1.- OVERVIEW OF CUSCO
Cusco is one of the most beautiful cities that exist in the world, besides being the most emblematic of all Latin America. In many ways, Cusco is the historical and cultural heart of Peru. The ancient capital of the Inca empire is full of history, mysticism and of course an incredible pride for the cultural diversity that has existed since pre-Columbian times. Located on the southeastern side of the country is the city of Cusco at more than 3400 meters above sea level, one of the cities with the greatest cultural legacy in the world where culture lives through all the people who inhabit it.
The altitude of the city is quite considerable and in many cases represents a great challenge for travelers arriving here for the first time, in fact when you have in mind to enjoy a short experience that can only last about 3 days in Cusco is even greater because they feel the symptoms of altitude sickness that can be represented in lack of oxygen, headache, nausea. For this it is important that you adapt your body properly however this is something really complicated to have a 3 Days in Cusco itinerary, since all activities are somewhat tight in terms of schedules for this reason the best alternative is that in advance you can prepare yourself physically and when you arrive in Cusco you can have a comfortable experience.
| “The journey is the destination.” |
2.- WHAT TO DO IN CUSCO IN 3 DAYS?
The city of Cusco is an incredible destination because it has an alternative activity for every taste, for example if you are passionate about hiking you can opt for 1 day versions such as Rainbow Mountain or the Humantay Lagoon, on the other hand you also have the alternative of visits to nature and history where you can immerse yourself in unique places like Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Maras Moray and many other archaeological sites. Besides that the city is also a perfect place to relax where you can disconnect from the world, there are many testimonies of world travelers who say that even with a short trip of 3 days in Cusco, the visit was unforgettable, as it has options of luxury accommodations, spiritual retreat centers and even ecological lodges where the connection with nature will be incredible. There is no doubt that even if you only have a short time of 3 Days in Cusco, the city can adapt to your needs and provide you with an unforgettable adventure.
3.- HOW TO PROPERLY DELIGHT 3 DAYS IN CUSCO
3.1.- Day 01: Tour the city and discover its secrets
During the first day of the 3 Days in Cusco you can take it easy, knowing essentially what the city has to offer. The day starts at the hotel where you chose to spend the night before, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast without the unmissable coca tea, it will help you a lot to have energy during the day, this is also a super secret to adapt your body more easily to the altitude. You can use the day to start touring the beautiful streets that are in the main square and surroundings although there is always a greater preference to visit the neighborhood of San Blas which is one of the best kept ancestral essences of the city. You can also use the day to visit emblematic places such as the famous traditional market of San Pedro, the San Francisco square or visit some of the popular viewpoints of San Cristobal and San Blas.
- City Tour
Having only 3 days in Cusco it is important to have planned visits for this reason it is ideal that you have in mind to enjoy the City Tour, an activity that allows you to know the main places of the city as the Main Square where the cathedral is located, then the temple of the sun or Qoricancha which was considered the most important place during the Inca culture, With the passing of the hours a transport allows you to reach the upper part of Cusco where you will know archaeological centers of great importance as Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay that represented historical places where multiple activities were carried out in favor of the prosperity of the Inca culture. This activity can be contracted directly with a travel agency that includes everything or you can also do it on your own, in both cases you will enjoy an incredible visit, in this way ends the first day of the 3 Days in Cusco.
3.2.- Day 02: A good time to leave Cusco
Having only 3 Days in Cusco it is important that the second day is used to know some of the places near Cusco and at the same time the most important for you, here the orientation or preferences will be key to choose. Some of the best options you can find for this day are:
- Traditional Sacred Valley
One of the most appreciated and emblematic tourist destinations during your visit to the city of Cusco, in fact it is the official access route to reach the Inca city of Machu Picchu. By choosing it as your destination during your 3 Days in Cusco stay you will be able to visit magical and traditional villages that maintain their traditions in an authentic and lively way through the people who live in the place and still elaborate products in ancestral ways such as textiles, ceramics and jewelry made of silver or gold. On your way you can visit places like Pisaq, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.
- Moray Maras
The famous salt ponds in Maras and the circular terraces of Moray are a very popular destination among world travelers, at least for those who seek to show off their trip on social networks due to the natural beauty that both destinations have become a very frequently visited attraction throughout the year. Each one has its particularity in which it is distinguished both now and in the past, starting from the fact that for the Inca culture there was no currency, but the barter system and for this salt was used as a highly valued resource of exchange. On the other hand, the terraces of Moray served as a point of experimentation and acclimatization for certain types of products in the different altitudinal levels that exist in the geography of the Andes.
- Rainbow Mountain
Considered as one of the most remote places in the Cusco region, as well as being one of the highest, the rainbow mountain is considered as the highest elevation natural destination that you can delight during your 3 Days in Cusco trip. With 5200 masl it represents a new challenge that you must complete, naturally having only 3 Days in Cusco is a very short time so if you choose to visit this destination it is important that you prepare yourself physically in advance by taking short walks of 20 to 30 minutes daily which allows the body to adapt to the long walks, also being well hydrated is a great alternative. Take into consideration that due to the distance of this destination it takes all day to visit, so don’t plan anything extra.
