Magical & Hidden Cusco
Uncover Cusco beyond its monuments, exploring legends, hidden streets and Inca-era stories before ending with traditional dishes and chicha at a classic picantería—an intimate look at the city’s living history.
Area
Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Type
Community & Culture
History
Who
Adults
Teens
Young Kids
Difficulty
Leisurely
Duration
Half Day
Cusco is celebrated for its baroque churches, Inca walls and terracotta rooftops, yet its greatest beauty lies in the stories woven through its streets. As the former heart of an empire, the city safeguards tales of love, betrayal, myth and mystery—narratives that exist somewhere between history and legend.
This experience explores emblematic squares, finely preserved Inca buildings and narrow lanes with evocative names such as Seven Snakes, Rainbow and Purgatory. The journey concludes at a traditional picantería, where classic popular dishes are served alongside chicha, offering a taste of everyday Cusco.
Far removed from a conventional city tour, this is an intimate introduction to Cusco’s living history, revealing the human stories that have shaped the city from Inca times through the republican era.
Recommended Hotels Nearby
A selection of luxury hotel options in the area, handpicked and recommended by our travel specialists.
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View AccommodationCasa Clara
A quietly restored 18th-century colonial mansion on the Plaza Nazarenas in Cusco — Casa Clara offers a curated blend of heritage architecture, boutique intimacy, refined comfort and effortless access to the city’s historic heart.
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View Accommodation
Hotel Sol y Luna
Set amidst the Sacred Valley’s rolling hills, Hotel Sol y Luna blends Andean heritage with contemporary luxury, offering a serene retreat.
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View AccommodationTambo Del Inka Resort & Spa
A luxury retreat in Peru’s Sacred Valley, Tambo del Inka offers elegant rooms, exceptional spa facilities and refined local cuisine, set beside the Urubamba River and perfectly placed for exploring Machu Picchu and the Andes.
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View AccommodationExplora Valle Sagrado
Discover Explora Valle Sagrado, a luxury lodge set in Peru’s Sacred Valley, offering immersive excursions, contemporary comfort, and curated Andean experiences for discerning travellers seeking adventure and exclusivity.
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View AccommodationRio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel
Nestled along the Urubamba River in Peru’s Sacred Valley, Rio Sagrado offers contemporary luxury, serene riverfront views, and immersive Andean experiences.
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View AccommodationInkaterra Hacienda Urubamba
Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba — a refined 5-star hacienda in Peru’s Sacred Valley — offers 36 stylish rooms and casitas, an organic estate kitchen, spa sanctuary, and sweeping mountain views for a serene, soul-soothing Andean escape.
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View AccommodationPalacio Nazarenas, A Belmond Hotel
A former Incan palace transformed into Cusco’s most exclusive sanctuary, Palacio Nazarenas blends timeless heritage with contemporary luxury—an intimate retreat curated to perfection.
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View AccommodationMonasterio, A Belmond Hotel
Belmond Monasterio — former 16th-century monastery turned refined hotel at the heart of Cusco — offers 117 historic rooms, a cloistered courtyard under a 300-year-old cedar, colonial-chapel splendour and effortless access to the city’s soul.
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View AccommodationJW Marriott El Convento Cusco
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco — a restored 16th-century convent beside the Plaza de Armas — blends colonial grandeur, 153 oxygen-enriched rooms, a spa, curated Inca-era artefacts and gateway access to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
More Experiences in This Area
Discover more things to do in the area and chat to our specialists about crafting these experiences into your tailor-made holiday.
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View ExperienceMil Immersion Experience
Explore Moray’s landscapes, history, and ingredients through ruins, farms, and local traditions, culminating in tastings of unique spirits and an exquisite eight-course menu at MIL.
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View ExperiencePachamanca Lunch at Piuray Lagoon
A traditional Pachamanca at Piuray lagoon, where food is cooked underground with hot stones. Take part in the ritual before enjoying a generous Andean feast with local produce, meats, desserts and drinks.
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View ExperienceVia Ferrata & Zip-Line Adventure
An award-winning via ferrata and zip-line experience high in Peru’s Sacred Valley, featuring a ladder-and-bridge ascent and a thrilling seven-line descent, with spectacular Andean views throughout.
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View ExperienceVisit the potato fields of Manuel Choqque
Step into the Peruvian highlands to meet Manuel Choqque, the visionary agronomist behind 300+ rare potatoes. Explore his mountain farm, taste vivid heirloom varieties, Oxalis wine and fiery uchucuta—ingredients coveted by the world’s greatest chefs.
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View ExperienceFarming experience in the community of Huayllafara
An immersive visit to Huayllafara in the Lamay Valley, where local farmers share ancestral agricultural knowledge, native crops and traditions, complemented by a seasonal lunch and insights into traditional textile artistry.
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View ExperienceGourmet Picnic Lunch in the Mountains
An outdoor gourmet dining experience in the Sacred Valley, combining refined Andean cuisine with spectacular natural surroundings of mountains, lakes and open landscapes for a relaxed yet exclusive experience.
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View ExperienceAndean Drinks: Traditional corn beer and microbreweries
Discover Cusco’s brewing heritage through traditional chicherías and modern microbreweries, sampling ancient chicha de jora alongside innovative craft beers made with local ingredients such as Sacred Valley quinoa.
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View ExperienceChinchero, Maras & Moray (optional hike)
Lose yourself in a fascinating private guided tour to the local village of Chinchero renowned for its archaeological site and colourful market (best on Sunday), the Inca terraces of Moray and the astounding salt pans of Maras.
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View ExperienceMachu Picchu Guided Tour with Lunch
Experience a full-day tour of Machu Picchu, starting with a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes. Enjoy a guided two-hour tour of the ancient ruins, followed by lunch before returning. Discover the wonder of this iconic site with ease.
Call us on 020 8682 5430 to start planning