Cusco, Peru

State guide with cities, regions, and key information.

PeruAmericas
Introduction
Cusco Region (Región Cusco) covers 71,892 km² of south-central Peru, stretching from the Sacred Valley of the Incas at 2,800–3,000 m altitude through the Andean high plains and snow-capped peaks above 6,000 m to the cloud forests and lowland Amazon tributaries below 1,000 m in the region's northeast. The department spans four altitudinal zones — Quechua, Suni, Puna, and Selva Alta — each with distinct ecology and settlement. The regional capital, Cusco city (altitude 3,399 m), was the capital of the Inca Empire and is the most visited city in Peru. The region's travel infrastructure divides along three main axes: Cusco city and its immediate hinterland (Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Tambomachay); the Sacred Valley from Pisac east to Ollantaytambo west (85 km of valley floor linking most major Inca agricultural and ceremonial sites); and the Machu Picchu corridor, reached by rail from Ollantaytambo or Cusco's Poroy station to Aguas Calientes, then bus to the citadel. A fourth zone — the Manu Road corridor through Paucartambo into cloud forest and Manu National Park — is accessible from Cusco but requires a two-day minimum descent. Secondary towns include Urubamba (2,863 m, main Sacred Valley service hub), Quillabamba (1,050 m, warm lowland valley), and Calca (2,926 m).

Discover Cusco

Cusco city's visitability extends well beyond the immediate Plaza de Armas into four peripheral archaeological sites covered under the Boleto Turístico General: Sacsayhuamán (2 km north, megalithic Inca walls, hilltop platform with city panorama), Qenqo (4 km northeast, rock-carved ceremonial channels and underground passages), Puca Pucara (10 km northeast, red stone Inca checkpoint), and Tambomachay (11 km northeast, spring-fed ritual bathing fonts). The Boleto Turístico General (BTG, PEN 130, sold at Av. El Sol 103 office and online) covers these four sites plus 12 more across the Sacred Valley and Cusco city museums, including the Qorikancha site museum and the Inca history museum at Qorikancha. The partial boleto options (Circuit 1, 2, or 3 at PEN 70 each) target specific geographic clusters if only visiting a subset. The full BTG is a 10-day pass.

Travel Types

Inca and Pre-Hispanic Archaeology

Machu Picchu (UNESCO), Ollantaytambo, Pisac, Sacsayhuamán, Chinchero, and Moray — the highest concentration of intact Inca sites anywhere in the Americas, accessible from Cusco city via the Boleto Turístico General.

Permit-Controlled Multi-Day Treks

Classic Inca Trail (4 days, permit required), Salkantay (5 days, no permit), Lares (3–4 days), and Ausangate Circuit (7 days) — all operating at 4,000–5,000 m altitude and requiring licensed guides.

Sacred Valley Market and Cultural Circuits

Pisac artisan market (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday), Chinchero weaving cooperatives, Andean textile traditions, and highland town culture along the 85-km Sacred Valley corridor.

High-Altitude Natural Environments

Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca, 5,100 m), Humantay Lake (4,200 m), Ausangate glacier circuit (6,372 m), and the Puna grasslands of the Andes above 4,000 m.

Cloud Forest and Amazon Transition

Manu Road descent through five altitudinal zones, Manu National Park UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Wayqecha cloud-forest biological station, and Santa Teresa thermal springs at 1,600 m.

Rail-Integrated Heritage Travel

PeruRail and Inca Rail services from Ollantaytambo (1.5 h to Aguas Calientes) and Cusco Poroy station (3.5 h) connecting the Sacred Valley circuit to Machu Picchu.

Important Cusco Region Travel Notes
  • •Machu Picchu timed-entry tickets must be purchased online at machupicchu.gob.pe before purchasing train tickets — on-site ticket sales no longer exist; peak season (June–August) sells out 4–8 weeks ahead.
  • •Inca Trail permits: annual release in late January, sold through licensed operators only; popular operators sell out within hours of release — book 6–12 months ahead for peak season trekking.
  • •Boleto Turístico General (BTG, PEN 130): 10-day pass covering 16 sites including Sacsayhuamán, Pisac archaeological site, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Moray; sold at Av. El Sol 103, Cusco, and online.
  • •Altitude acclimatization: Cusco city at 3,399 m causes soroche (altitude sickness) in many visitors arriving from sea level — plan a complete rest day on arrival, avoid alcohol and heavy meals, and consider spending the first night in the Sacred Valley (300–700 m lower) for easier adjustment.
  • •Altitude remedies: coca tea (mate de coca, offered free at most Cusco hotels), acetazolamide (Diamox, available from pharmacies, take 24 h before arrival if possible), and ibuprofen for headache; oxygen is available at pharmacies and many hotels.
  • •Sacred Valley base advantage: staying the first night in Urubamba (2,863 m) or Pisac (2,972 m) before moving to Cusco city (3,399 m) is a recognized altitude-mitigation strategy — the valley floor is meaningfully lower.
  • •Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca, 5,100 m): the trailhead is at 4,600 m — visitors who experienced significant soroche in Cusco city should complete 2–3 acclimatization days before attempting this hike; depart Cusco 04:00–05:00.
  • •Machu Picchu circuits and mountain permits: Circuit 1 and Circuit 2 are the standard citadel routes; Huayna Picchu mountain (400 permits/day) and Machu Picchu mountain (800 permits/day) require separate purchase on the same booking platform.
  • •Train advance booking: PeruRail Vistadome (USD 50–100 one way Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes) and Hiram Bingham luxury train (USD 400+) both require booking weeks ahead in peak season; check vistadome.com or perurail.com.
  • •Pisac artisan market main days are Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday — Sunday is the largest; the archaeological site above the town is a separate BTG entry and is often missed by visitors who only attend the market.
  • •Inca Trail closes entirely during February for conservation maintenance — alternative treks (Salkantay, Lares) remain open year-round but require wet-weather gear November–April.
  • •Maras salt mines (admission ~PEN 10): open daily with no closing day; connected by a 4-km walking trail from Maras village, or accessible by guided tour combining with Moray (BTG) in a half-day circuit from Urubamba.
Cities in Cusco

1 city with detailed travel information

Cusco