The Most Impressive Hikes in Peru

Last Updated on July 28, 2021 by James Bustamante

Hikes in Peru can include the most well-known trekking experiences that begin in places like Cusco or Arequipa and Chachapoyas. Some of the more popular routes are the Inca trail hike to Machu Picchu or the Salkantay trek which offers more of a challenge than other routes. There are lesser-known hikes that begin in other parts of the country like the Colca Canyon hike in Arequipa. Below let’s go over the best routes for hiking in Peru. 

Multi-Day Hikes in Peru Near Cusco

Cusco is the destination most travelers will relate to multi-day hikes in Peru that lead to Machu Picchu. In a normal year, Cusco will draw over 1.2 million travelers. They are all there to take day tours around the city and to take long hikes that lead to the Inca ruins as well. This highland city is located at over 11,151 feet (3,399 meters) above sea level and serves as a sort of hub for all incoming tourists and trekkers. It has a wide assortment of accommodations of every level, stores, pharmacies, and just about anything you would need before a big hike. 

The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The 4 day Inca trail to Machu Picchu is one of the most booked hikes in Peru. In fact, it is the most popular hike we or any other agency offers. This hike is synonymous with Peru, many tourists actually think it starts in Lima and seems very amused when they find out it’s to the South of Peru. 

This actual hike is only around 26 miles (43 kilometers), this trek focuses on seeing Incan ruins along the way to the stone city of Machu Picchu. Some of these include Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyuptamarca, and Wiñaywayna before passing through the Sungate and onto the magnificent Machu Picchu ruins. 

The classic Inca trail is a nice combination of cloud forest, mountain views, Incan ruins, cobbled stone paths, and tunnels.  For the most part, it is a very pleasant trek, both visually and physically. We do however need to stress the importance of acclimatization before the hike. Having elevation sickness is the last thing you want to experience when surrounded by such pristine beauty in one of the most popular hikes in the world. 

• Hike Duration:     4 days
• Max Elevation:    13,828 feet (4215 meters)
• Difficulty:           Moderate easy

The Ausangate Trek

The Ausangate trek is definitely one of the multi-day hikes in Peru with the most diverse landscapes. The views are simply spectacular to the point where you feel like you are trekking through a different planet altogether. The views range from lakes that have different watercolors, snow-capped mountains, some greenery, and just overall Andean terrain to marvel at. One of the major places to visit over the course of the Ausangate trek is the famous Rainbow mountain hike. 

Out of the many hikes in Peru, this one might be the trek that mostly personifies an off-the-beaten-path route with views seen by few but wanted by many. Usually, the more popular hikes take center stage when booking a trip but that’s only because most tour outfits don’t offer the Ausangate trek. 

For those seeking a challenging hike then this is it. In some places, the terrain can be on the difficult side and the elevation also adds an extra layer onto the expedition. The majority of the trek will have you at over 13,123 feet (4,000 meters) above sea level with several passes taking you to over 16,040 feet (5,000 meters). The highest peak during this high altitude Peru hike is called the Palomino Pass and it reaches 17,060 feet (5,200 meters). 

This hike will usually have an itinerary of 5 days but can be extended to 6 days depending on the group’s requirements. If you want something that is challenging, with amazing scenery that is off the beaten path then try out the Ausangate trek.

• Hike Duration:      5 days
• Max Elevation:    17,060 feet (5200 meters)
• Difficulty:           Challenging

The Salkantay Trek

The Salkantay Trek is the first alternative to the Inca trail. In general, this Peruvian hike is less crowded than the classic 4-day trail, cheaper, and quite a bit more difficult, for those looking for a challenge. 

The landscapes of the Salkantay trek are equal to those you will find on the Inca trail, in some parts you could say it is actually superior. You get fewer ruins along the route but in general, the scenery is just a bit nicer. You will cross amazing Andean regions, see small Llama and Alpaca herding communities, and pass through the Cloud Forest onto the town of Aguas Calientes. 

The biggest difference between this hike and the Inca trail is that the Salkantay will have you trek into Aguas Calientes before going to Machu Picchu the following morning. The overnight stay in Aguas Calientes is included with your hiking package and so is the bus ride up to Machu Picchu the following morning. 

