How to Spend Your Time in Cusco // Peru Travel Vlog

The Rainbow Mountains in Peru are quickly being added to nearly everyone's bucket list! The Rainbow Mountains are only a few hours drive from Cusco, making them an awesome daytrip before or after your visit to Machu Picchu. The most well-known mountain to visit within the Rainbow Mountains is Vinicunca, which was the first colorful landscape to be open to the public as a tourist attraction. In recent years, Vinicunca has become overrun with tourists who flock to one specific spot to get one iconic photo before the next visitor takes their turn. To avoid this mayhem, we decided to visit Palccoyo which is a part of the Rainbow Mountains that was opened to tourists in 2018 and is much less visited (so far). We are so glad we made the choice to visit Palccoyo instead of Vinicunca because we only had to share the area with a couple of other tourists!
It was so easy to arrange a day tour to the Rainbow Mountains from Cusco. We used our friends at Peruvian Paths and Adventures to hook us up with a tour as we weren't too sure how to get to the Rainbow Mountains or what it's like to visit this iconic mountain range. We were also a bit skeptical about if the Rainbow Mountains are worth visiting, but we were happy to discover that they are in fact definitely worth the day trip, especially because they are so close to Cusco!
If you are planning a trip to Peru, you are most definitely including a trip to Macchu Picchu in your schedule, which means you will be in Cusco! Whether you take the Inca Rail Train ride to Machu Picchu or if you brave the Inca Trail or Salkantay Trail like we did, you will want to have a couple of days in the Cusco area to adapt to the elevation. Going to the Rainbow Mountains is an awesome way to spend a day getting used to Cusco's high altitude!
If you love exclusive content and a look behind the scenes, become a channel member! kzbin.info...
To get incredible 100% alpaca products, go to appalachiangearcompany.com/ and use our code NICOLEMICO for 10% off your order!
If you are planning a trip, check out our packing video to see what we pack for long-term travel: • What to Pack for Trave...
SafetyWing is our favourite travel insurance provider (including health insurance): tinyurl.com/2p87ewbr
Sign up for our free newsletter for behind the scenes content and our travel plans: tinyurl.com/3x8y26re
Want to work with us? Email: [e-mail]
== Connect with us! ==
♥ Instagram: @nicoleandmico_
♥ Website: www.nicoleandmico.com
♥ Email: [e-mail]
Our FULL Packing List: nicoleandmico.com/our-packing...
== OUR FAVOURITE TRAVEL GEAR ==
+ Matador soap bar case: amzn.to/3S9JheW
+ Travel Adapter (Universal): amzn.to/3HEwqL3
+ Makeup Remover Cloth (Erase-Your-Face): amzn.to/47lUP3a
+ Solid shampoo bar (Nicole's fave brand): amzn.to/3TwvfDi
+ Solid Conditioner Bar (Nicole's fave brand): amzn.to/3IB7TFe
+ HeroClip Carabiner: amzn.to/3itXX5Z
+ Ex-Officio Underwear: amzn.to/47rT7NF
+ Toiletry kit: amzn.to/41T51z8
+ Vessi Shoes: crrnt.app/VESSI/pgldkja7
+ Sleep Mask: mantasleep.com/?rfsn=7760145....
+ Passport Wallet: hamzn.to/427d4Iq
*The links above are affiliate links and we may get a small commission at no cost to you if you choose to use a link to purchase a products! We only use affiliate links for products/services we believe in and we hope you like these ones as much as we do!
== Chapters ==
00:00 We just spent 1 month in Cusco
00:31 Plaza de Armas
01:16 Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus
01:30 Special Events
02:08 The Peruvian food scene is amazing!
03:11 Panoramic Bus Tour
04:03 Saqsaywaman
04:31 Participate in an Incan Ceremony
04:45 The views from Cristo Blanco
05:09 Shopping!
06:58 Try an almuerzo at San Pedro Market
07:33 Qorikancha Temple
07:58 Republica del Pisco
08:54 Day trip to the Rainbow Mountains
09:29 Hike to Humantay Lake
10:20 Hike the Salkantay Trail (or the Inca Trail)
11:09 Train ride through the Sacred Valley
11:32 Visit Machu Picchu!
12:54 Bloopers
#peru #travelperu #southamerica #rainbowmountains #machupicchu #cusco
======================
Hey there! We are Nicole and Mico, full-time travel vloggers searching for adventures all around the globe. In March 2021 we quit our jobs, sold our belongings, and hopped on our first ever one-way flight leaving our home country #Canada. We believe #travel builds understanding that reaches across culture, language, and boundaries, and we want to share our experiences as we create connections all over the world. If you like learning about unique places, new cultures and different foods, then come follow our adventure as we explore all our beautiful planet has to offer.

