Discover all of our multi-day treks and trekking tours below. Hike the classic Inca Trail or get off the beaten track and explore one of our fantastic alternatives. With top-quality equipment and decades of experience planning treks, our team has what it takes to plan your perfect Andean adventure. If you don’t see what you’re looking for below, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can help build you a custom expedition.
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Discover all of our multi-day treks and trekking tours below. Hike the classic Inca Trail or get off the beaten track and explore one of our fantastic alternatives. With top-quality equipment and decades of experience planning treks, our team has what it takes to plan your perfect Andean adventure. If you don’t see what you’re looking for below, don’t hesitate to contact us so we can help build you a custom expedition.
At Cusco Native, we ensure the best prices by operating locally without intermediaries. You can’t find the same itinerary with identical services at a lower price elsewhere.
Reserve your adventure with just a 25% deposit and pay the rest upon arrival in Peru. Postpone your trip for free up to 30 days before the start date!
Local Business
Sustainable
Small Groups
Experienced Team
Cusco Native Tours is a sustainable and ethical tour operator founded in 2008 by Renato Auca Fuentes, a native cusqueño of Quechua origin. Our company offers unique and authentic tours and treks throughout Peru, showcasing the country’s rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty.
Peru is a paradise for hikers, offering ancient trails, breathtaking landscapes, and immersive cultural experiences. With so many treks to choose from, selecting the right one can feel overwhelming. This guide helps you find the ideal trek based on time, fitness level, goals, and personal travel style.
Time is one of the biggest factors in choosing your adventure. Whether you’re in Peru for just a few days or planning a full trekking experience, there’s something for you.
1-Day Adventures
Short but powerful hikes to stunning viewpoints and ruins.
Recommended:
• Waqrapukara Day Tour – dramatic canyon views and Inca architecture
• Humantay Lake Tour – a glacial lake nestled beneath snowy peaks
• Rainbow Mountain Tour – vibrant mineral-striped mountains
2–3 Day Treks
Perfect for a short immersion into nature and Andean history.
Recommended:
• Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – hike the last part of the Inca Trail and enter via the Sun Gate
• Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu – a scenic and quiet route through ancient ruins
4–5 Day Treks
For travelers seeking a rewarding multi-day experience with culture, history, and breathtaking views.
Recommended:
• Lares Trek to Machu Picchu – cultural immersion with remote Quechua villages
• Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – a scenic and diverse alternative to the Inca Trail
• Choquequirao Trek – a remote Inca site, larger than Machu Picchu, with almost no crowds
6+ Day Expeditions
Longer treks for experienced hikers wanting solitude and deeper exploration.
Recommended:
• Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek – two great Inca cities connected through raw wilderness
Match your trek to your comfort and ability—especially when it comes to altitude.
Shorter treks or those with minimal altitude challenges.
Recommended:
• Humantay Lake Tour
• Rainbow Mountain Tour (though high in altitude, it's a short hike)
• Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
• Huchuy Qosqo Trek
Tip: Even if a trek is rated “easy,” high altitude can still affect your performance. Spend 1–2 days in Cusco to acclimate before hiking.
Multi-day hikes with some altitude and elevation changes. Reasonable fitness required.
Recommended:
• Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
• Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Demanding due to high elevation, long days, or rugged conditions.
Recommended:
• Ausangate Trek
• Salkantay Trek
• Choquequirao Trek
• Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Trek
Choose your trek based on the type of experience you want—not just the destination.
Immerse yourself in quiet landscapes with few other travelers.
Recommended:
• Ausangate Trek
• Choquequirao Trek
• Waqrapukara Day Tour
High mountain passes, glaciers, and striking geography.
Recommended:
• Lake Humantay
• Salkantay Trek
• Ausangate Trek
• Rainbow Mountain Tour
• Choquequirao to Machu Picchu
• Inca Trail Express
Explore ancient trails, archaeological sites, and living legacies of the Inca.
Recommended:
• Lares Trek
• Huchuy Qosqo Trek
• Inca Trail Express
• Choquequirao Trek
The Andes of Peru offer stunning trekking experiences year-round, but May to October is generally the best time to explore the routes you've selected. Clear skies, dry trails, and vibrant cultural festivals make these months ideal for both beginner hikers and experienced trekkers.
Dry Season (May – October) – Ideal Conditions
Why it’s great: Consistently clear skies, minimal rainfall, and comfortable daytime temperatures make trekking conditions more reliable and enjoyable.
