Cusco, the former Inca capital, is the standard launch point for Machu Picchu. The route between the two cities takes in high-Andes scenery and a stack of history, which is why most Peru trips route through here.
Start with Cusco itself: colonial facades built on Inca walls, the Qorikancha temple, and the market scenes around San Pedro. From there the train to Machu Picchu runs along the Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley, with the Andes on either side.
At the citadel, the draw is the stonework and the setting: terraces, temples, and ridgeline views. A good guide pulls the pieces together into a story about how the Inca used the site.
Peruways handles guides, transport and itineraries end to end, which keeps the logistics from eating into the trip.
Plan your Cusco-to-Machu Picchu tour with Peruways.
