2-Day Cusco Adventure: Incan Wonders Await

Author's Profile Picture

By Emma

May 7, 2024 · 2 min read

Cusco 2 Days Itinerary

Embark on a 2-day exploration of Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire, with a curated itinerary that promises a deep dive into the city's rich cultural heritage. Begin your journey at the intriguing Hatunrumiyoc, an art gallery and museum where you'll spend a brief 10 minutes marveling at the stonework. Next, step into the sacred Cusco Cathedral, a historic church that demands an hour of your time to appreciate its architectural grandeur. The Cuzco Main Square, a bustling hub of the city, awaits you for a 30-minute immersion into local life. Delve into the past at Museo Inka, a museum dedicated to Incan history, for an hour-long visit. Spend the afternoon at the Museo de Arte Precolombino (MAP), indulging in two hours of pre-Columbian art. Conclude your first day with the majestic Saqsaywaman, a historic site that showcases the Inca's architectural prowess for an hour. On day two, the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo of Guzmán invites you for a two-hour exploration of its religious art and architecture. Follow this with a visit to Qorikancha, a historic site that was once the most important temple in the Inca Empire, dedicating an hour to its splendor. Finally, enrich your cultural experience at the Traditional Textile Center of Cusco, where two hours will be well spent understanding the art of Andean textiles. This 2-day itinerary is designed to ensure you capture the essence of Cusco's timeless allure.

Top 6 Hotels in Cusco
TOP 1
Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco
Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco
hotelStar
5/5
78 reviews
View Hotel Info
TOP 2
Hilton Garden Inn Cusco
Hilton Garden Inn Cusco
hotelStar
4/5
124 reviews
View Hotel Info
TOP 3
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco
hotelStar
5/5
100 reviews
View Hotel Info
Sonesta Hotel Cusco
Sonesta Hotel Cusco
hotelStar
4/5
109 reviews
View Hotel Info
Motto by Hilton Cusco
Motto by Hilton Cusco
hotelStar
2/5
26 reviews
View Hotel Info
Abittare Hotel
Abittare Hotel
hotelStar
3/5
46 reviews
View Hotel Info

2 Days in Cusco Itinerary: Day 1

1

Hatunrumiyoc

arrow-image

Begin your Cusco adventure with a brief yet enriching visit to Hatunrumiyoc, an art gallery and museum nestled in the heart of the city. This cultural gem, known for its ancient stone walls with the famous 12-angled stone, offers a glimpse into the architectural prowess of the Incas. A mere 10-minute stop here sets the tone for a day steeped in history and artistry.

Attraction Info

  • Hatunrumiyoc, Cusco, Peru
  • Suggested tour duration: 10-20 minutes
  • Open 24 hours

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Limo
Limo
4.8/5 · 4 reviews
0.2 km from attraction
La Bodega 138
La Bodega 138
4/5 · 1 review
0.1 km from attraction
Uchu Peruvian Steakhouse
Uchu Peruvian Steakhouse
5/5 · 1 review
0.1 km from attraction
Nuna Raymi
Nuna Raymi
5/5 · 2 reviews
0.1 km from attraction
Qespi Restaurant & Bar
Qespi Restaurant & Bar
5/5 · 1 review
0.1 km from attraction
Incanto
Incanto
4.7/5 · 3 reviews
0.2 km from attraction
4 min,0.31 km
2

Cusco Cathedral

arrow-image

As the morning unfolds, step into the sacred ambiance of the Cusco Cathedral. This architectural marvel, a cornerstone of the city's rich religious heritage, demands attention with its blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. Spend an hour marveling at the intricate artwork and historical relics that adorn the interiors of this historic site.

Attraction Info

  • Cusco 08002, Peru
  • Suggested tour duration: 1 hour
  • Open from 6:00am-8:00pm
7 min,0.49 km
3

Cuzco Main Square

arrow-image

Next, let the vibrant energy of the Cuzco Main Square envelop you. A leisurely 30-minute stroll through this bustling square not only connects you with the city's contemporary pulse but also allows you to absorb the scenic beauty and social tapestry that makes Cusco so unique.

