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Classic Day Tours

Cusco’s day trips offer diverse adventures, from exploring Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley to witnessing the vibrant markets of Pisac and the ancient terraces of Moray. Discover natural wonders like Rainbow Mountain or delve into history with tours to Maras Salt Mines and South Valley archaeological sites. These excursions promise a blend of cultural immersion and breathtaking landscapes within a day’s journey from Cusco.

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About Classic Day Tours

  • Cusco City Tour: Explore the archaeological capital of South America on a half-day tour. Visit the majestic Qoricancha and the four most important archaeological sites in the hills above Cusco—essential to understanding the city’s role in the Inca Empire.
  • Sacred Valley Tour: Discover the Sacred Valley between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Visit Moray, the Maras Salt Mines, ancient terraces, and traditional villages. This valley offers a milder climate and stunning landscapes. Only Orange Nation Peru includes all these sites in one tour!
  • Machu Picchu by Train: Enjoy a panoramic train ride through the scenic Vilcanota River Canyon, from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. Then take a shuttle up to the majestic Machu Picchu for an unforgettable guided visit.
  • 1-Day Inca Trail: Ideal for active travelers with limited time. Hike the final stretch of the famous Inca Trail, passing archaeological sites and lush scenery. Arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate and enjoy a guided tour of the citadel.
  • Rainbow Mountain: Take a short hike to one of Peru’s most unique landscapes. See colorful sandstone peaks, snow-capped mountains, herds of alpacas, and native wildlife—all in a single-day adventure from Cusco.
  • Rainbow Mountain + 7 Lakes of Ausangate: A multi-day trek to Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley, followed by a visit to seven vibrant lakes surrounded by glaciers. Camp under the stars and relax in natural hot springs amid high Andean peaks.
  • Chinchero, Moray & Salt Mines Tour: Visit the traditional town of Chinchero with its colonial church and local weavers’ market. Explore the circular terraces of Moray and the impressive Maras Salt Mines—perfect for a half-day trip from Cusco.
Our Tours

Tours in Classic Day Tours

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before your adventure begins.

The best time to visit Cusco is from May to October, during the dry season. Days are generally sunny and ideal for tours and treks, although nights can be cold. The rainy season, from November to April, brings greener landscapes and fewer crowds.

Most travelers stay in or near the Historic Center, around the Plaza de Armas, where you’ll find easy access to restaurants, museums, and travel agencies. For a more local and artistic atmosphere, San Blas offers charming guesthouses and beautiful views over the city.

Both areas are convenient for exploring Cusco on foot and offer plenty of accommodation options for different budgets.

Plan to stay for at least 3 to 4 days to explore Cusco and its surroundings. This gives you time to acclimatize to the altitude, visit nearby archaeological sites, and take a day trip to destinations such as the Sacred Valley or Machu Picchu.

If you plan to do a multi-day trek, consider extending your stay to allow enough time for acclimatization and preparation before starting your hike.

Cusco is generally safe and welcoming for visitors. As in any popular tourist destination, keep an eye on your belongings in busy areas and use registered taxis or reliable ride apps when traveling around at night.

The altitude can also be challenging for some travelers, so it is important to rest well during your first day in Cusco and stay hydrated. With basic precautions, Cusco is an easy and enjoyable city to explore.

The city center is compact and walkable, with most attractions located just a short stroll from one another. For longer distances or visits to nearby archaeological sites, taxis and ride apps are inexpensive and widely available.

Organized tours usually include transportation to major attractions such as Sacsayhuamán and the Sacred Valley, making it easy to explore destinations outside the city center.

Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport is located approximately 15 minutes from the city center, depending on traffic. The easiest way to reach your hotel is by taxi or a prearranged transfer, both of which are available outside the terminal.

Many hotels and tour operators can also organize airport pick-up services, providing a convenient option if you prefer to have your transportation arranged in advance.

Testimonials

What our travelers say

Discover why thousands of people around the world trust us to explore the best of Peru.

Jake Puppo
Jake Puppo 5 reseñas · 9 fotos

The Short Inca Trail with José was a once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable experience. In the days leading up to our trek, he was highly communicative and provided all the details we needed (packing lists, expectations, timing) so everything…

Hace 3 meses
Cynthia Sweeney
Cynthia Sweeney 5 reseñas · 18 fotos

After researching extensively, I chose a Peruvian travel company to guide our Sacred Valley adventure for my husband and I. We booked a full day beginning with Maras and Moray, Ollantaytambo, lunch and Pisac.…

Hace 2 meses
John Edwards
John Edwards 6 reseñas · 2 fotos

We did the Lares Trek with Orange Nation/ Sam's travel and would highly recommend it. Lares has far less tourists than the inca trail (we saw about 4 groups over the two days initial hike up to the 4800m high point). The views are…

