During our 2.5 months stay in Peru at the end of 2019, we covered a lot of ground. Literally. We especially fell in love with Cusco where we set up base for 2 full months. It seemed like the perfect central location to take advantage of the sights, Inca history, and of course, the amazing landscapes near the Sacred Valley and Andes mountains. From hiking to Inca ruins, waterfalls, incredible vistas and jaw-dropping mountains, we were on a mission to discover the best day hikes near Cusco.
Cusco is the heart of the Incan civilization and also the gateway to the Sacred Valley. Most people think of Machu Picchu when they hear the words “Sacred Valley”, but there is so much more to this region than solely the world-famous ruins. Don’t get me wrong–Machu Picchu is absolutely worth a visit and should be #1 on your list when you visit Peru. However, it wouldn’t be fair if you didn’t add some of these incredible day hikes to your list while you are in Cusco.
*An important note about Cusco: the city sits at approx 11,000 feet in elevation. Yes, the altitude is no joke! But don’t let that deter you. With extra precaution and careful preparation before and during your stay (especially the first few days as you acclimatize), you will be just fine. This means try not to do anything too strenuous until you’ve been in Cusco for at least 3-4 days ideally. In addition, when you arrive, do what the locals do and sip on coca tea, which is supposed to help and minimize the possibility of altitude sickness.
Spend those first few days in Cusco sightseeing the historic center (Plaza de Armas), visiting a few museums, shopping for beautiful textiles and eating delicious Peruvian food. Some of our favorite restaurants or eateries in Cusco were: Morena Peruvian Kitchen, Los Toldos Chicken, Korma Sutra, Inka Grill, La Bodega 138, Marcelo Batata, Pacha Papa, and the San Pedro Market.
Once you have adapted to the altitude, it’s time for a hike! The following 12 best day hikes near Cusco take you around the city, into the Sacred Valley, and even a little bit farther to the breathtaking Andes mountains. You will see a wide variety of landscapes, get up close and personal with the Inca culture and be blown away by all that Peru has to offer.
1. Sacsayhuaman
This great day hike is the closest one to Cusco, as it sits right above the city overlooking the historic center. Most people just get a taxi to the Sacsayhuaman ruins from Cusco, however, you can also combine it with a network of ruins — smaller and lesser known sites — that take you away from the crowds and show off the impressive architecture and Inca heritage of Peru. The best way to do this is to get a taxi to Tambomachay and then start the hike from here, which takes you past the other ruins (Tambomachay, Puca Pucara, Q’enko) and ends at Sacsayhuaman.
You will be amazed at the complexity of the massive stones at Sacsayhuaman which offers panoramic views of the city below. There are also often llamas grazing at these ruins which make it extra special!
2. Huchuy Qosqo
Another hike close to Cusco is Huchuy Qosqo, a beautiful and quiet trail on the outskirts of town. It is also the shortest hiking option in the Peruvian Andes and suggested for a good acclimatization to the high altitude, especially as a training for multi-day treks in the Andes. The 11-mile day trek follows the Inca trail and leads to ancient ruins that were once the summer home of an important Incan king.
First, you want to take a colectivo to Laguna Piuray. When you arrive at the lake, take a taxi to the start of the Imperial Incan trail. The trail is well marked and you will witness breathtaking views of the mountains and surrounding glaciers before heading down into the valley to the town of Lamay, where you can take a collectivo back to Cusco.
3. Chinchero to Urquillos
The hike from Chinchero to Urquillos was unexpected in a good way and the best part? It’s downhill most of the way and relatively unknown, making this 5-mile trail a great off-the-beaten-path option. We did a full day tour with Peru Eco Expeditions, in which we observed a traditional weaving ceremony, visited the ruins, and then hiked from Chinchero to Urquillos. We finished the day with a late lunch and it was fabulous!
If you prefer to hike on your own, you can hire a taxi (or Uber) to Chinchero, which boasts beautiful mountain views and is famous for its weaving traditions. From the ruins, you will see a path that descends into the Sacred Valley via well-worn Inca trails, finishing in the colonial village of Urquillos. From there you can hire a transport to return to Cusco.
4. Moray to Maras
You might have seen photos of the famous salt mines of Maras, but did you know you can hike to this sight from the Moray ruins in a day? This easy-to-moderate 7.5-mile hike across Andean farmland connects two important Incan sites: the agricultural terraces of Moray and the salt evaporation ponds near Maras. Be prepared to have your mind blown!
Begin your hike at the terraces of Moray, where you will learn that each terrace drops in temperature by about 2 degrees. The Incas used these terraces to find out what crops grew best in which temperatures–talk about fascinating! From here, you will hike along the Mule trail away from Moray for just over three miles until you reach the colonial village of Maras.
