15 Five-Day Trips from Cusco Worth Booking Ahead

1.Small Group 5 Days Salkantay and Machu Picchu by Llactapata Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $593Our pick

This five-day trek links Cusco, Salkantay Pass, coffee-growing villages, Llactapata, and Machu Picchu in a group of up to nine. Expect high-altitude hiking, three nights camping, a private-room hotel in Aguas Calientes, and a bilingual guide. Guides praised by past participants include Jainor, Carlos, Henry, Dario, and Rolando, though a particular guide is not guaranteed.

“My inca trail trek was amazing and this was mainly due to the group size and amazing guide. Being in a smaller group really makes connecting with others that much easier and made it so that we quickly formed a great bond. This was further enhanced by our great guide Henry, who was not only very knowledgeable but really friendly and helpful. We really formed a great group which Henry undoubtedly was a part of.”

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2.5-Day Salkantay Trek with Panoramic Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 5 days · from $655

Spend five days hiking from turquoise Humantay Lake over the 4,630-meter Salkantay Pass and down through cloud forest. Sleep in a glamping camp, Andean huts, a campsite overlooking Machu Picchu, and a hotel. A guide leads the trek and citadel visit; meals, a Pachamanca feast, coffee tasting, buses, and a panoramic train are included.

“The trip was really good organised they know what they doing. Frank and John our guides were incredible and looked after us really good. Big thanks to our chefs the food was soo delicious. And the campsites expecially the one on the 3 night are in such beutiful spots.”

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3.Ausangate Trek 5 Days

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $660

This five-day trek from Cusco circles Ausangate through high passes, glacial lakes, remote villages, and hot springs, with a group capped at 10. Vidal Expeditions provides camping gear, horses for equipment, meals, and a guide. Guides named on past trips include Chino, Urbano, and Guillermo. Expect strenuous days at elevations up to 5,200 metres.

“An epic 5 days completing the Ausengate + Raimbow Mountain Trek with the Vidal Expedition crew (Chino, Begnino, Jośe, Angel). The scenery was amazing, super friendly and knowledgable team, yummy good, and lots of fun! Would highly highly recommend!! Thanks so much for such a cool experience :)”

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4.Classic Choquequirao Trek – 5 Days / 4 Nights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 52 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $735

Leave Cusco before dawn for a five-day trek to Choquequirao, an Inca citadel at 3,050 meters. Expect steep canyon descents and climbs, four nights of camp life, meals cooked on the trail, and mule support for your gear. Your guide leads a full day at the ruins, then the return includes Saywite and the Cconoc hot springs.

“I had a wonderful experience thank you to our guide Guide Roman. He did a wonderful job supporting and helping us. He is very knowledgeable about the history of the Incas and the local traditions, ss he grew up in this area. Always smiling and explaining what we would go each day. There were many preparations to be made snd he managed all of them. Thank you Guido and Salkantay Trekking! Janet Wagner”

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5.Ultimate Lares Trek & Inca Trail 5 days

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $980

This five-day TreXperience trip pairs two quiet days in the Lares highlands with the Short Inca Trail from Km 104 to Machu Picchu. Expect hot springs, remote Quechua-speaking villages, two nights of camping, two hotel nights, and a guided visit to the citadel. Guides vary; past groups have hiked with Manolo, Sara, Anthony, and Gilbert.

“I recently did the 3-day Lares Trek combined with the Short Inca Trail, and it was amazing! As a solo female traveler, I felt completely safe and well cared for by the entire team. Our guides, Anthony and Gilbert, were fantastic—they’re both from the region, so their knowledge of the area, history, and culture was incredible. Their passion really brought the trek to life, and they spoke great English, which made everything easier.”

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6.Wonderful Cusco 5-Day Tour with Entrance to Machupicchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $610

Maypi Travel’s five-day Cusco package combines Pisac and the Sacred Valley, a guided Machu Picchu visit, and a strenuous trip to Vinicunca, the Mountain of Colors. It includes four hotel nights, train and bus transport for Machu Picchu, meals, and airport transfers. Guides Guido and Melissa are named in past trip accounts, but guide assignments are not guaranteed.

“The experience was perfect. On time with the schedules, delicious food, very wise your guides, security is excellent, and the price was comfortable.”

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7.Salkantay Trek To Machu Picchu 5 Days And 4 Nights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · from $690

This five-day trek from Cusco crosses the 15,252-foot Salkantay Pass, visits Humantay Lake and a coffee plantation, then reaches Machu Picchu. Expect early starts, challenging high-altitude hiking, bilingual guiding, prepared meals and camping support. Guides on past departures have included Christian, Eddie and Hipo, though staffing can vary.

“Just finished an unforgettable trek with Action Peru Treks (booked through Mucj Better Adventures), and I can’t recommend them enough.”

