Top Activities on the Ground in Cusco

Discover the shorter version of the famous Inca Trail during this 2-day excursion. Visit the archeological sites of Chachabamba, Winay Huayna, the Sungate, and Machu Picchu both in the afternoon and the early morning to see the citadel in two different lights. Learn about the history of the Incas on a comprehensive tour and explore the site on your own before heading back to Cusco.

This Humantay Lake Full-Day Tour from Cusco is a great pick for travelers who want to see the lake but only have a day to spare. This full-day tour takes you to the lake through the Soraypampa Trek, which is a circular route that runs about 2.7 miles (4.3 kilometers). A guide knows the best spots to stop at to see wildlife and teaches you about the scared mountains surrounding the area, too.

Rainbow Mountain may not be close to Cusco, but it's still possible to visit in just one day on this guided tour. This budget-friendly day trip option takes you to the spectacular summit of Rainbow Mountain on a full-day tour—a challenging trek enhanced by commentary from your guide.

The markets of Cusco are fascinating places to explore, but you'll have a much richer experience with a guide who can provide insights into Peruvian cuisine. This activity begins in the city's oldest market, where you can sample popular fruits, breads, and cheeses, as well as some desserts. Afterward, you'll learn to prepare three Peruvian dishes with a local chef.

Discover the rich flavors of Peru during a hands-on cooking experience in Cusco. Start with a visit to San Pedro Market, where you learn about local ingredients and Andean superfoods. Then, head to a modern kitchen studio for a cooking class led by a professional Peruvian chef. Prepare a gourmet 4-course meal full of local ingredients, and craft a pisco sour cocktail, the national drink of Peru.

Spend the day exploring the Inca citadel and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu on a small-group, full-day tour from Cusco—no need to worry about transport logistics. Visit the legendary mountaintop site with a guide who brings its construction and history to life as you explore. Designed with a relaxed, non-strenuous pace, this experience is well-suited to first-time visitors and families.

Exploring Cusco’s most important ruins and historic landmarks on your own can be confusing, with sites spread out and little context to explain what you’re seeing—but this small-group, guided tour makes it simple. Travel between key archaeological locations—including Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and the Temple of the Sun—and the historic center with a guide who brings the temples and colonial architecture to life. As you explore, learn about the history behind each site instead of simply passing by.

Take this chocolate-lovers workshop and learn how to make your very own chocolate from start to finish. Learn about the chocolate-making process with this hands-on experience beginning with the cocoa tree and finishing with your very own chocolate creations. Discover the history of cocoa in Peru and learn why it is one of the top chocolate producers in the world.

Fly from hill to hill safely on this zipline tour of Chinchero over the Sacred Valley. This is about a one hour adventure, which takes you over the Racchi viewpoint and part of the eastern chain of the Andes. You'll also get to cross a Tibetan suspension bridge. Note that this company is validated by the Civil Defense which helps promote adventure tourism in the area.

Spend a night enjoying the spectacular vistas of the Sacred Valley on a 2-day Skylodge Adventure from Cusco. Feel your adrenaline levels surge as you cross a vertiginous suspension bridge and ride an exhilarating zipline to the handcrafted aluminum pod in which your overnight accommodation awaits. After enjoying a gourmet dinner accompanied by wine, settle into your comfortable pod suspended 400 meters (1314 feet) above ground and absorb mesmerizing views of the surrounding countryside.

Enjoy the Rainbow Mountain driving ATVs and Skip the hiking. Our company designed a unique route where you will cross mountains, with a beautiful views of the Peruvian mountain range. Along the way we will see herds of llamas and alpacas in their natural habitats.

No visit to Cusco is complete without visiting UNESCO-listed Machu Picchu, but arranging logistics can eat into precious vacation time. This day trip from Cusco is ideal for time-pressed travelers, as it takes care of transportation and tickets for the archeological site and scenic train ride through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Salkantay is considered among the finest trekking routes in Peru, but organizing accommodation, meals, and transportation to explore it solo is a challenge. On this tour, follow in the footsteps of the Incas along the Salkantay route with your guide, and reach UNESCO–listed Machu Picchu with all the key logistics covered. Along the way, admire uninterrupted views from the highlands of Peru to the dense forest and soaring peaks.