Hace 3 semanas
Derek Juno
Derek Juno Local Guide · 9 reseñas · 21 fotos

I had extremely high expectations and they were blown away! Our guide Rolando was an absolute legend. You can tell he is looked up to by all the other guides in the industry. He speaks multiple languages, connects deeply with each hiker,…

Hace 5 meses
Georgia W
Georgia W 1 reseña · 6 fotos

Two of us did the 2 days Lares trek + 1 day Inca Trail, with a tour of Machu Picchu. We were blown away by the friendliness, knowledge, and kindness showed by both of our guides - Jorge and Carlos. We booked a group tour, but this ended up…

Hace 3 meses
Matt Downes
Matt Downes 1 reseña · 14 fotos

Me and my friend did the 4 day Inca trail with Sam travel Peru, our tour guide was Juan Carlos, he has been doing tours to matchu pichu for over 20 years and his knowledge and expertise was amazing. I would recommend to anyone to as for him…

Hace 5 meses
Grace Stansall Seiler
Grace Stansall Seiler 7 reseñas · 20 fotos

We did the 2 day Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Our guide was Ray and Michael. It was really great - Ray was amazing and was really passionate about the place and told us loads of amazing stories. We had the perfect weather and even the packed…

Hace 3 meses
Sangeet Anshuman
Sangeet Anshuman Local Guide · 49 reseñas · 59 fotos

Amazing trip across 3 days with Jose! A massive thanks and shout out to our guide, he enriched the entire experience with his massive background of history of the culture and the land…

Hace 5 meses
Dan Malmberg
Dan Malmberg Local Guide · 13 reseñas · 5 fotos

Me and my Wife did the 5 day Inca trail with Sam Travel in April 2026. Our guide Henry and the incredible team of Porters and our Chef made the trip one of a lifetime. I cannot say enough good things about this group as they went over and…

Hace 3 meses
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heitor g
heitor g Friends

We were short on time during our trip to Peru, so we decided to do the 1-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Everything was very well organised. We were collected from our hotel and taken to the train, where our journey to the trail began. The first part of the hike was a bit challenging, but it was absolutely worth it. The views of the mountains and the surrounding nature were breathtaking. Reaching the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu for the first time was incredible. After the tour, we were taken back by train and dropped off at our hotel. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone visiting Peru, especially if you're short on time but still want to experience the Inca Trail. I also highly recommend our guide, Antonio. He was brilliant, incredibly knowledgeable, and shared so much interesting information about Machu Picchu, its history, and the local flora throughout the trek. He also allowed us to take breaks whenever we needed them.

Written August 6, 2026
TzuYun H
TzuYun H Solo

I did the Rainbow Mountain tour, and I was the only one in the group who walked up the mountain. My guide Henry stayed with me the whole way, encouraging me and taking lots of photos along the trail. A truly great experience.

Written July 31, 2026
Leann Z
Leann Z Couples

We had an amazing time with Henry our guide on our trek to Rainbow Mountian. With an early pick we left Cusco for the long car ride to Rainbow mountain with a quick stop for breakfast. When we got there Henry helped us reserve horses (highly recommend) and we started towards the mountain. The terrain, snow capped mountains and sediment settlement are a treat to see but it is worth the 10 extra minutes to the top. Because we had the horses we were able to take a long time at the top to take in all of the beautiful wonders. Henry allowed us time to explore and gave us wonderful information about how this beautiful wonder was formed. We definitely got more than our money's worth out of this gem!

Written July 29, 2026
Shephali B
Shephali B

Carlos Estrada was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable and organized! Made our trip easy.

Written July 19, 2026
Vivek P
Vivek P

I had an amazing experience touring Sacred Valley and Machu Pichu with our tour guide, Carlos Estrada. He was quite helpful and knew a lot about everything. I recommend him and this tour!

Written July 19, 2026
Siu-Yun K
Siu-Yun K Couples

Had an awesome day out to Rainbow Mountain with our guide Cesar Siccos! He was full of encouragement and positive energy and we made it to the top! Thank you, Cesar!

Written July 16, 2026
bethejensen
bethejensen Solo

Following a great 2-day Inca Trail experience with SAM Travel, I signed up for the one-day Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley trek. Once again our group was small, just 4 people. Junior was our guide - he was friendly and knowledgeable. He seamlessly adjusted to our request for an earlier start time to beat the crowds, and also managed varying group member speeds / fitness levels well. Another positive experience with SAM Travel - highly recommend booking with them, especially if you are a solo traveler.

Written July 16, 2026
Jean-Charles v
Jean-Charles v Couples

Rainbow mountain hike provided for gorgeous views, bunch of alpaca. At up to 5000 meters it provided for a healthy challenge even if the profile does not look that impressive…. Our guide - Cesar Siccos - was with us the whole way and provided the necessary support to get over the challenge. Great day out.

Written July 15, 2026
Wanderer56297148501
Wanderer56297148501 Couples

My trip to the rainbow mountain with my tour guide Siccos was incredible. Siccos was very energetic and kept our spirits high. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone.

Written July 15, 2026
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