Peru's Top Hiking Trails

This three-day trek takes you through the Lares Valley from Ollyantambo and offers time spent in indigenous Quechua settlements, and a warm up in hot springs. It is a challenging trek with an altitude reaching 4550 metres at its highest point and is popular with travellers who have failed to secure a permit for the Inca Trail, however it is possible that trekkers will not catch a glimpse of Machu Picchu during this trek. The accommodation during this trek is generally camping with facilities or basic hotels. A permit is not required, and the best time to travel is from May to October in the dry season.

Taking you through beautiful open valleys, jewel coloured lagoons and snowy mountains, this trek is considered one of the best treks in the world. You will have opportunities to spot rare wildlife such as eagles and the Andean Spectacled Bear. The duration of this trek is normally three to four days; however, many suffer with the cold at an altitude of 4760 metres. The accommodation during this trek is campsites which can often be a little crowded. A permit is required for this trek and it features Huascaran National park. Normally it is best to travel in the dry season, typically May – September.

Witness one of the most beautiful sceneries that Peru offers, the colourful Rainbow Mountains, whilst immersing you in the culture of the Quechua people. The trek takes between five to seven days and is very challenging as many suffer with altitude sickness with a maximum altitude of 5150 metres. One of the highlights of this trek is the accommodation, as you will be superior lodges. This trek starts and finishes in Cusco and is best to do in May – October. A permit is not required.

A high-altitude trek for those adventurous trekkers, and is a good alternative to the Inca Trail. Taking you right into the wilderness of Peru, you will trek for four days through stunning mountainous scenery, before being able to visit Machu Picchu on the last day. The trek is very much off the beaten track and is not well known with little tourists. You will need three days of acclimatisation in Cusco before starting your trek. It is extremely difficult with serval passes between 4600 and almost 5000 metres. The accommodation is in Tents and is best done between March – November. Permits are not required.

This trek is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to the Colca Canyon Treks. Expect to find cascading waterfalls, Incan and pre-Incan ruins, hot springs, astounding views and giant condors soaring in the skis above. This trek gives you the opportunity to discover a much less known part of the country and offered different trekking options to suit all requirements. The duration of the trek is customisable; the average duration is four days but can range from one to ten days. The accommodation is tents and is best visited between June – September. Permits are not required.

With many Inca paths through the Andes, the most famous is known as “The Inca Trail Trek”, the route to Machu Picchu. The duration of the trek is normally done over four days and is over 44 kilometres. It crosses three high passes, encounters several ancient sites and ends at the Lost City of the Incas. To do this trek you must book your permit in advance, as the Peruvian authorities cap the number of Inca Trail trekking permits to 500 per day. You don’t necessarily have to do this trek as part of a group and can be done independently. It requires a moderate level of fitness and accommodation is normally in camps. The best time to travel is from mid-April through to October, however it is recommended that tourists avoid July and the beginning of August as this is Peruvian Holidays and many locals visit the Inca Trail during this time.