Here’s something that you will definitely agree with us, and it’s that Cusco is the most complete travel destination in Peru, not only for being home to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World but also for its cultural expression and history.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Peru, we are almost entirely sure that you’ll pass by this magical region on your adventure through our country. However, there are different ways to get to Cusco and it will all depend on your available time and the experience you’re looking for.
Peru is widely diverse and there are many things to see on the way to the former capital of the Inca Empire. For those planning a long stay here, it would be best if you stop in some of the most impressive destinations of the country before arriving in Cusco.
Lima is the starting point for almost every traveler flying to Peru since most international flights arrive in this busy capital. Therefore, here we’ll cover short and long itineraries to give you a broader view on how to optimize your time and experience in the ancient country of the Incas.
But first, let’s answer two of the most frequently asked questions about traveling to Cusco!
- Does Cusco airport have international arrivals and departures?
Technically it does, but not to many countries. Its actual name is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, and though it says international, it only has arrivals and departures for certain flights coming and going to Bolivia, Colombia and Chile.
However, keep in mind that those fights are operated a few times a week. Most international flights arrive in Lima, which is why it works as a connection to other destinations in Peru.
- Is it possible to travel by bus to Cusco?
Simply put, you can travel by bus to Cusco though a direct bus will take over 22 hours which can be really tiring and time consuming if you’re on a short itinerary. For that reason we recommend taking a flight or visiting other attractions along the way if you have the time.
Flexible Itinerary? Here’s what you should do!
As we mentioned above, Peru is a widely diverse country, with adventures for all ages and sizes, so why don’t you give yourself the time to explore the best destinations as you make your way to the Peruvian highlands? Well, here we have some recommendations for you!
Although Machu Picchu is basically Peru’s synonym, there’s so much more to know about this South American gem than just the famous Inca citadel. Our country is one of the most complete travel destinations in the continent due to its extensive geography, cultural expression and history.
Here you’ll get to know another side of the history of mankind, as well as practicing adventure tourism without even forgetting about the different cultural experiences you’ll encounter along the way. Luckily for you, we have gathered some attractions to visit on the way from Lima to Cusco:
Discover Southern Peru by Bus!
You surely have heard about this popular travel itinerary through Peru, where you’ll get to visit the main attractions of the country before arriving in Cusco. This option will take you on an unforgettable journey through the coast, desert and the Andes mountains! Here are the attractions you’ll visit on this itinerary:
Paracas
This is the perfect getaway destination from Lima since it is located about 4 hours away by bus. Paracas is a small beach town located in the Ica region and comprises one of the most impressive natural sceneries along the coast.
On your first day in Paracas you can visit the Ballestas Islands that are a group of rock formations and islets located in the Paracas peninsula. This region in the Pacific ocean is home to hundreds of endemic and migratory exotic birds, humboldt penguins and the largest colony of sea lions in Peru.
Likewise, you can also extend your stay in this magical town to visit the Paracas National Reserve, a location that combines the arid desert of Peru with the scenic beaches of the pacific coast.
Huacachina
Continuing with the itinerary, you’ll find another natural wonder right in the heart of the Ica desert. Huacachina is the only natural oasis in South America and it’s located 1.5 hours away from Paracas by bus.
It is another famous destination south of Lima with an impressive landscape, where towering sand dunes guard the natural beauty of the lagoon. The best part is that thanks to its isolated location, it is the perfect spot to unwind and disconnect from the rest of the world.
Here you can practice sandboarding and get a dune buggy ride through the dunes as you catch the sunset from a special spot in the middle of the desert. Besides that, the city of Ica is located only 15 minutes away from there, this city is known for holding the oldest pisco wineries in the country.
Nazca
As you make your way through the desert, Nazca is another unmissable attraction along the route since it holds one of the greatest mysteries of the ancient world. In case you prefer saving some time, you can visit Paracas, Huacachina and Nazca in just one day, starting at 4 am from Lima.
The Nazca Lines are the main attraction here, a riddle yet to be solved in the Pampas de Jumana. To fully appreciate this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll need to take a flight over these ancient geoglyphs, which has a duration of 35 minutes.
Later, you can either continue exploring the region or head towards the White City of Arequipa on an overnight bus.
Arequipa
If you love natural wonders and history as much as we do, Arequipa might have the perfect attractions for you. This is the second-largest city of Peru and comprises the most visually striking colonial center in the country.
Also, the city is surrounded by three towering volcanoes that can be spotted nearly everywhere in Arequipa. Another great attraction near this city is the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world and you can visit this natural wonder just before heading to Puno.
