Top Cusco Nature Walks

Escape the crowds and discover a quieter, equally stunning alternative to Vinicunca on this full day Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain Tour. With a short and scenic 40 minute hike, this experience is ideal for travelers of all ages looking for natural beauty without the intensity of a long trek. Enjoy round trip transportation from Cusco, a hearty Andean breakfast, and a traditional lunch at a local restaurant. Along the way, explore three colorful rainbow mountains, take in panoramic views of the Andes, visit the otherworldly Stone Forest, and learn about the region’s geology and culture from your professional bilingual guide.

Opt for a less strenuous alternative to Vinicunca on a day trip to Palyoco, a 7-colored peak that provides exceptional photo opportunities, from Cusco. Rather than having to trek for five hours, you’ll take a short 1-hour walk before enjoying views of the Rainbow Mountain—plus, you’ll hike at a more relaxed pace in a small group limited to 15 people.

Discover the turquoise waters of alpine Humantay Lake on a small-group day trip from Cusco. Take a scenic trek through the Andes Mountains; if the hike is too steep, you can rent a horse to reach the lake. Enjoy included hotel pickup, breakfast, and buffet lunch, with free time to explore and admire the views.

Book this private tour to explore some of the best of Peru, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. You don’t need to share your experience with a group, but rather can go at your own pace and enjoy each site as you like. Your guide takes care of all the logistics, like some meals, accommodation, entrance tickets, train tickets, and some other excursions along the way, too. Just show up ready for an adventure.

Get a taste for Peru’s high-alpine scenery and ancient Inca customs during this full-day hike to Lake Humantay from Cusco. Ascend to this scenic body of water located at 13,779 feet (4,200 meters), learning about its sacred place in Inca mythology during your climb. An included buffet lunch back at base camp is an added bonus.

This Humantay Lake Full-Day Tour from Cusco is a great pick for travelers who want to see the lake but only have a day to spare. This full-day tour takes you to the lake through the Soraypampa Trek, which is a circular route that runs about 2.7 miles (4.3 kilometers). A guide knows the best spots to stop at to see wildlife and teaches you about the scared mountains surrounding the area, too.

Skip crowded taxi lines and avoid navigating confusing public transport systems with this shared transfer from Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ) to your hotel. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, your transfer is synced to your flight's arrival time, so there's no time wasted waiting around for a ride.

While in Peru, don’t let time constraints hold you back from visiting the iconic archaeological site of Machu Picchu. This private tour from Cusco includes all transportation logistics to safely take you to and from Machu Picchu in one day by train and car, plus entrance fees and a guided tour of Machu Picchu itself.

Visit one of Peru's most popular places without the crowds on this well-planned day tour. Instead of visiting Rainbow Mountain in the morning, like other groups, visit in the afternoon after the crowds have left. With a small group, enjoy unobstructed views and learn about the landscape from your guide.

See more of Peru’s Sacred Valley in a single day without managing transportation, timing, or crowded sightseeing stops yourself. This small-group tour takes a less conventional route through Maras, Moray, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo to help avoid peak visitor traffic and create a more relaxed experience. Included hotel pickup, round-trip transportation, and lunch make exploring the region easy and efficient.

Mt. Vinicunca—or Rainbow Mountain—sits high in the Peruvian Andes, with rich mineral deposits lighting the rocky landscape in color. On this tour, delive into the rugged countryside and reach the remote peak on horseback with your guide to lead the way. With entry fees and round-trip travel from your Cusco hotel included, admire panoramic views over the colorful scenery and experience the Peruvian wilderness the natural way.

Take this chocolate-lovers workshop and learn how to make your very own chocolate from start to finish. Learn about the chocolate-making process with this hands-on experience beginning with the cocoa tree and finishing with your very own chocolate creations. Discover the history of cocoa in Peru and learn why it is one of the top chocolate producers in the world.

