Cusco Itinerary (Peru in 7 Days)

Welcome to our 7 day Cusco Itinerary.

Located way up in the Andean mountains, Cusco is by far one of the most popular destinations to visit in all of Peru.

With an interesting colonial city full of history and charm, nearby picturesque mountains and lakes as well as the legendary Machu Picchu nearby, it’s easy to get lost in time when in Cusco.

7 Day Cusco Itinerary

In this guide we’ll not only delve into the best things to in Cusco and things to see, but we’ll also look at some of the top day trips.

We’ve also included our personalised 7 day itinerary too, to ensure you get the most out of your trip here.

Also in this guide we’ll cover where to stay, when is best to go as well as our very best tips for a backpacking trip here, all from our own experience.

BLATAM backpacking data:

• 📍 Where is it? Southern Peru
• ⏱ Time needed? 7 Days
• 🏔 Terrain: Mountainous
• ☀️ Best Time to Visit? April/September
• 💯 BLATAM Rating: 10/10

Is Cusco Worth Visiting?

Located in the heart of the Peruvian Andes, Cusco is the oldest city in all of the Americas.

From its days as the capital of the Incan Empire, to the aftermath of the Spanish invasion, one is for sure – this city has a real vibrant feel to it.

It’s best displayed in its varied architecture and buildings, and the best place to see this is in the Plaza de Armas.

Whilst very touristy nowadays, you can still get a good glimpse into the authentic Incan ways and life by heading to its food markets such as San Pedro.

The other major draw of Cusco is the sheer amount of things to do and see. It’s not uncommon to see backpackers halt their travels here for weeks on end, whilst seeing the best the region and city have to offer. Depending on how many days in Cusco you have you can join many popular day trips.

Some of the best day trips from Cusco include to the Sacred Valley and the Ausangate National Park, both of which we’ve covered in detail below.

Last but not least, the incredible ruins of Machu Picchu are not too far from here, with many (let’s be honest most, if not all) using Cusco as a base camp to explore the ancient site. You can get your Entrance Ticket in advance.

How to Get to Cusco

Cusco is pretty easy to get to. The most popular way to arrive is by flight from Lima (around 2 hours), and most travelers tend to head on a connection directly here to kick off their travels.

The other way to get to Cusco is by bus, which of course is cheaper. A bus from Arequipa takes around 10 hours, whilst from Puno (Lake Titicaca) it will take around 7 hours.

Those feeling brave can take the 22 hour bus from Lima, which despite the length is a good way to save a few dolla.

Having said this though, do check flight prices as sometimes they can be close enough to justify a flight over the long bus journey.

Backpacking Cusco Itinerary (7 Days)

Here we’ll now explore Cusco with our very best 7 day itinerary. As well as keeping an eye on time, it’s also been designed to keep things fresh and exciting for you too.

Days 1-2: Getting to know Cusco

Arriving into Cusco, we’ll plan to keep the first couple of days simple.

This is because Cusco is a very high altitude city located at 3,399m, which can make even basic activities like walking up hills quite difficult.

Don’t be deterred though – this imperial city is full of things to see, and is one of the most beautiful in Latin America.

We recommend heading to (and basing yourself near) the Plaza de Armas, which is the main square. Here you’ll see the incredible cathedral, and be able to walk around the narrow and winding streets of San Blas.

Other top things to see and do include a tour to the ruins of Saqsaywamán with its impressive views over Cusco, to explore the food market of San Pedro as well as to wander around the Qorikancha Temple.

The nightlife here is also great, with the San Blas neighbourhood bustling most nights of the week, as well as many hostels throwing wild parties too.

Days 3-4: Exploring the Sacred Valley and Beyond

In our eyes these days have been the most memorable, as you’ll get to see more authentic places and stunning sceneries.

One of the organised day trips we recommend booking yourself onto is to the Ausangate National Park.

With seven brightly colored lakes ranging from blood red to aqua blue, there’s literally a tonne of photo opportunities for you here with the snow-capped peaks lurking behind. We recommend this day tour, which includes breakfast, lunch and round-trip transport.

The Sacred Valley is another region that is filled with lots of cool sights and ruins. There’s the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo which both are worth the visit, and also the mesmerizing circular ruins of Moray.