The Colca Canyon offers the perfect setting for multi-day hikes and cultural experiences, two features that have made it popular among tourists. Our Colca Canyon 2-Day Tour will take you to this beautiful region while also staying in one of the most emblematic towns at the banks of the Colca river.
Puno
If you’ve been looking for special things to do in Peru, you surely have read about the highest navigable lake in the world. Well, Lake Titicaca is the main attraction in Puno since it holds a floating utopy called the Floating Islands of Uros, which hold one of the oldest Quechua-Aymara communities in Peru.
Puno is known as the Folkloric Capital of Peru because of its extensive cultural expression, where ancient traditions still play a role in the daily lives of its inhabitants, as well as catholic celebrations.
However, the best place to experience the authenticity of this region is Lake Titicaca, where you can not only visit the Uros Floating Islands but also the Taquile and Amantani. These two natural islands grant a complete immersion in the cultural expression of Puno and the awe-inspiring natural landscape of the lake.
If you’re looking for more places to visit in this beautiful region, check this blog about the best things to do in Puno. After this famous destination, it will be time to explore Cusco, and the perfect way to get there from Peru’s folkloric capital is by taking the Ruta del Sol.
Cusco
And just like that, you would have arrived in Cusco just after touring 5 unforgettable destinations in Southern Peru. As you may know, the Imperial City of the Incas holds an impressive old town with hybrid architecture, where the Inca and Colonial eras harmonically collide in one place.
There are so many things to do in Cusco that you’ll love to stay here for a long time. This region is not all about Machu Picchu since the Incas left a prevailing legacy in these lands that can’t be simply ignored.
Make sure to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas before heading to the Inca citadel and allow yourself to discover much more of our heritage!
This is one of the most popular ways to uniquely explore Peru, and though you may think this itinerary would be very long, you can actually complete it in 8 to 15 days, depending on what you’d like to do in between before getting to Cusco. For more information, check our Discovering Southern Peru travel package.
Planning a short stay? Check this alternative!
For those planning a trip no longer than a week, here we have gathered some recommendations to help you get to Cusco and experience the best of it without having to cross the entire country.
Cusco is an outstanding travel destination and we won’t stop highlighting it. There are so many things to do in this region that one week or less could be just enough to experience a bit of our history and cultural expression.
In this case, we would advise to take a flight to Cusco from Lima since it will be the quickest way to get there. That way, you’ll have plenty of time for exploring the region without missing any detail of it. Here we have gathered some attractions to help you plan the best itinerary:
Take the Archeological City Tour
For those who didn’t know, Cusco city is surrounded by impressive archeological sites that once served as administrative, ceremonial and defensive centers. The Cusco Archeological City Tour is a half-day tour that takes you to four ancient settlements of great importance to Inca culture.
Here you’ll get to understand even more about this powerful pre-columbian empire, as well as exploring the natural authenticity that surrounds the city of Cusco.
Visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Also known as the Urubamba Valley, it comprises some of the most impressive archeological sites at the outskirts of Cusco. These Inca ruins were used for many purposes since the Inca people established on these lands to take advantage of these flourishing valleys.
Each structure is located in the most remote locations of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, surrounded by greenish valleys and towering snow-capped peaks. Besides, you can combine this tour with the train to Aguas Calientes so you can sleep over this magical town in the middle of the cloud forest.
Discover the Machu Picchu Citadel
If you’re visiting Peru, you are definitely going to the Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Remember that there are different ways to reach this ancient citadel, but since you’d be looking for time efficiency it would be best if you take the train all the way to Aguas Calientes.
Machu Picchu is undeniably beautiful, and trust us, you won’t like to miss it during your trip! Here’s a blog just in case you’d like to know about when is the best time to visit it.
Hike all the way to the Rainbow Mountain
If you were thinking that you were missing some excitement on your itinerary, you can easily take the Rainbow Mountain Trek, which will take you to an otherworldly scenery in the Vilcanota mountain range.
Keep in mind that the Rainbow Mountain is located at 5,200 meters above sea level, which is why it would be best if you leave it for the end of the trip. The altitude should not be underestimated, so take your time to properly acclimate before committing to any physically demanding activity.
Visiting all of these attractions would take you at least 7 days, but you can easily take a 5-day itinerary through Cusco and still see the main attractions in it. Please check our Peru travel packages for more information.
As you can see, getting to Cusco is not only about the type of transport you’ll take, but the experience you would like to have. There are so many things to do in Peru besides Machu Picchu and we’d love to show you around! Make sure to know everything about our country so you can have the best travel experience.