Once in Maras, it’s another three miles downhill until you encounter the salt mines of Maras. These shallow salt ponds have been used since pre-Inca times to harvest salt through the process of evaporating salty water. This place is truly unique! Make sure to taste the different salts and even buy some to support the local community. From Maras, continue hiking downhill to the Urubamba River, cross over the bridge, and walk two blocks to the main highway to wait for a colectivo.
*Side note: If you prefer not to hike, or are short on time, we would suggest looking into doing this Sacred Valley tour with Apurimac Adventures which includes both of these sites (plus other stops in the Sacred Valley). Amazing excursion and you will learn more about these fascinating ruins by going with a guide!
Getting here: Take any colectivo from Cusco (you can catch one at the Grau bus terminal) that heads to Urubamba via Chinchero and ask to be let off at the Maras/Moray turn-off. Cost is around $2/person. From there, hire a taxi to take you the remaining six miles to Moray (alternatively, and for about $15-20 USD, you can hire a taxi from Cusco to take you directly to Moray). This one-way hike ends at Av. Ferrocarril about four miles west of Urubamba. Wave down a passing colectivo and get off at Urubamba, where you can transfer for another colectivo headed to Cusco.
5. Kinsa Cocha
This hike near Pisac, about a 45 minute drive from Cusco into the Sacred Valley is about as picturesque as they come and totally off-radar. It’s important to note that you will need to arrange transportation from Cusco to Pisac via colectivo first, and then once in Pisac, you will catch a taxi to Kinsa Concha and BACK. It’s important to negotiate a round trip price and have your driver wait for you at the Kinsa Cocha lakes because otherwise you won’t be able to catch a ride back home. This will end up costing a bit more, however it is well worth the $30-40 trip.
When you negotiate your price, make sure it’s to visit the Kinsa Cocha Lake and Laguna Azul because the third lake is about 1.5 miles down the road from the first and won’t be included in the price if you don’t specifically ask for it. Before you set off, make sure to agree to a time with your driver for how long you want to hike (3 hours is probably adequate). From here, there are trails going around both sides of the lake and you can choose your route.
After you reach the first lake you will arrive to the area where the first lake connects with the second. After passing the first two lakes, you will walk further into a valley (you will most likely spot alpacas grazing). Eventually you will come to a mountain wall. If you chose, you can climb up on the ledges on the left side of the valley and walk back on the trails high above the valley, overlooking the lakes in the distance.
This trail also returns to the starting point where the taxi driver should be waiting for you. To get to the third lake, the driver will head down a bumpy road for about a 10 min before arriving to Laguna Azul.
6. Pisac ruins to market
You can’t go to Cusco without a visit to the Pisac ruins and market, so why not combine them and hike from one to the other? This easy two-mile hike takes you down a steep hill through the expansive Incan fortress of Pisac. Begin with a quick stroll atop the ancient agricultural terraces up to the Qalla Q’asa sector, which looks out over three Andean valleys.
Once you’ve explored the ruins above, follow the path that goes alongside a ridge below and then through a rock tunnel toward the Inti Watana and P’isaqa sectors. Here lies well-preserved temples, as well as working water channels and stone walls showcasing meticulous masonry. Eventually you will take the steps that lead into the picturesque artisan market of Pisac town, which hosts probably the best market for textiles and handicrafts in the Sacred Valley. *Pro tip: Go on Tuesday/Thursday/Sunday when the market is biggest.
Getting here: Take a colectivo from Cusco’s Bus Terminal to Pisac/Urubamba. Once in Pisac, hire a taxi to drive you 20 minutes up a winding road to the entrance gate for the archeological site. Colectivo costs $2 per person while the taxi will charge you $10. Once you are finished hiking and enjoyed the market in Pisac, catch a colectivo back to Cusco on the main road.
7. Pelroyniyoc waterfall
Tucked away near the beautiful town of Ollaytantambo in the Sacred Valley lies this hidden gem–the Pelroyniyoc waterfall, also next to some ruins. These falls are spectacularly perched atop a cliff, making them even more dramatic. Arrange for a taxi from Ollantaytambo to the village of Socma (a 45-minute taxi ride from Ollantaytambo), where you begin the steep hike. Socma offers perspective on rural life in the Valley. Above the falls there are a few remote communities that will occasionally welcome travelers into their homes if you arrive with a local guide.
8. Palccoyo
About 3 hours from Cusco, but worth the long drive sits Palccoyo, also known as the “alternative Rainbow Mountain”. We did this hike with Exploor Peru and loved it so much! This trail is lesser known than the more popular, but over-touristy hike to Rainbow Mountain. We started the day early and drove to a local restaurant half way between Cusco and Palccoyo, where we enjoyed a delicious breakfast.
