The Best Cusco Hikes That You Must Experience When In Peru

There is no better place to go hiking than within the towering Peruvian Andes that surround Cusco and the Sacred Valley regions.

Deep within these remote mountains we can find glacial lagoons, indigenous villages as well as stunning snow-capped peaks that hold important spiritual significance. On certain treks we can also explore ancient ruins that once belonged to the Inca civilization – which give us an incredible outlook into how they once ruled these lands.

In this guide we’ll explore the different hikes that you can experience around Cusco, and why each one is worth the trek when looking to explore the towering Peruvian Andes.

3 Incredible Hiking Circuits To Explore Around Cusco Peru

Below we’ll now take a look at 3 of the most memorable hiking paths that we can explore in Peru, and why each is worth heading on.

The Inca Trail (The Best Hike For Ancient History)

Machu Picchu, the culmination of the Inca Trail

One of the most famous and popular hiking treks on the planet, the Inca Trail is by far one of the most complete treks you can experience when in Peru. When hiking the Four Day Inca Trail Trek you will explore various ancient archaeological sites such as Sayacmarca, Intipata and Wiñay Wayna – all of which were built by the Inca civilization. As well as culminating at Machu Picchu, this hike along the stone-carved paths is also great for nature-lovers where we can spot Alpacas, Spectacled Bears as well as the emblematic, orange Cock-of-the-rock bird.

The Salkantay Trek (The Best Hike For Snow-Capped Peaks)

The Best Cusco Hikes That You Must Experience When In Peru

If you are looking for majestic mountains and incredible scenery that will blow you away, then hiking the four day Salkantay Trek is a must when in Cusco. Here we will trek close to some of the most beautiful snow-capped mountains in the region, where we will also visit the deep blue Humantay Lake that is fed by an adjacent glacier. It’s important to remember that the altitudes here can be tough, so you’ll want to make sure you acclimate properly before and have good fitness levels.

The Ausangate Trek (The Best Hike For Beautiful Lagoons)

The Ausangate Trek

Although certain hikes like Salkantay above do visit a lake or two during the hike, if you love epic lagoon vistas then you can’t do any better than the Four Day Ausangate Trek. On this multi-day hike we will explore multiple lagoons which vary from emerald greens to dark blues, many of which were also important sacred ceremonial sites for the Inca and indigenous locals from these remote areas. It’s also common to see wild Alpacas and Viscachas along this mountainous route, so you’ll want to have your camera ready when walking along the path!

How To Prepare Properly For Your Cusco Hike

A large part of your hiking experience comes down to proper know-how and preparation. Given conditions here can be more demanding, it’s especially important to prepare properly and follow local suggestions.

One of the biggest challenges when hiking within the Cusco Andes will be the altitudes. Here they can easily soar above 4000-5000m, which can often cause unwanted side effects such as nausea and headaches. For this reason you’ll want to acclimate for a few days in Cusco beforehand, where you can also take altitude sickness medications like Soroche Pills and Coca Leaf Teas (both can be bought locally in Cusco before starting your trek).

Another important thing to remember is to pack properly before heading on these hikes. You’ll need plenty of warm layers for the cold evenings, which includes a hat, gloves and a thick coat. However during the daytime temperatures can be quite hot, so you’ll also need light hiking layers and also lots of sunscreen (given it’s much easier to burn up at these higher altitudes).

Things To Know Before Going Hiking Around Cusco Peru

Planning For The Different Hiking Seasons

Overall the dry season is the most popular time to hike around Cusco, which runs from April until October. Here we can expect clear blue skies and more crowds along the different routes, although temperatures will be cooler than usual. The wet season (from November until March) is perfect for fewer crowds and beautiful green scenery – although the heavy rains can make certain trekking routes more difficult.

Choosing The Most Reputable Hiking Companies

Given the remote landscapes and sometimes difficult hiking conditions, it’s important to book your trip with experienced hiking operators when trekking in Cusco – such as local company AB Expeditions. Not only do they have professional guides lead all of their multi-day circuits, you’ll also have all high-quality gear, insulated tents, meals as well as transport to and from the different hiking paths provided within your tour.

Booking Your Hikes In Advance

It’s also important to know that many of these hikes can get crowded during certain months of the year, and spaces can even sell-out at times (which is common on the Inca Trail during the dry season). For this particular trek we recommend booking at least 6 months in advance to guarantee your spot and preferred camping areas, whilst for the others we suggest booking at least 3-4 months before you plan to head to Peru.