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Home/Destinations/Cusco/Cusco in 3 days
3 days · Cusco itinerary

Cusco in 3 Days: The Perfect Itinerary

Three days based in Cusco is enough to acclimatise, explore the Sacred Valley and visit Machu Picchu. Here is how to spend three perfect days in Cusco — with the best-rated tours to book and altitude tips.

At a glance

  1. 1Day 1: Cusco city & acclimatise
  2. 2Day 2: Sacred Valley
  3. 3Day 3: Machu Picchu
  4. 4Evening return to Cusco

Day 1: Cusco and acclimatising

Take it easy on arrival with a city tour of the Plaza de Armas, Qorikancha and Sacsayhuamán, and let your body adjust to the 3,400 m altitude.

Day 2: the Sacred Valley

Spend day two in the Sacred Valley at Pisac and Ollantaytambo (lower than Cusco), ending near the Machu Picchu train.

Day 3: Machu Picchu

Visit Machu Picchu by train and bus with a guided tour, returning to Cusco in the evening.

Book the experiences in this itinerary

Top-rated tours for exactly what this plan recommends in Cusco — prices per person.

Private Cusco City Tour with Sacsayhuaman & Inca Sites
Cusco
Private Cusco City Tour with Sacsayhuaman & Inca Sites
5.0(61)·4–5 hours
from$180/ person
via Viator
Sacred Valley Textile Workshop – Dyeing & Weaving in Cusco
Cusco
Sacred Valley Textile Workshop – Dyeing & Weaving in Cusco
5.0(99)·8 hours
from$149/ person
via Viator
Machu Picchu Full Day Tour
Cusco
Machu Picchu Full Day Tour
5.0(133)·14–15 hours
from$390/ person
via Viator
Cusco City Tour & Archeological Circuit
Cusco
Cusco City Tour & Archeological Circuit
5.0(35)·4 hours
from$50/ person
via Viator
Sacred Valley Zipline Pickup from Cusco, Urubamba or Ollanta
Cusco
Sacred Valley Zipline Pickup from Cusco, Urubamba or Ollanta
5.0(93)·4 hours
from$62/ person
via Viator
Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu from Cusco Full day
Cusco
Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu from Cusco Full day
5.0(74)·13 hours
from$469/ person
via Viator
Cusco City Private Tour
Cusco
Cusco City Private Tour
5.0(31)·4 hours
from$90/ person
via Viator
Cusco Sacred Valley and Machupicchu 4 Days
Cusco
Cusco Sacred Valley and Machupicchu 4 Days
5.0(88)·4 days
from$1,200/ person
via Viator

Cusco in 3 days — FAQ

Is 3 days enough for Cusco and Machu Picchu?
Yes — three days lets you acclimatise with a Cusco city tour, explore the Sacred Valley and visit Machu Picchu, at a sensible pace for the altitude.
Do I need to acclimatise in Cusco?
Yes — Cusco sits at about 3,400 m, so take the first day easy, drink plenty of water and coca tea, and do lower-altitude trips before high hikes.
What order should I do things in Cusco?
Start low and easy: Cusco city, then the Sacred Valley, then Machu Picchu, saving Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake for after you’ve adjusted.

Explore more in Cusco

Machu PicchuSacred ValleyRainbow MountainHumantay LakeCity ToursInca TrailDay Trips