Looking for unique things to do in Cusco beyond the classic tours? Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and the Inca temples are unmissable, but the moments travelers remember most are often the personal ones: watching the sunrise from the sky, creating something with your own hands or cooking with ingredients you just discovered at the market.
At Inari Wonderful Experience we created Inari Select, a small collection of hands-on experiences hosted by people from Cusco. In this guide we share three of them, what each one is really like, how long it takes, what it costs and how to fit it into your trip.
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Why Look for Unique Things to Do in Cusco?
Cusco is far more than a base camp for Machu Picchu. The historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, and the city is still a living Andean capital, where markets, crafts and food traditions are part of everyday life.
Most visitors see that culture from the window of a bus. Hands-on experiences let you step inside it instead:
- You meet local people, not just monuments: artists, cooks and hosts who share their own traditions.
- You take something home: a sunrise photo from the sky, a piece of art you painted or recipes you can cook again.
- You rest from the big tours: these experiences last half a day, so they balance long days at Machu Picchu or in the Sacred Valley.
- You support local families and keep traditional crafts and cuisine alive.
These are three of the most unique things to do in Cusco, all designed and hosted by our local team.
1. Inca Sunrise: Hot Air Balloon Ride over Cusco
Of all the unique things to do in Cusco, few compare with watching the first light of the Andes from the air. On our Inca Sunrise hot air balloon ride, you rise in a tethered hot air balloon near Sacsayhuamán as the sun appears over the mountains and the city wakes up below you.
What to expect
The experience starts early, at 4:30 AM, with a transfer to the launch area near the archaeological park of Sacsayhuamán. Groups of three or four people go up in each turn for a quiet ascent of 15 to 20 minutes, with panoramic views of Cusco, its red rooftops and the surrounding peaks. A warm breakfast closes the morning, and you are back in the city by about 8:15 AM.
Because the balloon is tethered, it rises and descends at the same spot. That makes it a calm way to enjoy the view, ideal for couples, friends and families.
Good to know
- Schedule: 4:30 – 8:15 AM
- Ascent: 15 to 20 minutes
- Price: from 90 USD per person
- Weather: flights depend on wind and weather. If conditions are not safe, we reschedule or refund the experience.
- Best time: the dry season, roughly May to September, usually brings the clearest skies.
The early start makes it a perfect first activity of the day: you still have the afternoon free for a city tour or a quiet walk around San Blas.
2. Andean Alchemy: Paint Your Own Torito de Pucará
Walk through Cusco and look up at the rooftops: you will often see a pair of small ceramic bulls watching over the house. They are Toritos de Pucará, one of the most beloved symbols of the Andes, and painting your own is one of the most meaningful and unique things to do in Cusco.
The meaning of the Torito de Pucará
The Torito de Pucará comes from the town of Pucará, in the Puno region of southern Peru, and is considered the most representative ceramic of its tradition. According to PeruRail’s guide to its symbolism, its spirals represent the cycle of life, its eyes stand for alertness, and a pair of bulls expresses Andean duality: two energies in balance. Families place them on their roofs as symbols of protection, prosperity and happiness.
What you do in the workshop
In our Andean Alchemy art workshop, a local artist guides you step by step as you paint your own torito. You learn what each color and symbol means, choose the ones that represent your intentions, and leave with a handmade piece that carries the spirit of Cusco.
You do not need any artistic experience. The focus is on enjoying the process, learning about Andean culture and taking home a souvenir that truly means something.
Good to know
- Duration: about 3 hours
- Schedule: flexible
- Location: historic center or San Blas
- Language: Spanish and English
- Price: from 40 USD per person
- Great for: families, couples and creative travelers
3. San Pedro Market and Peruvian Cooking Class
Peruvian food is one of the best reasons to travel to Peru, and learning to cook it with a local host is one of the most delicious and unique things to do in Cusco. Our market and cooking class, “The Heartbeat of the Andes on Your Palate,” starts where Cusco’s kitchens start: at the market.
A guided walk through San Pedro Market
San Pedro is Cusco’s main traditional market, a few blocks from the historic center. With your host, you walk among stalls of exotic fruits, Andean potatoes, corn and grains, taste flavors you will not find at home and learn how locals choose their ingredients.
Cooking three Peruvian classics
Back in the kitchen, you prepare three icons of Peruvian cuisine with your own hands:
- Pisco Sour, Peru’s national cocktail.
- Ceviche, fresh fish “cooked” in lime juice with chili and onion.
- Lomo saltado, a stir-fry that shows the meeting of Peruvian and Chinese cooking.
Then you sit down to enjoy everything you cooked, and you leave knowing how to bring a taste of Peru back to your own kitchen.
Good to know
- Schedule: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Duration: about 5 hours
- Location: San Pedro Market and cooking studio
- Language: Spanish and English
- Price: from 45 USD per person
- Tip: tell us about any allergies or dietary needs when you book.
Which Unique Experience in Cusco Is Right for You?
