THE 10 BEST Hidden Gems & Unique Experiences in Cusco
Best Cusco Hidden Gem Attractions
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Observatories & Planetariums
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Admission tickets from AU$39
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Admission tickets from AU$16
Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours
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Multi-day Tours • Cultural Tours
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Cultural Tours • Eco Tours
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What travellers are saying
- Dennis De'voreaux1 contributionTraveling with Terra Quechua Peru was an extraordinary experience, I went with a group of friends and the level of professionalism of the agency impressed us. The first day was quite gentle, which allowed us to acclimatize before the longer hikes of the following days. The scenery was out of this world, and each day seemed better than the last. Most exciting was camping in the mountains with incredible views and sharing stories around the campfire.
The activities included stops at various archaeological sites, and the guide explained the importance of each. We loved the food, which was surprisingly varied and tasty for being in the middle of nature. On the fourth day, arriving at Machu Picchu was a magical moment. Feeling the effort of the previous days and finally seeing the citadel was an unforgettable experience.Written 13 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ryan Ed1 contributionI went with my wife and some friends to Laguna Humantay and the experience with Terra Quechua Peru was exceptional. From the organization of the tour to the service during the hike, everything was impeccable. The hike up to the lagoon was demanding, but the views were breathtaking, and the effort was well worth it when we arrived at the beautiful turquoise lagoon. The guide was very friendly and explained every detail of the tour.
At the end of the hike, we enjoyed a typical lunch which was a perfect reward. We also had the option to do part of the journey on horseback, which was an excellent alternative for some of us.Written 14 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - libelle622Stroud, UK155 contributionsPick up on time. Short ride to the Plentarium. A talk about the animals the Inca saw in the Milky Way. Out to look through telescopes at stars, constellations and a planet that was visible. All well sorted by very enthusiastic staff.Written 12 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- EkkkkLincoln, UK191 contributionsWe had a free day so looked on trip adviser and found this place not too far away. We booked a private taxi and wanted to please ourselves with timings etc. When we arrived, we asked about the VIP experience as wanted to feed the animals if possible. The owner/manage took us round the whole place explaining the awful stories behind many of the animals here, and how humans had exploited and not looked after them properly. As with any zoo/sanctuary you always feel they could be bigger etc but I did feel that they genuinely care for the animals and are trying to give them better lives. We enjoyed every bit, especially being able to feed the animals such as tortoise, deer, parrots, llamas. Would recommend a private tour and private transfer so you can spend as much/little time as you wish here.Written 2 February 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Phares K2 contributionsThe trip was so fun,, I got to enjoy time with them, I also went to enjoy my birthday with them from there we had tuiquilla odWritten 18 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- WorldTraveler639Montreal, Canada297 contributionsWe stopped here for hot chocolate and a brownie after reading all of the amazing reviews and we were not disappointed. The brownie was perhaps the best we've ever had in our lives... I wish I could go back to Cusco just to visit Xapiri!Written 21 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- R. K. V.Bogota, Colombia2,764 contributionsBeautiful place- really well maintained and full of history. Worth the walk to see and enjoy - preferably with a guide to explainWritten 5 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- AstridAstrolabePortland, OR4 contributionsI sought out Dhruva and Paramata Healing thanks to the reviews here on Trip Advisor. I reached out the evening before via Whatsapp and arranged for a massage for the next day. I had a moment of thinking I'd not be able to go after all due to planning to put all of my charges on plastic, but Dhruva was able to arrange for a card reader so that I could get the massage after all. What a gem!
I met with Gina of Paramata Holistic Healing, and I felt immediately welcome as soon as she opened the door. The location itself is on one of Cusco's amazing cobblestone streets on quite a hill, and once inside, it was as though I was miles away from everything. Gina asked me about any intention I wished to set and to write it down in a provided notebook so she could channel that energy. We also discussed a little about why I was there and then she ensured I was comfortable, and gave me time to prepare. Her deep tissue was perfect for this session. Not to point of bruising, but a thorough, nuanced fascial recharge from toe to crown of head! She used an oil and the space was cozy with some incense. Her pranic healing afterwards to tie up the sacred time was a beautiful inward journey for me.
Once I was dressed and we spoke for a few moments, Gina shared the messages she'd received intuitively. We hugged, I cried a bit, sharing the joy of trust between two not-strangers, and with a lighter heart and gloriously more supple fascia, I found myself on a magical street once again, with the rain having stopped and a blue sky blessing the rest of my day.
I receive holistic bodywork monthly back in my hometown of Portland, OR, and bodywork has been integral to my sanity for over 25 years. The sacred treatment I received today was truly an honor. Thank you, Gina. And Dhruva, for accommodating my payment needs and ensuring that I was able to seek out what I knew was an important end to my short stay here in Cusco. 🙏❤️‍🔥Written 4 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Aama2017Canadian Rockies, Canada2 contributionsSo worth it! We were two women with a female guide! The votes were amazing!
