Things to Know Before Hiking in Peru
Hiking in Peru is one of the trendiest activities for travelers. However, before embarking on a challenging trek in Peru, there are a few things you need to consider, including what to hike, preparations, dealing with altitude, weather, and more! Here is your ultimate guide to hiking in Peru!
Where to Go Hiking in Peru
For the sake of simplicity, I’ve broken down Peru’s hiking tours into three regions: Cusco, Cordillera Blanca/Huaraz, and Arequipa. These are the area’s most popular for tourists to embark on a walking adventure. Together these 3 areas offer over 30 different hiking trail variations!
Cusco and Surrounding Area
The city of Cusco is the most popular tourist destination in Peru and a great starting point for trekking tours in Peru! Cusco is the home of all Machu Picchu treks, as well as many others.
Some of the most popular hikes around Cusco are the Salkantay Trek, the Inca Trail, Rainbow Mountain, Machu Picchu Mountain, and the Sacred Valley.
The fantastic hiking around Cusco combined with the plethora of rental shops and travel agencies make it the perfect place to start your adventure.
Oh, and did I cite Cusco is situated at 3,399 meters (11,149 feet) above sea level, giving you the absolute occasion to adapt before making the trek! Most of the popular hikes from Cusco don’t reach extreme altitudes (over 5,000 meters or 16,400 feet), and most hover around 3,500 meters (11,500 feet).
Huaraz (Cordillera Blanca)
This area is my favorite for hiking in Peru! Hiking in the Cordillera Blanca near Huaraz, Peru offers a variety of difficulty levels, from easy day hikes to extremely challenging week-long (or longer) expeditions.
The Cordillera Blanca is the mountain range where the hikes take place. Huaraz is the closest city to most of them. The town itself is also higher than 3,000 meters (9,850 ft), making acclimatization easier.
You can hike in Huaraz for months, at an altitude of over 6,000 meters (19,680 feet), and you can really challenge yourself! This area is generally suitable for experienced hikers. Due to the high altitude and extreme weather conditions, guided tours are recommended for beginners.
Arequipa
Arequipa is a beautiful city in southern Peru that has many amazing hiking locations, including the Colca Canyon. Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon in the world, is just a few hours’ drive from Arequipa.
Trekking withinside the Colca Canyon is a fashionable element to do in Peru. You can be a part of a Colca Canyon excursion and discover this remarkable area in 2 or three days. It is one of the less complicated treks in Peru and for that reason, on hand for maximum tourists.
Most travelers to Peru won’t have any difficulty with altitudes in the area. However, if you’re not used to high altitudes, it’s a good idea to spend a few days in Arequipa first so you can get adjusted.
Other hiking opportunities near Arequipa include Chachani Mountain and Misti Volcano, though these hikes are more difficult and climb above 6000m (19,680ft). Unless you’re expert in the area and confident in the weather conditions, it’s always a good idea to take a tour on these hikes.
The 7 Best Hikes in Peru
As for the many different treks that Peru has to offer, below is a list of some of the best and most famous treks, along with their difficulty, duration, best time of year and location. If hiking in Peru is your thing, these 7 hiking trails in Peru won’t disappoint!
1. The Inca Trail
The most popular hike in Peru is the Inca Trail. Depending on where you start, the classic route is either 88 kilometers (55 miles) or 82 kilometers (51 miles) long. The trail is over 4000 meters above sea level and is moderately graded.
It is important to book your Inca Trail at least 8 to 12 months in advance! Only 500 people are acceptable on the trail every day, and 300 guides!
Since this is on the Inca Trail you need a guide. The tour departs and returns to Cusco, usually lasting 3–4 days.
2. Trekking in Salkantay
Salkantay Trek is another great way to hike to Machu Picchu. This route is not as popular as the Inca Trek, but still offers stunning views. Plus, it’s a great opportunity for those on a inexpensive!
In fact, Salkantay Trek has been named one of the “World’s Top 25 Hikes” by Geographic Adventure Travel magazine.
The 74km trek takes 4 days (day 5 at Machu Picchu) and takes you to an altitude of 4580 meters (15,000 feet) above sea level!
Like the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek starts proximate Cusco.
3. Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Trek is truly a beautiful hike. The 4-day, 3-night trek will take you to altitudes above 4,750 meters (15,580 feet) above sea level, so it’s important to acclimatize before hiking!
Santa Cruz Trek is one of the most beautiful hikes in Peru and should be on your travel bucket list! In fact, the mountain in the Paramount Pictures logo is said to be visible along this road!
The Santa Cruz Trek begins near Huaraz. If you want to do some trekking in Peru it is also necessary to go to Huaraz and why not Santa Cruz too.
4. Huayhuash
I have a love-hate relationship with Huayhuash. I almost didn’t make it, but wow, it was great!
As far as hiking in Peru goes, I daresay Huayhuash is one of the most challenging hikes out there. It rises to more than 5,100 meters (16,700 ft) in several places and is 115 kilometers (71 miles) long.
Huayhuash is best done on a guided tour, with tours departing from Huaraz. Most tours last 8 to 12 days, depending on how far you hike each day.
5. Lagoon 69
What a great short but nice day hike. It was a tough day, but it was perfect for acclimatization before a longer hike in the area (around Huaraz).
Laguna 69 (the name of the lake) is 4,650 meters (15,250 feet) above sea level, including a 17-kilometer (10.5-mile) round trip drive. Laguna 69 is the bluest lake I’ve seen hiking in Peru, and if you’re brave enough, you can swim in it!
If you arrived in the city of Huaraz, you may feel a little bad because of the height it is in, however you will be at the top and in less than a day you will back, the headache will be when you return home.
6. Rainbow Mountain
Rainbow Mountain is a mountain covered in various minerals that make up its unique color.
The mountain offers several different hiking options, the most popular being the day hikes from Cusco. This short day begins at 4,200 meters (13,800 feet) and ends at over 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) above sea level! Mild altitude sickness is almost certain due to Cusco’s rapid ascent (to 3,400 meters or 11,150 feet).
Touring is cheap and easy. This is easily one of the most popular hikes in Peru, and if you check out the photos, you can probably see why!
7. Colca Canyon
Hiking in Colca Canyon is really different from Huaraz and Cusco. Rather than hiking up the pass, hike along the canyon’s steep walls. It’s lower than the others, and it’s the easiest in my opinion.
The canyon can be hiked in a number of different ways, with itineraries ranging from two to six days. The views are wonderful but honestly don’t equal to the other treks cited above!
The Colca Canyon is the closest trek to the city of Arequipa. From here, you can join the trek or otherwise take public transportation to trek on your own!
Before you go…
Reflecting on my Peru trekking days, some of my most cherished travel recollections come to mind. Though shivering in a tent on the Huayhuash or being coated in mud while traversing the Salkantay were no easy feats, the awe-inspiring vistas and unparalleled experiences made every second worthwhile.
We hope that this blog has provided valuable insights to plan your upcoming trekking expeditions in Peru. Should you have any queries regarding preparations for trekking in Peru.