Taking an organized trip here again is best, as you’ll be able to cover many of them within a day. Whilst you can do it yourself, you’ll end up spending way too much time on public transportation.

If The Sacred Valley doesn’t take your fancy, then we’re sure Vinicunca will. The mountain of seven colours (which it’s more commonly known as) is one of the most popular trips one can do in Cusco today.

It’s quite demanding, so be sure to prepare yourself well (read our guide to high altitude here) and give yourself ample time to get up and back down.

Days 5-6: Machu Picchu

5 days in and only now we get to see Machu Picchu?! Trust us on this one.

You’ll appreciate the legendary site much more after you’ve got a feel for Cusco and the Incan ways, especially from what you’ve already experienced which all comes together for an alrighty climax here.

One of the best places to see in South America, this site is one of the most cherished and important from the Incan Empire, and just looking at it explains more than words ever could.

As well as some insane panoramic shots from the mirador, you’ll also get to walk around the hundreds of ruined buildings and even see an alpaca or two roaming around freely.

Given we only have 7 days, the multi-day Inca trek is of course not possible, which leaves us with the more simple two day option.

You can book with an agency in the Plaza de Armas or head solo, although a tour will make the logistics much easier.

Either way you’ll get to the hidroeléctrica track, and need to hike along the track for a few hours before reaching Aguascalientes.

You’ll spend a night in the town before then Hiking Machu Picchu the following day, and then return to Cusco the same way.

Day 7: Winding Down in Cusco

With your legs now aching (come on it’s not that bad!), you’ll feel like a hero returning to town after your visit to the Seventh Wonder of the World.

The time now is yours to use as you choose.

We recommend using the last day to explore some of the markets to buy some souvenirs souvenirs for back home, and also to try some local cuisine such as Lomo Saltado from San Pedro Market.

Another popular activity is to head on a to the ChocoMuseo to get your Cocoa fix. From here you’ll then take your flight back to Lima (or the bus if you’re feeling daring).

That’s all for our 7 day itinerary in Cusco. Now let’s move on to our most important tips, so you can have the best experience possible here.

Best Things to do in Cusco

Now let’s take a look at the best things to see in Cusco.

As well as the top sites in the city, we’ll also explore some of the best day trips to take into the surrounding region too.

Explore Cusco’s Colonial Streets

Not often do you find a city that is a gem in of itself, however Cusco is most definitely one of those places.

The historical centre could easily warrant a guide of its own, with bustling plazas, imposing cathedrals and busy markets all in full force here.

As well as this, its hilly and narrow streets (in the San Blas district) really are iconic, and are great for taking some Insta worthy snaps.

You’ll also find some impressive historical sights too, such as the Twelve-angled stone and the Qorikancha Temple.

Head up to the San Blas Mirador (or Christ the Redeemer which is higher up) for the ultimate panoramic views of Cusco, where you’ll see how the city fits perfectly together along with the Cusco letters carved into the hills in the distance.

Head into the Hills above Cusco

Beyond the San Blas district you can continue up into the surrounding mountains that lie behind Cusco. There’s many cool things to see and do up here including the impressive ruins of Sacsayhuamán.

This site is made out of large stones that are so perfectly cut and put together, it’s allegedly impossible to even stick a needle between them (no mortar or other substance was used to hold them together, which makes it the work of the Incas even more impressive).

Whilst up here you can go on a walk through the beautiful forest and nearby ruins of Q’enqo, before heading to the towering Statue of Christ.

The best time to head up here is just before evening, where you’ll have some of the best views over the imperial city.

This combo tour is a perfect option since you’ll visit Saqsaywamán as well as have a guided tour around the Historic Center

Ausangate National Park

Roughly 85km from Cusco lies the Ausangate National Park. Home to towering mountainous peaks upwards of 6300m, the real draw here is its collection of multi-coloured lakes dotted throughout the national park.

It’s home to seven in total, which range from bright red to emerald green and dark blue, which all make for some truly spectacular photos (especially with the tall snow-capped peaks setting the backdrop).

Unless you have a car you’ll need to take a tour here, where you’ll arrive at base camp and start your trek.

It takes around 3/4 hours in total to compete the loop, however, it’s better to go slower at the start since it’s an incline all the way until you reach the lakes (not to mention the altitude also making this a little more difficult).

The Trek to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the most iconic sites to visit in all of Latin America (if not the whole world).

