Cusco in a day and a half: An express trip

✈️ Exclusive Benefits for Readers

Verified codes to save on your next trip.

I tell you in this installment to do on Cusco If you don't have much time or your visit is short, about a day and a half in this city..

My basic recommendation is that Cusco always be your base of operations to go out and discover Machu Picchu, mountain of 7 colors and so on, May it be your starting point for many adventures, especially, the city where you will begin to acclimatize to the altitude. But if for some reason you can only visit this city as was my case, this guide will help you.

Cusco, the magical city that was once the capital of the powerful Inca Empire, It will make you fall in love with its mix of history, culture, gastronomy and impressive landscapes. If you have little time, don't worry, Cusco will surprise you with everything it offers in just a day and a half.

What to do in Cusco?

These recommendations come to you thanks to the friends of DMC Perú Agency, whom I invite you to contact if you are planning a trip to Peru and other destinations: https://dmc.peruagency.com/en/.

Let's start with a video tour, which you can see here or on my YouTube channel:

With this I want to clarify that these are general recommendations and that it will depend on the tastes of each traveler what they want to do and where to go. (there are many more options), but under my experience, This is the basic thing to do in Cusco.

General recommendations for a good visit

We start with the basic tips for this highly recommended and mandatory visit in Peru:

• Acclimatization, take everything easy: Cusco is located at a considerable altitude (3400 meters above sea level), so it is important to acclimatize to avoid altitude sickness. Drink lots of water, coca infusions and take frequent breaks.
• Transport: The best way to get around the city center is on foot, since the streets are beautiful and pedestrian. To reach further places, you can take taxis or use public transportation.
• Tourist ticket: If you plan to visit several archaeological sites, I recommend you buy the Tourist Ticket, allowing you affordable access to various attractions. There are several options and the price changes depending on how many places you visit.
• Currency: The official currency of Peru is the Peruvian Sol (PEN). You can change money at exchange houses, banks or better as I recommend, take directly from the ATM to have the official change.
• Language: The official language is Spanish, but Quechua is also spoken.

Day 1:

As I told you, take everything easy because of the height, even for me who comes from Quito which is to 2.800 meters, walking through Cusco you feel those extra meters. So you can start with a quiet walk through the magical streets of the city and the best, it's free.

• Parade ground (Free): Tour the imposing Plaza de Armas, heart of the city, and admire the Cathedral of Cusco, built on an ancient Inca temple.
• Every corner of the city: they walk, walk and enjoy every street of this city, san San Blas, a traditional neighborhood and believe me you will not regret it.
• Museo Inka (S/.40): Delve into the fascinating history of the Inca Empire in this museum that houses a large collection of artifacts.
• San Pedro Market (Free): Immerse yourself in the colorful San Pedro Market, where you will find a wide variety of fresh products, local crafts and gastronomy.
• Enjoy a delicious dinner in a traditional Peruvian restaurant (From (S/.20), tasting typical dishes such as guinea pig, lechon, chicharrón and other classics of Peruvian food.
  • But if you want more, There is a huge global gastronomy from Asian to fast food.
• Cusco is a very vibrant city also at night, so you will find several bars like República del Pisco, where you can try many variations of pisco sour with touches of local and ancient flavors.

Day 2:

For day two, what was organized was a city tour of the main archaeological centers near Cusco and also a visit to some of its churches.. It is worth mentioning that Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Tambomachay and Puka Pukara are purchased in a single ticket with the Tourist Ticket that costs S/.70:

• Sacsayhuaman: Visit the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuamán, built with huge blocks of stone without.
• Q’enqo: Explore the mysterious snowflake, a ceremonial amphitheater with perfect acoustics.
• Tambomachay: Discover Tambomachay, an ancient inca aqueduct with a sacred fountain.
• Booklet: Tour the ruins of a fort from the Inca Empire and you will also have a beautiful view of Cusco and Tambomachay.
• Cusco Cathedral (S/.25) Also includes a visit to the Church of Triumph: On this visit you will learn part of the history since the arrival of the Spanish through paintings and artistic representations – religious.
• Golden Museum (S/.15): This museum is worth knowing how incredible the Inca construction in worship of the sun was. – inti. It was one of my favorite visits because of everything you learned..

If you have some time left or your flight leaves at another time, You can also take the opportunity to visit:

• Sacred Valley (tour from S/.100): a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains where there are picturesque towns and Inca ruins such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
• Chinchero Market (Free): excellent if you are looking for souvenirs or to buy traditional crafts and fabrics from the area.

Interesting general data:

• Cusco was founded in the 12th century by the Inca emperor Manco Cápac.
• The city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983.
• The name “Cusco” comes from the Quechua “Q’osqo”., which means "navel of the world".
• The city preserves a large amount of Inca and colonial architecture.

Remember that Cusco It is a vibrant city with a lot to offer and this is just a list of ideas to do if it is your starting point or you have little time. Follow these recommendations to make the most of your visit and like me, It will make you want to return very soon, leaving you wanting to continue exploring every magical corner of its streets..

Special thanks to DMC Peru Agency for his logistical support throughout my trip through Peru and to Emerson, a guide with a lot of knowledge and willingness to resolve all my concerns..

Have a nice trip to Cusco!

✈️ Exclusive Benefits for Readers

Search here for hotels ALL over the world at the best price.