Peru is a dream destination for hiking with a staggering array of trails winding through Inca ruins, lost cities, impossibly perfect lakes, and imposing peaks. In this post, we discuss 20 Amazing multi-day treks and 20 of the best one-day hikes in this wondrous country.
The impressive Andes mountains cut by footpaths left by ancient civilizations shape dramatic landscapes that can only be explored on foot. With over 25 000 km of hiking trails that traverse massive mountains, the country is perfect to discover while camping during multi-day hikes. Prepare yourself to experience breathtaking glacial lakes, snow-topped peaks, and ancient ruins on the rugged paths.
In the south of Peru, the main hiking centers are Cuzco and Arequipa, while most hiking in the north is done around Huaraz. The Inca Trail is the country’s most recognized trail but is certainly not the most spectacular or challenging.
Hiking is not the only activity you can do here, Peru offers a great range of experiences e.g. exploring Inca ruins and colonial towns, tasting local food, venturing on a tour in the Amazon jungle, or relaxing on the beach – whichever activity you prefer traveling to Peru will be an amazing cultural experience.
Show List of 20 Amazing Hikes in Peru by Multi-day
Make sure to bring the right gear for hiking in Peru. We have a detailed post on what to pack for hiking and camping in Peru where you can find a lot of useful information and some practical tips.
The Best Multi-day Hikes around Cusco (south Peru)
The city Cusco in southeast Peru was the historic capital of the Inca Empire from the 13th until the 16th-century. This UNESCO World Heritage Site draws about 1.2 million tourists per year, the main drawcards being the city itself, and the nearby Inca ruins of Macchu Picchu. Located at an altitude of 3400m and surrounded by mountains over 6000m Cusco serves as a base camp for the departure of many amazing trekking routes. Add to this plenty of ancient Inca ruins scattered through the surrounding peaks and valleys making Peru one of the trekking capitals of the world. Because of its challenging high-altitude routes and breathtaking scenery, it reminds us of hiking in Nepal.
Hiking the Salkantay trek, Cusco
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Ausangate Trek – the most beautiful scenery
- Duration: 5 days
- Max Altitude: 5200m
- Difficulty: 8 – Challenging, high altitude
- Crowds: 0 – (might see nobody)
The Landscape – In six years of traveling around the world, doing a lot of hiking, we still have to find a trail with views to match, the Ausangate trek is breathtaking. Diverse landscapes ranging from colorful to snow-capped mountains, lakes of different colors, and amazing high altitude Andean landscapes. The unreal rainbow mountain is on the Ausangate trekking route. This is the sort of trek that thousands of people on more popular hiking tours dream about when they buy plane tickets to Peru; a remote trail, magnificent views, a physical challenge, and a real adventure. The trek is a circuit around Ausangate mountain (6,384 m) the highest mountain in the Cusco region from the town Tinki.
Difficulty – Ausangate is a challenging trek walking through rough terrain, with climbs at altitude. The standard itinerary to hike the route is 6 days, 5 nights camping along the way. This is a real high altitude trek, the whole route is above 4000m crossing three passes above 5000m, Palomino pass is the highest point at 5200m. This trek is best suited for experienced trekkers with a good fitness level, it is very important to be properly acclimatized.
Remote Trail – It is unreal that such a beautiful place is still so untouched. In our 5 day trek, the only people we saw were 2 local people that look after alpacas.
If you want to do a tough trek with amazing scenery this is the route for you. It is possible to do this hike independently, but losing the trail and altitude sickness are real considerations.
Choquequirao Trek – discover ancient Inca Ruins
- Duration: 4 days
- Max Altitude: 3050 m
- Difficulty: 7 – Moderate, steep climbs
- Crowds: 3 – season dependent, small groups do show up
Machu Picchu must be the greatest man-made sight that I have ever seen, but with about 3000 tourists visiting every day it feels more like Disney World than Indiana Jones. Choquequirao is a huge site of ancient ruins similar in structure and architecture to Machu Picchu. Less than 40% of these ruins have been excavated! The site is located in the jungle with magnificent views of the valleys; seeing the sunrise over the ruins with condors soaring in the valley without a tourist in sight is an experience I will treasure forever.
