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Trekking Peru: The 4 best day treks in and near Cusco

What are nice day treks in Peru? It doesn't always have to be a multi-day hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. And not a one-week mountain expedition near Huaraz. Hiking for days on end in very thin Andean air and bitterly cold nights in a tent - that's not necessarily for everyone. Nevertheless, one would prefer to experience Peru on foot. And this is best done on day hikes in and near Cusco. So you don't have to give up the comfort of your cozy accommodation. We have 4 day hikes up our sleeves for you. You can find more excursion destinations for Cusco, as well as planning tips for your Peru trip in our individual travel guide!

So, power up at breakfast, get into your hiking boots and take the public bus to the next hiking trail!

Our tip: For Machu Picchu hiking tours on your own, we highly recommend the app maps.me!

Trekking Peru: Top 4 hikes in and outside of Cusco

Peru treks

Number 1: Simply spectacular! Laguna Huaypo to Maras

This is a tried and true day hike through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You'll start at a large blue lagoon and hike cross-country to the salt terraces of Maras.Grab a combi (shared cab) early in the morning in the direction of Urubamba/ Ollantaytambo and get off after about 30 minutes (10 minutes after Chinchero) at the "Laguna Huaypo". Just tell the driver where exactly you want to get off. Already upon arrival you have an insane view over the wide mosaic-like fields and the picturesque mountain panorama in the background. For the most part, you'll hike north on dirt roads to the village of Maras. From there it is a half-hour hike down to the salt terraces. A unique place that needs to be explored first. At the end you cross the site and walk to the Urubamba River (40 minutes), where you reach the road between Ollantaytambo and Urubamba and can take a combi or mototaxi back to Urubamba (and on to Cusco). 

Best treks in the world

Number 2: New trend: The "Rainbow Mountains".

The Rainbow Mountains sprang up like mushrooms. All of a sudden, everyone wanted to see the colorful "Rainbow Mountains". I had already seen the colorful mountains in 2013 on my 5-day circumnavigation of Mount Ausangate. Now it is also possible to see the impressive mountain panorama, alpacas and the famous Rainbow Mountains during a day trip (costs are around 120 Soles per tour). Of course, the easiest way to do this is to book a tour from Cusco. If that is too expensive, you can also drive on your own to the starting point of the hike. A very detailed report on how to do that can be found here. The bus ride alone is super scenic. Then from kilometer 8 you hike about 2 to 3 hours to the Rainbow Mountains. The air is thin because of the altitude (start at 4300 meters) and the sun is burning! Be sure to bring plenty of water, warm clothes and sunscreen! If you run out of breath, you can also rent a horse.

Alternative treks to machu picchu

Number 3: Panoramic View over Cusco, The Picol Peak

A super exciting trekking in Peru you can do to the Picol peak. This is located in the southern part of the city of Cusco. The starting point is the district of Santa Maria. You can get there by public bus (On Av. la Cultura) or by cab. The hike to the top takes about 4 to 5 hours, so it makes sense to start very early in the morning. If you are equipped with a tent and camping gear, there is nothing against camping at Picol and returning the next day. On the way you will be rewarded with impressive views over the valley of Cusco and the surrounding mountains. You also hike through fragrant eucalyptus forests!

Inca trail treks

Number 4: Hike to Pisac with Ruins and Market

An hour north of Cusco is Pisac, a small village located in the Sacred Valley on the Urubamba River and surrounded by green mountains. Pisac is best known for its Inca ruins, which can be explored in a nice half-day hike (single entrance 70 soles or total ticket (Boleto Turistico) for 130 soles). You can start in Pisac and climb up a mountain path towards the ruins. From experience, this takes about 40 to 50 minutes. If you want to avoid the steep climb, you can also take a cab up to the ruins and explore the archaeological site on foot and then hike down to the village of Pisac. Our tip: Try to avoid the times between 8 and 10 am, as that is when the tourist buses from Cusco arrive and when it is busier. Exploring the ruins takes about half a day. The rest of the day you can go to the handicraft market and store for blankets, alpaca sweaters, silver jewelry, ceramics and drink a delicious fruit juice.

Great treks

Best Tours in Peru

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