The 15 Best 5-Day Experiences in Peru

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, small-group trek from Cusco crosses the Salkantay Pass, visits Humantay Lake and Llactapata, and ends at Machu Picchu. Expect a group of up to nine, bilingual guiding, mountain camping, local coffee, mule support, three meals on trek days, and a private room in Aguas Calientes. Guides may include Carlos, Jainor, Dario, or Rolando.

“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

Hike from Cusco through Humantay Lake, Salkantay Pass, cloud forest, coffee farms, and Llactapata, then enter Machu Picchu at sunrise. You get small-group guiding in English or Spanish, camping, glamping, hearty chef-prepared meals, a Pachamanca experience, and a Vistadome or 360° train back to Cusco.

“An amazing experience with Trexperience. The service was amazing and we had two amazing guides, Renato and Miguel. The horseman and chefs worked so hard to make sure our food and bags were on time. The trip itself is full of incredible views and scenery. From ice capped mountains to jungle rainforest. Seeing Machu Picchu at the end was a dream. Everything you need is included and Trexperience is no doubt the best company to go with!”

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3.Ausangate Trek 5 Days

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

You’ll circle Ausangate from Cusco with a small group of up to 10, crossing passes as high as 5,200 meters and camping beside glacial lakes. Vidal Expeditions provides meals, camping gear, horses for equipment, and guides such as Guillermo or Urbano, known for local stories and strong trail support. Expect cold nights and demanding high-altitude hiking.

“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

Trek from Cusco through the Apurímac Valley to Choquequirao, an Inca citadel larger than Machu Picchu but visited by far fewer people. You’ll hike steep canyon trails, camp near Marampata, explore the ruins with a bilingual guide, and finish with Saywite and the Cconoc hot springs. Guides may include Guido, George, Carlos, or Franz.

“WOW! Guido was/is a fantastic, knowledgeable, friendly, and humorous guide that cannot be outdone. His passion and knowledge for the culture is obvious throughout our trip. He connected with each one of our “Team Dave” and was there to help, each of us, when we needed it.”

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5.Ultimate Lares Trek & Inca Trail 5 days

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

Spend five days hiking from the Lares Valley to Machu Picchu, with hot springs, a 4,700-meter pass, remote Quechua villages, two nights of camping, and the Short Inca Trail from Km 104. Guides such as Manolo, Elias, Sara, and Anthony have led departures, supported by cooks, porters, and horsemen.

“My sister and I had the most wonderful time with TreXperience. Our experience was top notch all around. We first did the Lares trek with our guide Elias, chef Tiburcio, and horseman Toribio. It was my sisters birthday on the second day and the chef made her a full-on cake despite being camping in the woods without an oven. The food was delicious for every meal (we were stuffed) and the crew made us feel very welcome. It was a super authentic experience. Im glad I stuck to my gut going with this company instead of a more commercial company like alpaca exp.”

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

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

This five-day Maypi Travel package combines Cusco, Pisac in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and the 5,033-meter Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain. You get four Cusco hotel nights, airport transfers, train and bus tickets, guided sightseeing, meals, and support from guides such as Guido. Expect early starts, long transfer days, and demanding high-altitude walking.

“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, four-night trek from Cusco takes you over the 15,252-foot Salkantay Pass, past Humantay Lake, through rainforest and coffee country, and on to Machu Picchu. A bilingual guide, cooks, horses, camping gear, meals, train, and Aguas Calientes hotel are included. Guides may include Christian, Edy, Hipo, or Dario, depending on the departure.

“What an amazing trip- I would thoroughly recommend it.”

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8.5-Day: Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu and Humantay Lake

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

You’ll hike from Humantay Lake and Soraypampa over the 4,600-meter Salkantay Pass, then descend through jungle to Santa Teresa and Aguas Calientes. A bilingual guide, meals, camping, hostel stay, porter support, and Machu Picchu entry are included. Ask if Roger is leading your group, and confirm the early pickup time before booking.

“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

Walk from the snowy Andes to the cloud forest on a five-day Salkantay trek from Cusco. You’ll cross the 15,200-foot Salkantay Pass, visit Humantay Lake, camp three nights, stay one night in Aguas Calientes, and finish with a guided Machu Picchu visit. Meals, transport, mules, and a bilingual guide are included.

“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

You’ll spend five days exploring Cusco, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Machu Picchu with a professional English or Spanish-speaking guide. The package includes airport transfers, four hotel nights, breakfast, attraction fees, Expedition Train tickets, and buses to Machu Picchu. Expect a small group of no more than 15 people and an early start for the citadel.

“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

You’ll trek from Cusco through Humantay Lake, the 4,650-meter Salkantay Pass, coffee country, Santa Teresa, and Aguas Calientes before touring Machu Picchu. Tierras Vivas includes guides, cooks, camping gear, meals, horses for bags, and the return train. Expect demanding high-altitude walking, small groups, and an early start every day.

“The tour was incredibly beautiful. We learned so much, and had the opportunity to see incredible natural beauty too! Food was amazing and staff was great!”

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12.5 Day – Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu – Group Service

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

This five-day Salkantay trek takes you from Cusco through the 15,200-foot Salkantay Pass, cloud forest, jungle, and Llactapata to Machu Picchu. Expect early starts, long hiking days, camping, hearty meals, mules for gear, and a one-night hotel stay in Aguas Calientes. Guides may include Aldo, Victor, Ruben, or Claudio.

“Our Guide - Aldo made the Salkantay Trek an amazing experience for our group. His knowledge about the Inca culture is great. All other crew members also did their best to make our stay comfortable.”

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13.5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machupicchu Sky Lodge Dome

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

Trek from Challacancha to Machu Picchu over five days, sleeping in private domes with bathrooms and hot showers, plus one hotel night in Aguas Calientes. You will cross the 4,650-meter Salkantay Pass, visit Humantay Lagoon, learn coffee production, and tour Machu Picchu with an English or Spanish-speaking guide.

“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

Spend five days traveling from Cusco into Manu National Park with a bilingual English and Spanish guide, staying at Bambu and Soga de Oro lodges. You will visit Paucartambo, see the Amazon Basin from Tres Cruces, ride the Madre de Dios River, watch parrots, hike for wildlife and medicinal plants, and enjoy Amazonian meals in a group of up to nine.

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

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

Trek from Cusco through the high Andes to Machu Picchu in five days, with a small group of up to eight. You’ll hike to Humantay Lake and Salkantay Pass, sleep in Sky Lodge Domes, pass Llactapata, and stay one night in Aguas Calientes. Guides such as Fernando and Nildo provide English or Spanish support, while a cook handles camp meals.

“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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