Camping is possible very close to the ruins and you will probably share this massive site with only a hand full of people, there were 3 or 4 others camping during the 2 days we spent at the ruins. Why is ‘lost city’ still deserted? ‘Machu Picchu’s little sister’ is some of the most remote ruins in the Andes taking 2 to 3 days of tough trekking to get to. It is a 60-kilometer round trip traversing a canyon and crossing the Apurimac River.
The Choquequirao trek is fantastic with beautiful views of the Apurimac Canyon. This is one of the tougher hikes in the area with some steep climbs. The trail is well marked, your main consideration, if you want to trek this on your own, should be if you are fit and strong enough to do the steep climbs with a full backpack carrying all your food and gear.
There is a great guided trek option with G-Adventures – all inclusive 12-day hiking tour from Cusco to Machu Picchu through Choquequirao ruins.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
- Duration: 5 days
- Max Altitude: 4460m
- Difficulty: 6 – Moderate – altitude and climbs
- Crowds: 6 – (medium sized groups on the trail)
Machu Picchu might be super touristy, but it is still breathtakingly beautiful and belongs high up on any bucket list. The iconic Inca ruins are an unreal destination following 4 amazing days of hiking through the Andes mountains. The Salkantay trek is the most popular alternative to the Inca Trail. It is less busy, cheaper, and tougher than it’s more famous counterpart.
It is important to acclimatize, trekking as high as 4600m through the Salkantay pass. The route is 70km long going around the base of the famous Salkantay mountain passing through different scenery every day, varying from cloud forests to snowy passes. There are some supreme views on this trek that will stay with me forever; Machu Picchu and the valley from Machu Picchu mountain is incredible and Salkantay lake is so beautiful it is difficult to believe it is real!
Check out this Salkantay trek with Go Treks Peru! Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu
- Duration: 3 days
- Max Altitude: 4650m
- Difficulty: 6 – Moderate – altitude and climbs
- Crowds: 6 – (medium sized groups on the trail)
The Lares trek is another alternative to the Inca trail to hike to Machu Picchu. This three-day high-altitude hike in the Peruvian Andean mountain near Cusco starts at the village Lares, approximately about 35 miles east of Machu Picchu. The stunning trail takes you through valleys, mountains, tropical forests, up and down hills, past lakes, waterfalls and towns. The Lares trek is most often done as an organised tour, but like all hikes in Peru but the Inca Trail, it is possible to do independent. To do this on your own, take a public bus from Cusco to the town Calca and a taxi from here to Lares.
You can book this great trek here Lares Trek with Inca Trail
The Inca Trail Hikes
- Duration: 4 days
- Max Altitude: 4215 m
- Difficulty: 6 – Moderate easy- altitude and climbs
- Crowds: 9 – (500 people per day on the trail)
A list of the top hikes in Peru would not be complete without the Inca Trail. The Inca Trail and the Everest Base Camp trek are probably the most famous treks in the world. The Classic 4-day Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu is often rated as the top 5 in the world. The trail can not be hiked independently, only with a company. It’s a relatively short trail of 26 miles (43 kilometers) connecting several Incan archeological sites: Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyuptamarca, Wiñaywayna with the magnificent Machu Picchu ruins. The beautiful route combines mountain scenery, cloud-forest, subtropical jungle, and Inca ruins, tunnels, and paths. The route has some steep rocky stairways and climbs. If you are not properly acclimatized altitude sickness is possible.
The Inca Trail is a very popular and expensive hike starting at about $600, but many operators charging more than $1000. Moderate fitness is required, you will walk with a small day pack, a porter will carry your tent, food, and gear. The Inca trail is the only way to enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at sunrise. The hike is well known for the great food that the companies serve on the route. Book long ahead to avoid disappointment, you can also hike to Machu Picchu with the Salkantay or Lares treks. G-adventures were named as best Inca Trail Hike by the Peruvian Department of Trade and Tourism with more than 2500 reviews, mostly excellent, this a hike to look at! Inca Trail Hike.
Accommodation in Cusco
- Backpacker – Sungate Backpackers is an awesome deal $10 for a dorm bed, best location for the price. Comfy beds, nice and accommodating staff. Perfect location off of Plaza de Armas still not too noisy.