Best for:
• Waqrapukara Day Tour
• Humantay Lake Tour
• Rainbow Mountain Tour
• Classic Cusco & Machu Picchu
• Inca Trail Express
• Short & Classic Inca Trails
• Lares Trek
• Huchuy Qosqo Trek
• Salkantay Trek
• Ausangate Trek
• Choquequirao & Choquequirao to Machu Picchu Treks
Note: This is also high season for tourism—book permits (especially for the Inca Trail) well in advance.
Wet Season (November – April) – Green, Quiet & Riskier
The rainy season brings lush, green landscapes and quieter trails—perfect for those seeking solitude. But frequent rain, cloud cover, and muddy paths can make some treks more challenging, especially at higher altitudes. It's a trade-off between vibrant scenery and tougher conditions.
Still possible with caution:
• Waqrapukara Day Tour
• Humantay Lake Tour
• Rainbow Mountain Tour (early morning departures recommended)
• Huchuy Qosqo Trek
Important:
The Classic Inca Trail is closed in February for maintenance.
Multi-day treks like Salkantay, Ausangate, and Choquequirao are not recommended in peak rainy months due to trail safety issues.
Planning your trek or day hike in Peru? Understanding the permit requirements and local regulations is essential—especially for iconic trails like the Inca Trail or protected sites like Machu Picchu. Here's what you need to know for each destination:
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Permit required: Yes
Details: Strictly controlled by the Peruvian government. Only 500 permits are issued per day (includes hikers, guides, and porters).
Book in advance: 4–6 months ahead, especially for May–August.
Important: Closed every February for maintenance.
If your trek ends at Machu Picchu (like Lares, Salkantay, Huchuy Qosqo, Choquequirao to Machu Picchu), you will need:
A Machu Picchu entrance ticket (issued for a specific time and date)
Optional: Additional tickets if visiting Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain
These routes do not require a government permit but may have local entrance fees or checkpoint controls:
• Lares Trek to Machu Picchu – No permit, but Machu Picchu ticket required.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – No permit, but entrance fees apply at checkpoints and for Machu Picchu.
• Ausangate Trek – No permit, but community fees apply in some areas.
• Choquequirao Trek – No permit, but you’ll pay a modest entrance fee at the Choquequirao archaeological site.
• Huchuy Qosqo Trek – No permit, but Huchuy Qosqo site has a small fee.
These popular day tours require no trekking permits, but you’ll need to pay a small entrance fee or tourist ticket:
• Waqrapukara Day Tour – Entrance fee paid at local checkpoint
• Humantay Lake Tour – Small community fee (usually included in your tour)
• Rainbow Mountain Tour – Local fee (varies by trailhead: Cusipata or Pitumarca)
We take our responsibility to the Andes seriously. Here’s how we protect the environment on every tour:
• Leave No Trace: We minimize our footprint by packing out all waste, including food scraps and packaging.
• Trail & Campsite Responsibility: We stick to official trails and select campsites carefully to protect the Andean ecosystem and prevent land degradation.
• Water Protection: Only biodegradable toiletries are used to avoid polluting rivers and natural water sources.
• Plastic-Free Practices: We avoid single-use plastics by using reusable containers, utensils, and kitchenware.
• Clean Water Access: Guests are encouraged to bring refillable bottles—we provide clean water throughout the journey.
Every trek with Cusco Native helps uplift local families. We proudly:
• Employ local guides, cooks, porters, and muleteers—offering fair pay and proper gear.
• Partner with rural villages like the Kinsacocha community in the highlands of Pisac.
• Offer authentic, community-based experiences that benefit locals directly.
• Promote and purchase handmade crafts and textiles from Andean artisans.
Many of the trails we walk—like Waqrapukara, Choquequirao, and the Sacred Valley—hold deep spiritual significance. We help travelers:
• Understand the meaning behind ancient sites and Andean traditions.
• Learn respectful ways to interact with locals and sacred spaces.
Cusco Native Tours is a sustainable and ethical tour operator founded in 2008 by Renato Auca Fuentes, a native cusqueño of Quechua origin. Our company offers unique and authentic tours and treks throughout Peru, showcasing the country’s rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty.
We are your local experts in Peru, specializing in tailor-made itineraries, 24/7 support, and exclusive insider access. By partnering with us, you can offer your clients unforgettable experiences that go beyond the ordinary. Let's connect and create extraordinary journeys together.
Personalized tours to Machu Picchu and other iconic destinations, handcrafted by passionate local experts.
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