The markets of Cusco are fascinating places to explore, but you'll have a much richer experience with a guide who can provide insights into Peruvian cuisine. This activity begins in the city's oldest market, where you can sample popular fruits, breads, and cheeses, as well as some desserts. Afterward, you'll learn to prepare three Peruvian dishes with a local chef.

Discover the rich flavors of Peru during a hands-on cooking experience in Cusco. Start with a visit to San Pedro Market, where you learn about local ingredients and Andean superfoods. Then, head to a modern kitchen studio for a cooking class led by a professional Peruvian chef. Prepare a gourmet 4-course meal full of local ingredients, and craft a pisco sour cocktail, the national drink of Peru.

Ideal for travelers hoping to conquer the Inca Trail in a shorter amount of time, this tour takes you on a convenient 2-day trip. Visit stunning ruins like Chachabamba and Winay Wayna, walk through the Sun Gate, just as the Incas did, and enjoy a guided tour of the iconic Machu Picchu. This short yet comprehensive journey lets you dive into history and view the landscapes in a concise but immersive way.

If you’ve only got one day to experience the ancient wonders of the Sacred Valley in Cusco, opt for a tour that helps you cover more sights in less time. You’ll travel between four archeological sites and two traditional Inca markets in air-conditioned comfort, with hotel pickup included, leaving you free to soak up the spectacular mountain scenery along the way.

Discover Peru’s ancient past and vibrant present on this tour to the Sacred Valley, the traditional town of Pisac, and Ollantaytambo archaeological site. Plus, visit a colonial temple, learn how local villagers use plants to dye alpaca wool, and enjoy a buffet lunch at a restaurant in Urubamba.

Discover the colorful Rainbow Mountain during your time in Peru on this trekking excursion from Cusco. Meet your private guide in the early morning for the journey to the base of the mountain. After breakfast, begin the hike up to the summit where you have views of the Vinicunca and Ausangate mountains. Your guide also informs you of the area’s unique ecosystem and how the mountain was formed.

Learn to prepare high-end Peruvian cuisine from market to table alongside a professional chef with this Peruvian cooking class. After shopping at a local market with a food-loving guide, head to a colonial-style home to prepare a 3-course lunch or dinner which could feature classic items such as ceviche, Pisco sours, and quinoa cooked to perfection. Polish off your meal with fresh fruits and local coffee.

Admire the rainbow-colored hues of Peru’s mountains without having to trek for hours on a hiking trip to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain, a less strenuous alternative to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. In a small group limited to only 13 other travelers, you’ll be able to walk at a pace that suits your party, and delve deeper into local culture, history, and nature than you would alone.

Spend time exploring the world’s highest navigable lake and the floating islands upon it with ease on a 3-day trip to Lake Titicaca from Cusco. You won’t have to worry about booking accommodation, transport, and tickets, as everything is taken care of on this hassle-free experience.

Go where cars can't and explore local Andean communities and ancient Inca ruins during this horseback riding adventure. Learn about the daily rhythms of local life, observing farming techniques along with alpaca and sheep herding, for a cultural experience you wouldn't get anywhere else. You also discover Inca temples and visit a natural cave once used as an Inca shrine.

Explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Andes on this day tour from Cusco. Starting with an early hotel pickup, travel to the village of Phinaya for a hearty Andean breakfast. After a scenic drive, reach the Quelccaya Suyuparina Glacier, the largest tropical glacier globally, and enjoy a short hike to take in the stunning views. Return to Phinaya for a delicious local lunch before visiting the picturesque Sibinacocha Lagoon, one of the highlands' most beautiful sites. This full-day adventure ends back at Plaza de Armas, providing a perfect mix of culture and nature. - Early morning hotel pickup around 3:00 AM for convenient travel - Enjoy a traditional Andean breakfast before hiking to Quelccaya Glacier - Savor a local lunch made with regional ingredients - Visit the stunning Sibinacocha Lagoon before returning to Cusco at around 8:00 PM