Are you looking for the best Peru hike? As a tour operator with passion for hiking and adventure, we want to recommend some of the best trails. Discover some of the best experiences in the Andes.
Peru offers diverse experiences for different skill levels. But for our area of work, we’ll prioritize the south of Peru.
The terrains there are surprisingly varied. From lush jungles to rugged mountains. In some cases you’ll visit both of them.
Peru hikers are one of the reasons Peru is a top destination. The Andes mountain range created a really unique place. Along Andean valleys and snow mountains you’ll find the most incredible views. So join to discover the best peru hikes.
Experience the Short Inca Trail: A Perfect Peru Hike for many Travelers
The Short Inca Trail is, right now, a well established alternative to the classic Inca Trail. In execution is a day of walking and a day for Machu Picchu exporation. As a Peru hike is pretty convenient in so many ways. But you can not help but to compare it with the longer version.
The short Inca Trail is ideal for travelers seeking convenience with limited time. This Peru hike is also a shorter walk, which is convenient. Its appeal is for those who are not that experienced or the visitors with limited time.
Inca Trail Hike: Convenient and Beautiful
The Short Inca trail is pretty popular for advertising a complete experience. And you get an experience really close to the original.
You’ll walk along an ancient path. The day hike occurs in the cloud forest. And you’ll visit some inca ruins that are only accessible by this trail.
Your day hike ends in Aguas Calientes. After a day of adventure you can rest in a hotel with the commodities you chose. This is a pretty great offering. And You will explore Machu Picchu for more than the regular time.
To avoid over crowding, you can only stay at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary for 3 hours. Most tours to Machu Picchu only consider this time for explorations. One of the secret perks of the Inca Trail was to arrive directly to the citadel.
You’ll arrive by the Sungate. And you’ll descend through Machu Picchu at a time when most travelers are leaving.
You’ll have a unique view and perspective of the site. This hike lets you explore Machu Picchu in one of the most unique ways. With almost no crowds.
And by the next day you’ll return to Machu Picchu to have the regular experience of the guided tour. This is something that comes with the Short Inca trail, too.
The altitude on this Peru Hike is manageable. The trail won’t feel as intense. You will avoid the dead woman pass, that is the zone for most concerns. This abbreviation of the Inca Trail is perfect for families and beginners.
The only downfall is the limited admissions, the entree fees and the need for reservations.
Humantay Lake Trek: A Stunning Peru Hike
The Humantay Lake Trek is a Peru hike to one of the prettiest lakes in the Andes. And, outside the lake, all the way there is stunning too.
We chose this as a Peru hike with a natural charm for a day excursion. Other famous day hikes such as Rainbow Mountain are also recommendable. But Humantay Lake has a certain mysticism.
Peru Hike: Short and Scenic
The Humantay Lake Trek is a high-altitude exploration. It reaches over 4,200 meters / 13,780 feet above sea level. Despite the altitude, the trek is accessible to many hikers.
It involves 3 hours of hiking, approximately. This is 3 hours in total. The hiker extends in duration mostly for the remote location. You need some hours of driving to arrive at the trailhead.
This Peru hike is famous for its scenery. But further that’s just the mere elegance of the landscape. The place has a spiritual connotation. Humantay Mountain is considered a deity itself.
Many tour operators make a ritual for offerings to Apu Humantay. This is what maybe sets apart these destinations. The beauty of the lake inspires reverence.
The trail is part of the Cordillera Blanca range. This means all year round snow on the mountain peaks. This only increases the ambiance of the trek. You’ll have fascinating vistas of the mountains from the first moment.
Also, planning this Peru hike is really simple with a tour operator. Most tours include transportation and entrance fees. This makes planning easier. And also this makes a low compromise purchase, because it is a day hike.
Conquer the Salkantay Trek: An Epic Peru Hike to Machu Picchu
The Salkantay Trek is an epic Peru hike. This is a trek we recommend for experienced hikers and adventurers. This is our pick for an experience that requires some preparation.
