Full dayRainbow Mountain Tour
Vinicunca above 5,000 m, with the Red Valley as an optional way down.
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Day trips and hikes from Cusco
Turquoise lakes under glaciers and mountains striped in red and ochre. These five hikes leave Cusco early, include transport, meals and a guide, and have you back in the city by evening.
Full day
Full dayHumantay Lake Tour
A short, steep climb to a turquoise lake under a hanging glacier.
Full dayPalccoyo Rainbow Mountain
Three colored mountains and a stone forest on an easy, quiet trail.
Full dayAusangate 7 Lakes Hike
A loop past seven glacial lakes below the sacred peak of Cusco, with hot springs to finish.
Full dayPallay Punchu
The colored mountain with a jagged ridge, a lake below it and almost nobody on the trail.
Side by side
Compare the day hikes
| Trip | Length | Level | Highest point | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Mountain Tour | 1 day | Demanding | 5,036 m (16,522 ft) | $25 |
| Humantay Lake Tour | 1 day | Moderate | 4,200 m (13,780 ft) | $25 |
| Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain | 1 day | Easy | 4,900 m (16,076 ft) | $30 |
| Ausangate 7 Lakes Hike | 1 day | Moderate | 4,600 m (15,091 ft) | $30 |
| Pallay Punchu | 1 day | Easy | 4,700 m (15,420 ft) | $40 |
Which day hike suits you
Humantay Lake and Rainbow Mountain are the best known. Both are short in distance but steep and high, so they feel harder than the numbers suggest.
Palccoyo is the easy alternative to Rainbow Mountain, with three colored ridges and far less climbing. Pallay Punchu is a newer route with sharp, striped peaks and very few visitors.
The 7 Lakes of Ausangate is a full loop below one of the highest mountains in the region, with hot springs at the end.
Altitude on a day hike
Most of these hikes reach between 4,200 and 5,000 m. Spend two days in Cusco first, drink plenty of water and walk at your own pace. Our guides carry oxygen and a first aid kit on every departure.
Common questions
What time do the day hikes leave?
Between 3:00 and 5:00 a.m., depending on the hike. The early start avoids crowds and the afternoon weather.
Can I do a day hike on my first day in Cusco?
We do not recommend it. Give yourself at least two days in the city so your body gets used to the altitude.
Are private departures available?
Yes. Every day hike can be booked as a private service with your own guide and vehicle. Prices are on each hike page.
More ways to explore
Looking for something else?
Inca Trail
The original Inca road to Machu Picchu, in four days of camping, two days with a hotel night or a private luxury trek.
Salkantay Treks
A 4,630 m glacier pass, cloud forest and nights in domes on the way to Machu Picchu.
Choquequirao
Four days across the Apurimac canyon to an Inca city with no road, no train and almost no visitors.
Machu Picchu
The citadel by train, in one to three days, with tickets and guide arranged.
Luxury Tours
Private luxury treks and Machu Picchu journeys, with glamping camps, selected hotels and panoramic trains.