Overview
Take a trip to Cusco on your Peru Vacation
The continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city, Cusco is located in southeastern Peru near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes Mountain Range. Ever popular with tourists on a Peru vacation, Cusco serves as the gateway to the world-famous Machu Picchu.
Before the arrival of the Incas, Cusco was inhabited by the Killke people from 900-1200 AD. The city grew to become the capital of the Inca Empire and was the centre of its political, military and cultural dealings. While Spaniards originally came to Cusco in November 1533, the city was not officially founded until Francisco Pizarro arrived in March 1534. Just as Cusco was important to the Incas, it became the centre for Spanish colonization as well as a base for the spread of Christianity. The city’s importance began to wane until the discovery of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham in 1911 brought Cusco worldwide attention.
Today Cusco has been designated as the Historical Capital of Peru and remains increasingly popular with tourists on Peru vacation packages. Bingham used the city as a base to explore Machu Picchu more than one hundred years ago, and visitors continue to use Cusco as a starting point to explore the many Incan ruins available. Cusco’s centre retains many pre-Columbian and colonial buildings and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Despite being a busy destination on Peru tours, Cusco maintains a unique charm and character that continues to enchant visitors from around the world.
At a Glance
Languages
Peruvian Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, AsháninkaCurrency
Peruvian Sol (PEN)Trending Trips
Unforgettable Journeys.22 Trips Found
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22 Trips Found
Classic Peru: Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and LimaCook like a Limeño, explore the Sacred Valley, stand twice in awe at Machu Picchu, and lose yourself in Cusco's markets and nightlife. Peru awaits.
10 days
From US$3,510/p.p.
Request a Quote
Essential Peru: Lima, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and LimaExperience the culture of Lima and the stunning ruins of Machu Picchu on this unforgettable small group adventure through Peru. Discover the legacy of the Incas as you explore the Sacred Valley and beyond.
9 days
From US$2,417/p.p.
Request a Quote
Peru for Families: Lima, Machu Picchu & Cusco
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and LimaCulinary fun in Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco with an engaging local guide - this is Peru for families.
8 days
From US$3,278/p.p.
Request a Quote
Adventure in the Andes: Trekking the Salkantay
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and LimaConquer Salkantay, paddleboard in the Sacred Valley, explore Barranco and the Larco Museum in Lima, and discover Machu Picchu with your private guide.
10 days
From US$5,379/p.p.
Request a Quote
Ultimate Peru: Machu Picchu & Amazon Cruise
Lima, The Amazon, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Sacred ValleyCruise the Amazon in luxury, ride the Hiram Bingham train from Machu Picchu, and explore Cusco and the Sacred Valley; this is Peru's very finest.
14 days
From US$15,884/p.p.
Request a Quote
The Galapagos Islands & Machu Picchu
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and QuitoImmerse yourself in Ecuador's lush landscapes and Peru's rich heritage. This multi-country vacation weaves through colonial Quito, the Galapagos, and Machu Picchu's wonders.
14 days
From US$7,722/p.p.
Request a Quote
A Taste of Peru: Gastronomy & Culture
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and LimaDiscover Peru through its legendary flavors. Enjoy private tastings, a Pachamanca feast, a hands-on cooking class, and visit the indomitable Machu Picchu.
10 days
From US$6,339/p.p.
Request a Quote
Ultimate Peru & Ecuador: Machu Picchu & the Galapagos
Galapagos Islands, Quito, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and LimaExperience two of South America’s greatest icons as you see the wildlife of the Galapagos, explore the ruins of Machu Picchu, and tour these nations’ world-class capitals.
17 days
From US$8,716/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
Classic Peru: Lima, Cusco & Machu Picchu
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and LimaCook like a Limeño, explore the Sacred Valley, stand twice in awe at Machu Picchu, and lose yourself in Cusco's markets and nightlife. Peru awaits.
10 days
From US$3,510/p.p.
Request a Quote
Essential Peru: Lima, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and LimaExperience the culture of Lima and the stunning ruins of Machu Picchu on this unforgettable small group adventure through Peru. Discover the legacy of the Incas as you explore the Sacred Valley and beyond.
9 days
From US$2,417/p.p.
Request a Quote
Peru for Families: Lima, Machu Picchu & Cusco
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and LimaCulinary fun in Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco with an engaging local guide - this is Peru for families.