The Salkantay can be characterized as a more difficult hike due to the higher elevation from a longer period of time in comparison to the Inca trail. You will trek as high as 15,091 feet (4,600 meters) above sea level so acclimatization is definitely necessary before the hike. 

The Salkantay pass will take you through amazing views of the valleys as well as a brief hike past the Salkantay lake. 

• Hike Duration:     5 days (4 Days as well)
• Max Elevation:    15,091 feet (4600 meters)
• Difficulty:       Moderate

The Choquequirao Trek 

As popular and breathtaking as Machu Picchu is, there is a handful of lesser-known but equally as impressive ruins to visit. Choquequirao is a set of ruins that are very similar to the structures found in Machu Picchu. The thing is that these ruins are only around 40% excavated, this is partly due to their location, The jungle.

The views from Choquequirao are absolutely breathtaking with the valleys located just below.  This Peru hike is similar to the Salkantay or Ausangate trek in that groups will be small, this is due to the fact of them being relatively unknown to most travelers. 

To some locals, Choquequirao is still considered a “lost city” because its full size has not been revealed yet. Camping groups will be able to set up tents very close to the site. This is different from camping when heading to Machu Picchu because the Inca Trail or Salkantay trek will have camps several hours away still. 

Once on the Choquequirao trek, you will see views of the Apurimac canyon, this means that there will be some steep areas to trek through. Don’t worry though, the jungle trek is clearly marked for travelers to get through.

This long hike can actually be included in an extended itinerary that will take you from Cusco to Machu Picchu via the Choquequirao trek. With the extended itinerary, you will have a chance to see two sets of ancient ruins. Get ready for a visually impressive and challenging experience!

• Hike Duration:     4 days
• Max Elevation:    10,006 feet (3050 meters)
• Difficulty:           Moderate

The Lares Trek

For those looking for a shorter route that is also challenging there is the Lares Trek. This alternative is a three-day Peru hike that starts in Cusco and will have you trekking all the way to the Lares Village. This route will also have you cross terrain past valleys, cloud forests,s and of course mountains before eventually making your way to Aguas Calientes. The maximum elevation is higher than both the Inca Trail and the Salkantay trek so remember, acclimatization is key when taking one of these high elevation trips. 

• Hike Duration:     3 days
• Max Elevation:    15,255 feet (4650 meters)
• Difficulty:           Moderate

The Best Day Hikes in Peru

Day hikes in Peru are a great way to have a high-altitude adventure without having to worry about camping. Some of the best day hikes in Peru start right in the city of Cusco at 6:00 am and end back in the city by 7:00 pm. 

One Day Inca Trail

How can I hike the Inca trail if I don’t like camping? The answer is the 2 day Inca trail. Often named the express Inca trail or just the one-day Inca trail, this route only has one full day of hiking with an overnight stay in the small town of Aguas Calientes. The following morning we headed up to Machu Picchu in time to try to see the sun rising over the Andes mountains. 

The hike basically starts during the last 9.3 miles (15 km) of the classic 4-day version of the Inca Trail. We head to the famous train station known as “Km 104”, we then begin the ascent and head to Chachabamba and Wiñaywayna. In some one-day tours, you will even enter Machu Picchu through the Sungate “Inti Punku” just like you would with the class 4 day version. 

The hike can be considered to be quite moderate since you will be hiking at a relatively slow pace and reach a maximum elevation of 9,022 feet (2,750 meters) above sea level. 

The Rainbow Mountain Hike

The Rainbow mountain hike is usually one of the most requested day trips booked, it is also one of the most difficult and beautiful hikes in Peru. Vinicunca is the local name for Rainbow Mountain. Its popularity stems from the rainbow look the colored sediments give to this mountain. It is beautiful and impressive no matter how you look at Vinicunca, but in order to see it, you’ll have to travel to 16,469 feet (5.020 meters) above sea level. 

