Itineraries
Where to stay
Around the Plaza de Armas for first-timers; San Blas for artisans and views; Ollantaytambo for the Sacred Valley trains; Machu Picchu Pueblo before an early entry.
The areas: Plaza de Armas, San Blas, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu Pueblo.
Where to stay in Cusco: areas and adviceHotels in CuscoPlaces to see
All things to do in PeruNatureAguas Calientes Hot Springs, Machu Picchu PuebloHot spring pools about 1 km from the center of Machu Picchu Pueblo.Entry: S/[fee] at the entrance
TransportAlejandro Velasco Astete International AirportCusco's airport; most flights connect through Lima, about 1 hour 15 min away.Entry: Free to visit
TransportConsettur bus office, Machu Picchu PuebloBase of the only authorized bus up to the Machu Picchu entrance, about 25 min each way.Entry: Pay for the bus ticket
ChurchCusco CathedralBuilt from 1560 to 1664 on the site of an Inca palace, with a Renaissance facade on the Plaza de Armas.Entry: S/[fee] at the door
RuinsMachu PicchuThe Inca city built around 1450 under the ruler Pachakuteq, with farming terraces and the Temple of the Sun.Entry: S/[fee]; book a timed entry and circuit
FoodMachu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes)The town below Machu Picchu, with restaurants, bars and hotels by the river and the station.Entry: Pay as you go
TransportMachu Picchu Station, Machu Picchu PuebloThe train station in Machu Picchu Pueblo, the town below the citadel also called Aguas Calientes.Entry: Free to visit
MuseumManuel Chávez Ballón Site Museum, Machu Picchu PuebloThe Ministry of Culture museum for Machu Picchu, beside the river road near Puente Ruinas.Entry: S/[fee] at the door
FoodMirador de San BlasA viewpoint above San Blas with several restaurants and bars looking over the center.Entry: Pay as you go
RuinsOllantaytambo Archaeological Park, OllantaytamboInca terraces and the Temple of the Sun monoliths above a town that keeps its Inca-era streets and channels.Entry: Boleto Turístico ticket
TransportOllantaytambo Station, OllantaytamboThe Sacred Valley station for trains to Machu Picchu, about 1 hour 45 min down the line.Entry: Free to visit
RuinsPinkuylluna, OllantaytamboInca storehouses on the slope facing Ollantaytambo, reached by a signposted climb from the town.Entry: Free to visit
RuinsPisac Archaeological Park, PisacInca terraces and towers on the mountain above Pisac, about 45 min from Cusco.Entry: Boleto Turístico ticket
MarketPisac Market, PisacA craft and food market on Pisac's main square, selling weaving, empanadas and valley produce.Entry: Pay as you go
NeighborhoodPlaza de Armas, CuscoCusco's main square, framed by the Cathedral and the arcades of the colonial center.Entry: Free to visit
RuinsQ'enqoAn Inca ceremonial site whose rock is carved with channels, galleries and altars, near Sacsayhuamán.Entry: Boleto Turístico ticket
TempleQorikanchaThe Inca Temple of the Sun, with the Santo Domingo church and convent built on its walls.Entry: S/[fee] at the door
RuinsSacsayhuamánInca walls of fitted stones, some over 9 m high, on the hill above Cusco.Entry: Boleto Turístico ticket
NeighborhoodSan BlasCusco's artisans' quarter of steep cobbled lanes, workshops and the 1563 San Blas church.Entry: Free to visit
MarketSan Blas MarketA neighborhood market selling crafts, dairy products and home cooking such as chupe soup.Entry: Pay as you go
ChurchSan Francisco Convent, CuscoA convent on San Francisco Square with a two-floor collection of colonial religious art.Entry: S/[fee] at the door
MarketSan Pedro MarketCusco's oldest food market, opened in 1925, with about 1,150 stalls of produce, crafts and cooked food.Entry: Pay as you go
RuinsTambomachayAn Inca site of terraces, channels and ceremonial fountains where water still flows.Entry: Boleto Turístico ticket
RuinsTwelve-Angled StoneA finely fitted Inca stone with twelve angles in a wall on Hatun Rumiyoc street.Entry: Free to visit
TransportWanchaq StationThe Cusco station where PeruRail bus-and-train services to and from Machu Picchu start and end.Entry: Free to visit