The 15 5-Day Experiences in Cusco That Earn Their Price

1.Small Group 5 Days Salkantay and Machu Picchu by Llactapata Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $593Our pick

Trek from Cusco over the 4,600-meter Salkantay Pass, visit Humantay Lake and Llactapata, learn coffee-making in Lucmabamba, and finish at Machu Picchu. Groups max out at nine. Guides such as Jainor, Carlos, Dario, Henry, and Rolando have earned praise for clear explanations and warm support.

“Jainor was a gem of a tour guide. He is clearly passionate about Incan history and culture, and he conveys this well to the group. He also transitioned extremely smoothly between Spanish and English when explaining things in amazing detail and depth. He was never rushed, always taking the time to answer everyone’s questions. Lastly, he dealt well with the varying physical conditions of the group, with age ranges from 21 to 67.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.5-Day Salkantay Trek with Panoramic Train

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

Hike from Cusco to Machu Picchu through high mountain passes, cloud forest, coffee country, and Inca ruins. You will camp at Llactapata with views of the citadel, enjoy a Pachamanca feast, and return by Vistadome or 360° train. Small groups, expert guides, meals, and transport are included.

“I just finished the 5-day Salkantay Trek with TreXperience and couldn’t be happier! Everything was well organized… logistics, meals, and cultural experiences. TreXperience made the trek easier without compromising authenticity. Highlights included Humantay Lake, Salkantay Glacier, Inca Trail segments, rich Amazon botany, local communities, making coffee, and the delicious Pachamanca. Machu Picchu was the perfect finale. Our guide Gilbert was amazing… knowledgeable, motivating, funny, and deeply caring. He adapted to all levels and even arranged alternatives for a non-walker. Our cook Esmael made incredible meals, and Wilbert was a helpful, cheerful presence. If I could suggest one change: hi...”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Ausangate Trek 5 Days

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

Trek around Ausangate with a small group of up to 10, crossing passes as high as 5,200 meters, camping beside glacial lakes, soaking in Pacchanta hot springs, and meeting a local family. Guides such as Chino, Guillermo, and Urbano bring mountain knowledge and cultural context.

“An epic 5 days completing the Ausengate + Raimbow Mountain Trek with the Vidal Expedition crew (Chino, Begnino, Jośe, Angel). The scenery was amazing, super friendly and knowledgable team, yummy good, and lots of fun! Would highly highly recommend!! Thanks so much for such a cool experience :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Classic Choquequirao Trek – 5 Days / 4 Nights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $735

Trek from Cusco to Choquequirao with a bilingual guide, cooks, muleteers, tents, meals, and a 5 kg duffle allowance. You will cross the Apurímac Valley, spend a full day at the Inca citadel, visit Saywite, and soak at Cconoc hot springs before returning to Cusco.

“I had a wonderful experience thank you to our guide Guide Roman. He did a wonderful job supporting and helping us. He is very knowledgeable about the history of the Incas and the local traditions, ss he grew up in this area. Always smiling and explaining what we would go each day. There were many preparations to be made snd he managed all of them. Thank you Guido and Salkantay Trekking! Janet Wagner”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Ultimate Lares Trek & Inca Trail 5 days

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $980

Follow the quieter Lares route with local guides such as Manolo, Elias, Sara, or Anthony, cross a 4,700-meter pass, camp beside a highland lake, then enter Machu Picchu via the Short Inca Trail. Expect small groups, hearty meals, porters, hotels, and a demanding but deeply rewarding five-day schedule.

“I recently did the 3-day Lares Trek combined with the Short Inca Trail, and it was amazing! As a solo female traveler, I felt completely safe and well cared for by the entire team. Our guides, Anthony and Gilbert, were fantastic—they’re both from the region, so their knowledge of the area, history, and culture was incredible. Their passion really brought the trek to life, and they spoke great English, which made everything easier.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Wonderful Cusco 5-Day Tour with Entrance to Machupicchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $610

Spend five days in Cusco with airport transfers, four hotel nights, the Sacred Valley, a guided Machu Picchu visit, and a Vinicunca hike reaching 5,033 meters. The package includes train travel, buses, meals, breakfasts, and entrance tickets. Guide Guido is specifically named in the feedback, though guide assignments can vary.

“The experience was perfect. On time with the schedules, delicious food, very wise your guides, security is excellent, and the price was comfortable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu 5 Days And 4 Nights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · from $690

You’ll hike the Salkantay route in a group of up to 16, from Humantay Lake and the 15,252-foot Salkantay Pass to coffee farms, Llactapata, and Machu Picchu. Guides such as Christian, Eddie, and Hipo lead different departures, with meals, camp gear, horses, and hotel night included.