All three experiences are half-day activities, so you can choose one or combine them on different days.
| Experience | Best for | Time | Duration | Price from |
| Hot air balloon ride | Early risers and photographers | 4:30 – 8:15 AM | About 4 hours with transfers | 90 USD |
| Andean Alchemy art workshop | Creative travelers and families | Flexible | About 3 hours | 40 USD |
| Market and cooking class | Food lovers | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | About 5 hours | 45 USD |
If you can only choose one, think about what you want to remember: a view, a souvenir you made or the flavors of Peru. You can see all three side by side on our Inari Select experiences page.
How to Combine These Experiences with Machu Picchu
The best way to enjoy these unique things to do in Cusco is to place them around your classic tours, not instead of them. A simple 5-day plan looks like this:
| Day | Morning | Afternoon |
| 1 | Rest and acclimatize | Half-Day Cusco City Tour |
| 2 | 1-Day Sacred Valley Tour | (full day) |
| 3 | Machu Picchu 1-Day Tour | (full day) |
| 4 | Hot air balloon at sunrise | Free afternoon in San Blas, or the Andean Alchemy workshop |
| 5 | Market and cooking class | Free time before your flight |
The balloon and the cooking class work best after your first days at altitude, when you are already acclimatized. The art workshop has flexible times, so it fits almost anywhere, even on the afternoon you arrive.
For a full plan of the classic tours, read our 4-day Cusco itinerary and our guide to the Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco.
More Unique Things to Do in Cusco on Your Own
If you have extra free time, these simple local experiences are easy to enjoy on your own between tours:
- Walk up to San Blas at golden hour. The artisans’ neighborhood, with its steep streets and small workshops, is one of the most charming corners of the city.
- Try a local breakfast at San Pedro Market. Fresh fruit juices and simple local dishes are part of the daily rhythm of Cusco.
- Look for Inca walls in the historic center. Streets such as Hatun Rumiyoc show how the Incas fitted stones without mortar, including the famous twelve-angled stone.
- Visit a museum on a rainy afternoon. The Museum of Pre-Columbian Art and the Qoricancha are excellent options to understand the history of the region.
- Watch the sunset over the rooftops. Viewpoints around San Cristóbal church offer a wide view of the Plaza de Armas and the red rooftops of the city.
Mixing these moments with one or two guided experiences gives you a trip with rhythm: big landmarks, local life and time to breathe.
Practical Tips for Booking Unique Experiences in Cusco
A little planning helps you enjoy these experiences at their best.
- Book the balloon for the end of your trip. Sunrise flights depend on the weather, so scheduling it on one of your last days leaves room to reschedule if the wind or clouds do not cooperate.
- Keep your first day light. Cusco sits at about 3,400 meters above sea level. The art workshop is a gentle activity for your arrival day; save the early balloon flight and the long cooking class for when you feel acclimatized.
- Come hungry to the cooking class. You taste fruits at the market and then eat everything you cook, so a light breakfast is enough.
- Dress in layers. Early mornings are cold, especially for the balloon, while midday can be warm and sunny. A warm jacket, a hat and sunscreen cover most situations.
- Bring cash in soles. It is useful for small purchases at San Pedro Market, extra souvenirs and tips.
- Share your needs in advance. Tell us about allergies, dietary preferences, mobility needs or children traveling with you, and we will adapt the experience whenever possible.
- Ask about private sessions. If you are celebrating something special or traveling as a group, ask us about private options for your dates.
With these details sorted, all you have to do is show up and enjoy one of the most unique things to do in Cusco.
Frequently Asked Questions About Unique Experiences in Cusco
What are the most unique things to do in Cusco?
Beyond the classic tours, a hot air balloon ride at sunrise, painting your own Torito de Pucará with a local artist and a San Pedro Market and cooking class are three of the most memorable ways to experience the living culture of Cusco.
Can I combine several Inari Select experiences?
Yes. The balloon flight takes place at sunrise, and the art workshop and cooking class can be scheduled on other days or times, so you can easily combine two or even all three during your stay.
Are these experiences suitable for children?
Most families enjoy them together. The cooking class and the art workshop are great for curious kids; for the balloon flight, ask us about age and weather conditions before booking.
Do I need previous experience in art or cooking?
Not at all. Every step is guided by local hosts, and the focus is on enjoying the process and learning about Andean culture.
How do I book?
Open the experience you like and check availability, or write to us on WhatsApp at +51 951 795 967 with your dates and number of travelers.
Make Your Trip to Cusco Truly Yours
Machu Picchu will take your breath away, but the moments you share with local people are often the ones you talk about most when you get home. Add one of these unique things to do in Cusco to your trip and see the city from the inside.
Explore all our Inari Select experiences or tell us your dates and we will help you combine them with the classic tours.
Plan My Experience on WhatsApp
Sources and notes for publishing
- UNESCO – City of Cuzco — inscribed in 1983 (external dofollow link in the article)
- PeruRail – symbolism of the Torito de Pucará — origin in Pucará (Puno), symbolism of spirals, eyes and pairs (external link)
- Experience times and prices: Inca Sunrise, Andean Alchemy, cooking class