We can find the Rainbow mountain near the impressive Ausangate. Travelers can actually reach this particular day hike during the course of the longer Ausangate trek, a short detour is required but it is well worth the trouble. 

We start the rainbow mountain hike with a 3-hour drive from Cusco, once we reach the end of the road we’ll have a 3-hour hike up the mountain. Trekking up to the mountain where you can see the rainbow-colored sediments is quite strenuous and, it is recommended that you are properly acclimated first.

You can add the rainbow mountain hike to any itinerary but make sure to include it towards the middle or the end. A good itinerary that includes the rainbow mountain would like like this:

7 Day Peru Itinerary

• Day 1 Cusco Arrival – Transfer to Sacred Valley Accommodations
• Day 2 Sacred Valley Day Tour
• Day 3 Train to Aguas Calientes
• Day 4 Machu Picchu guided tour – Train to Cusco
• Day 5 Cusco City Tour
• Day 6 Rainbow Mountain Hike
• Day 7 Transfer to Cusco Airport

Having the hike with the highest elevation towards the end of the trip ensures that you will be properly acclimated. 

Lake Humantay Day Trek

This glacial lake is quite the sight when you arrive, its brightly colored water reflecting the surrounding mountains can make for the perfect photograph. The Humantay day hike will take you to one of the most beautiful lakes in all of South America and it is possible to do it in one day. 

This interestingly colored lake hike will have you trekking to a maximum elevation of 13,779 feet (4,200 meters) above sea level. To take this Peruvian hike we first leave Cusco and reach Soraypampa, we then head through the mountain trail for three hours until we reach the sapphire-colored lake.

This full-day hike can be considered of moderate difficulty and can be completed by the end of the afternoon. 

The Maras and Moray Day Hike

Around 31 miles (50 km) from Cusco we find the Incan ruins of Moray, deep in the Sacred Valley of the Inca. If we begin at the town of Chinchero, a quick 3-hour hike will take us to see Moray. Once we hike past the impressive Incan ruins, we can hike an additional 3.7 miles (6 km) and reach the Maras salt pans. 

These salt pools have existed since the times of the Incan empire when they also harvested them. The maximum elevation is not as high as other places, only around 10,498 feet (3,200 meters) above sea level. This makes it a relatively accessible hike to mostly anyone with the minimum amount of acclimatization needed. 

Pisac and The 3 Lakes Day Hike

Are you looking for a variety in a full-day hike in Peru? If the answer is yes, let’s head over to Pisac to tour past the 3 popular lakes. This day tour has spectacular views of three separate lakes, the best part is that you can take this tour on your own. 

Over the course of this easy, one-day trip you will hike past spectacular mountain views, valleys, and fields as well as herds of Alpacas and Llamas in the distance. This tour is so “off the beaten path” that the likelihood of running into other tourists is close to none. The three lakes (or lagoons) you’ll visit over this short trekking route are : 

• Quimsacocha.
• Azul Qocha.
• Puma Qocha

After you are finished visiting the Three lakes you can take advantage of the location and visit the Pisac market. 

The Huchuy Qosqo Hike

The archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo is located at over 11,975 feet (3,650 meters) above sea level. The name Huchuy Qosqo is from Quechua, the language of the Inca, and it translates to little Cusco. 

These impressive ruins are usually not directly on anyone’s itinerary so you probably won’t run into many other tourists. They can be described as one of the day hikes in Peru that are relatively unknown so crowds are non-existent. This day-hike will begin at Patabamba and continue to Chinchero, Tauqa, and then onto the small Andean town of Lamay.

The Huchuy Qosqo hike will take you through a marked route that is all the original imperial Incan trail. This moderate tour will have a maximum elevation of 14,107 feet (4,300 meters) in elevation and will require an entrance fee at the ruins. There is no permit necessary though so you can take this hike on your own or with a tour company. 