Attraction Info

  • Cusco, Peru
  • Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour
  • Open 24 hours
7 min,0.47 km
4

Museo Inka

arrow-image

Continue your cultural exploration with a visit to Museo Inka, an essential stop for history enthusiasts. Dedicate an hour to wander through collections that showcase the grandeur of the Incan civilization, with artifacts that narrate the stories of a bygone era right in the heart of Cuzco.

Attraction Info

  • Coffin, Cuzco, Peru
  • Suggested tour duration: 1 hour
  • Open on Mon-Fri,9:15am-4:00pm
2 min,0.15 km
5

Museo de Arte Precolombino(MAP)

arrow-image

Deepen your appreciation for Andean art at the Museo de Arte Precolombino (MAP), where two hours will fly by as you engage with the artistic expressions from pre-Columbian times. This museum, housed in a colonial mansion, presents a curated selection of ancient artworks, offering insights into the creative minds of the region's ancestors.

Attraction Info

  • Cuesta del Almirante 340, Cusco
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open from 8:00am-10:00pm
28 min,1.33 km
6

Saqsaywaman

arrow-image

Conclude your day with the majestic Saqsaywaman, a testament to Incan engineering and ceremonial might. Spend an hour wandering through this expansive complex of ruins, which stands as a silent guardian over Cusco, offering panoramic views and a profound connection to the city's ancient past.

Attraction Info

  • Cusco 08002, Peru
  • Suggested tour duration: 1 hour
  • Open from 7:00am-5:30pm
4/51 Reviews
4/5Very Good1 Reviews
Cusco
|0.33km from Saqsaywaman
4.2/512 Reviews
4.2/5Very Good12 Reviews
Cusco
|0.33km from Saqsaywaman

2 Days in Cusco Itinerary: Day 2

1

Qorikancha

arrow-image

Begin your second day in Cusco with a serene visit to the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo of Guzmán, a testament to the city's colonial architecture and religious heritage. Nestled at Ahuacpinta 659-A, this church stands as a beacon of tranquility amidst the bustling streets. Spend a couple of hours marveling at the intricate artwork and the harmonious blend of Catholic and Andean beliefs that permeate the atmosphere within its ancient walls.

Attraction Info

  • Ahuacpinta 659-A, Cusco 08002, Peru
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open from 6:00am-5:30pm

Recommended Nearby Restaurants

Limo
Limo
4.8/5 · 4 reviews
0.6 km from attraction
Three Monkeys Coffee Company
Three Monkeys Coffee Company
/5 · 0 reviews
0.3 km from attraction
Qespi Restaurant & Bar
Qespi Restaurant & Bar
5/5 · 1 review
0.4 km from attraction
La Bodega 138
La Bodega 138
4/5 · 1 review
0.4 km from attraction
Incanto
Incanto
4.7/5 · 3 reviews
0.4 km from attraction
Nuna Raymi
Nuna Raymi
5/5 · 2 reviews
0.4 km from attraction
0.03 km
2

Qorikancha

arrow-image

Just a short walk from the church, immerse yourself in the rich history of Qorikancha, the revered Inca temple that once stood as the empire's most sacred site. Located at Santo Domingo s

, this historic site offers a glimpse into the Inca civilization's past glory and the Spanish conquest's impact. Dedicate an hour to wander through the remnants of this temple, where the sun's golden rays once illuminated the opulent corridors, and feel the weight of centuries under your feet.

