Cusco is one of those destinations where you don’t need a long itinerary to experience something extraordinary. Within a single day, you can walk through ancient Inca temples, climb to turquoise alpine lakes, or stand above rainbow-colored mountains shaped by minerals and time. The variety is huge: from soft cultural immersion to high-altitude adventure. The best part is that all of these experiences start right from Cusco.
To make the planning easier, we’ve grouped the 5 most popular day tours into two clear categories:
Cultural & Historical Journeys for travelers who want temples, markets, and Inca architecture, and Full-Day Hikes for those who want altitude, views, and a bit of challenge.
All of them are close, fully guided, and absolutely doable in a day. You just choose your style of adventure.
THE TOP 5 DAY TRIPS FROM CUSCO
1. Sacred Valley Tour: Culture, History & Amazing Views
Category: Cultural
This is the perfect introduction to the world of the Incas. The Sacred Valley combines viewpoints, traditional villages, ancient temples, and landscapes shaped by farming terraces. It’s beautiful, easy to explore, and packed with history. It is an absolute classic.
Highlights
- Pisac Archaeological Site and its massive agricultural terraces
- Ollantaytambo Fortress, one of the last living Inca towns
- Maras & Moray, 2 stops where you will learn about agricultural and cultural practices that shaped the local economy from before the Inca times.
Short Itinerary
- 07:30 AM – Pick-up from Cusco and drive to Pisac
- Morning – Visit Pisac ruins + free time at the market
- Midday – Lunch in Urubamba
- Afternoon – Guided visit to Ollantaytambo + panoramic stops
- Evening – Return to Cusco
2. Humantay Lake: Turquoise Waters in the High Andes
Category: Hike
One of Cusco’s most iconic day hikes. Humantay Lake sits beneath a glacier, glowing turquoise under the morning sun. A great choice if you want something challenging but not overwhelming.
Highlights
- The stunning turquoise glacier lake at 4,200 m
- Panoramic views of Salkantay Mountain
- A rewarding hike with unforgettable photo spots
Short Itinerary
- 04:00 AM – Pick-up + breakfast in Mollepata
- Morning – Begin the 1.5–2 hour hike to Humantay Lake
- Midday – Exploration time, photos, optional viewpoint climb
- Afternoon – Lunch + drive back to Cusco
3. Rainbow Mountain: One of Peru’s Most Unique Landscapes
Category: Hike
If you’re chasing iconic scenery, this is it. Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain) delivers bold mineral colors, vast mountainscapes, and the thrill of hiking at high altitude.
Highlights
- The multi-colored slopes of Rainbow Mountain
- Epic views of the Ausangate Range
- A high-altitude adventure close to Cusco
Short Itinerary
- 04:00 AM – Pick-up + breakfast stop
- Morning – 1.5-hour hike to the top viewpoint
- Midday – Free time for photos + exploration
- Afternoon – Lunch + return to Cusco
4. 7 Lakes of Ausangate: High-Altitude Adventure for Nature Lovers
Category: Hike
A more off-the-beaten-path option. The 7 Lakes of Ausangate are glacial lagoons in different colors: turquoise, emerald, milky white. It’s remote, peaceful, and perfect if you want something less crowded.
Highlights
- Seven glacial lakes with different shapes and colors
- Views of Ausangate (6,384 m), the highest mountain in Cusco
- A full, immersive Andean hiking experience
Short Itinerary
- 04:00 AM – Pick-up + drive to Pacchanta
- Morning – Begin the circuit hike around the lakes
- Midday – Explore viewpoints + optional hot springs
- Afternoon – Lunch + return to Cusco
5. Cusco City Tour: Temples, Ruins & Colonial History
Category: Cultural
If you prefer exploring without long drives, the Cusco City Tour delivers history, architecture, and key Inca temples right within and around the city.
Highlights
- Sacsayhuamán, the impressive stone fortress above Cusco
- Qorikancha, the most important temple of the Inca Empire
- Colonial + Inca architecture blended throughout the city
Short Itinerary
- 01:00 PM – Pick-up from your hotel
- Afternoon – Guided visits to Qorikancha, Sacsayhuamán, Q’enqo, Pukapukara & Tambomachay
- Early Evening – Return to your hotel
Which day tour is for you?
| Tour | Category | Fitness Level | Price |
| Sacred Valley | Cultural | ★☆☆ | $$ |
| Humantay Lake | Hike | ★★☆ | $$ |
| Rainbow Mountain | Hike | ★★★ | $$ |
| 7 Lakes of Ausangate | Hike | ★★★ | $$$ |
| Cusco City Tour | Cultural | ★☆☆ | $ |
If you only have one day in Cusco, these trips let you pack world-class experiences into a short window. Whether that means connecting with Inca history, visiting ancient temples, or hiking into the high Andes. And if these day tours leave you wanting more, Cusco is also the starting point for bigger adventures like the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, and Choquequirao Trek, some of the best multi-day hikes in South America.
FAQS
Absolutely. All tours start early from Cusco, making it the ideal hub for both cultural visits and hikes.
The dry season (May–September) offers the best weather, clearer views, and more stable trails.
Yes. Spend 1–2 days in Cusco before doing high-altitude hikes like Humantay, Rainbow Mountain, or 7 Lakes.
The city tour can be self-guided, but for hikes and rural destinations, a certified guide is highly recommended for safety, transport, and navigation.