Our guide, Soledad, was very knowledgeable and the food was delicious. I felt in good hands with the driver also. Highly recommended!Written 17 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Expedition8442311 contributionsHad a great experience in the hyperbaric chamber. Felt so refreshed and energized afterward and the experience was extremely relaxing. I would recommend this if you are either worried about or experience altitude sickness l.Written 4 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- snoeilChicago, IL93 contributionsThis is a must go trip when in Cusco. Gabriel and his team helped make our experience in Peru unforgettable. Also, he is one of the nicest people we met in Cusco.
Thanks so much for a lovely day.Written 23 January 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Huw REgham, UK5 contributionsMy friend and I were in Cuzco for 3 days and we booked an airport transfer for day 1, and a private taxi to and from Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain on days 2 and 3 respectively. Ricardo was our designated driver for all trips. The booking system via email with John was very simple and accommodating, even for a last minute booking for our trip to Rainbow Mountain (< 1 day ahead of time). This is clearly a well-run and encompassing enterprise.
Day 1: Ricardo was waiting for us at the terminal exit on time with a clearly named sign.
Day 2: Ricardo was once again bang on time (even for a 04:00 departure!) and got us to the HL car park ahead of almost all of the crowds since the group tours tend to stop for breakfast. He very kindly paid for our ticket when my friend [who had the money] was taking a dump! He gave us some guidance for the hike and then waited the entire time for us to return. On the drive back to Cuzco, he was also very flexible with us wanting to take a detour to see the Maras salt mines and a few other sites. When we got back to the hotel, we asked Ricardo for suggestions on food and he gave us some excellent nearby options (steak + pizza).
Day 3: Ricardo was on time for another 04:00 pick-up and, like before, got us to the RM parking lot ahead of almost all of the crowds having also registered us for admission ahead of time. When we got back to the car, he and a colleague made sure we were ok from the altitude before continuing back to Cuzco. My friend and I are avid drone flyers and Ricardo not only was willing to stop whenever we wanted to take pictures / fly around, he was also starting to make recommendations of places based on what he saw we liked looking at. He gave us some fascinating insights into what we also were looking at at each location, and was also always interested in what we were doing.
Overall, the experience was exceptional and the day 1 pick-up gave us a lot of confidence that the subsequent days would be trouble-free. Moreover, Ricardo was brilliant - a very informative and friendly individual with very passable English (which is not his first language), and perhaps most importantly, he was both an extremely safe, defensive and efficient driver, ranging from never taking risks on overtaking and going wider on the road when large vehicles are oncoming through to the knowing of back-alley short-cuts to bypass traffic getting us to our destination on time or even early.
Thank you very much - would recommend unreservedly.Written 22 October 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Martha A2 contributionsI recently spent two months studying Spanish at Mundo Antiguo. I can’t recommend this school enough, and here’s why:
- Activities: The school is clearly devoted to creating a sense of community. There’s an activity every single day during the week, which made it very easy to make friends. Also, one of the activities is a language exchange with locals; it was a great avenue to meet people you’d later see around town.
- The city: Cusco is a great city to live in. The architecture is beautiful, the temperature is perfect if you like to wear sweaters, and I pretty much always felt safe.
- Home stay: I loved my home stay family and learned a lot about normal life in Cusco.
- Support: Mundo is really good about checking in with you. Every week, they give you a paper to review how things are with your teachers, the events, and your housing. They truly care about you having a great experience.
- Staff: Right from the beginning, all of the staff are so kind and welcoming. They were always happy to offer advice for exploring the city and nearby areas.
- Class size: I signed up for group classes. Even though the max class size was four, I never had more than one other person in my class. Due to my level/the level of the other students, I was by myself for 4 weeks (3 hours per day instead of 4, no change in price). Mundo’s commitment to small group sizes is really amazing and allows for more speaking time.
- Grammar/conversation: I learned so much. The teachers did a great job of balancing grammar time with conversation, and I walked away after two months with the ability to have conversations about deep topics.
- Teachers: Typically, you have two teachers a week (one for the first half of your class and one for the second). This allows you to experience a variety of teaching styles. It’s also obvious that the two teachers work together to create a cohesive learning plan. Because I was at the school for so long, I had about 10 different teachers. It’s crazy how great they all were.
I’ll never forget my time at Mundo Antiguo, and I hope to come back one day. Thank you so much to all of the teachers and staff. :)Written 9 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Kelly-marie M4 contributionsWe did the 5 day Salkantay Trek with our guide Walter who made the whole experience absolutely unforgettable. Although the weather was difficult at times, he kept our spirits up and importantly, kept us safe. He went above and beyond with a smile on his face the whole time. This guy deserves recognition from the company for his service. Thank you Walter, we'll never forget you!!Written 18 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Veronica D30 contributionsLlama path was well organized and treats there porters and staff well, which they are very proud of. I did the Salkantay trek and felt very safe and well taken care of with good food along the way. Our guide Nico spoke excellent English and was very friendly and knowledgeable. Would recommend!Written 8 March 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