Attraction Info

  • Santo Domingo s/n, Cusco 08000, Peru
  • Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
  • Open on Mon-Sat,8:30am-5:30pm;Closed on Sun
4 min,0.34 km
3

Traditional Textile Center of Cusco

arrow-image

Conclude your cultural journey at the Traditional Textile Center of Cusco, a vibrant museum dedicated to preserving the ancient art of Andean weaving. Situated on Avenida el Sol, this center not only showcases exquisite textiles but also provides insight into the meticulous process of creating these colorful masterpieces. Allocate two hours to appreciate the skill and creativity of local artisans, and perhaps take home a piece of Cusco's living heritage.

Attraction Info

  • Avenida el Sol, Cusco, Peru
  • Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
  • Open on Sat,9:00am-5:00pm;Open on Mon-Fri,8:00am-6:00pm
4.3/531 Reviews
4.3/5Excellent31 Reviews
Cusco
|0.02km from Traditional Textile Center of Cusco
4.6/536 Reviews
4.6/5Outstanding36 Reviews
Cusco
|0.03km from Traditional Textile Center of Cusco

Top Things to Do in Cusco-2024

TOP 1
Cusco Cathedral
Cusco Cathedral
4.6/5 · 38 review
Highlights:
A very eye-catching building in the east of the Plaza de Armas is the Cuzco Cathedral of Cusco. It is a very typical example of colonial rulers promoting the Catholic faith to the local indigenous people. The church has been damaged to varying degrees in four major earthquakes over the past 400 years, but all survived. The Cathedral is a very outstanding colonial building in Cusco, where you can see the high level of European painting style in the 17th century. Not to be missed is "The Last Supper" (The Last Supper) in the northeast corner of the church. The painter Marcos Zapata has made a "localized" modification of this famous work - a guinea pig is placed on a plate in front of Jesus.
View More
TOP 2
Saqsaywaman
Saqsaywaman
4.5/5 · 35 review
Highlights:
This huge stone circle overlooks the city of Cusco. Like other typical Inca buildings, the Incas did not use any reinforced concrete. They used exquisite stone grinding technology to grind the large stones into specific shapes, and then put them together tightly. The stone circles that tourists see now are only a small part of the original ones. Today Sacsayhuaman is not only a must-see attraction for tourists to Cusco, but the highlight of IntiRaymi, the grand festival of the sun at the end of June every year, is held here.
View More
TOP 3
Qorikancha
Qorikancha
4.5/5 · 23 review
Highlights:
The Temple of the Sun is a sacred place in the Inca Empire, built during the reign of the great emperor Pachacuti in the history of the Inca civilization, dedicated to the sun god Inti.
View More
TOP 4
Qurikancha
Qurikancha
4.6/5 · 56 review
Highlights:
This temple, built on top of a small cave, is the epitome of the ancient Incas' astronomy and architecture. The Temple of the Sun has a semi-circular shape that captures the movement of the sun due to its unique location and structure. At the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere on June 21 every year, the sun shines directly into the center of a large granite rock in the center of the temple through a small trapezoidal window. Astronomers and archaeologists speculate that this granite functioned as an Inca calendar. If you look out from this window in the temple, those who know more about constellations will notice the Pleiades, the constellation that represents a good harvest. In addition, some archaeologists speculate that the cave below the Temple of the Sun (Royal Tomb) once stored the mummy of Pachacútec, the ruler of the history of the Inca civilization. But Hiram Bingham found no mummy or human bone remains in the cave when he came here in 1919.
View More
TOP 5
Cuzco Main Square
Cuzco Main Square
4.5/5 · 51 review
Highlights:
In South American countries, almost every city has a central square, where the more important churches and some historical buildings in the city are gathered. People like to rest on the benches in the center of the square, chat with strangers, hello Birds, reading books, in a daze. A rainbow flag flies over the square. The rainbow flag here has nothing to do with the flag representing GayPride. This gorgeous rainbow flag is the city flag of Cusco.
View More

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

Disclaimer: This article has been provided by an individual contributor or third party platform. If there is any discrepancy regarding the copyright, please contact us directly and we will delete the content immediately.
>>
Cusco 2 Days Itinerary