The Machu Picchu Express Tour

The most well-known of hikes in Peru is also a hike you can do in a single day. The Machu Picchu day trip from Cusco will take travelers to the Inca citadel and back to the city in a single day. This hike will start early in the morning, the pick-up time at your hotel will be 4:30 am. We then head to the Ollantaytambo station to catch the train leaving at 7:00 am with a destination to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Upon arrival, we then walk past this small town to the bus station to get a ride up the mountain, until the Machu Picchu entrance. The guided tour of Machu Picchu will take approximately 2 hours, you can then explore the stone city of the Inca for an additional 2 hours. Once done, we head back down to Aguas Calientes to board the afternoon train back to the city of Cusco. We reach the city by 6:30 pm. This express tour can be reviewed in detail below:

Hiking in Huaraz, Peru – North Central Region

Huaraz is situated at over 9,842 feet (3,000 meters) above sea level on the Cordillera Blanca in north-central Peru. It is one of the most impressive mountain ranges in all of the Americas with several little towns and hikes ready to be visited and taken. The city of Huaraz is probably the most popular destination in this part of the country due to its warm people and famous Andean celebrations.

From this part of Peru, you can start hikes, see Andean Condors close to Huaraz as well as Jaguars by traveling a few hours outside of the city. You can also embark on an excursion to see Peru’s tallest mountain, The Huascaran, the most prized route in North Central Peru. 

The Santa Cruz Trek

One of the most requested multi-day hikes in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range is The Santa Cruz Trek. This impressive hike in Peru will have you trekking through breathtaking mountain views, forests, glaciers, a variety of valleys below, and lakes with crystal-like, clue water. There is a particular section of the Santa Cruz trek called Punta Union which will present a challenge for most hikers but the views are well worth it. 

Over the course of this hike, you will most likely see other groups but it will never feel like a crowded hike by any stretch of the imagination. 

• Hike Duration:     3-4 days
• Max Elevation:    15,583 feet (4750 meters)
• Difficulty:           Moderate

Huayhuash Circuit Trek

This remote trek is considered to be a challenging one. The Huayhuash Trek takes place in a remote location in the Cordillera Huayhuash. This hike in Peru is not something you can complete quickly, it can take from 8 to as many as 10 days to complete the full route.

The Huayhuash trek will have you trekking at above 13,123 feet (4,000 meters) throughout most of the hike, this makes it a bit different than other hikes that spend most of the time under 10,000 feet above sea level. The reward for powering through this high elevation trek is spectacular views of the surrounding peaks. Two of these are the Yerupaja peak which measures 21,709 feet (6,617 meters) and the Siula Grande at 20,813 feet (6,344 meters) above sea level. 

Since this hike will be quite challenging, it is a good idea to train for 2-3 months before your starting date. Proper acclimatization is also a requirement before attempting this high elevation challenge. 

This remote trek can be attempted independently however it is quite difficult to carry enough food and water for 8 days, not counting the camping equipment. 

• Hike Duration:    8-10 days
• Max Elevation:   17,929 feet (5465 meters)
• Difficulty:           Challenging

Quilcayhuanca and Cojup Valleys

There is a nice 3-day trek that takes you through a few of the more unknown valleys in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range. The Quilcayhuanca and Cojup valleys hike have travelers traversing a beautiful alpine forest, spectacular lakes that come from the nearby glaciers, and local fauna, like the Andean Condors soaring overhead. 

There is a section over the course of hiking up the Chocu Pass that gives one of the most impressive views of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range. In order to see this unique view of the landscape, you’ll first need to hike up to 16,732 feet (5,100 meters). 

Once we reach this height in elevation, the terrain changes, and donkeys are no longer an option to carry your equipment. This adds to the challenge this short 3-day hike in Peru represents. 

• Max Duration:      3-4 days
• Max Elevation:    16,732 feet (5100 meters)
• Difficulty:           Moderate to challenging

Hiking in Arequipa, Peru

The Arequipa region in the south of the country boasts beautiful landscapes, amazing gastronomy, and imposing volcanoes. The city of Arequipa is located just a few hours from Cusco so getting there on your Machu Picchu tours can be done on the same day. 

The location of Arequipa makes it a perfect base to set out on trekking excursions, white water rafting, and traveling to the Colca Canyon. The nickname of Arequipa is actually “La Ciudad Blanca” which translates to the White City.

