Trekking in Cusco

What is Trekking? Trekking is a walking activity of a few hours or days that allows you to be in contact with natural spaces such as mountains, rivers, snow-capped mountains, valleys, waterfalls and more. Cusco has different trek routes with beautiful landscapes, each one with unique characteristics.

Among the best-known treks, we find the “Inca Trail”, which runs along ancient cobbled routes that connected the main cities or temples of the Inca empire; This entire network of roads is known as the “Qhapaq Ñan”.

The long “Inca Trail” (4 days) starts from Ollantaytambo’s town to Machu Picchu’s citadel. On the third day of the tour 4 archaeological centres are visited and ends by entering the citadel through the Sun Gate. The level of demand is intermediate to advanced depending on the sections.

For the short “Inca Trail” (2 days) take the train from the town of Ollantaytambo to “Km104” from where the walking tour begins. On this route, you can visit 2 archaeological centres until you enter the Puerta del Sol to the citadel of Machu Picchu. In this option the level of demand is intermediate.

In both long and short options, the return to Cusco city is by train.

To enter the Inca Trail you must book your trek well in advance since it is the most requested and the quotas are limited to 500 people per day.

A trek not well known and that keeps a unique beauty is that of Choquequirao (Machu Picchu’s «sister»). For this trek, we go in private transport to the town of Cachora, located 3.5 hours from the city of Cusco. We spend the night in a hotel and very early in the morning, the 4-day trek begins until reaching the archaeological centre of Choquequirao or «Cuna de Oro». Machu Picchu’s «sister» has buildings, terraces and walls decorated with stone camelids. The Spaniards did not arrive at Choquequirao during the conquest, which is considered the last Inca refuge. During the tour, you will be able to see the majestic Andean condor fly over the skies, have the Nevado Padreyoc as a landscape, cross the Apurimac canyon and see the starry sky.

We also have the nevados de Ausangate or Salkantay treks which are of a slightly more advanced level and more scenic. They are recommended for people who do this type of activity and have a higher physical condition.

Another option is the Inca Jungle where you mix sections of bicycle, rafting, zip line and trekking until you reach Machu Picchu, this option lasts 3 or 4 days and is for adventurers in search of emotions.

For these and more trek options write to us and we will provide you with all the necessary information.