[@DLFH]

I really appreciate these types of reviews/overview videos of your experiences of the area. It's good to hear your impressions, likes, dislikes, recommendations, and tips from the previous posts.

[@vikkit6551]

My husband and I just got back from spending 2 weeks in Peru. It was amazing. We loved Cusco. Re: restaurants-Sagrado, which is right off the Plaza de Armas, on Calle Plateros, was FABULOUS.

[@nicoleandmico]

Amazing, thank you so much for sharing that info with us! We loved Peru too, it is such a diverse and delicious country!

[@toddbelanger1923]

Yet another fun whimsical video....Very informative ...you guys are awesome !! Great Job !!

[@nicoleandmico]

Thanks so much Todd! We really appreciate your support 😁😁😁

[@diegokouji]

Cusco is amazing and Machu Picchu is breathtaking!!

[@nicoleandmico]

Yes we enjoyed it so much! It deserves its place as a world wonder! 🌎🤩

[@ebrahimadel7087]

منظر جميل جدا مع الجبال البديعه ومع الانهار الطبيعي

[@nicoleandmico]

نعم إنه رائع هنا والطبيعة جميلة جدًا. لقد استمتعنا حقًا بوقتنا في كوسكو!

[@GreatCityAttractions]

Nice video Nicole. Some great tips.

[@doradubose9290]

great video..thanks.

[@nicolelazotravel]

Thank you for such a great overview!

[@nicoleandmico]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mostafaibrahim9493]

I like both of you so much 🥰🥰

[@nicoleandmico]

Thanks so much! We are happy to have you join our adventure!

[@sophieallen9493]

Republica 🔥 So fun meeting you guys :)

[@nicoleandmico]

You too Sophie!!! We had such a fun night 😍

[@user-fx3bg2wl9q]

❤❤❤ Really enjoy your video

[@nicoleandmico]

Thank you! 🤗

[@carloscasapino3685]

You guys say it right!!! N hit must of the good spots unfortunately there’s so much to do in cusco in only a single trip !!! The good part is there’s a reason to always go back !

[@nicoleandmico]

We couldn't agree more! There is SO much to do in Peru, and even just in and around Cusco!

[@getthewordout3669]

I would like to recomend a couple other things The Museo de Arte precolumbino is defineately worth a visit, allow about an hour Tipon & Pikallacta are archeological sites about an hour south of Cusco that are amazing to see & rarely crowded - You can hire a cab from Cusco for about 200 Soles round trip ($50 usd) - Allow at least an hour for each site Ollantaytambo is worth staying for a day before going to Machu Picchu, Cusco to Olly a Taxi is about 100 Soles ($25 usd) or you can take the train, bus or minibus/collectivo for less Also realize that Peru/Cusco frequently have strikes or other issues that may affect your plans so I would add a few extra days to your trip so you have some flexability

[@nicoleandmico]

Thanks so much for adding these suggestions!

[@nicolelazotravel]

Thank you for adding these! I definitely want to go to that museum!

[@cr85racerandbaseball]

Just arrived in Cusco this morning and I can wait to do some of these things tomorrow!!

[@nicoleandmico]

Amazing! Enjoy your time there!

[@cr85racerandbaseball]

@@nicoleandmicoI saw y’all had some drone footage at various places, did they hassle y’all about flying the drone at all?

