Cusco
The Inca capital in the Andes, and the road through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu.
Cusco was the capital of the Inca empire, and the Spanish built their churches and mansions on its stone foundations, so the walls of the old streets are Inca below and colonial above. It sits high in the Andes at the head of the Sacred Valley, whose villages, terraces and ruins lead to Machu Picchu.
Why go
For Machu Picchu, which earns its reputation on a mountain saddle above the cloud forest, whether reached by the train and bus or on foot along the Inca Trail. And for Cusco itself, whose squares, markets and stonework are worth days of their own.
And for the valley between: Pisac's market and terraces, Ollantaytambo's living Inca town and fortress, the salt pans of Maras and the circles of Moray, with the rainbow mountain and the lake at Titicaca for those going further.
Highlights
What people go for, in no particular order.
01Machu Picchu
The citadel of terraces, temples and houses on its ridge above the Urubamba, with Huayna Picchu rising behind. Entry is timed and limited; book the site, the train and the guide well ahead, and go early for the mist lifting.
02The Plaza de Armas and the old streets
The cathedral and the Jesuit church on the main square, the twelve-angled stone on Hatun Rumiyoc, the Coricancha sun temple with a convent built on top, and the artisans' quarter of San Blas up the hill.
03Sacsayhuamán
The zigzag walls of enormous fitted stones on the hill above the city, with the Cristo Blanco and the view over the roofs, walked up from San Blas.
04The Sacred Valley
Pisac's Sunday market and hillside ruins, Ollantaytambo's fortress terraces and Inca street grid, and Chinchero's weavers, along the river road towards the train.
05Maras and Moray
The terraced salt pans stepping down a hillside and the concentric agricultural terraces of Moray, a half day above the valley.
06The Inca Trail and the treks
The four-day classic trail over the passes to the Sun Gate, permits limited and booked months ahead, or the Salkantay and Lares routes as alternatives.
07The rainbow mountain and Titicaca
Vinicunca's striped slopes at high altitude for a long day trip, and Lake Titicaca with its reed islands a bus or train ride south for those continuing.
Areas
Where to base yourself, and what each area is like.
The historic centre
Hotels in colonial mansions around the Plaza de Armas, with everything on foot and the altitude felt on the stairs.
San Blas
The artisans' quarter on the hill, with guesthouses, cafés and views over the city.
The Sacred Valley
Lodges at Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, lower and warmer than Cusco, a common first stop for the altitude.
Aguas Calientes
The town below Machu Picchu for a night before an early entry to the site.
When to go: Cusco
- Dry seasonMay – September
- Clear skies, cold nights and the clearest conditions for the trails and the ruins. The high season, with Inti Raymi in June; book far ahead.
- Shoulder monthsApril, October and November
- Green valleys, some showers and fewer people, with the Inca Trail open and the light soft.
- Wet seasonDecember – March
- The rains, heaviest in January and February; the Inca Trail closes each February for maintenance, while Machu Picchu stays open, misty and quiet.
Getting there
Airports
One airport in our search serves Cusco. Distances are measured in a straight line.
- CUZAlejandro Velasco Astete International
Distance from
- JFKNew York6,030 km
- LHRLondon9,950 km
- CDGParis10,050 km
- JNBJohannesburg10,340 km
- SYDSydney13,040 km
- DXBDubai14,380 km
- BOMMumbai16,220 km
- SINSingapore18,590 km
Getting around: Cusco
Flights from Lima take a little over an hour. Cusco's centre is walked slowly for the altitude; taxis are plentiful for the hills. Two or three days at valley level first help with acclimatisation.
Machu Picchu is reached by train from Ollantaytambo or Poroy to Aguas Calientes and a bus up the switchbacks, or on foot by the trails. Drivers and tours cover the valley and the day trips.
Practical facts
The country, its currency and languages, the time zone and the time there now.
- Country
- Peru
- Currency
- PEN · Peruvian Sol
- Languages
- Spanish and Quechua
- Time zone
- Peru Standard Time
- Local time now
- Calling code
- +51
The atlas
Cusco in figures
The figures under this guide: the climate on modelled 2001–2020 averages, how far it is from the UAE, and the places around it.
Climate
The weather in Cusco, month by month
- Jan14°
- Feb14°
- Mar13°
- Apr13°
- May13°
- Jun13°
- Jul13°
- Aug14°
- Sept15°
- Oct15°
- Nov15°
- Dec14°
- Mild to warm and dry
- Mild to warm, humid or showery
- Hot
- Cool
- Wet
- Cold
No month is both mild to warm and not wet, on these averages.
Mean highs run from 13°C in April to 15°C in November, with about 718 mm of rain in a year.
These are modelled averages for 2001–2020; the seasons described above are our own reading of a typical year.
Month-by-month climate for CuscoModelled averages for an area about 50 km across, not a weather station's record: NASA POWER climatology, 2001–2020.
The model's grid cell sits about 428 m higher than the town, so real temperatures there run a little warmer than these.
Airports
How far it is from the UAE
From DXBCusco
14,380 km
17 hrs 40 mins · Estimate
From AUHCusco
14,310 km
17 hrs 35 mins · Estimate
The great-circle distance, and a rough flying time: the distance at an average 850 km/h plus 45 minutes for take-off and landing. Real flights follow airways, meet headwinds and wait for traffic, so schedules differ.
On the map
Places near Cusco
Plan this trip: Cusco
Open the trip builder with Cusco already filled in. Flights, stays and everything else are priced together in one quote, prepared by a person on our team.