The ancient citadel was once the capital of the Incan Empire, and just looking at photos gives you an idea of why they picked this place over others!

The closest city to the archaeological site is Cusco, and it’s for this reason that many travelers head here.

There’s multiple ways to get to Machu Picchu from Cusco, with the most popular way being the classic multi-day Inca Trail, where you’ll pass by stunning sceneries along the way.

It’s the most expensive option, however, and you’ll need to book well in advance as there’s a limited amount of hikers allowed on the route at any one time.

The other way is to head to Aguascalientes via the railway, and most tend to walk along the tracks for more of an experience rather than ride the train itself. Whatever you choose, it’ll be unforgettable.

The Sacred Valley

This scenic area stretches from just outside of Cusco for around 70 miles, and is home to many epic landscapes and cultural towns.

Here you’ll find a range of Incan ruins which also deserve a visit.

The ruins of Moray are known for their perfectly circular shape, and they are still shrouded in mystery as to what their true purpose was (though it’s believed they were used for agricultural reasons).

The other must-visit is in Ollantaytambo, which are ruins carved into a mountain and include a ceremonial hill.

We recommend using the microbuses (colectivos) to get around, which connect well with other popular towns in the region such as Pisac.

If you’re short on time, however, go for the organised tour where you’ll be able to knock off many top visits within a day as all the logistics are sorted for you.

Souvenir Shopping

Of course you can’t leave such a place without at least bringing back a souvenir or two!

For those wondering what to get, some of the best things we picked up include an Incan-style hat, ponchos, gloves, thick socks and even a small-sized alpaca (unfortunately not the real thing, although if you have somehow managed this let us know in the comments).

The areas of San Blas and the Plaza de Armas are the most popular bargain-hunting areas, however you’ll probably see the same things in every shop.

We recommend heading further out to towns like Pisac and Ollantaytambo, where they hold their own markets with more authentic garments and collections on sale.

Of course bartering is common throughout Latin America, and especially so in Cusco. So be sure to pick up a bit of Spanish before heading out to negotiate better rates.

Other Day Trips From Cusco

Other worthy things trips to take from Cusco include:

• Vinicunca (The Mountain of Seven Colours)
• Lake Humantay
• Maras
• The Manu National Park

Where to Stay in Cusco

As with most Peruvian Cities, the Plaza de Armas is where the action is, and is the place to base yourself in Cusco.

There’s a tonne of hostels and boutique hotels within the few streets bordering the plaza, and you’ll have tonnes of restaurants and nightlife options at your feet.

The San Blas is another decent area, however anything further out in any direction isn’t recommended since you’ll have to travel far everyday to see the historic area, getting onto tours etc.

We recommend Kokopelli Hostel for those on a budget (which includes a free breakfast), and also Hotel Santa Maria for more comfort and its perfect location right on the plaza.

Best Time to visit Cusco

Located high up in the Andes, Cusco is going to be a little more chilly than most other destinations in Peru.

The dry season is the better time to visit for weather, which runs from April until September. During these months you can expect daily averages of between 47-51°F, with highs of 65°F and lows of down to 32°F (July is the coolest month to visit).

Rainfall is sparse during these months, with between 0-1 inches falling throughout each. The wet season runs from October until March, and whilst less popular, is good for those who want lower prices and to avoid the crowds.

Daily average temperatures range from 52-54°F, with highs of 65°F and lows of down to 42°F (November is the warmest month to head to Cusco). Rainfall during these months can range from 1.5-4.5 inches each.

Cusco Backpacking Tips

Now we’ll share our best tips for Cusco based on our experience here.

Cusco Backpacking Itinerary

And that’s all for our guide to backpacking Cusco. This ever-popular Peruvian destination continues to be a hit, and for many good reasons.

Not only does it boast impressive architecture, plazas and buildings, but there are also some seriously great day trips to take in the region too.

And that’s without even needing to mention the star attraction too…

In this guide we’ve explored Cusco, the best things to see and do, the best time to visit, where to stay and much, much more.

We’ve also covered our own 7 day Cusco itinerary too, where you’ll be able to get the most out of your trip in the most practical and time-efficient way.

We hope you enjoyed reading this guide! If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

See our backpacking Peru itinerary for more ideas on where to go in Peru.

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