The name comes from the many buildings in the center that are made from the white volcanic clay found along the region. The city is located at around 7,637 feet (2,328 meters) above sea level. This makes it a perfect place to acclimate before heading out on hikes that are situated at a higher elevation. 

The Colca Canyon Hike

The Colca Canyon is the second deepest canyon in the world with a depth of 10,728 feet (3,270 meters). This popular tourist destination receives over 120,000 travelers every year, it is 100 miles(160 km) long and 4-6 hours away from the city of Arequipa. Most hikers come to the Colca Canyon with hopes of seeing the giant Andean Condors up close.

They live in the Canyon and can be commonly seen flying at eye view level in some parts of the area. These scavengers can live to be 70 years old and measure a wingspan of 7-9 feet (2.7 meters). 

The Colca Canyon hike will typically have a group of trekkers hiking down the Canyon for 2-3 days and tents or any other camping equipment will not be required. We can find accommodations and food at the base of the canyon.

The hike is not very difficult either since we are trekking downwards, the highest points of the route are already behind us. There are a few areas that will seem steep like the ascent to Cabanaconde. This part of the hike can be completed as fast as 2 hours or as slow as 4 hours depending on the group’s fitness level. 

• Max Duration:      2-3 days
• Max Elevation:    13,451 feet (4,100 meters)
• Difficulty:           Moderate 

Chachapoyas Northern Hikes in Northern Peru

The pre-Inca civilizations known as the Chachapoyas culture were also known as the “people of the clouds” due to the local geography. The town of Chachapoyas in the northern area of Peru is located at a rather high elevation of 7,660 feet (2,335 meters) above sea level.

This high elevation town acts as a base for regional  Hikes in Peru. Chachapoyas is unique among many other parts of Peru. It is located in a high elevation area but it still forms part of the Amazonas region, this gives it a unique topography that the pre-Inca Chachapoyas exploited to make forts and other constructions. 

Kuelap is the best known pre-Inca ruins of the region, this ancient stone city rivals Machu Picchu in many aspects, including the overall scope. It boasts 40 foot (12 meters) high walls as part of the fortress, this makes them the highest pre-Incan ruins in all of South America.

Kuelap is known to the natives as the cloud warrior fortress, the only reason why it is not a more well-known destination is due to the lack of promotion for it by the local government.  

The Great Vilaya Trek

The Great Vilaya trek is one of the most popular routes of hikes in Peru, it is located in the Chachapoyas region. The Vilaya trek takes groups of travelers (very few) through Amazonian valleys that hide Pre-Incan structures with their foliage. Hike through a cloud forest as you gaze at a wide array of bromeliads and orchids, rare species of hummingbirds, and even a cock of the rocks if you are lucky enough to spot one.

There are several archaeological sites to visit along the way however the biggest one is Kuelap, located at the end of your journey. Discover over 400  buildings left by the Chachapoyas culture at the famous archaeological site, the biggest stone structure on the continent. 

What Gear Do I Need to Hike in Peru?

This varies greatly depending on which hikes you want to take. For most multi-day hikes you will need insect repellent (especially during the wet season), sunblock, sleeping bags, toothpaste, toothbrush, trekking style pants, a jacket, spare socks, underwear, a good backpack, and comfortable shoes. 

Do I Need to Be Very Fit For Hikes in Peru?

Being physically fit is really only a requirement for the absolute most challenging treks in Peru. This would consider a trek like the Huayhuash circuit hike or the Ausangate trek. Most trekkers will train for up to 60 days before attempting these multi-day hiking routes. For most of the other treks, you will simply need to be an active person willing to trek in the high Peruvian elevation.

If you want to check out a good training plan check out our training for Machu Picchu post. 

Conclusion

There are many hikes in Peru all throughout the country and not just in Cusco. Each has its own particular scenery and location, required fitness level, and duration. While in Peru you can go on the famous Inca trail, hike the challenging Salkantay in 5 days or go all out on the Choquequirao. If you prefer a shorter challenge try day hikes like the Rainbow mountain or Humantay lake hike. 

Cover Picture: Photo by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos