Day trips from Cusco
Day trips from Cusco open up the towns and sights around it. The most comfortable months are May to September, with highs around 70°F (21°C) and about 2 rainy days a month.
Photo: gertrudis2010, CC BY-SA 3.0
Top day trips in Cusco
Cusco: Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Premium Day Trip with MealsFrom $39View 
Sacred Valley Day Trip from Cusco with Maras & MorayFrom $50View 
Machu Picchu Day Trip from CuscoFrom $336View 
Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco: Full-Day Guided TourFrom $429View 
Rainbow Mountain Day Trip from CuscoFrom $32View 
Cusco City Tour in Half DayFrom $13View
Tours from Viator. Good Outing may earn a commission when you book, at no cost to you.
Places to go from Cusco
Towns and sights within day-trip range, with the straight-line distance from the centre:
- Ollantaytambo
- An Inca town and fortress in the Sacred Valley, the train station for Machu Picchu. About 27 miles away.
- Machu Picchu
- The Inca citadel on a mountain ridge, by train and bus. About 46 miles away.
- Aguas Calientes
- The village at the foot of Machu Picchu. About 45 miles away.
- Andahuaylillas
- A small church called the 'Sistine Chapel of the Andes'. About 22 miles away.
How to pick a good day trip
- Work out the real travel time each way. A two-hour drive each direction leaves about four hours on the ground.
- Trains are often cheaper than a tour if you only want one town; tours earn their price when they combine several stops.
- Leave early. Popular towns are quietest before the tour coaches arrive mid-morning.
- Check what's closed on Mondays. Museums and churches in many towns take that day off.
Cusco month by month
Averages for Cusco, 1991–1920.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 69 (21) | 69 (20) | 69 (21) | 70 (21) | 70 (21) | 69 (21) | 69 (21) | 71 (22) | 71 (22) | 71 (22) | 72 (22) | 70 (21) |
| Low °F (°C) | 46 (8) | 46 (8) | 46 (8) | 43 (6) | 38 (4) | 35 (2) | 34 (1) | 37 (3) | 41 (5) | 44 (7) | 46 (8) | 46 (8) |
| Rainy days | 20 | 17 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 17 |
| Sunset (15th) | 6:22 pm | 6:18 pm | 6:02 pm | 5:42 pm | 5:29 pm | 5:28 pm | 5:36 pm | 5:42 pm | 5:44 pm | 5:45 pm | 5:54 pm | 6:10 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for day trips in Cusco?
May to September. Expect highs around 70°F (21°C) and about 2 rainy days a month. The least comfortable months are January and February.
What's the closest day trip from Cusco?
Andahuaylillas, about 22 miles away: a small church called the 'Sistine Chapel of the Andes'. Ollantaytambo, about 27 miles away: an Inca town and fortress in the Sacred Valley, the train station for Machu Picchu. Aguas Calientes, about 45 miles away: the village at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Where can I book day trips in Cusco?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
