Cusco is probably best known as the starting point for Machu Picchu, but there is a lot more to see around the city. The Andes are right there, and there are plenty of day trips where you can hike to mountain lakes, see alpacas, visit old Inca sites, or just spend a full day driving through the Sacred Valley. I did three trips around Cusco: Humantay Lake, 7 Lakes of Ausangate, and the Sacred Valley. The weather was great for all three trips, which definitely helped. The first two were more about hiking and mountains, while the Sacred Valley was mostly about history and sightseeing. All three can be done as day trips with organized tours, and all three start early. Very early. Pickups around 4–5 am are normal here, so be prepared for that.