cusco trip with us, we include the finest private transport that both saves you time and allows you to properly rest between attractions.
What Things Can I Do In Cusco While Acclimating?
Given Cusco’s high altitude of 3399m above sea-level, it’s important to relax during your first two days as you acclimate - however this doesn’t mean you can’t do anything! The best altitude-friendly activities include exploring the historical sites around the Plaza de Armas and San Blas neighbourhoods, as well as trying delicious Andean cuisine in the top Cusco restaurants. Those with a sweet tooth can also take part in a chocolate workshop at the ChocoMuseo.
Overview Of The Best Things To Do In Cusco For Luxury Travelers
And that’s all for this guide on the very best things to do in Cusco, as well as the top luxury experiences to include in your itinerary.
Of course we all know about the impressive Machu Picchu and colorful Rainbow Mountain attractions - however there are also many other incredible highlights and hidden destinations worth exploring in and around Cusco. This includes eating incredible Andean cuisine, visiting important ancient sites like those of Pisac and Maras as well as treating yourself to a much-needed spa day.
Ready to make your dream Cusco and Peru trip a reality? Let us tailor and customize your trip exactly how you want it, where we ensure the highest quality service and seamless experience which includes boutique hotel stays and private guided experiences.