- Humantay Lagoon
Just like the rainbow mountain, this natural destination also has a particular charm and it is possible to visit it even if you only have time during 3 Days in Cusco. It takes 1 full day to visit it from Cusco and the most incredible thing about the experience is that it is located at the base of the snow-capped Salkantay mountain so it becomes an icy challenge that you can overcome without much trouble because the road has been adapted so that travelers can get there without problems. It is a great opportunity to disconnect from the world and immerse yourself in nature and Andean culture.
- Machu Picchu
Known as the wonder of the world, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is the ideal destination to visit during your 3 day trip in Cusco. To get here you need to take different types of transportation but it is possible to do it during 1 day without any problem, you can also appreciate a different aspect of the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba Valley. You can enjoy a unique tour on one of the exclusive trains until you reach the village at the base of the mountain, also called Aguas Calientes. Then you continue by bus to the top of the mountain where after a brief security check you can access the Inca citadel made of stone, ascending first to the top of the mountain becomes a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Andes and from where you can get an incredible panoramic photo. Undoubtedly your 3 day trip in Cusco will not be complete if you do not get to visit this place.
At the end of any of the options you return to Cusco where you can spend the night safely in one of the hotels of your choice, of course it is also ideal to live the experience of the Cusco night which is another incredible activity that you can not miss.
3.3.- Day 03: Immerse yourself in the Andean tradition
For the last day of your 3 Days in Cusco experience you can take advantage of the time to immerse yourself in a closer way in the Andean tradition and culture, this is possible with short activities that do not involve a lot of time but a great connection with the Andean cosmogony.
- Walking Tour
This is the most traditional way to get to know the city, in fact the intention is to appreciate the history that has been captured in all the streets surrounding the city, from the vibrant main square to the beautiful viewpoints of San Blas and San Cristobal. This experience is unique and quite easy to do, however it is always recommended to do it with a tour guide who will take you step by step through time to discover all the incredible history that is hidden in this place.
- Cooking Class
A different way to appreciate and taste the delicious Andean gastronomy, the experience begins with a brief visit to the nearest local market or the popular San Pedro where you will learn about the origin of many ingredients that give a unique flavor to the food, then you will go to the elaboration center where the magic begins and you can prepare a local dish with your own hands as well as a cocktail that is the icon of Peru, the Pisco Sour, finally you will taste the food and you will have some free time.
- Enjoying festivals
During the year there are several special moments in which certain activities and festivals are celebrated in Cusco in full view of all visitors, from religious aspects to other more cultural is always a great opportunity to know and participate in them as they are free in many cases, the best guide for this will always be your travel agent who can recommend some activities before choosing the date of travel.
- Culinary experience
To tour the main centers of traditional food is also an incredible activity that you can do during your 3 Days in Cusco trip, among these it is recommended not only to visit the tourist restaurants but also the destinations that are more classic like picanterias and local restaurants, even the San Pedro market itself becomes a great place to delight your palate with new and unique flavors.
4.- AN INTERESTING HISTORICAL FACT
“During the time of the Inca culture, the city of Cusco was a sacred city where only the people chosen by the Inca ruler himself lived, it was not inhabited by many people. All the population lived in the surroundings, that is why during the arrival of the Spaniards it was so easy to access, Cusco was considered as Lameca, a place which was visited only once a year for the celebration of the feast of the sun today known as the Inti Raymi.”
5.- FAQs
- Is Cusco safe for tourists?
Yes, in fact Cusco is considered one of the safest cities for tourists in Peru. Being a small city it is quite busy with visitors throughout the year and very few incidents occur. Of course it is important to always be careful during your next 3 Days in Cusco trip. To start you should avoid going out at night to places far away from the historic center, always take care of your personal belongings and above all do not use street transportation, it is always better to use it through an application such as InDriver.
- How do I prevent altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness is something very common for first time visitors and even more so when you have a short time of only 3 days in Cusco. The most useful recommendation you can receive is to stay well hydrated, water allows your body to be permanently oxygenated, it is also ideal to avoid heavy meals with many condiments and of course coca tea.
- What is the best time of year to visit Cusco?
The best time to visit Cusco is undoubtedly during the dry season that occurs between May and October, during these months the weather is much more stable and you can perform multiple activities even if you have a short time of 3 Days in Cusco. This time of the year ensures that sudden rains are more scarce and as such outdoor experiences can be more fun and safe.
Although time is limited during 3 Days in Cusco, there is no limit to what you can see. Auri Peru can organize a truly optimized experience so that even with little time you can live the magic of the most important destinations in the city. Contact us now and together we will design the best experience of your life.
“The best views come after the hardest climbs.”
