ON FOOT · PERU HIKING TOURS
The 15 best peru hiking tours you can book today, with what each costs, how far it walks and how much of it is uphill. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Travel from central Arequipa to the Añashuayco Quarry and Culebrillas Canyon with an English or Spanish-speaking guide. See ashlar carving, a stone replica of the Church of the Company of Jesus, ancient Wari petroglyphs, apachetas, and volcano views. The tour costs $12, with 18 soles extra for entrance fees.
“The whole trip was very good and excellent value for money - the second ‘canyon’ was absolutely stunning.”
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”
You’ll leave Arequipa before dawn, watch condors at Cruz del Cóndor, hike down to Sangalle Oasis, and climb back to Cabanaconde the next morning. English-speaking guides such as Carlos, Alex, Rafael, and Luigi lead small groups of up to 11. The $30 booking fee is only part of the cost, so bring cash for meals, entrance fees, and other charges.
“An amazing experience. Highly recommend doing this if visiting the area. I think it’s definitely better to do the 2 day if it’s something you can handle physically. Bring some tp or be prepared to buy some. A lot more to the tour than just the hike. The stops on the way back are all great especially the natural hot pools and cold plunge. Most importantly our guide was amazing. Carlos is from the Andes and was very informative and helpful with some of our struggling group members. He definitely elevated the experience. We crossed over with another group a couple times and Ivan was a great guide as well…”
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.”
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.
Leave Huaraz before sunrise for a full-day hike to Lagoon 69 in Huascaran National Park. You’ll pass the Llanganuco Lakes, climb from Cebollapampa at 12,631 feet, and reach the brilliant-blue lake at 15,255 feet. Transportation and a Spanish-speaking guide are included, with only limited English possible.
“Bellissima escursione! Se siete a Huaraz, consiglio di fare questa gita”
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.
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.”
Leave Arequipa before dawn for a demanding two-day trek through Colca Canyon. Walk downhill from 3,300 meters to Sangalle, sleep at Cielo Azul Lodge, then climb by torchlight to Cabanaconde. English and Spanish guides, meals, transport, and hotel pickup are included. A pool, hot springs, condors, and camelids round out the trip.
“We really enjoyed this 2-day trip to the Canon de Colca. The landscape was incredible and our tour guide, Eveline, was really competent and kind. She gave us some info and then let us free to enjoy this experience at our best supporting us in the hardes part of the treck. The tour was realised exactly as described (keep in mind that the place where you will spend the night is really basic) and we are happy to suggest it to those who wish to visit this amazing place.”
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…”
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
Other ways to spend the day on foot
Rock, ice, forest or crater rim.
