Cusco · HIKING & TREKKING
Everything with real ascent attached, from a three-hour lake climb to five days over a glacier pass. These 15 are sorted by how hard they are and what they cost, with a note on which need a permit.
Leave Cusco before dawn for Pacchanta, hike past seven high-altitude lakes beneath Ausangate, then eat lunch and soak in hot springs. English and Spanish guides such as Kevin, Carlos, and Eduardo help set the pace. Horses can be rented locally if altitude or fatigue becomes too much.
“Amazing tour! Highly recommended, one of the most beautiful views in Peru”
Leave Cusco around 4:00 am for Vinicunca, hiking to 5,020 meters with an English and Spanish-speaking guide. Breakfast, buffet lunch, transport, oxygen, and optional trekking poles are included. Guides such as David, Fredy, and Joel are praised for patient support, though Red Valley access may be limited.
“Great value for money. Great customer service. I needed to contact the service provider and my query was dealt with really fast. The breakfast wasn't great so I suggest you bring your own sandwiches or something else to eat on the way to the mountains. The lunch was OK. Overall, amazing value for money.”
Leave Cusco early for Rainbow Mountain at 5,036 meters and the Red Valley at 5,038 meters. This small-group tour includes transport, breakfast, lunch, a bilingual guide, oxygen, and hotel pickup. You hike with the main group to Rainbow Mountain, then follow the guide’s directions to Red Valley without an escort.
“Escursione? Sostanzialmente è stato un servizio di transfer. Nessuna spiegazione dalla guida che non ci ha seguiti durante il tragitto. Inoltre, si è persa un turista causando un ora di ritardo a tutto il gruppo. Infine, non è stato dato il tempo per visitare la red valley.”
Leave Cusco before dawn for a hard but rewarding three-day route over the 4,630-meter Salkantay Pass, through coffee country and along the Urubamba River to Machu Picchu. Guides such as Marco, Guido, and Cesar Quispe have led this trip, which includes meals, a 5-kilogram duffel allowance, lodging, and train travel.
“I just completed the Salkantay 3 day Challenge with Salkantay Trekking and had an AMAZING time! My guide, Marco, was incredibly helpful and organized and made sure we all had an amazing time.”
Travel from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain with a small group of up to 15 people. Hike from 4,326 meters to 5,020 meters past alpacas, llamas, red peaks, local homes, and Ausangate views. Guides such as Alfredo and Jessy have been praised for patience and personal help.
“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 Cusco before dawn for Palccoyo at 4,900 meters. A local guide such as Jesús Carrion leads a small group to three rainbow mountains, the Red Valley, and an optional stone forest. Breakfast, lunch, hotel transfers, gear, and an alpaca walk are included.
“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…”
Trek from Capuliyoc through the Apurimac Canyon to Choquequirao, then return via Saywite. The $698 trip includes transport, meals, a chef, guide, and porter for up to 7 kg. Expect steep paths, small groups, quiet ruins, and demanding hiking.
“With all of the positive reviews that I read for TreXperience, our expectations were very high. We were incredibly happy to have those expectations exceeded treXperience was efficient, friendly, competent, and everything went very smoothly. We had a fantastic four days. Our guide Elias could not have been a better guide. He was patient and kind, inspired us to keep going on the steep hills, and shared lots of historical and archaeological knowledge. Our chef Leandro prepared meals that you cannot believe were possible while trekking for four days. His assistant Elias was incredibly helpful and friendly. Our mule master Boris was cheerful and efficient. The whole team could not…”
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...”
Hike from Soqma through waterfalls, Inca ruins, farming villages, and the 14,599-foot Kuychiccasa Pass before reaching Machu Picchu. Action Peru Treks includes camping, meals, park fees, guides, transport, and one Aguas Calientes night. Expect demanding altitude and a quieter route than the Classic Inca Trail.
“The views were amazing since day one, there were so many different landscapes (jungle, alpines, green fields and more). The people working in the company were amazing. It was really nice to do the trek with someone that is from the area (ERead more”
You leave Cusco before dawn for Mollepata, breakfast, and a guided uphill walk from Soraypampa to turquoise Humantay Lake. A professional guide, meals, transfers, entrance, first aid, and oxygen are included. If Luz leads your group, expect close help on the climb.
“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.”
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 :)”
Trek 42 kilometers from Km 82 to Machu Picchu over four days with guides such as Nico, César, or Plinio, supported by porters and a trekking chef. You will cross Dead Woman’s Pass, camp three nights, visit Inca ruins, and enter through the Sun Gate.
“Amazing from start to finish. The organisation was perfect, the porters were brilliant, the chef was amazing - (how he produced such delicious food in the middle of the Andes is a mystery - and baked a cake!). Our guide, Nico, was just the Read more”
Trek from Mollepata across the 4,650-meter Salkantay Pass to Machu Picchu, sleeping in Sky Lodge domes and an Aguas Calientes hotel. Guides such as Fernando and Nildo lead small groups, with meals, horses, a duffel service, entrance fees, and return train included.
“I had such a great time on the Salkantay trek, and a big part of that was thanks to our guide, Fernando. He was so nice and incredibly helpful throughout the whole journey, always making sure we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves. He also had a great sense of humour it was fun to have a joke and a laugh with him along the way. One of the highlights was when he even played football with us during the trek, which made the experience feel extra special. Overall, it was unforgettable, and I’m really glad Fernando was our guide.”
Start before dawn from Cusco, ride to km 104, and hike through waterfalls and Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu’s Sun Gate. Your guide leads a second visit to the citadel, with time for photos and possible Huayna Picchu, before trains return you to Cusco.
“This was so fun. You'll love it! What an adventure.”
You leave Cusco at 4:00am for Mollepata, breakfast, and a 45-minute ride to Soraypampa. From there, hike about 90 minutes to Humantay Lake with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. Breakfast, lunch, transport, oxygen, and first aid are included, but the 20-sol entrance fee is extra.
“A Laguna Humantay é uma das paisagens mais lindas que já tive a oportunidade de admirar. A subida da montanha é íngreme e com alguns obstáculos, mas bem possível de fazer. Quanto a empresa que nos guiou até lá, deixou bastante a desejar. Difícil comunicação e demora nos retornos com as instruções do passeio. Nosso guia Fred além de fazer brincadeiras vulgares referente aos brasileiros, a todo o momento parecia querer nos desmotivar a subir a pé, para que pegássemos (e pagássemos por) cavalos. Tínhamos 2 senhoras no grupo, e o guia em nenhum momento ofereceu suporte ou ajudar para elas, pelo contrário, muitas vezes andava bem a frente ou…”
Pick a citadel, a ridge or a kitchen.