From there it was another 1.5 hours to the quaint village of Palccoyo, where our guide introduced us to a local man who gave us a wonderful explanation of the farming techniques that they use in this high-altitude town in the Andes Mountains. For example, they grow over 300 varieties of potatoes here! We also learned all about the tools they use for farming and also, saw the beautiful textiles that the women make. It was fascinating and eye-opening.
After an hour tour of this village and town, we then started our hike on Palccoyo. The weather started out as partly cloudy and snowy, but then as the day progressed, the sun started to come out. We hiked with another local guide and his friendly alpaca, Oso, which he let our son “walk up the hill”. The colors of the mountains started to pop when the sun came out and we witnessed brilliant shades of reds, yellows, greens, and even blues in the rock sendiment.
The entire hike was less than 3 miles round trip and moderate in difficulty, however the elevation gain can be tough if you haven’t acclimated yet. The highest we summited was around 16K, but the ascent itself was gradual. Make sure to walk very slowly and take deep breaths as you climb, as this will help your lungs get the air you need and also control your heart rate. Chewing on coca leaves too (it’s what the locals do!).
One thing we loved most about this hike is that we saw probably less than 30 people on the trail all day, so if you want to see the colors of the Rainbow Mountain without all the people, this is a definite must-do and Exploor Peru was a fantastic guide.
9. Humantay Lake
If you want to experience the high Andes mountains, you can’t miss this stunning day hike to Humantay Lake, just outside Cusco. To get here, you have a 3 hour drive, however when you arrive, you will be grateful you made the trip. Be prepared to have your jaw on the ground as you witness mind-blowing scenery along the entire 5 mile round trip hike. Snow-capped peaks that reach nearly 20K feet, glaciers, and jewel-colored lakes make up this trail.
This is another high altitude hike (the highest altitude we climbed was to 15K), so make sure to spend a few days in Cusco acclimatizing before taking on this hike.
We loved doing the Humantay Lake day hike with Apurimac Adventures because our guide, Juan was wonderful and knowledge about the mountains and history of the Incas. He even performed a special Incan ceremony in which we blessed the Mother Earth, or “Pachamama”, right on the shores of Humantay Lake. Truly a day not to forget!
10. Salkantay Pass/Lake
Near Humantay Lake lies the trail to Salkantay Pass which also goes to Salkantay Lake. This is a moderate to difficult hike with lots of climbing and elevation gain, but the scenery is absolutely indescribable. On a clear day, you will have views of Salkantay Mountain along the entire trail, making this 9 mile round trip hike particularly photogenic. If you are an experienced hiker and in good shape, put this experience on your list! One more thing to note: You may be able to add the option of horseback riding to the pass if you feel the hike might be a little outside your comfort zone.
11. Rainbow Mountain
You’ve probably seen photos of Rainbow Mountain, and while it is more than often quite crowded, it’s still worth visiting just to witness the vibrant colors of these mountains. The Rainbow Mountain (also known as Vinicunca) is stunning and can be seen on the spectacular multi-day Ausangate Trek. Ausangate mountain is considered a holy mountain by local Peruvians and since pre-Inca times, the mountain has been a place of worship and offerings that carries on traditions today.
Now, Rainbow Mountain can be easily accessed as a day trip from Cusco (another 3 hour drive) that takes you to this remote area of the Andes. The 6 mile hike itself can be challenging as it is a steady climb most of the way, but also the altitude (over 16K feet) makes it harder. However, if you choose, you can also ride horses from the trailhead (guided by the locals) to nearly the top. Keep in mind that the last 30-40 minutes or so of the hike, you will need to walk as horses aren’t allowed on the Rainbow Mountain.
Even though this hike is gorgeous, be aware that it is almost always crowded due to lots of tourists. Even if you arrive early (we got here by 6AM), be prepared to see plenty of other people here. This can detract from the experience, so if you prefer hiking off-the-beaten path with less people around, you might want to consider doing the less popular Palccoyo hike.
12. Ausangate 7 Lakes
If you crave mind-blowing landscapes and complete tranquility, you can’t miss the hike to the Ausangate 7 Lakes with Peru Eco Expeditions. This hike begins at a remote village and meanders its way across the most stunning Andean Valley. It then ascends towards several glacier-fed lakes and towering peaks before finishing the day at some hot springs. If you want to truly get away from it all and experience the majestic Peruvian Andes, add this hike to your list!
Conclusion
Peru is one of the world’s leading trekking and hiking destinations for good reason–incredible and diverse landscapes, combined with Inca history and culture. Cusco is probably the best central location for some of the Peru’s top hikes too, so if you can stay a full week or two and make the most of this stunning country, you won’t regret it. These 12 best day hikes near Cusco will certainly not disappoint!