“This was an amazing trip with excellent guides, well organised iternary, great group of people and wildly amazing views! It offers the right amount of challenge and a great time!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.5-Day: Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu and Humantay Lake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $360Best value

You’ll hike from Humantay Lake over the 4,600-meter Salkantay Pass, descend through cloud forest, soak at Cocalmayo, and reach Machu Picchu on foot for an early visit. Roger is praised as a friendly, helpful guide. Camping, meals, porters, and return transport are included.

“The Salkantay 5 day trek to Machu Picchu was a wonderful experience. Being in a small group made it more exceptional and personal. Our guide, Roger, was super, very helpful, and friendly! I would do it again”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Salkantay 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $797

Hike from Cusco through the Salkantay Pass at 15,200 feet, visit Humantay Lake and Santa Teresa, camp three nights, then reach Machu Picchu by train and bus. A bilingual local guide leads the trek, with mules carrying up to 7 kilos of gear per person.

“Such a fun and challenging experience. I had no issues completing the trek, you want to make sure you are in good shape before arriving as it can be difficult if you are not prepared for log days and sometimes tough terrain. Beautiful views good food and excellent tour guides! Highly recommend to all!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.5 Day – Tour to Machu Picchu Traditional – Group service

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · from $813

Follow a five-day route from Cusco through Qorikancha, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, and Machu Picchu. You get airport transfers, four hotel nights, breakfast, train and bus tickets, entrance fees, and a professional English or Spanish-speaking guide in a group of up to 15.

“The trip was very well organized and the tour guides are superb.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Salkantay Trek: 5 Days to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · from $909

You’ll cross the 4,650-meter Salkantay Pass, camp three nights, walk through coffee country and reach Machu Picchu with a bilingual guide. Tierras Vivas provides meals, horses for gear, camping equipment, a hotel night, train and transfers. Small groups max out at 12.

“The tour was incredibly beautiful. We learned so much, and had the opportunity to see incredible natural beauty too! Food was amazing and staff was great!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.5 Day – Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu – Group Service

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · from $650

You’ll hike from Mollepata across the 4,650-meter Salkantay Pass, through cloud forest and jungle, then reach Machu Picchu for sunrise. Valencia Travel includes guides, meals, camping gear, porters, hotel pickup, one Aguas Calientes night, entrance fees, and the return train.

“We had a great guide in Aldo who allowed us to customize parts of the 5 day trip to suit our group’s liking. The guide, cooks and porters were timely and ensured we never went hungry. I’d recommend Valencia Travel and highly recommend Aldo as a guide due to his experience and knowledge of the local culture/ mountains”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu Sky Lodge Dome

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · 5 days · from $700

Trek from Challacancha over the 4,650-meter Salkantay Pass to Machu Picchu, sleeping in private domes and an Aguas Calientes hotel. You will visit Humantay Lagoon, work with coffee in La Playa, and travel in a group of up to 10 with guides such as Roberto or Abel.

“Hee goed verzorgd! Goed eten en fijne bedden, laatste hotel was ‘oke’. De domes waren top! Alleen nacht 1 zeer koud maar ik Geloof dat dit bij alle domes van alle organisaties wel zo was! Eigen douche en toilet, top! Hike zelf prachtig!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Manu National Park Tours from Cusco 5 Days

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 5 reviews · 5 days · from $673

Travel from Cusco to Manu National Park in a small group of up to nine, with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Visit Paucartambo, Tres Cruces, the cloud forest, and Amazon lodges, with river rides, jungle walks, parrots, local meals, a night safari, and hot springs.

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days with Sky Lodge Domes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 5 days · from $680

Hike from Challacancha to Machu Picchu with an English or Spanish guide, a group of up to eight, three nights in Sky Lodge Domes, one hotel night in Aguas Calientes, and a guided visit to Humantay Lake and Machu Picchu. Guides such as Fernando and Nildo are available through Quechuas Expeditions Peru S.A.C.

“Le trek du Salkantay au Pérou était une expérience incroyable. Les paysages étaient grandioses, variés et à couper le souffle -entre montagnes enneigées, vallées verdoyantes et le superbe lac Humantay, vraiment magnifique. L’organisation était globalement très bonne. En cas de mal d’altitude, il y a toujours la possibilité de monter à cheval (payant), ce qui est rassurant pour les moments les plus difficiles. Le cuisinier nous a préparé d’excellents repas tout au long du trek : variés, savoureux, et bienvenus après une longue journée de marche. Le guide était également très professionnel, sympathique et attentif à chacun. Le seul petit bémol : la seconde nuit, où l’hébergement n’était pas à…”

Check availability →Read our full review