Despite the high demand from the trail, the trek is great for nature appreciation. From andean farms with llamas and Alpacas, to snowy peaks. The journey offers adventure through the Andes mountains and high jungle.
Peru Hike: Adventure and Beyond
This trek offers some of the more impressive natural beauty. All of this with the background of the Cordillera Blanca. But the extension of this trip allows for many experiences. From natural encounters to cultural experiences.
Each one of these depends on your tour operator. Some tour operators partner with communities. So they arrange cultural meetups. So visitors can learn about life in high altitude.
Some others take advantage of the section of the trail that passes through the high jungle. So they set up experiences like coffee or cacao plantation visits. Others opt for culinary demonstrations or even visits to the Cocalmayo hot springs.
The possibilities for all these experiences are endless. From visits to high altitude lake, to luxury stays on andean lodges. This is one of the most varied Peru hikes in offerings.
Explore the Lares Trek: A Scenic Andean Hike
The Lares Trek is a scenic Peru hike that you shouldn’t miss. This is one trek that reliably offers a genuine cultural experience.
The Lares trek is like going on the back stage of the andes. And many of the high altitude treks have gorgeous scenarios. But the spotlight should be in the intimate look it gives of life in the Andes.
The Lares valley is more famous for its unique high altitude landscapes and its volcanic ground. The main destination of the Lares district is the Lares’ thermal baths. They are the result of the same geological forces that created the landscape.
Despite everything, the main town of lares is still a remote town. So the area is self sufficient to a degree. This allows the communities of the area to keep their traditions.
Peru Hike: Cultural Immersion and Natural Beauty
The Lares Trek compared to other trails to Machu Picchu is kind of curious. It is like taking a tour of the Andes and then traveling to Machu Picchu by train. But just for the experience of the high altitude exploration it is worth it.
During this journey, the visitors will enjoy escapes shared by locals, like the Thermal baths. And further than this, along the way there will be many opportunities for exchange with local communities.
The locals that participate in these activities are interested in sharing its culture. They are people of the Quechua ethnic group. Most of them have the Quechua language as their mother language.
You may have the opportunity to learn about their language. Also the presence of a tour guide that mediates the interaction is perfect for direct understanding. These people are descendants of the ancient Incas.
These people rely on farming for its survival. But many of these humana groups developed some impressive forms of cultural expression. You’ll see the result of that in textiles and other forms of artistry.
The Lares Trek is the perfect Peru hike for those seeking cultural immersion. We can not disqualify the natural beauty of the area. This scenic land will receive you with open arms
The Colca Canyon: The Best and Deepest Adventure
The Colca Canyon is one of the most complete destinations in hiking terms, period. This Peru hike offers stunning nature, fascinating culture, and diverse experiences.
The Colca canyon, in the Arequipa Region, is one of the deepest canyons in the world. It is a geological wonder. This place is the scenario for many amazon natural phenomena. And at the same time it is the home of many native towns with its own colorful traditions.
We recommend this Peru hike for almost everyone. The hiking segments can vary, but most of them are manageable. This is a journey of high altitude, but it is gentler than any hike in Cusco.
The Colca Canyon trek is part of this recommendations list in order to branch outside the Cusco region. Peru just has so many amazing hiking destinations. Choosing your perfect peru hike depends on what you are looking for, at the end.
Peru Hike: Nature and Culture Combined
The Colca Canyon is an extensive area. Around it, you can find deserts, mountains, volcanoes and green valleys. You’ll pass through traditional Andean villages. There are few areas with the same charm.
The villages are picturesque locations with adjective lifes. If you plan your trip well you may be able to visit in the middle of festivals or celebrations. But even in everyday expressions like clothing, you can recognize a deep rooted culture.
Further from the small villages, the nature of the trail has a special place. From the encounter with condors in Condor Cruz to the presence of vicuñas. This is a place to observe nature. This is home for many iconic high altitude animals.
Also the landscapes will be unforgettable. You can expect snow capped mountains next to deserts. You will also see rugged mountains open in green valleys. And of course the mesmerizing view into the Colca canyon itself.
