1.- CUSCO TRAVEL TIPS BASED ON WEATHER, CROWDS AND FESTIVALS
Cusco is a city of a relatively temperate climate, with cold nights and sunny days. It is important to note that the weather in Cusco can change very quickly, as one evening sunshine can turn into torrential rain in the following morning. The temperatures range between 13°C (55.4°F) and 15°C (59°F).
Weather
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The dry season (April-October) is best for trekking Machu Picchu and outdoor activities in the Sacred Valley. The coldest months are June to August.
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Rainy season (November-March): There’s a higher chance of rain in the afternoon. Clouds may obscure Machu Picchu views occasionally. Landslides can close the Inca Trail in February.
Crowds & Prices
- High Season (June-August): 200,000+ visitors per month drawn by dry weather. Higher prices for hotels, flights, and tours. Book 4-6 months in advance.
- Low Season (Nov-March): Ideal mix of good weather with far fewer tourists than peak months. Hotel prices 20-30% cheaper. Attractions less crowded but heavy rain possible.
Auri’s visitors in Machu Picchu
Key Events & Festivals
- January
January 1st: New Year’s Da
- February
Third Sunday of February: Carnivals
- March
Holy Week (variable dates): Religious processions, Señor de los Temblores (Lord of Tremors)
- June
June 24: Inti Raymi – representation of the Inca ceremony to the Sun.
The sun feast in Cusco during the month of June: Inti Raymi
- July
July 28th: Fiestas Patrias, parades for National Festivities.
- August
August 1st: Pachamama’s day
- December
December 24: Santurantikuy, Christmas fair in Plaza de Armas of Cusco.
Christmas in Cusco Peru
2.- STAY IN A PROPERTY BOUTIQUE
Cusco offers a number of boutique luxury accommodations for travelers seeking a unique and personalized experience. These hotels typically feature smaller, more intimate settings and a high level of attention to detail, with each room individually designed and decorated. Many of the city’s hotels are housed in beautifully restored colonial buildings and offer stunning views of the city and surrounding Andean mountains. Though there are a plethora of properties to choose from, we’ve included some of our favorites below:
Inkaterra La Casona
Exploring the Peruvian Andes in high luxury style and in the most sustainable way is more attainable than ever before with a stay at Inkaterra La Casona, Cusco’s first boutique hotel built in the 16th Century – which is leading the way for sustainable travel in Peru. La Casona has just 11 carefully designed suites, which keeps the space intimate Each suite is complete with heavy carved wooden doors, a stone fireplace, heated floors, and an extra large bathtub for travelers to soak and relax in.
Palacio Del Inka
Considered a historic landmark, Palacio del Inka is a five-centuries-old mansion located in the heart of downtown Cusco. The luxury hotel’s unique & captivating design embraces historical aspects of our Peruvian culture while maintaining world-class luxury and modern conveniences. Indulge in a delectable meal at Inti Raymi, the hotel’s on-site restaurant serving an array of epicurean cuisine, or enjoy a selection of wines curated by their Master Sommelier. Harmonize your body and soul with a signature treatment or massage at the hotel’s luxurious Andes Spirit Spa.
Casa Cartagena
Casa Cartagena is a luxury hotel in Cusco, located in the heart of the city. The building has been recognized by UNESCO as a protected site. An intimate refuge consisting of only sixteen ample and homely suites which combine to perfection modern and ancient, luxurious and historical. The carefully crafted 12 exclusive suites provide privacy and luxury to guests. Guests can also enjoy an on-site restaurant and a gourmet breakfast buffet before exploring Cusco and the surrounding areas each morning.
Casa Cartagena hotel in Cusco
Hotel Aranwa
The elegant five-star Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel is housed in a converted 16th-century mansion, located just 2 blocks from Plaza de Armas, adjacent to Plaza San Francisco. Featuring colonial gold leaf-plated carvings and sculptures and colonial furnishings on the inside, the exterior is just as outstanding, with one of the best-preserved facades in Cusco. There is also a wellness spa with a variety of treatments, from massages and saunas to steam rooms and hair salons. All this in very easy reach of all the main attractions of Cusco.
