Day 1
Cusco's old town, at an easy pace
- 10:00Plaza de Armas walkCuscoWalk
- 11:30CuscoSight
- 14:30San Blas artisan quarterSan BlasWalk
- 16:00Museo de Arte PrecolombinoCuscoMuseum
Day by day
Day 2
The ruins above the city
- 8:30Above CuscoRuins
- 11:00Above CuscoRuins
- 12:30Above CuscoRuins
- 13:30Above CuscoRuins
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Day 3
Through the Sacred Valley
- 8:00Chinchero weaving villageChincheroWalk
- 10:30Sacred ValleyRuins
- 12:00Sacred ValleySight
- 15:30OllantaytamboRuins
- 18:30Train to Aguas CalientesOllantaytamboTransport
Day 4
Machu Picchu
- 6:00Aguas CalientesTransport
- 7:00Machu PicchuRuins
- 10:30Machu PicchuHike
- 16:00Train back to CuscoAguas CalientesTransport
Day 5
A slow last day in Cusco
- 9:30San Pedro MarketCuscoMarket
- 11:30Hatun Rumiyoc and the twelve-angled stoneCuscoSight
- 14:00Plaza de ArmasSight
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Cusco questions
How do I get tickets for Machu Picchu?
Entry uses timed tickets with a daily cap, sold in advance. In the dry season, book weeks ahead, and buy the Aguas Calientes bus ticket or plan to walk up.
Will the altitude affect me?
Many visitors feel it on the first day in Cusco. Take it slowly, drink plenty of water and avoid a big first night. The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are lower than Cusco.
Do I have to hike the Inca Trail?
No. This plan uses the train to Aguas Calientes and the bus up to the site. The classic Inca Trail takes four days and needs a permit booked months ahead.
When is the best time to go?
May to September is the dry season, with clear mornings and cold nights. The wettest months are December to March, and the Inca Trail closes each February.