8 days
From US$3,278/p.p.
Request a Quote
Adventure in the Andes: Trekking the Salkantay
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and LimaConquer Salkantay, paddleboard in the Sacred Valley, explore Barranco and the Larco Museum in Lima, and discover Machu Picchu with your private guide.
10 days
From US$5,379/p.p.
Request a Quote
Ultimate Peru: Machu Picchu & Amazon Cruise
Lima, The Amazon, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Sacred ValleyCruise the Amazon in luxury, ride the Hiram Bingham train from Machu Picchu, and explore Cusco and the Sacred Valley; this is Peru's very finest.
14 days
From US$15,884/p.p.
Request a Quote
The Galapagos Islands & Machu Picchu
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and QuitoImmerse yourself in Ecuador's lush landscapes and Peru's rich heritage. This multi-country vacation weaves through colonial Quito, the Galapagos, and Machu Picchu's wonders.
14 days
From US$7,722/p.p.
Request a Quote
A Taste of Peru: Gastronomy & Culture
Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and LimaDiscover Peru through its legendary flavors. Enjoy private tastings, a Pachamanca feast, a hands-on cooking class, and visit the indomitable Machu Picchu.
10 days
From US$6,339/p.p.
Request a Quote
Ultimate Peru & Ecuador: Machu Picchu & the Galapagos
Galapagos Islands, Quito, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and LimaExperience two of South America’s greatest icons as you see the wildlife of the Galapagos, explore the ruins of Machu Picchu, and tour these nations’ world-class capitals.
17 days
From US$8,716/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
What do the experts say?
For a unique experience visit an indigenous village high in the Andes for a Pachamama ceremony. I was fortunate to participate in one and the warmth of the people and how simple they lived, really touched my heart.
Dress for all weather types, climate can range from very warm and humid in Lima to cool and rainy in Machu Picchu and very hot and dry in the Sacred Valley
May to October is the best time to visit as it is the dry season with sunny days, clear skies, ideal for trekking and enjoy the landscape. However like in all Latin countries, the weather is unpredictable, so be ready if any rain show up during a sunny day
Everyone should make sure they try a Pisco sour - It's Peru’s national cocktail—a smooth, citrusy, and slightly foamy drink made with pisco, a type of grape brandy. It’s both refreshing and strong, with a sweet-tart balance and a signature foamy top from egg white.
It is astonishing how much incredible diversity of experiences can be packed into one country, Peru is full of deep cultural roots, a wide range of landscape, adventure and its delicious cuisine.
Cusco Tours
Cusco is typically the starting point of all Pe...
Explore Cusco Culture
Plaza do Armas, Cusco is a must inclusion on al...
Enjoy your vacations at Cusco
Most Popular Time to Travel
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Place
Conditions
Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
CuscoOccasional Showers
22°C / 72°F
45mm / 1.8"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
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Thank you again to Bijal for all the work in making this once in a lifetime trip so exceptional!! We look forward to having Bijal help us plan our future trips.The Chadwicks and WilliamsI wanted to do a once in a lifetime vacation but had no idea where to start, other than knowing where I wanted to go. I reached out to goway.com and Jessica (shoutout!), who is an expert on our specific destination, sent me an itinerary quickly! She had me going into the jungle one day, so I requested to swap that nonsense for a fishing charter, and before I knew it, my trip was ready.
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Goway hires a local tour group, Jenman Safaris, to lead the safari in the 2 countries. The tour itself was amazing...the lodges that we stayed at were very nice and the food was great (except for one lodge's food). The Goway itinerary was slightly different than the actual Jenman Safari itinerary but most of the sites that we went to were the same as listed on the Goway itinerary. I would use Goway again because their choice of a local tour group was very good...nice lodges/camps and good food and knowledgeable tour guides.Ma FaOur GoWay tour representative, Michael Keon, was on top of all of our concerns and questions in a professional manner and we look forward to working with him in the future. Michael was very easy to work with and treated us like family.ThomasMatthew handled my honeymoon couple's very specific African itinerary like a pro! My clients went to four different travel agents who only wanted to send them on safaris. My clients had already done safaris and were specific on what they wanted to do and see. Matthew hit the nail on the head! Highly recommend!Amanda Schott
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