Tambo del Inka, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
You can escape to a luxurious and mystical journey like no other at Tambo del Inka, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. This beautiful hotel is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas and stands as a contemporary gateway to the enormous cultural richness of the Cusco region.
It is the only hotel in Urubamba with a private train station to Machu Picchu.
It offers elegantly designed rooms or suites with fascinating views of the Andes Mountains and the Urubamba River from private balconies.
You can savor the refined gastronomic options available in the hotel’s restaurants, as well as organic ingredients and 100% local products.
Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba
Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba is a contemporary hacienda-style hotel also located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
It can be said that it is immersed in the countryside in a beautiful area and spreads over some 100 hectares surrounded by towering green mountains.
Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba
Palacio Nazarenas
This hotel belongs to the Belmond hotel group It has colonial architecture, many consider it one of the best luxury hotels. It was formerly a palace and a beaterio. Today, guests can stroll through the courtyard of what was once the cloister and observe the walls of ancient Inca stones and its ancient fountain, located in the center.
Facilities include a fabulous spa, the city’s first outdoor infinity-edge pool, a secret garden and bold cuisine from top Peruvian chefs. It has only 55 suites.
JW Marriott Hotel
The JW Marriott Hotel Cusco is situated in the historic center. The five-star hotel offers easy access to major attractions including Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and the city center, as well as modern luxury combined with Inca and Spanish colonial architecture.
In addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of a 16th-century colonial convent, the hotel exhibits archaeological artifacts from various periods. Guests may take a guided tour of the convent and view Peruvian artifacts in two exhibition rooms.
JW Marriott Cusco offers rooms with Wi-Fi, LCD televisions, and oxygen systems to assist in the process of acclimatizing to the altitude. The hotel offers a restaurant serving excellent Peruvian cuisine, a bar, a spa with a relaxation pool, sauna, and 134 square meters of meeting space.
3.- TRAVEL IN STYLE
You’ve made it to Peru! Now it’s time to sit back, relax and travel through this incredibly magical part of the world in absolute style and comfort – on a luxury train through the most breathtaking region of the Andes Mountains.
- The Belmond Andean Explorer is a luxury sleeper train that connects Cusco, Puno, and Arequipa on 2-3 night journeys across Peru’s high Andean plains. With only 40 passengers, it provides an intimate, upscale travel experience including fine dining, an observatory car, spa, and excursions at destinations. A highlight is reaching 15,000 feet in altitude at La Raya mountain pass.
Andean Explorer train in the high Andes
- The Private Machu Picchu train by Inca Rail is an exclusive charter service from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu. With seating for just 8 people, it offers premium amenities like welcome champagne, live music, open-air balcony, and a private bus to the citadel entrance.
- The Hiram Bingham train by Peru Rail is one of the most luxurious ways to travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu, named for the explorer who rediscovered the Inca citadel. Its 1920s elegant decor, onboard entertainment, observatory car, and gourmet meals create a one-of-a-kind Machu Picchu experience. The 1.5 hour ride from Ollantaytambo or 3.5 hours from Cusco allows passengers to soak in the incredible scenery of the Sacred Valley in style.
4.- IMMERSE YOURSELF IN ANDEAN CULTURE
An important aspect of Cusco’s Andean culture is the combination of ancient Inca traditions and Spanish colonial influences, exemplified by colorful festivals, traditional handicrafts, religious and architectural syncretism, as well as a deep connection to the land and nature.
The experience of Andean culture is an important part of any visit to Cusco. Experience traditional Andean cuisine and handicrafts at local markets such as San Pedro Market and Pisac Market or take part in traditional festivals such as Inti Raymi (festival of the sun), the pilgrimage to the shrine of Lord Qoyllur Riti or Corpus Christi during Holy Week.
For a more immersive experience, participate in a traditional Andean ceremony, such as an offering to the Pachamama (Mother Earth) or the reading of the coca leaf, to learn more about Andean spiritual practices. You can also participate in a traditional medicine transformation such as Wachuma or Ayahuasca. You can also participate in a weaving or pottery workshop to learn traditional Andean handicraft techniques from local artisans.