- Medium budget – Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza Great location, friendly helpful staff speaking good English, neat, clean, very nice place, excellent breakfast $89 for a double room
- Upmarket – Antigua Casona San Blas Want to stay in a beautiful, comfortable place? This hotel is pretty amazing! Nice rooms, comfortable bed, excellent bathrooms, ambiance in court yard great with a fire. Breakfast is top quality with a big variety. Staff friendly and helpful. Good value for money $149 double room
For some more helpful information when visiting Peru.
Arequipa – South of Peru
Surrounded by three towering volcanoes, the city Arequipa, capital of the Arequipa region in the South of Peru about 500km from Cusco, has the perfect setting to serve as base for trekking, rafting and visiting Cañón de Colca. The Unesco World Heritage–listed city center is nicknamed ‘Ciudad Blanca’ (White City) due to all the baroque buildings carved from white volcanic sillar stone. Located at an altitude of 2,328 metres above sea-level there is some great high altitude trekking around Arequipa.
The Colca Canyon Hike
- Duration: 2 to 3 days
- Max Altitude: 4100m
- Difficulty: 6 – Moderate – long climb out of the canyon
- Crowds: 6 – (medium sized groups on the trail)
- Entry fee of 70 Peruvian soles each paid at the start of the canyon, 3 day tours around $170
Colca Canyon, a canyon of the Colca River with a depth of 3,270 metres it is the second deepest canyon in the world. It is a very popular tourist destination with about 120,000 visitors annually and is 160 kilometres, about 6 hours by public transport, northwest of Arequipa. The canyon is famous for it’s spectacular views and the Condors, the Andean Condor is a massive bird with a wingspan of about 2.1–2.7 metres (7–9 ft) and typically lives about 60-70 years. The condors can be seen at close range as they fly past the canyon walls. A popular way to experience the canyon is to hike down and up the canyon, seeing condors and experiencing an amazing oasis at the bottom! There are several 2 or 3 day tours available it quite an easy hike to do independent. Since there is accommodation and food available in the canyon, there is no need to carry a tent or food. Doing the hike in 2 days is not too difficult, the ascend from Sangalle at 2180m to Cabanaconde at 3287m is a 1107m steep climb and takes anything from 2 to 4 hours depending on your fitness.
Book a 3 Day Colca Canyon Hike here and watch condors soar!
Huaraz Hiking (North-central Peru)
Located at 3000 m above sea level looking over Cordillera Blanca, one of the world’s most spectacular mountain ranges, Huaraz is a favorite destination for mountain adventures. With some of the continents best hikes starting just outside the town, home to Andean condors, jaguars and Peru’s tallest mountain, Huarascán, this is the mecca of hiking in the north of Peru.
Huayhuash Circuit Trek – The Route Less Explored
- Duration: 8 to 10 days
- Max Altitude: 5465m
- Difficulty: 8 – Challenging, high altitude
- Crowds: 1 – very little
The Huayhuash trekking route is a challenging, remote trek at high altitude. The circular route in the Cordillera Huayhuash region takes 8 to 10 days to complete meandering through some of the most spectacular peaks in the Peruvian Andes. This is a high altitude trek staying above 4000m for most of the route, climbing passes almost everyday and is one of the toughest treks out of Huaraz reaching corners of Peru seen by few. The route takes you close to the gigantic snowcovered peaks Yerupajá (6,617 m) and Siula Grande (6,344 m).
This is a long demanding hike at high altitude, a good level of fitness and proper acclimatization is required. You camp in designated camping areas along the way all located in beautiful spots such as lakes, rivers or spectacular peaks.
It is possible to do this hike independent, challenges will be carrying a tent, food and equipment sufficient for 8 days. Since it is remote with few trekkers a GPS is a good instrument to carry. The majority of trekkers are more comfortable to leave planning, logistics and navigation up to an experienced company that knows the area.Check out this 13 day, Lima to Lima Trek the Huayhuash circuit!
The Santa Cruz trek
- Duration: 3 to 4 days
- Max Altitude: 4750m
- Difficulty: 6
- Crowds: 3- some other groups
The most popular multi day, high altitude hike in Cordillera Blanca mountains. The spectacular Santa Cruz trek takes you through a variety of landscapes with amazing views. If you are a photographer you will love this route showing you a variety of breathtaking high mountain views including valleys, forests, glaciers, steep passes and ice blue lakes. The trek up Punta Union is tough, but would be a fantastic introduction to hiking high altitude passes!