Bring your hiking shoes for this tour, because you have a decent hike to get to Machu Picchu. But your effort will be worth it. This group tour from Cusco takes care of all of your transport, and your guide will accompany you on your hike. You stop at a few more places, like Chachabamba, Winay Wayna, and much more, with your guide explaining their significance during your visit.

Outdoor-lovers who don’t have time for the full Salkantay Trek but want to experience a day of its highlights can embark on this full-day adventure to Humantay Lake. The private tour enables you to skip the hassle of public transportation and avoid waiting on other travelers on a group tour. That way you can minimize your travel time and spend more time enjoying nature.

Travel confidently with Alpaca Expeditions, Peru's #1 Tour Operator!. 3 Guarantees for Your Inca Trail Adventure: Safety, Quality, and Expert Guidance 1. Security Guarantee We ensure the safety of our guests throughout the entire Inca Trail. There will always be at least one guide behind the group, providing extra support and ensuring no one is left behind. 2. Food Guarantee We guarantee quality food on all our expeditions by following five essential food safety rules: * Keep everything clean. * Separate raw and cooked foods. * Cook thoroughly. * Keep food at safe temperatures. * Use safe water and raw materials. If we ever make a mistake, resulting in food-related issues (e.g., food poisoning), affected people will be completely compensated. 3. Lecture Guarantee All our guides are educated to provide high quality content about the Inca history. After the trek, all lecture materials will be sent to your email in written form for you to review and enjoy at your leisure.

Peru’s Sacred Valley lies in the Andean Highlands—a landscape of rugged mountains, open plains, and soaring cliffs. Choose a morning or afternoon half-day safari, and tackle the rough ground by powerful all-terrain vehicle (ATV). With your guide to lead the way, reach historic sites including Moray and Maras with ease, and enjoy sweeping views across the Peruvian countryside. Entrance fees extra.

For travelers who like to learn something new and appreciate arts and crafts, this private Sacred Valley Textile Workshop offers hands-on dyeing and weaving with master weavers. In the heart of Peru’s Sacred Valley, learn proper techniques and create your own textile piece. Peru is known for its woven textiles, and here you get to see and try the process yourself.

Visit one of the most popular places in Peru without the crowds on this well-planned day tour. Instead of visiting Rainbow Mountain in the morning, like every other tour group, you'll visit in the afternoon, after the crowds have left. With a small, intimate group you can enjoy the views unobstructed, and learn about the amazing landscape from your knowledgeable guide.

Peru’s Rainbow Mountain is usually explored on a challenging hike that reaches high altitudes. Skip the walking, as well as the crowds, and summit the mountain with ease aboard an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) during this small-group excursion. Spend more time taking in the beautiful scenery and local wildlife and less time being exhausted from the trek.

Escape the crowds and discover a quieter, equally stunning alternative to Vinicunca on this full day Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour. With a short and scenic 40 minute hike, this experience is ideal for travelers of all ages looking for natural beauty without the intensity of a long trek. Enjoy round trip transportation from Cusco, a hearty Andean breakfast, and a traditional lunch at a local restaurant. Along the way, explore three colorful rainbow mountains, take in panoramic views of the Andes, visit the otherworldly Stone Forest, and learn about the region’s geology and culture from your professional bilingual guide.

Discover the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu on this 2-day tour. Visit key sites such as Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo and discover their individual archaeological sites with your guide. Spend the night at Aguas Calientes, the village at the base of Machu Picchu, and rest up before exploring the famous Inca citadel the next day.

Experience the ‘hidden world’ of the Andes during this adventurous full-day trek to Peru’s Rainbow Mountain with a small group. Travel past picturesque mountain villages, herds of llamas and alpacas, and the sky-high Ausangate Mountain, eventually arriving at these colorful, multi-hued, mountains. Breakfast, Lunch, bottled water, and all entrance fees are included.