Cusco · EVENING EXPERIENCES
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 11 evening experiences worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Start with a private Cusco walk led by guides such as Valentin or Kenny, then head to the family-run Planetarium Cusco for Inca sky lore and telescope viewing. Dinner, one Pisco Sour, hotel transfers, and about five hours are included, but planetarium entry costs extra.
“We really enjoyed this tour and especially the Planetarium. We recommend to change the restaurant.”
Travel from Cusco to Puno by overnight Peru Hop bus, then cruise Lake Titicaca to the Uros Islands, Amantani, and Llachon Peninsula with an English or Spanish guide. This is a one-day lake outing wrapped around two overnight bus rides, with lunch included and no hotel night.
“La guida e il trasporto niente da dire ma l‘escursione in generale é stata pessima. Non siamo andati a vedere la popolazione Uros ma siamo stati solamente su una mini isola e poi da lì in un’altra isola dove c’era soltanto un ristorante. Praticamente una gita per spendere soldi in souvenir. Di fronte a noi c’era il villaggio Uros che abbiamo visto soltanto da lontano. Terribile.”
Spend two demanding days above Cusco hiking from Quesiuno past Ausangate and Pukaqocha to Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley. You get a small group of up to 12, private transport, meals, camping gear, a guide, oxygen, poles, and luggage transport. Guide Marco is praised for his care, while the altitude demands preparation.
“Ausangate mountain and the rainbow mountain were both very impressive. Our tour guide, Marco, was great and the food was amazing”
Travel from Cusco to Puno by guided tourist bus, stopping at Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, La Raya, and Pukara. Sleep one night in Puno, then cruise Lake Titicaca to the Uros floating islands and Taquile before taking an overnight bus back to Cusco. Manuel is one guide praised for his care and clear help.
“Experience was incredible. Our guide, Manuel, was good. However, Viator was not good. Didn’t communicate with us about what to expect besides the basic events of the day. Forgot to pick us up at the bus station. Had to text to get inforRead more”
Travel from Cusco to Lake Titicaca by Peru Hop overnight bus, then visit the Uros reed islands, stay with a family on Amantani, and explore Llachon. A bilingual guide, boat transfers, Wi-Fi, and selected meals are included. Prepare for long waits, cold buses, and simple lodging.
“la actividad estuvo buena, hay que tener en consideración que es harto traslado nocturno, además considerar que el hostal donde te permiten quedarte para esperar el traslado es realmente cochino y malo, uno podía tomar desayuno en el lugar pero la verdad, es asqueroso, la señora que atendía se labava los dientes en la cocina donde prepararía el desayuno, peruhop debería considerar otro lugar para sus pasajeros, porque además es harto tiempo el que uno espera. pesimo el hostal, el tour a la isla está bueno, la familia que me tocó me encantó y bruno el guía muy preocupado por todos considerar que a pesar de que son varios días…”
Meet at your Cusco hotel at 6 pm for a four-hour evening with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Visit Cristo Blanco and San Cristobal, walk through San Blas and the main square, hear local legends, and finish with a Pisco Sour and appetizer.
“Our tour guide was very fun and knowledgeable about the city of Cusco. Took us to an awesome restaurant for a 3 course meal and we saw a live band and dancers during dinner. We did some walking around Cusco but our tour guide went very slow so it could be relaxing. A lot of the tour guides in Cusco are very nice, funny and can speak really good English.”
Spend six hours exploring Cusco after dark with a private guide, San Pedro Market tastings, a pisco sour in Plaza de Armas, dinner, and a Planetarium Cusco visit. Guides such as Sofia have helped with unexpected city problems, while the astronomy session explains Inca views of the southern sky.
“Thank you, Sofia, for your expertise and knowledge as you explained the areas we visited. I truly enjoyed the walking points around the town, the planetarium, and the dinner.”
Walk Cusco’s historic center and San Blas with a Spanish- or English-speaking guide, visit landmarks such as Hatun Rumiyuq Street and the Cathedral, make a Pisco Sour, and finish with a traditional dinner. Guides may include Jose, Jose Luis, or Alex.
“We did this our first night in Cusco and our guide was Jose. He was amazing! He took us to the Pisco Museum where we got to go behind the bar and made our own Pisco Sours. Jose is so knowledgable about Cusco and the history of the Inka civilization. He was so gracious and he offered us advice on the rest of our trip including our trek to Machu Picchu. If you go to Cusco you should definitely take a tour with Jose you will learn and see a lot of this amazing city. We would definitely go back and do another excursion with Jose and this company.”
Spend two busy days with an English or Spanish-speaking guide, visiting alpacas, Pisac, Moray, Maras, and Ollantaytambo before an early Machu Picchu visit. The small group holds up to 16 people, with trains, buses, hotels, entrance fees, lunch, and dinner included.
“Although i'm sure we could have paid less, it was well worth go. Our guide, Herbert Vidal, was very knowledgeable and explained more the more we asked. We didn't worry about anything, just enjoyed the Inca monumentos and ruins. The trips were confortable and the only lateness was on the train to Machupichu. We Will recomend this trip to our friends. The one thing that could be better would be us chosing the time of the train to and from Machupichu”
Travel from Cusco over Abra de Malaga to Santa Teresa and Hidroelectrica, then walk two hours to Aguas Calientes. After an early climb to Machu Picchu, enjoy a guided visit before returning by road. The small group has up to 15 people, with English or Spanish guiding.
Leave Cusco around noon in a private 4x4, ride to Pitumarca, then hike from 4,600 to 5,010 meters for sunset at Rainbow Mountain. Your guide provides poles, water, oxygen, lights, and a box lunch. Expect cold, thin air and a demanding two-hour outing.
Pick a citadel, a ridge or a kitchen.