Here are some tips for immersing yourself in the living Andean culture of Cusco:
- Visit Cuzco’s historic center to admire the Spanish colonial architecture built on Inca foundations. Pay attention to the 12-angled stone pattern characteristic of cyclopean Inca architecture on Hatunrumiyoc Street.
- Stop by the workshops of the San Blas neighborhood to see the city’s best artisans demonstrating ancient techniques in looms, handicrafts, goldsmithing or ornate pottery. You can even attend a workshop to create your own traditional crafts.}
- Discover colorful Andean products at the San Pedro market, such as purple corn and chuta bread, as well as authentic dishes such as cuy, ceviche, quinoa soup, and an Andean creamy soup.
- Inti Raymi is Cuzco’s celebration of the winter solstice on June 24, when elaborate Inca rituals will be performed outside Sacsayhuaman in celebration of the winter solstice.
- Take part in a day trip to hike and explore traditional Andean villages in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you can experience rural Andean village life, participate in agricultural activities, and witness locals dressed in vibrant traditional costumes in villages such as Misminay, Patacancha, Racchi.
- Understanding the traditions that continue to flourish in the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco is best understood by immersing yourself in the living culture of Cuzco. You will gain a thorough understanding of the Andean cosmovision by participating in hands-on activities, festivals, and spiritual rituals.
Overnight in the Skylodge
5.- SHOP FOR ARTISAN GOODS
Support local communities and artisans by purchasing their authentic looms, a meaningful souvenir to take home.
Artisan goods are an integral part of the cultural heritage of Cusco. From textiles and pottery to silver jewelry and wood carvings, the city is renowned for its rich tradition of handmade crafts. These goods are often made using techniques passed down through generations and reflect the unique artistic style of the Andean region.
Local artisans take great pride in their work, and visitors to Cusco can find a wide range of beautiful and high-quality handicrafts in markets and shops throughout the city. Buying artisan goods in Cusco not only supports the local economy and preserves cultural heritage but also provides an opportunity for cultural exchange and a deeper understanding of Andean culture and traditions. Visitors can engage with local artisans, learn about the creative process, and bring home meaningful and authentic souvenirs that serve as a lasting reminder of their time in Cusco.
6.- ENJOY ONCE IN A LIFETIME ACTIVITIES
The Valley of the Incas is a spectacular place in which you can walk through the Peruvian Andes and be amazed at every step that you take.
From helicopter rides over the Andes, to a hot air balloon hovering over the Sacred Valley to private cooking classes with award-winning Peruvian celebrity chefs, Cusco is a destination that offers a wide range of once-in-a-lifetime activities you won’t want to miss. Cusco is a destination that offers a wide range of once-in-a-lifetime activities that you won’t want to miss. You can also sleep at an altitude of over 700 meters in domes nestled in the Andes Mountains.
7.- USE CUSCO AS A GATEWAY CITY
Immerse yourself in the labyrinth within the lost city of the Incas.
Cusco is considered the gateway city to the rest of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu due to its central location and its status as a major transportation hub. From Cusco, visitors can easily access the many ancient Inca ruins, traditional Andean villages, and stunning natural landscapes that make up the Sacred Valley.
This includes popular destinations such as Ollantaytambo, Pisac, and Chinchero, which Auri Peru can arrange for you to visit via a private tour from Cusco. Visiting Machu Picchu is a must when in the region, and the train departs from Cusco and offers several options, including the luxurious Hiram Bingham train.
You’re planning on visiting one of the most memorable and breathtaking destinations in the world – so you want to do it right! If you’re seeking a high-end and personalized experience, let the team at Auri Peru create custom itineraries and personalized experiences for you with expert Cusco travel tips. With a focus on luxury accommodations, private tours, and exclusive experiences, Auri Peru guarantees personalization and attention to detail offered by a team of travel experts, who work closely with clients to create a tailor-made itinerary that meets their specific needs and preferences.
