Trekking in Peru: spoiled for choice
In Peru, numerous beautiful trekking tours through the Andes await you. But what are the levels of difficulty for trekking in Peru? In this article you will learn everything about trekking in Peru and hopefully know after reading which peak or which gorge you are longing for the most.
After the four-day hike on the Inca Trail, nothing is more beautiful than finally being able to enjoy the view of Machu Picchu Many roads lead to the wonder of the world…how long are you hiking?
Inca Trail
The Andes are calling! The Inca Trail leads in 43 kilometers through breathtaking mountain panorama and mystical cloud forests to the legendary city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. The multi-day trekking route to the wonder of the world is probably the most famous hike in South America. In short: a must-do for all travelers to Peru, and for some, who finally catch sight of the Sun Gate in front of them after the final ascent, an experience that has changed their lives. Incidentally, the incredible view from the Sun Gate is also available to anyone who, due to physical or time constraints, only wants to walk seven hours over a distance of 10 kilometers on Inca trails, or who wants to take a 45-minute detour from the ruins of Machu Picchu itself!
Trekking in Peru: Quite steep! Over many steps hikers reach the Inca Trail through breathtaking Andean panorama to the famous Inca site Quite steep! Over many steps hikers reach the famous Inca site through breathtaking Andean panorama.
Duration: 4 days (classic)
Length: 43 kilometers
Altitude: Cuzco is located at 3.416m, there you should acclimatize for a few days after your arrival. The highest point of the hike is over 4,200m, the destination, Machu Picchu, is at 2,400m.
Difficulty level: Medium
Much trekking experience is not necessary for the Inca Trail, a good physical condition is definitely important, especially because of the many steps! Each day of trekking takes about five hours. During the day it can be very hot in the highlands, while at night you will feel the cold of the Andes. The biggest risk on the Inca Trail is knee problems: healthy knees and good surefootedness are indispensable for the hike with its many steps! The Inca Trail can also be very steep in places, so you shouldn’t be afraid of heights either. That doesn’t sound like a problem or even the perfect challenge for you? Well then: off to the Andes!
Best time to travel: April to August
More info: Inca Trail Tips and the Inca Trail with Tierras Vivas
Salkantay Trek
Next to the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek is the most popular Inca trail in the Sacred Valley. Just like the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek leads past massive snow-capped mountain peaks to tropical mountain cloud forest. The hike is in no way inferior to the Inca Trail, is -so far- much less known and hardly deserves to be only second on the list of the top trekking routes in Peru. On the way, one circles, among other things, the impressive mountain Salkantay (6271m), which is called “Wild Mountain” in Quechua. Especially on the first and second day it goes on strenuous stages high up. After passing the Humantay lagoon on the first day, the Salkantay pass is crossed on the following day, and from then on a long descent follows. If you want, you can choose an alternative route from Chaullay on the third day and thus spend a total of five days on the road instead of four. On the active trip Peru you can even combine the Salkantray trek through the Andes with trekking in the Colca Canyon and a multi-day jungle adventure!
Trekking in Peru off the Inca Trail: the Salkantay Trek leads between snow-covered peaks to Machu Picchu The Salkantay Trek leads between snow-covered peaks to Machu Picchu.
Duration: 4–5 days
Length: up to 71 kilometers
Altitude: The highest pass is at an altitude of over 4,630m
Difficulty: Challenging
The Salkantay Trek requires a very good physical condition! Steep trails and high passes characterize the spectacular route. Overall, the Salkantay Trek runs through higher elevations than the Inca Trail. During the day it can get up to 27 degrees, while at night temperatures can drop to -5 degrees.
Best time to visit: June to September
More info: The Salkantay Trek: Alternative to the Inca Trail
Colca Canyon
The Colca Canyon is over 100 kilometers long and with a depth of 3150 meters in places it even trumps the Grand Canyon in the USA! The natural beauty and the enormous dimensions of this impressive scenery can hardly be topped. Long mountain bike tours through the canyon near Arequipa can be undertaken as well as hikes of several days between cacti and majestic Andean condors. Those who prefer to climb high instead of low can climb the nearby peaks Coropuna (6613 m) and Ampato (6310 m).
Duration: min. 1 day
Length: any thanks to various routes
Altitude and depth: 4.900 m up to -3150 m
Difficulty: Easy
Hiking through the Colca Canyon does not require trekking experience, but the strong sunlight should not be underestimated. Altitude sickness can also cause effects such as headaches or nausea: although the Colca Canyon is a canyon, passes of up to 4,900m are crossed on the way to the canyon. A good level of fitness is required, as with any hike.
Best time to visit: May to September
More info: Active trip Peru
Huayhuash
Huaraz, the starting point for the entire high mountain region of the Cordillera Blanca, is the Mecca for mountaineers in Peru. Much less known, but no less impressive, is the Huayhuash mountain range. The Cordillera Huayhuash forms a closed mountain range with six six-thousand meter peaks! Countless snow-capped peaks reach out here seemingly endlessly to over 5,400m into the sky. Trekking tours lasting several days through the impressive landscape between shimmering mountain lakes and white peaks become an unforgettable experience here. While during the day the high altitude sun contributes to a pleasant hiking weather, it can get sensitively cold at night. Good equipment is a must here, as most of the routes are barely hiked compared to any known trek. Even on the signposted Huayhuash Trek, hikers are mostly alone.
Duration: 3–12 days depending on the trek
Length: any thanks to various routes
Altitude: 4.000–6.000m
Difficulty: Demanding
No matter which route you choose, you will cross an average of two passes per day and you will always be at high altitude. Some of the passes are at an altitude of over 5,400m, so good acclimatization is a must. Also, the high altitude sun can put additional stress on you. A summit climb is only recommended for experienced hikers!
Best time to travel: May to September
More info: Hiking map of the trekking routes in Huayhuash (Spanish)
Choquequirao
Choquequirao, sparsely visited until 2013, is an Inca site in the Cuzco region that has only been partially excavated and whose name means “cradle of gold” in Quechua. In 2016, Choquequirao was named “Best Destination 2017” by Lonely Planet and others, which helped the Inca site achieve sudden fame and skyrocketing tourism. Some even refer to the ruined city as the “sister of Machu Picchu”. In the meantime, there are also guided tours to the remote site in the Salkantay mountain range, which became famous for its typical Lama terraces, among other things. During the hike there are fantastic panoramic views of the snow-covered Salkantay Mountains. The approach is from Cusco Peru via Curahuasi to Cachora, the starting point of the trek. A stopover at one of the four campsites is necessary, other accommodations are not on the route.
The ruined city of Choquequirao has a similar structure as the most famous Inca site Machu Picchu The ruined city of Choquequirao has a similar structure as the most famous Inca site Machu Picchu
Duration: 4–6 days depending on planning and distance per day
Length: 32 kilometers (round trip 64 kilometers)
Altitude: up to 3.670 m altitude
Difficulty: Demanding
Choquequirao can only be reached by hiking for several days, climbing and descending more than 7,200 meters in altitude. After all, although the Choquequirao site is located at an altitude of 3,084m, the starting point of Cachora is at an altitude of 3,670m.
Best time to visit: April-October
More info: Starting from Cuzco, the approach is via Curahuasi to Cachora. There the actual trek begins at an altitude of 3,670m with a descent via Capuliyoc and Chiquiska to Playa Rosalina. From here starts a new ascent via Santa Rosa to the mountain village of Marampata. The final climb is up to the Choquequirao plant before returning along the same or slightly different route.
Campsites: Chiquiska, Playa Rosalina, Santa Rosa and Marampata.