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8.5-Day: Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu and Humantay Lake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $360Best value

This five-day trek from Cusco pairs Humantay Lake and the 4,600-meter Salkantay Pass with jungle trails, hot springs and a dawn arrival at Machu Picchu. You camp for three nights, stay one night in Aguas Calientes, and travel with a bilingual guide in a group of up to 15. One account names guide Roger as especially helpful and friendly.

“The Salkantay 5 day trek to Machu Picchu was a wonderful experience. Being in a small group made it more exceptional and personal. Our guide, Roger, was super, very helpful, and friendly! I would do it again”

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9.Salkantay 5-Day Trek To Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $797

This five-day trek from Cusco pairs high-altitude hiking with three nights of camping, one hotel night in Aguas Calientes and a guided Machu Picchu visit. Expect a demanding climb to 15,200 feet, changing scenery from snowy peaks to tropical valleys, bilingual local guides, meals and transport. Sleeping bags, bottled water and some optional transfers cost extra.

“Such a fun and challenging experience. I had no issues completing the trek, you want to make sure you are in good shape before arriving as it can be difficult if you are not prepared for log days and sometimes tough terrain. Beautiful views good food and excellent tour guides! Highly recommend to all!”

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10.5 Day – Tour to Machu Picchu Traditional – Group service

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · from $813

Spend five days moving from Cusco’s Inca and colonial sites to Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. A professional English- or Spanish-speaking guide leads the visits, while the package covers four hotel nights, breakfast, train tickets, site entry, buses to Machu Picchu and airport transfers. The group is capped at 15.

“The trip was very well organized and the tour guides are superb.”

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11.Salkantay Trek: 5 Days to Machu Picchu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 33 reviews · from $909

This five-day guided trek leaves Cusco at 4:30 am and crosses the 4,650-meter Salkantay Pass before descending through tropical terrain to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. Expect campsites, cooked meals, a small group of up to 12, and a challenging first half. Humantay Lake, optional Cocalmayo hot springs, a guide, and the return train are part of the plan.

“Just completed 5 day Salkantay to Machu Picchu trek with Tierras Vivas - (65 yo couple + 5 young adults in our group) all had a great time. Arrangements made through Pamela- communication was excellent and all logistics/transfers were a breeze. Leo was our trekking Read more”

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12.5 Day – Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu – Group Service

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · from $650

This five-day group trek climbs to 15,200 feet at Salkantay Pass, then descends through cloud forest and jungle to Machu Picchu. Expect early starts, four days of meals, three nights camping and one night in Aguas Calientes. Guides such as Aldo and Victor have earned praise for their local knowledge and support, though your guide may vary.

“We had a great guide in Aldo who allowed us to customize parts of the 5 day trip to suit our group’s liking. The guide, cooks and porters were timely and ensured we never went hungry. I’d recommend Valencia Travel and highly recommend Aldo as a guide due to his experience and knowledge of the local culture/ mountains”

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13.5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu Sky Lodge Dome

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · 5 days · from $700

This five-day trek crosses the 4,650-meter Salkantay Pass, visits Humantay Lake and a coffee plantation, then reaches Machu Picchu by way of Aguas Calientes. You sleep in dome camps with private bathrooms and hot showers, plus one hotel night. Guides including Roberto and Abel, and cook Mario, have led groups, though staffing can vary.

“Hee goed verzorgd! Goed eten en fijne bedden, laatste hotel was ‘oke’. De domes waren top! Alleen nacht 1 zeer koud maar ik Geloof dat dit bij alle domes van alle organisaties wel zo was! Eigen douche en toilet, top! Hike zelf prachtig!”

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14.Manu National Park Tours from Cusco 5 Days

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 5 reviews · 5 days · from $673

Travel from Cusco with a bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking local guide, stopping in Paucartambo and at Tres Cruces before reaching jungle lodges by road and boat. The five-day route includes guided walks, parrot watching, traditional Amazonian meals, and a night safari and hot springs adventure. Groups are limited to nine; no guide names are provided.

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15.Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days with Sky Lodge Domes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 5 days · from $680

This five-day small-group trek pairs a demanding crossing of Salkantay Pass with Humantay Lake, Llactapata ruins, and a guided visit to Machu Picchu. You get bilingual guiding, meals, mule support for up to 7 kilos of personal luggage, three nights in Sky Lodge Domes, and one hotel night. Guides on past departures have included Fernando and Nildo.

“Le trek du Salkantay au Pérou était une expérience incroyable. Les paysages étaient grandioses, variés et à couper le souffle -entre montagnes enneigées, vallées verdoyantes et le superbe lac Humantay, vraiment magnifique. L’organisation était globalement très bonne. En cas de mal d’altitude, il y a toujours la possibilité de monter à cheval (payant), ce qui est rassurant pour les moments les plus difficiles. Le cuisinier nous a préparé d’excellents repas tout au long du trek : variés, savoureux, et bienvenus après une longue journée de marche. Le guide était également très professionnel, sympathique et attentif à chacun. Le seul petit bémol : la seconde nuit, où l’hébergement n’était pas à…”

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