3 Days in Cusco: The Best Itinerary for First Timers

Wondering how many days to spend in Cusco? Well, the truth is that you can spend up to two weeks exploring the area. But, 3 days in Cusco are ideal for experiencing the top attractions and nearby excursions.

Cusco (“Cuzco”) is the former capital of the Inca Empire. This vibrant city is known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning blend of Incan and colonial architecture. As a gateway to many day trips and multi-day treks, it offers endless adventures for travelers.

One of my favorite experiences in Cusco, Peru was undoubtedly the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. This journey through the Andes takes hikers through diverse landscapes, including snow-capped peaks, lush cloud forests, and vibrant valleys. Additionally, don’t miss the colorful Rainbow Mountain and the enchanting Sacred Valley. In my opinion, these alone feature some of the best places to explore in Peru and South America.

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Altitude Sickness: Key Things to Know

Cusco is an amazing place, sitting at about 3,399 meters (11,152 feet) up in the Andes. But the high altitude can sometimes hit you hard. To avoid altitude sickness, take it easy when you first arrive. Spend a day or two getting used to the elevation before diving into activities.

We flew from the coastal Lima to the majestic heights of Cusco, which meant a big jump in elevation. Feeling the effects of the altitude, we took it easy at first. We spent about 2 full days in Cusco before embarking on any trips.

To get used to high elevation I recommend following these 6 tips:

1. If you can, aim to acclimatize gradually by spending time at moderate altitudes.
2. Stay hydrated and treat yourself to a warm cup of coca tea. Contrary to common misconceptions, coca tea is a fully legal and popular beverage in Peru and Bolivia. In fact, it can help alleviate altitude sickness, thanks to its natural properties that enhance oxygen absorption and improve circulation. Additionally, coca tea holds cultural significance in the Andes, making it a cherished part of daily life for many locals.
3. Limit physical activity initially to give your body time to adjust to the thin air. With the elevation in Cusco, it’s easy to feel out of breath, especially when tackling the city’s many hills. Take it slow during the first couple of days to help your lungs acclimate.
4. Choose light, carbs-rich meals, and avoid alcohol and caffeine. This is especially the case if you’re doing a multi-day hike, like the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu.
5. Listen to your body – if you feel symptoms like headaches or nausea, take it easy or consider taking medicine.
6. Rest is essential, and consider consulting your doctor about medications before departure, if needed.

Best Time to Visit Cusco

The best time to visit Cusco is during the dry-season, which runs from May to September. During these months, the weather is generally sunny and stable, making it ideal for outdoor activities like trekking and sightseeing. For a more in depth overview, I summarized the main key points below:

• May to September: Dry season with the least rain and clear skies.
• June and July: Most popular among tourists, so expect larger crowds.
• April and October: Transitional months; you might face some rain, but still good for visiting.
• November to March: Wet season, with higher chances of rain, especially in January and February. Trekking conditions may be more challenging.

We visited in August and had good weather. Overall, for the best weather and conditions, aim for May to September! Remember that Cusco’s high elevation means temperatures can drop significantly at night. Be sure to pack a warm, windproof jacket to stay comfortable after the sun goes down.

How Many Days are Enough? 3 Days in Cusco

3 days in Cusco are perfect if you want to focus on the city itself. If you’re considering a multi-day hike, you can use Cusco as your base at the end of your hiking adventure. In our case, our hostel allowed us to leave our bigger backpacks behind. If this won’t be possible for you, many tour agencies have a storage room for these kind of situations.

How can you spend 3 days in Cusco? Below are some Cusco itinerary ideas that I recommend.

DAY 1: Start your first day by acclimatizing to the altitude. Book a walking tour to familiarize yourself with the city’s rich history and vibrant culture.
DAY 2: On the second day, explore various tours and point of interest. We for example, looked into the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain. You will know best, which tours are most suited for you. I list below all the available options and tours from Cusco.
DAY 3: Use your third day for a one-day excursion.

What to do for 3 Days in Cusco: Top Attractions

Founded in the 15th century, Cusco was the political and cultural heart of the Inca Empire. After the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, many Incan structures were repurposed for colonial buildings. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its historical significance and captivating beauty.

In my opinion, there is no better way to explore a new city, than a walking tour. This is a moderate activity that will also allow you to acclimatize while exploring the historical city centre.

Most of the tours start around the Plaza de Armas. This is the main square with the impressive colonial architecture of Cusco’s Cathedral and the beautiful fountain at its center. Spend some time admiring the colorfully dressed locals and the baby alpacas. Just keep in mind that if you want to take pictures with them, you’re expected to leave a tip.

Just a short walk away is Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun, which reflects both Incan and colonial architecture.

Stroll through the narrow streets to visit vibrant markets like San Pedro Market, filled with handmade goods and fresh produce. We were amazed by the large quantity and diverse fruits. In most of the cases we had no idea what we were looking at. But we still bought one of each item to try later on.

Explore the artistic San Blas neighborhood, home to quaint shops and the lovely San Blas Church. Along the way, you’ll encounter Incan stone walls that highlight the city’s fascinating history.

If you still have the energy, head to Mirador desde el Cristo Blanco around sunset time. You’ll have one of the best views from the top of the city. Enjoy the sights of Cusco and its surrounding mountains!

Must-See Excursions and Tours for your 3 Days in Cusco

Choosing the right tour can be an overwhelming experience, especially when you don’t want to miss on anything. To make it easier for you, I will list below the best day trips and multi-day treks departing from Cusco.

Multi-Day Treks

1. Machu Picchu: Multi-day treks can either be done by choosing the Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek. Also, you can tailor the length to your needs and choose the tour that best suits you.
2. Ausangate Trek: A challenging multi-day trek through the Andes. It is known for its stunning scenery, cultural encounters, and proximity to Rainbow Mountain.
3. Choquequirao: Multi-day treks to the lesser-known Incan site, often referred to as the “sister city” of Machu Picchu. Unfortunately, we could only choose one multi-day trek due to lack of time. But if that’s not your case I would suggest looking into this.

Cusco Day Trips

1. Machu Picchu: Day trips from Cusco or Ollantaytambo (in the Sacred Valley) by train. You can also decide to stay in Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo for some extra days.
2. Sacred Valley: Day tour to Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Chinchero, Maras and Moray. It does not involve a lot of walking, so this is perfect after a day (or more) of hiking. This tour is a great complement for a 3 days in Cusco itinerary.
3. Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca): Day hike to see the stunning multicolored mountains. Keep in mind that you’ll be hiking at higher elevations. If you’re not fully acclimatized, I don’t recommend doing this hike right away.
4. Humantay Lake: Day hike to a picturesque turquoise glacial lake. If you’re doing the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, you’ll do the hike to the lake on your first day. Keep this in mind in case you want to kill two birds with one stone.
5. Sacsayhuamán: Guided day tours of this impressive Incan fortress near Cusco. We decided to skip this as we didn’t have enough time for everything. But, it’s a good idea for those that want to avoid multi-day hikes.
6. Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay: Day tours to nearby archaeological sites. Same as above, we haven’t done this ourselves but I recommend it for anyone having some extra time.
7. Culinary Tours: Cooking classes and food tastings to experience Peruvian cuisine.
8. Horseback Riding Tours: Explore the countryside and ancient ruins on horseback.

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