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Full Day

Expert guide · Day trips from Cusco

Full Day
day trips from Cusco

8 – 14 hours 2,850 – 5,036 m Shared or private Every day From US$ 40
Full Day tours 5

Full Day tours

One day,
one unforgettable view

Humantay Lake, Rainbow Mountain, Palccoyo, the Sacred Valley and Maras-Moray: the best day trips from Cusco to acclimatize and discover the Andes.

DURATION8 – 14 hours
ALTITUDE2,850 – 5,036 m
GROUPSShared or private
DEPARTURESEvery day
INCLUDESHotel pick-up

Expert guide

Day trips: the best of Cusco in a few hours

Full-day tours are the best way to make the most of your days in Cusco, see unique landscapes and acclimatize before a long trek. All include hotel pick-up, tourist transport, a bilingual guide and meals depending on the tour.

Which one to choose?

  • Humantay Lake (4,200 m): a turquoise lake at the foot of Humantay glacier. 1.5–2 hour hike up from Soraypampa. Moderate.
  • Rainbow Mountain – Vinicunca (5,036 m): Peru’s most famous rainbow mountain. 1.5 hour hike; option to add the Red Valley. Challenging because of altitude.
  • Palccoyo (≈ 4,900 m): a quieter alternative to Vinicunca with three colorful mountains and a stone forest. Short 30–45 minute walk.
  • Sacred Valley: Pisac, craft market, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero. Living culture and Inca history. Easy.
  • Maras and Moray: pre-Inca salt pans and the circular terraces of Moray, an Inca agricultural lab. ATV option available.

Schedules and altitude

Humantay and Rainbow Mountain leave before dawn (4:00–4:30 am) and return mid-afternoon. Because of altitude we recommend doing them from your second day in Cusco. The Sacred Valley and Maras-Moray are perfect for your first acclimatization day because they are lower than the city.

Highlights

Pick-up from your hotel in central CuscoBilingual guide (English / Spanish)Breakfast and buffet lunch on mountain toursPerfect for acclimatizing before a trekDaily departures all yearPrivate option for families and couples

Routes and variants

Compare the options

Day tripDurationDistanceMax. altitudeDifficulty
01Humantay LakeTurquoise lake beneath the glacier.
 12 h 7 km 4,200 m Moderate
02Rainbow MountainVinicunca, the rainbow mountain.
 13 h 8 km 5,036 m Challenging
03PalccoyoThree rainbow mountains, short hike.
 11 h 3 km 4,900 m Moderate
04Sacred ValleyPisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.
 11 h Bus 3,760 m Easy
05Maras & MoraySalt pans and circular terraces; ATV option.
 6 h Bus / ATV 3,500 m Easy

Preparation

Before
your day trip

01

Sun and cold

Sunscreen, hat, gloves and sunglasses: above 4,000 m the weather changes in minutes.

02

Light daypack

Water (1.5 L), snacks, rain poncho and cash for toilets and horses.

03

Altitude

If it is your first day in Cusco, start with the Sacred Valley or Maras-Moray.

Tips from our guides

  1. At Humantay and Vinicunca you can rent a horse for part of the climb (paid directly to the community).
  2. Bring small bills: community entrance fees are paid in cash.
  3. Sleep well the night before; pick-up is before dawn.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to travel with peace of mind.

01What time is hotel pick-up?

For Humantay and Rainbow Mountain between 4:00 and 4:30 am; for the Sacred Valley around 7:00 am. We confirm the exact time the day before.

02Humantay or Rainbow Mountain?

If you can only do one, Humantay is slightly easier and pairs perfectly with Salkantay. Rainbow Mountain is higher and tougher, but the landscape is unique.

03Are day trips private?

We run shared and private services. When booking, tell us if you prefer a private tour.

Stories and tips

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Explore the journal

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