Best Hikes in Peru

Preparing for High-Altitude Trekking

Understanding Altitude Sickness (Soroche)

Altitude sickness, known locally as soroche, is a common condition that affects many travelers in the Andes, regardless of their age or physical fitness. It is simply the body’s reaction to receiving less oxygen at high elevations. Taking the time to acclimatize is the most critical part of your preparation, ensuring a safe and enjoyable trek. Being informed is the best way to manage its effects.

• Symptoms to watch for: headache, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath.
• Prevention and acclimatization strategies: We recommend arriving in high-altitude cities like Cusco at least two to three days before beginning any trek. During this time, it is vital to stay well-hydrated, avoid heavy meals, and abstain from alcohol to allow your body to adjust.
• Local remedies: Many locals find relief by chewing coca leaves or drinking coca tea (mate de coca), a traditional remedy believed to alleviate mild symptoms.

Peruvian Trekking Difficulty Ratings

To help you select the appropriate hike, we use the following rating system:

• Easy: A short duration of 1-4 hours with minimal elevation gain. Trails are typically well-maintained and suitable for most people.
• Moderate: These are multi-hour or full-day hikes involving significant elevation gain. The terrain may be uneven at times.
• Challenging: Multi-day treks featuring steep ascents and descents, often crossing high mountain passes above 4,500m (15,000ft). Conditions usually involve basic camping.
• Strenuous: These treks are technically demanding, reach very high altitudes, and involve long, arduous days. They require an excellent level of physical condition and previous high-altitude trekking experience.

Classic Treks to Machu Picchu

The Classic 4-Day Inca Trail

• Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Best Time to Go: April to October (drier season)
• Highlights: The trek culminates with the unforgettable experience of watching the sunrise over Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). Along the way, you will explore numerous Incan ruins only accessible via the trail, such as Wiñay Wayna and Phuyupatamarca, while passing through diverse ecosystems from cloud forest to alpine tundra.
• Logistics:
  • Permits are required and typically sell out 6-8 months in advance.
  • This trek must be booked with a licensed tour operator.
  • The trail is closed for maintenance every February.

Booking this trek far in advance is non-negotiable due to the strict government permit system. It is the only trek that allows you to arrive directly inside the Machu Picchu citadel on foot, entering through the historic Sun Gate for a truly unique perspective.

The Salkantay Trek

• Duration: 4-5 days / 3-4 nights
• Difficulty: Challenging to Strenuous
• Best Time to Go: April to October
• Highlights: This route offers breathtaking views of the snow-capped Salkantay Peak (6,271m / 20,574ft) and a visit to the brilliant turquoise Humantay Lake. The trail traverses a dramatic range of landscapes, from high, icy mountain passes down into lush, warm jungle.
• Logistics:
  • No special permits are required, making it a superb alternative when the Inca Trail is sold out.
  • The trek reaches higher altitudes than the Inca Trail, with the Salkantay Pass situated at 4,600m (15,090ft).
  • The trail ends in the town of Aguas Calientes, with the visit to Machu Picchu taking place on the final day.

For those seeking dramatic mountain scenery and a more rugged wilderness experience, the Salkantay Trek is widely considered the finest alternative to the Inca Trail.

The Lares Trek

• Duration: 2-4 days / 1-3 nights
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
• Best Time to Go: April to November
• Highlights: This trek offers authentic cultural immersion with local Quechua-speaking communities. You will visit remote Andean villages, relax in the natural hot springs in the town of Lares, and see vast herds of llamas and alpacas in their natural habitat.
• Logistics:
  • The primary focus is on cultural interaction rather than Incan ruins.
  • It is a significantly less crowded option, providing a more intimate experience of the Andes.
  • The trek finishes in Ollantaytambo, from where you will take a train to Aguas Calientes for your visit to Machu Picchu.

This route is the “cultural” alternative, ideal for travelers who are more interested in understanding the contemporary life and traditions of the Andean people than in archaeology alone.

Popular Day Hikes from Cusco

Humantay Lake

• Duration: Full day trip (approximately 3 hours hiking round-trip)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time to Go: April to October for clearer skies
• Highlights: The reward for the hike is the stunning, turquoise glacial lake situated at the base of the majestic Humantay Mountain.
• Logistics:
  • The lake is located at a high altitude of 4,200m (13,780ft).
  • The final ascent is short but can be quite steep. Local horse rentals are available for a portion of the climb.
  • This trip requires a very early morning start from Cusco, typically around 4 AM.

It is imperative that you are well-acclimatized in Cusco for a minimum of two days before attempting this hike. The high altitude can be challenging, and proper acclimatization will make the experience far more pleasant and safe.

Vinicunca (The Rainbow Mountain)

• Duration: Full day trip (2-3 hours hiking round-trip)
• Difficulty: Challenging (primarily due to the extreme altitude)
• Best Time to Go: June to August for the most vibrant colors
• Highlights: The famous multi-colored mineral deposits on the mountain slopes create a surreal, painted landscape, with views of the great Ausangate glacier in the distance.
• Logistics:
  • The summit is at an extreme altitude of 5,200m (17,060ft).
  • This destination can become extremely crowded, especially during peak season.
  • The weather is highly unpredictable and can change from sun to snow in a matter of minutes.

Due to the extreme altitude, this is not a hike for your first few days in Cusco. We advise that only those who are very well-acclimatized and confident in their physical condition undertake this trek. The risk of severe altitude sickness is significant. For a comparable experience with less risk, please consider the Palccoyo alternative.

Palccoyo (The Alternative Rainbow Mountain)

• Duration: Full day trip (1-1.5 hours hiking round-trip)
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Best Time to Go: June to August
• Highlights: Palccoyo offers panoramic views of three distinct rainbow mountains and a unique “stone forest” (bosque de piedras). It has significantly fewer crowds, allowing for a more tranquil experience.
• Logistics:
  • The altitude is slightly lower than Vinicunca, and the walk is much flatter and shorter.
  • It provides a similar visual experience with a fraction of the physical effort and without the large crowds.

We present Palccoyo as an excellent and more accessible alternative to the main Rainbow Mountain. For many visitors, its gentle path and peaceful atmosphere make it a more enjoyable and rewarding excursion.

Treks in the Cordillera Blanca (Huaraz)

Santa Cruz Trek

• Duration: 3-4 days / 2-3 nights
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Best Time to Go: May to September
• Highlights: The trek’s defining moment is crossing the Punta Union pass at 4,750m (15,580ft). It offers iconic views of some of Peru’s most famous peaks, including Alpamayo and Artesonraju (often recognized as the “Paramount Pictures” mountain), alongside numerous turquoise glacial lakes.
• Logistics:
  • This trek requires traveling to Huaraz and spending a few days acclimatizing to the city’s high altitude.
  • It is typically undertaken with a guide and supported by mules to carry the main gear.

The Santa Cruz Trek is regarded as one of the most beautiful classic treks in the world. It is a must-do for serious hikers wishing to experience the grand-scale beauty of the Cordillera Blanca.

Laguna 69

• Duration: Full day trip (3-4 hours hiking round-trip)
• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging (due to altitude)
• Best Time to Go: May to September
• Highlights: The destination is an impossibly vibrant blue lake sitting at the base of the towering Chacraraju glacier, a truly breathtaking sight.
• Logistics:
  • The trailhead is located about a 3-hour drive from Huaraz.
  • The entire hike takes place above 4,000m, with the lake itself resting at 4,600m (15,090ft).
  • Proper acclimatization in Huaraz for at least two days before this hike is essential.

This is arguably the most famous and rewarding day hike in the Cordillera Blanca, offering an incredible scenic payoff for a day’s effort.