The 15 Best Cusco Hiking Tours

1.7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 360 reviews · 1 day · from $29Our pick

This long, high-altitude day trip takes you from Cusco to Pacchanta for a 13-kilometer trek around Ausangate’s seven lakes. You’ll see snow-capped Apu Ausangate, alpacas, and open Andean scenery, then rest in hot springs. Guides such as Kevin, Eduardo, Carlos, and Inti are praised for pacing and safety. Horses can be hired locally if the altitude proves too much.

“It’s a great tour , place was amazing just at some point it feels rushed for all of us who aren’t the type of super experienced hikers as the height, the cold and the wind make it difficult to breathe and keep up the pace”

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2.Rainbow Mountain Tour and Red Valley Hike (Optional)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 149 reviews · from $29

Leave Cusco around 4:00 am for Vinicunca, traveling by tourist van to Cusipata for breakfast, then hiking about 1.5 hours to Rainbow Mountain at 5,020 meters. English and Spanish guides, lunch, trekking poles, oxygen, and optional horses are available. Red Valley access may be limited because of route safety issues.

“I had the most incredible experience with breathtaking views, amazing people, and unforgettable moments. It truly ranks among the best experiences of my life, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone who has the opportunity. Our guide was not only friendly and interesting but also succeeded in making us feel at ease in a foreign country, far away from home.”

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3.Full-Day Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley Trekking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · 1 day · from $145

Travel from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley on a full-day small-group trek. You’ll have breakfast and lunch buffets, bilingual guidance, transport, oxygen, and first aid support. Guides such as Richard and Toreto have been praised for considerate service, but the Red Valley walk is partly self-guided.

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4.Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $680Best guided

This fast, demanding route takes you from Cusco over the 4,630-meter Salkantay Pass to Machu Picchu in three days. You get meals, a guide, safety gear, a horse-carried duffel, one night at Mountain Sky View, and one hotel night in Aguas Calientes. Guides such as Marco, Guido, and Cesar Quispe have helped hikers manage the toughest sections.

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5.Rainbow Mountain Trek

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 98 reviews · 16 hours · from $61

Leave Cusco around 4:00 AM for a high-altitude trek from Quesiuno to Rainbow Mountain. You’ll walk among alpacas, llamas, red hills, local homes, and views of Ausangate, then return for lunch before heading back to Cusco. English- and Spanish-speaking guides lead groups of up to 15 people.

“Es war ein guter Ausflug, allerdings habe ich die Beschreibung missverstanden, ich dachten wandert ca.3 h hin un 2 h zurück, es waren aber nur 3h insgesamt zum Wandern. Außerdem hat mir die Information gefehlt, dass man zum red valley auch noch gehen kann für 30 Soles zusätzlich. Hätte gerne mehr Zeit gehabt am Vinicunca und Red Valley. Ansonsten hat aber alles gepasst.”

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6.Private Palccoyo Rainbow Hike Without the Crowds

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $199

Leave Cusco before dawn for Palccoyo, a quieter alternative to Vinicunca. With a maximum of eight people, breakfast, lunch, hiking poles, oxygen, and hotel pickup included, you’ll see three rainbow mountains, the Red Valley, and an optional stone forest. Guides such as Jesús Carrion provide careful altitude support.

“We had a fantastic time exploring Palcoyo, thanks to our experienced guide, Jesús Carrion. The tour started promptly, and Jesús took great care of us throughout the day. Although the walk to Palcoyo, also known as the alternative Rainbow Mountain, was relatively easy and moderate, the high altitude of 4900m caused my husband to feel short of breath. Jesús made a concerted effort to ensure his well-being while also keeping an eye on the rest of the group. Compared to Vinicunca, Palcoyo was noticeably less crowded, and it offered breathtaking views of three rainbow mountains, the red valley, and the stone forest. Unfortunately, we had to skip the stone forest…”

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7.Choquequirao Trek 4 days and 3 nights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $698

Leave Cusco before dawn for a four-day Choquequirao trek through the Apurimac Canyon. You will hike steep trails, camp three nights, explore the Inca citadel, and visit Saywite. A guide, chef, porter, meals, transport, and hotel pickup are included. The group is capped at 16 people, with personal porter service for up to 7 kilograms.

