Hiking Tours in Cusco: 14 Weighed Up on Cost and Hours

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 and hike about 13 kilometers past Ausangate’s seven colorful lakes. You’ll travel with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide, eat breakfast and lunch, then soak in hot springs. Guides such as Kevin, Eduardo, Carlos, and Inti have been praised for pacing and altitude support, but the route is cold, remote, and very high.

“Our guide, Kevin, was amazing! The hike was absolutely beautiful. The food was plentiful and good! Overall, it was a phenomenal experience! Unforgettable! And lastly, did I mention: our guide Kevin was AWESOME! 10/10 recommend!”

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

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

Set out from Cusco around 4:00 am for Vinicunca at 5,020 meters. You get a bilingual guide, breakfast, buffet lunch, transport, and time for photos, with the Red Valley route subject to current safety restrictions. Guides such as David, Fredy, Joel, and Gorky have led recent departures.

“The place is simply awe inspiring, with a magical and mystical atmosphere. Our guide Edgar from Kantu Peru Tours is incredibly knowledgeable about the mountain and provides meaningful context. Choosing him as your guide is a decision you'll never regret!.”

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3.Cusco: 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 in a small group of up to 15. After breakfast, hike to 5,036-meter Vinicunca, then continue toward the red hills. English- and Spanish-speaking guides, transport, oxygen, and buffet meals are included. You return to Cusco after lunch, with guides such as Richard and drivers such as Toreto praised for considerate service.

“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.”

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4.From Cusco: Rainbow Mountain Trek

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

Leave Cusco at 4:00 AM for a small-group trek from Quesiuno to Rainbow Mountain at 5,020 meters. You’ll see alpacas, llamas, Ausangate, red hills, and local homes, with guides such as Jessy or Alfredo, breakfast, lunch, poles, oxygen, and transport included.

“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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5.Private Palccoyo Rainbow Hike Without the Crowds

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

Leave Cusco around 3:30 am for Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain, where you can see three striped peaks, Red Valley, and an optional stone forest walk. Your guide handles transport, breakfast, lunch, hiking poles, and altitude support. Groups are limited to eight, with private guiding for bookings made after November 3, 2025.

“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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6.Humantay Lake Full Day Hike

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

Leave Cusco before dawn for Humantay Lake with a small group of up to 15 people, breakfast in Mollepata, transport to Soraypampa, and a guided uphill walk to the turquoise lagoon. Guide Luz is noted for patient, hands-on help. Lunch, entrance, oxygen, and first aid are included.

“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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7.Ausangate Trek 5 Days

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

Spend five days circling Ausangate from Cusco with guides such as Guillermo or Urbano, crossing passes up to 5,200 meters, camping beside glacial lakes, soaking in hot springs, and meeting a local family. Small groups, cooks, horse support, meals, and camping gear are included. Bring a sleeping bag and prepare for cold, demanding days.

“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 :)”

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8.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 in Mollepata for breakfast before a 90-minute uphill walk from Soraypampa. An English- or Spanish-speaking guide explains the lagoon’s Inca importance. Transport, breakfast, lunch, oxygen, and first aid are provided, 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!!”

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9.Humantay Lake 2 Day Trek with Sky Camp from Cusco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $520

This two-day trek from Cusco combines Humantay Lake at 4,200 meters with a night in a private Sky Camp dome and a climb to Salkantay Pass at 4,650 meters. You get transport, meals, gear, water, and a licensed guide. Guide John has earned praise for his help, but group size and pickup arrangements may vary.

“We picked this tour as it mentioned that it had a MAXIMUM of 10 participants (as we prefer small groups) but we were 19! We were the first to be picked up at 4.20am and spent the next 35/40mins picking up other people around Cusco. Therefore it added more time to the journey. It was a rough start but the rest of the day went as planned. Humantay lake is challenging but definitely worth it!”

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10.5-Day: Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu and Humantay Lake

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

Trek from Cusco to Machu Picchu through Humantay Lake, the 4,600-meter Salkantay Pass, cloud forest, Santa Teresa, and Aguas Calientes. You get four nights of lodging, meals, a bilingual guide, horses for up to 5 kilograms of gear, and a two-hour Machu Picchu tour. Guide Roger is specifically praised, when available.

“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”

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11.Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Hike – 2 Days / 1 Night

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $415

Spend two demanding days hiking through the Ausangate region, camping at Surinecocha, and reaching Rainbow Mountain before the crowds. Salkantay Trekking provides private transport, meals, camping gear, a guide, poles, oxygen, snacks, and porter support for up to 7 kg of luggage. Expect cold nights, steep passes, and superb high-altitude scenery.

“Ausangate mountain and the rainbow mountain were both very impressive. Our tour guide, Marco, was great and the food was amazing”

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12.Humantay Lake Full-Day Adventure: Scenic Trek and Stunning Views

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · 11 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $39

Leave Cusco before sunrise for Soraypampa, then hike 1.5 hours to Humantay Lake at 4,200 meters. A bilingual guide, breakfast, lunch, transport, oxygen, and horses for hire are part of the day. Expect a long 11 to 12-hour outing, a small group of up to 15, and a $7 entrance fee paid locally.

“Wouldn't give me an itinerary until it was too late to refund. Then told me I could get a refund if I contacted viator. Then they told viator they round refund. So I changed my flight to later to make the tour. Then they didn't show up. Horrible communication with the company. Ruined a whole day of my trip.”

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13.07 Day: Inca Jungle Adventure with Mountain Bike, Rafting, Zipline & Trek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · from $1,129

Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu by bike, raft, zipline, and foot. Inkayni Peru Tours handles transport, permits, meals, and guides, with airport pickup and six nights of lodging. Guides such as Jonathan, Wilbert, Percy, and Freddy are known for strong local knowledge and careful support. Expect high altitude, early starts, active days, and basic jungle lodging.

“We toured with our guide Jonathan, we couldn't have been in better hands. He was very knowledgeable about all aspects of the tour and of the surrounding country. Nothing was too much him, he went out of his way to give us the best possiblRead more”

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14.Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain Trek – 3 Days / 2 Nights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $535

Spend three demanding days hiking from Upis around Ausangate’s glacial lakes, crossing Arapa, Puca, and Warmisaya passes, then reach Vinicunca before the crowds. Salkantay Trekking provides transport from Cusco, meals, camping equipment, a guide, 7 kg luggage transport, poles, and oxygen. Arrive in Cusco at least two days early to adjust to the altitude.

“Our guide, chef, and horsemen were all amazing. Will never forget this experience! Totally recommend this experience.”

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