Trekking tours in Cusco that you can’t miss

Cusco is the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. It’s a city full of color and ancient history, which you can find on the various trekking tours in Cusco.

Of course, there are a variety of routes, some of which may be longer than others, but there is also a wide variety of shorter hiking trails. With qadventuresperu, discover which routes will allow you to enjoy the surroundings of Cusco in a more relaxed way.

WALK TO SAQSAYWAMAN-(WHITE CHRIST)

Taking the main square as a starting point to saqsaywaman (where the statue of white Christ is located) we will travel a very quiet and somewhat demanding path due to the altitude (approximately 3,400 – 3,600 m.a.s.l.), I invite you to follow on the Instagram page you can find route landscapes that may interest you.

Distance and duration

• DISTANCE: Approximately 2 km.
• TRAVEL TIME: Between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on your pace and stops for rest or photos.

How to get there?

From Suecia Street – San Cristóbal (The most panoramic route in Cusco)

• From the Plaza de Armas, head toward Calle Suecia (located to the right of the Cathedral).
• Walk uphill for about 5 minutes until you reach Calle Resbalosa.
• Continue up Resbalosa, a narrow street with cobblestone steps. It’s steep, but offers beautiful views of the Cusco rooftops.
• You’ll come to an intersection with Calle Don Bosco.
• Cross the street and continue up the main road to the Plazoleta de San Cristóbal.
• From the plaza, continue along Av. Circunvalación, the road that goes up to Saqsayhuamán.
• After walking for about 5 minutes, you’ll see a fork.
• You’ll reach the entrance to Saqsayhuamán. You can walk around the archaeological site without paying an entrance fee.
• Follow the path until you see the large statue of Cristo Blanco.

Tips:

• Bring water and sunscreen.
• If you’re not used to the altitude, take short breaks along the way.
• Avoid the sunniest hours of the day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hike to the Humantay Lagoon:

A natural wonder located beneath the Huamantay Glaciers, this beautiful lagoon is popular for its turquoise waters, worthy of a movie photo.

Distance and duration:

• TRAVEL TIME: From Cusco to Soraypampa by car or bus: approximately 3 hours. The Soraypampa to Humantay Lagoon hike could take 2 hours, for a total of 5 hours on average.
• DISTANCE: (round trip from Cusco to Humantay Lagoon): approximately 244 km.

How to get there?

To visit the lagoon, the tour is divided into two parts:

1. From Cusco to Soraypampa (by private transport or tour)

• Route: Take the Cusco – Mollepata highway and then a detour towards Soraypampa (3,900 m.a.s.l.), the starting point of the hike.

2. From Soraypampa to Humantay Lagoon (hike)

• The first section begins with a moderate climb over dirt and rocks. You can see small apachetas (stone towers) built as offerings to Pachamama. The views of Nevado Salkantay are impressive from the start.

The second section of the climb begins to get steep, here the walk becomes more demanding with a strong incline, the lack of oxygen is noticeable due to the altitude (more than 4,000 m.a.s.l.), it is recommended to walk at a slow pace and take breaks to breathe and drink water, there are some detours that allow you to climb more gently, although the main route is more direct, there are also horses available for rent in Soraypampa if the walk is too demanding, on our Facebook page you can find photos of this beautiful destination.

Tips:

• Prior acclimatization: Since the lagoon is located at over 4,200 meters above sea level, it is recommended to spend at least 1-2 days in Cusco before the hike.
• Appropriate clothing: Bring warm, layered clothing, as the weather changes rapidly.
• Hiking footwear: The trail is steep and can be slippery.
• Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
• Bring snacks and water: There are no shops at the lagoon.
• Respect the environment: Do not pollute or enter the water, as it is a protected natural spring.

Hike to Huchuy Qosqo:

Did you know that Huchuy Qosqo, which means “Little Cusco” in Quechua, is an Inca archaeological site located high in the Sacred Valley. It is a little-known option that has beautiful landscapes. You can find them on our Instagram page. There are different routes to get there, but qadventuresperu shows you the best and least traveled route.

Distance and duration:

• DISTANCE: We recommend taking a shuttle from Cusco to Chinchero (Tauca). From the community of Tauca, you’ll travel approximately 7 to 8 km to your destination.
• TRAVEL TIME: The shuttle from Cusco to Chinchero will take approximately 50 minutes; the walk totals 4 to 5 hours on average.

How to get there?

1. Take the transportation that best suits your budget from Cusco to Chinchero, specifically to Tauca.
2. Head along the trail that is perfectly directed toward Huchuy Qosqo.

TIPS:

1. We recommend bringing plenty of water to stay hydrated.
2. Bring your camera or cell phone so you can save photos of these beautiful places.
3. Wear comfortable, protective clothing.
4. Don’t forget your sunscreen.

At qadventuresperu, we want your only concern to be enjoying your trip. Book with us now!