Pairing Cusco with Machu Picchu is the classic Peru itinerary for good reason. Cusco was the Inca capital — the political heart of Tawantinsuyu — and Machu Picchu, a few hours north-west, was a royal estate that outlived the empire. Doing both gives you the big-picture history, not just the postcard.
Start in Cusco. Base yourself for two or three nights (the altitude needs a day or two to settle). The Plaza de Armas, the Qorikancha with its Inca walls under the colonial Santo Domingo convent, and the San Blas district above the city are the obvious moves. The San Pedro market is where most travellers eat.
From Cusco, head out to Ollantaytambo and catch the train through the Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes. From there the Consettur shuttle climbs to the citadel. Allow a full day — Circuit 2 covers the main viewpoints, the Temple of the Sun and the urban sector.
Peruways packages Cusco and Machu Picchu end-to-end: hotel, transfer, train, shuttle, entry and a certified guide at the citadel.
Set up the trip at Explore More.