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8.Machu Picchu: 5-Day Salkantay Trek with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 5 days · from $655

This five-day Salkantay trek takes you from Cusco to Humantay Lake, Salkantay Pass, cloud forest, Llactapata, and Machu Picchu. Expect small groups of up to 16, fresh meals, glamping, mule-supported camping, and guides such as José, Cesar, or Roger, depending on your departure.

“In particular our guide, Roger, was fantastic. He must be the best guide TreXperience has, and one of the best I have experienced during many years of worldwide travel.”

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9.Ancascocha Trek To Machu Picchu 4 Days And 3 Nights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · from $730

You’ll hike from Soqma through waterfalls, Inca ruins, high Andean villages, and the 14,599-foot Kuychiccasa Pass before reaching Machu Picchu. The 4-day trip includes camping gear, meals, park fees, guides, hotel transfers, and one night in Aguas Calientes. Guide assignments vary, with Lino among the company’s named guides.

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10.Humantay Lake Full Day Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $89

Leave Cusco before dawn for Humantay Lake, stopping in Mollepata for breakfast before hiking from Soraypampa to the turquoise lagoon at 3,900 meters. A professional guide, meals, transport, entrance, first aid, and oxygen are included. Guide Luz is noted for patient help on the climb. Expect a demanding 12-hour day.

“Tour was awesome. Pick up perfectly on time. Our tour guide Luz was above and beyond , she was perfect. She answered all questions we were asking and most important she helped us to get all the way to the top because at the beginning of the climb I was struggling. Thank you Luz and I hope we meet again on some other tour.”

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11.Ausangate Trek 5 Days

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $660

Travel from Cusco into the remote Ausangate region on a demanding five-day trek with a group of up to 10. You’ll cross passes as high as 5,200 meters, camp beside turquoise lakes, soak in Upis and Pacchanta hot springs, and meet a local family. Guides such as Guillermo and Urbano are known for clear guidance and strong cultural insight.

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12.4 Day Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu Multi day tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $930

Walk the classic four-day Inca Trail from Km 82 to Machu Picchu with a guide, chef, porters, camping gear, meals, permits, and return transport. You will cross Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215 meters, visit major Inca ruins, and enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. Guides include Nico, César, Plinio, and Josias.

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13.Salkantay Trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu by Glamping Sky Lodge Dome

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $761

This four-day Salkantay Trek takes you from Cusco to Machu Picchu via the 4,650-meter Salkantay Pass, cloud forest, waterfalls, and tropical valleys. You sleep in Sky Lodge domes and a hotel in Aguas Calientes. Guides such as Fernando, Nildo, Jose, Steven, and Adela are known for patient support, local insight, and careful altitude guidance.

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14.2 Day Hiking Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $761

This two-day trip takes you by train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104, then along the Short Inca Trail past waterfalls and Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate. You sleep in Aguas Calientes and return to Machu Picchu with a guide the next morning. José and Carlos have been especially praised for clear explanations and thoughtful care.

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15.Full-Day Trek to Humantay Lake from Cusco with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 66 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $29

Leave Cusco at 4:00am for Humantay Lake, stopping for breakfast in Mollepata before a minivan ride to Soraypampa. The 90-minute uphill hike reaches the turquoise lagoon and the Salkantay Trail. English- and Spanish-speaking guides, transport, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and first aid are included. A guide named Fred has led some departures, but assignments can vary.

“Tough but AMAZING hike and experience! I struggled as I was not quite adjusted to the altitude yet but the tour guide was patient and helpful during the climb. It’s a long ride up and down and the hike is a little intense but the views and the lagoon were totally worth it!! Would recommend for a day trip in Cusco!!”

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