Hiking in Cusco: the 9 Best Guided Hikes

1.From Cusco: 7 Lakes Ausangate Trek with Breakfast and Lunch

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

Leave Cusco before dawn for Pacchanta, then hike about 13 kilometers past Ausangate’s high-altitude lakes, alpacas, and snow-capped peaks. The route reaches roughly 4,620 meters, so it is a serious trek, not a casual walk. Guides such as Kevin, Carlos, Eduardo, and Sebastian have been praised for pacing and support. Breakfast, lunch, transport, and hot springs access are extra value at $29, though horses cost more.

“Overall it was a good trip, Jonathan the guide was very friendly and helpful. The only thing that was a bit disturbing is that we didn't have much time to admire the landscapes, we had time to take some pictures and then we had to continue. I'd recommend for people who also want to contemplate the scenery not just hike to go in the front if you can, because there are always slower people who you need to wait for and you can use that time for looking around.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Travel from Cusco to Vinicunca with a bilingual guide, breakfast, lunch, transport, and optional trekking poles. You’ll hike to 5,020 meters through Andean scenery, with guides such as David, Fredy, Joel, Gorky, or Edgar assigned depending on the departure. Red Valley access may be limited by current route restrictions.

“Had the most amazing time! I can totally recommend this company because they really value your feedback. Our guide, Joel, was translating all the information into English just for me, considering I was the only non-Spanish speaker on the bus. Everything was perfect, from the smooth transport to the delicious food (with plenty of vegetarian choices) and the super enjoyable hike up the mountain. Highly recommend. P.S. Note for Joel: Aconcagua - 6,961 m, Everest - 8,849 m, Ausangate - 6,384 m”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

You’ll leave Cusco early, eat breakfast near Quiquijana, then hike from Phulawasipata to Rainbow Mountain at 5,036 meters. The route continues toward Red Valley, with views of Ausangate and Andean animals. Expect a small group of up to 15, bilingual guides, buffet meals, transport, and a return to Cusco by evening.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Salkantay Trek Challenge – 3 Days / 2 Nights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 101 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $680Top rated

Take the fast, demanding route from Cusco to Machu Picchu over the Salkantay Pass. You will sleep at Mountain Sky View and in Aguas Calientes, walk through coffee country, and finish with a guided Machu Picchu visit. Guides such as Marco, Guido, and Cesar Quispe have led this trip.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Choquequirao Trek 4 days and 3 nights

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

You’ll hike from Capuliyoc through the Apurimac Canyon to Choquequirao, an Inca site with far fewer people than Machu Picchu. TreXperience provides transport, an English-speaking guide, chef, porter service for up to 7 kilograms, meals, camping support, and a visit to Saywite. Guides may include Elias, Sebastian, or Gary, depending on your departure.

“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…”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Trek from Cusco through Humantay Lake, Salkantay Pass, cloud forest, coffee farms, and Llactapata with guides such as Cesar, Roger, and José. You will camp, enjoy a Pachamanca feast, see Machu Picchu from an unusual angle, then return by Vistadome or 360° train.

“Booked this last minute because I am a very “book things as you go” traveler, and I honestly think I got so lucky because I genuinely do not think there is a better experience you can get. My guides were absolutely incredible. Eddie was very knowledgeable and put together and made sure everything went smoothly. Elias was just the kindest and most fun person to be around, and truly cared about all of the people. Very amazing environment and the food was just phenomenal. Seriously cannot recommend this company more, and it is also 100% local!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.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, Andean villages, llama country, and the 14,599-foot Kuychiccasa Pass before reaching Machu Picchu. This four-day trip includes a guide, camping gear, meals, park fees, hotel pickup, and one night in Aguas Calientes. Expect demanding altitude, small-group attention, and far fewer people than on the Classic Inca Trail.

“My brother and I did this trip and had an amazing time! This trail, while not the classic Inca trail, is a great experience. The hike goes through the mountains and gives amazing views without the crowds of the classic trail. We visited several Incan Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Humantay Lake Full Day Hike

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

Leave Cusco before dawn for Mollepata, breakfast, and a private ride to Soraypampa at 3,900 meters. Hike about 1 hour 45 minutes to turquoise Humantay Lake, with guide support, meals, oxygen, and a maximum of 15 people. Guide Luz is praised for helping hikers who struggle 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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.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 with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. You’ll ride through Andean villages to Mollepata, continue to Soraypampa, then hike about 90 minutes to the lake. Breakfast, lunch, round-trip transport, first aid, and oxygen are included, but the 20-sol entrance fee is extra.

“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!!”

Check availability →Read our full review