[@jonicerq1936]

The “tourist “ bus you spoke about .. where do you get tickets? And is it hop on and off or do they wait for a bit in each stop ? Thank you

[@nicoleandmico]

You can find lots of people selling tickets either at the plaza or nearby at Plazoleta Espinar. You can buy them for the same day or book in advanced. There are different operators but they all pretty much do the same thing. They wait a bit at each stop but you always get back on the same bus. We recommend it! 😊

[@explorinwithlaurin]

Thanks so much for these tips! So helpful as we plan for Cusco. What was your feel on Aguascalientes?! We are trying to decide if we want to spend a day there after we finish the hike to Matchu Picchu. Thanks in advance!!

[@nicoleandmico]

Great questions! Our opinion is that an afternoon/evening is enough time to see the town. There are a lot of restaurants around that would be nice to eat at if you had an extra day, but the town is very, very touristy so its basically composed of restaurants and souvenir shops (the same kind you'll find in Cusco but much more expensive!). We arrived in Aguas Calientes at about 2:30 or 3pm, had lunch, checked into our hotel, checked out the town, had dinner, and went to bed early before visiting Machu Picchu the next day and that was enough time for us!

[@samfar5489]

Going in 1 month!

[@nicoleandmico]

Awesome! Have an amazing trip!

[@amandamusgrove242]

Me too! 🎉

[@nicoleandmico]

Yay!! It is bound to be an epic adventure!

[@saruultumen749]

What time of the year were you in Cusco? Would live to see those festivals.

[@nicoleandmico]

We arrived in late June and stayed for nearly one month. The festival that we captured is called Inti Raymi and takes place at the winter solstice in June each year 😊 It was amazing!

[@kushseti8842]

how long is the train ride to Machu Picchu?

[@johnandannastravels6258]

Great video! We'll be in cusco in May. Did you have any issues flying your done there? - John

[@nicoleandmico]

Not much although we had to get approval in the DJI system. It was quick and easy though

[@johnandannastravels6258]

@@nicoleandmico thanks for the response! I hope you're having a great time wherever you are now. - John

[@jeweloholic]

I experienced altitude sickness in Cusco. I descended 400 m to Ollantaytambo. Didn't help. Descended 400 m to Aqua Calientes and was fine. I have to accept I can't do all I want to in Peru like Punto, unless I carry 02 tanks!

[@ClaudiaJGil]

Hey ! Do we have to purchase tickets to the Festival or are we able to come and simply see it ?

[@nicoleandmico]

For the Inti Raymi festival you can just visit and enjoy the parade from the streets. They do have special performances and ceremonies that you need tickets to but the parade and the energy of the city was more than enough for us. Enjoy!

[@ClaudiaJGil]

@@nicoleandmico Thank You guys ! so much! im binge watching your videos :-)

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

My flight to Lima is September 20 @10pm. Do you know any buses leaving Lima to Cusco at night? I hope to sleep in the bus and be energetic when I arrive in Cusco. I'm having trouble buying machu pitchu ticket from the Peru official website, tickets are sold for 3 days. Could it be that the local tour operators bought all the tickets for sale with commission? If so, have you seen travel agency selling machu pitchu ticket? Have you seen day trip tour to lake Titicaca? I wish to visit Is it easy to buy bug spray from the local pharmacy or supplement? I'm flying budget airlines so cannot bring more than carry-on which already costing extras The website indicates routes/ circuit for tickets, which circuit is the easiest since I have old knee injuries. Any tips will be great, thanks

[@ABCDEF-hl1rf]

Do you think the political atmosphere may change in Peru may change by September? We want to book tickets by end of February but not sure if it’s still advisable? What are you thoughts?

[@lmyers6377]

Did you have any issues with local food prep upsetting your stomach? Just wondering since you can’t drink the water.

[@nicoleandmico]

Hey there! We didn't have any issues personally. The great thing about Cusco is it's such a touristy place that the quality of food hygiene is really high to ensure all the foreign visitors have a good time!

[@jackhoward3002]

Can you take a horse up to humantay lake? Thank you

[@nicoleandmico]

Yes! You definitely can. We saw quite a lot of folks on horses. We aren't sure if they go the entire way there and back, but it looked like they brought people most of the way there if not the entire way there. We don't know about pricing unfortunately, but it's definitely an option!