There are groups on the trail, but it is not overly crowded, a very possible hike to attempt solo, an economic option if you want to do one of the best hikes in the area with a group.
Quilcayhuanca & Cojup Valleys
- Duration: 3 to 4 days
- Max Altitude: 5100m
- Difficulty: 7 – moderate to challenging
- Crowds: 1- not crowded
A spectacular 3 day hike through the little-walked valleys of the Cordillera Blanca Mountain range through alpine forest past unreal glacial lakes with condors souring overhead in the trekking season. Hiking up the 5100m Chocu Pass makes for great views of the big mountains of the Cordillera Blanca range. Donkeys can not ascend this steep pass so carrying your gear is the only way, hard work at this altitude. This astoundingly beautiful walk is made is even more special by the remoteness, not another person in sight.
Accommodation in Huaraz
- Backpacker – Artesonraju Hostel Huaraz is a good deal $12 for a double/twin room, good location, equipped kitchen, basic rooms, good accommodation for the price. Very helpful and accommodating staff.
- Medium budget – La Aurora Amazing value, very comfortable, clean, modern hotel right in the center of town. The room nice and well-lit, nice new crisp beds, flat screen tv, nice bathroom with complementary toiletries. Great breakfast
- Upmarket –San Sebastian Hotel Boutique Nice rooms, comfortable bed, nice bathrooms, beautiful place, very nice atmosphere. Breakfast is top. Staff friendly and helpful. Excellent value for money $80 double room
Chachapoyas – home to ‘the cloud people’ (Northern Peru)
Similar to other hiking centers in Peru the town of Chachapoyas is located in the mountains at a high altitude (2335m). This affable town located in the high altitude cloud forest of the Amazonas region of Peru is a popular base for exploring the ruins left by the pre-Inca civilization of the Chachapoyas, ‘the people of the clouds’. Kuelap is the best known site in Northern Peru, the ancient stone city with 12 m high walls is the largest pre-Inca ruins in South America. The cloud warrior fortress is now easily accessible thanks to a cable car built on the edge of the Peruvian Amazon.
The Gran Vilaya Trek
- Duration: 3 to 4 days
- Max Altitude: 5100m
- Difficulty: 7 – moderate to challenging
- Crowds: 1- not crowded
This incredible hike will take you on some exiting trekking through beautiful cloud forests and tough climbs crossing impressive valleys to discover thousands of stone structures covered with bromeliads and orchids left by ‘the cloud people’. Experience amazing caverns, archeological sites and cross grandiose valleys. End your trek at at the famous ‘lost city of the cloud people’, Kuelap, comprising over 400 buildings inside 3 levels of walls, the largest stone structure found in the Americas.
The landscapes of this hike is breathtaking, long climbs through some of the valleys make the hiking hard but rewarding
Accommodation in Chachapoyas
- Backpacker –Chacha International is comfortable and clean, good location near the center, an excellent budget spot, and helpful staff. $6.50 dorm bed, $13 for a twin room
- Upmarket – La Casa de Los Balcones Amazing value, very comfortable, clean, modern, flat screen and cable tv. Extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff; very comfy beds; great location Great breakfast $40
Trekking Peru independent or with a group
All the treks discussed in this post are possible to do on your own or as a guided hike. It is high altitude treks and loosing the trail or altitude sickness are real possibilities. You have to consider if you are able to navigate the route, do you have a plan if there is a problem and can you ascend the steep climbs with a full backpack carrying a tent, food, gear and utensils. We love hiking independently, but we are two and have a lot of experience
You might be more comfortable to leave planning and logistics to an experienced company and a guide that knows the area. Runnatrip is a group of professional trekkers that want everyone to be able to experience the beauty of these amazing treks regardless of prior experience, they do guided treks on all these routes.
