Trip to Cusco and Machu Picchu
Cusco is the historic capital of the Inca Empire at 3,400 metres altitude. Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuaman and the Sacred Valley are all within reach. Via Lima, about 16 hours travel from the Netherlands.
✈️ Plan your trip to Cusco →Updated on 26 August 2026
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
The dry season from May to October is ideal: blue skies, little rain and comfortable daytime temperatures (about 18 to 20 degrees). June, July and August are the driest and sunniest but also the busiest and most expensive, especially for Machu Picchu train tickets (book months in advance). May and September are the best overall: good weather, fewer crowds than July/August and lower prices for hotels and trains.
The rainy season from November to April offers lower prices and a lush, green Sacred Valley. Machu Picchu can actually be visited year-round, and January/February are the wettest months. Carnival in Cusco (February/March) is vibrant and spectacular.
Important: altitude sickness in Cusco
Altitude sickness (soroche) affects almost all visitors the first 24 to 48 hours: headache, fatigue, shortness of breath. This is normal at 3,400 metres. Remedy: rest, drink plenty of water, drink mate de coca (coca tea, mildly effective and freely available), eat light meals and avoid alcohol the first day. Consider going directly to Machu Picchu (2,430 metres, much lower!) on arrival and returning to Cusco once you have acclimatised.
Neighbourhoods in Cusco
- Plaza de Armas The historic heart of Cusco with the imposing cathedral (1654) and the La Compania de Jesus church. Inca walls are visible in the surrounding streets. The Plaza is the departure point for all excursions.
- San Blas The charming artisan quarter high above the Plaza with narrow stone lanes, local artist studios and the famous San Blas carved wooden pulpit in the church. The best boutique hotels and local restaurants are here.
- Sacsayhuaman Just outside the centre lie the impressive Inca ruins at 3,700 metres. The three-tiered zigzag walls of enormous stones are most spectacular at sunrise or sunset.
- San Pedro The market quarter around Mercado San Pedro: a local market with fresh produce, chicha (corn beer), street food and handicrafts at local prices.
- Centro Historico The UNESCO-listed historic centre with colonial churches built on Inca foundations, narrow cobbled streets and countless restaurants and cafes.
Top 5 things to do in Cusco and surroundings
- Machu Picchu day trip The iconic Inca citadel at 2,430 metres, 80 km west of Cusco. Train with Peru Rail or Inca Rail to Aguas Calientes (2 to 3 hours), then bus to the ruins. Book train tickets and entrance (about 35 euros) months in advance: the daily visitor limit is strict and popular time slots sell out far ahead.
- Sacsayhuaman The Inca fortress just above Cusco, reachable on foot in 20 minutes or by taxi (about 2 euros). Enormous zigzag terraces of stones up to 130 tonnes. Included in the Cusco boleto turistico (about 45 euros for 16 sites).
- Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) The original Inca Temple of the Sun, partially incorporated into the Dominican monastery of Santo Domingo. Entrance about 4 euros. The perfectly cut Inca stone walls have never cracked, even in earthquakes.
- Sacred Valley day trip The Holy Valley of the Incas: Pisac market (Tue/Thu/Sun), Ollantaytambo (impressive fortress, departure point for Machu Picchu train) and Chinchero (weaving village). Organised day trip about 25 euros; taxi about 50 euros.
- Moray and Maras salt pans Mysterious circular Inca terraces (Moray) and ancient salt pans (Maras) 1 hour from Cusco. A worthwhile detour on the way to Ollantaytambo, combinable in half a day.
Flights from the Netherlands to Cusco
Route: There is no direct flight from the Netherlands to Cusco (CUZ). The most logical route is KLM direct from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Lima (LIM) in about 12 hours 30 minutes, then a domestic flight with LATAM or SKY Airline from Lima to Cusco (CUZ) in about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Total travel time about 16 to 18 hours. Allow at least 3 to 4 hours transfer time at Lima Airport (Jorge Chavez): international and domestic sections are in the same building, but re-checking in and going through security takes time.
You can also plan a night in Lima and combine Cusco with Peru's capital city: Lima is worth visiting in its own right thanks to its world-famous gastronomy scene (Miraflores, Barranco, Maido, Astrid y Gaston). Read our Lima travel guide for more.
What does a trip to Cusco cost?
Cusco is relatively affordable for a South American destination outside of the flight costs. Local restaurants serve a menu ejecutivo (lunch with soup, main course and drink) for about 3 to 6 euros. Dinner at a tourist restaurant costs about 8 to 15 euros. A Cusquena beer costs about 1.50 to 2 euros.
Taxi within Cusco about 2 to 4 euros. Mototaxi (three-wheeler) about 1 euro. Boleto turistico (access to 16 sites around Cusco) about 45 euros. Train Lima-Aguas Calientes (for Machu Picchu) with PeruRail about 60 to 150 euros return depending on class and season.
Compare live prices for Cusco →Similar long-haul destinations
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Practical travel guides
Useful tips for your trip preparation:
Frequently asked questions about Cusco
How do I get from the Netherlands to Cusco?
There is no direct flight from the Netherlands to Cusco (CUZ). The best route is KLM direct from Amsterdam Schiphol to Lima (LIM) in about 12 hours 30, followed by a domestic flight Lima to Cusco with LATAM or SKY Airline in about 1 hour 15. Total travel time including transfer about 16 to 18 hours. Allow at least 3 to 4 hours transfer time at Lima Airport.
What does a trip to Cusco cost from the Netherlands?
Expect about 850 to 1,200 euros return for flights (Amsterdam to Lima, plus Lima to Cusco return). In Cusco itself costs are low: hostel about 12 to 25 euros per night, boutique hotel 50 to 100 euros, a menu ejecutivo (daily lunch) about 3 to 6 euros. Machu Picchu is the biggest extra expense: train Lima-Aguas Calientes return about 80 to 150 euros, bus to the ruins about 15 euros, entrance about 35 euros.
When is the best time to visit Cusco?
The dry season runs from May to October. June, July and August are dry and sunny but also the busiest and most expensive, especially for Machu Picchu (book train tickets months in advance). May and September are the best months: good weather, fewer tourists than July/August and lower prices. November to April is the rainy season with short heavy showers, but much greener landscapes.
What is altitude sickness and how do I prevent it in Cusco?
Cusco sits at 3,400 metres altitude. Almost all visitors feel the altitude the first day: headache, fatigue or mild nausea (soroche). Tips: rest 1 to 2 days after arrival, drink plenty of water, drink mate de coca (coca tea, mildly effective), eat lightly and avoid alcohol the first day. Consider going directly to Machu Picchu (2,430 metres, much lower!) if the altitude hits you hard.
How far in advance should I book Machu Picchu?
Book train tickets (PeruRail or Inca Rail) and the entrance to Machu Picchu as early as possible, ideally 3 to 6 months in advance. The daily visitor limit is strict and popular time slots fill up weeks in advance. Same-day booking in high season (June-August) is virtually impossible.
What are the best day trips from Cusco?
The Sacred Valley is the most popular day trip: visit Pisac market (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday), Ollantaytambo (Inca fortress and departure point for the Machu Picchu train) and Chinchero (weaving village). Sacsayhuaman, the huge Inca fortress just above Cusco, is a must. Others: Moray (mysterious circular terraces) and Maras salt pans (1 hour from Cusco).
Where do you want to stay in Cusco?
Hotels, hostels and guesthouses in Cusco on the map. Click a pin for live prices and direct booking.
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