Best Day Hikes in Peru
The Rainbow Mountain Hike
The 7 colored Montana Vinicunca or Rainbow Mountain is becoming one of the most popular places to hike to from Cusco. The mountains are partly formed of colorful sediments, a unique, surreal rainbow look. At 5020m above sea level it is located at high altitude. The Rainbow mountain is located near Ausangate and can be reached on a detour during the high altitude 5 day Ausangate hike. The colorful mountain was only really discovered by tourism in 2015. From the road it is a fairly strenuous 3 hour hike to Rainbow mountain, altitude is a concern and altitude sickness is a real risk if you are not acclimatized. The start of the trail is a 3 hour drive from Cusco. There are many guided tours going here, you will leave Cusco very early and return in the evening. Doing this hike independent is possible by renting a car or taking a taxi. The route is on mapping apps such as Maps.me I have heard of people reaching the trail by public transport.
Full day excursion to the Rainbow Mountain, well reviewed popular tour, book to avoid disappointment. Cusco to Cusco
Discover the many ways you can get your blood pumping in Peru’s stunning natural and ancient landscapes on a seven-day tour. Take an epic mountain bike ride along rushing rivers and soar above the jungle on a zipline in Santa Teresa before you hit the famed Machu Picchu in the early morning light, and venture to the incredibly Instagrammable Rainbow Mountain. Inca Jungle Trek and Rainbow Mountain 7 day Cusco to Cusco adventure
One Day Inca Trail Hike
The One Day Inca Trail option follows the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, only walking the final 15 kilometers of the worlds most famous hiking trail. The trek starts from the train station known as “Km 104” and after a steep ascent, it follows the last portion of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The trail takes you to the archaeological sites of Chachabamba and Wiñaywayna and you enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate at, Intipunku. It is a moderate hike with a maximum elevation of 2750m above sea level. The two day Inca Trail hike follows the same route at a slower pace, so if you think 15km at 3000m elevation is too much, go for this option. The trail is done as an organised tour with transport organized from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, from where a train ride completes the journey to kilometer 104 and the hike starts. The one day Inca Trail is a great option for those wanting to experience trekking in Peru, but don’t want to do the full 4 days. This trek starts in from the train station known as “Km 104” and after a steep ascent, it follows the last portion of the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Permits are required. This trail is a nice option if you really want to do the Inca trail and you do not have the time, fitness level or if you can not get a permit.
Limited time? do this incredible Two day one night Inca Trail hike
Lake Humantay Day Hike
Lake Humantay is a breathtaking glacial lake visited as part of the Salkantay Trek, definitely one of the most beautiful sites we visited in South America. It is possible to do a one day hike to this spectacular lake. The hike is moderate-easy with a maximum altitude of 4200m and I will recommend being properly acclimatized before doing the hike. It is possible to reach the lake with a tour or do it independently. To get to Soraypampa from Cusco take a Uber or taxi, to save a bit first take a public bus to Curahuasi then a taxi to Soraypampa. From here it is a three-hour, 10 km round-trip hike to the lake and back. No permit is required
Go and see this incredible lake on 2 day one night Lake Humantay Hike
Huchuy Qosqo (Little Cusco) Hike
Huchuy Qosqo, is an Incan archaeological site at an elevation of 3,650 meters north of Peru, the name means Little Cusco. Several different treks to the ruins are possible. The ruins are seldom visited with beautiful Andean scenery. One-day hike routes start in Patabamba, Chinchero, or Tauqa and passing through the ruins and often end on the other side of the pass or in the town of Lamay. You can walk along the well-marked trail the Camino Inca, the original Imperial Incan trail. Reaching the trailhead is a short drive from Cusco and can be done independently or with a tour company. The hike is moderate difficulty with a maximum altitude of 4,300m. No permit is required, but there is an entrance fee to the ruins.
The Moray ruins and Maras salt pans Hike
The remarkable Inca ruins of Moray is located about 50km from Cusco in the remote sacred valley. From the town Chinchero it is a moderate 3-hour hike to the fascinating ruins, from there, it is a relatively easy walk of around six kilometers to the Canyon hosting the salt pans of Maras. The canyon is filled with geometric salt pools that have been being harvested since the Incan empire. The maximum altitude is 3,200m. This hike can be done as an organized tour from Cusco, but doing independent is also possible, a public bus from Cusco to Chinchero takes only 45min. No permits are required. This hike is suitable for all fitness levels.
Laguna 69 Hike
The spectacular blue glacial lake Laguna 69 recognized as one of the most beautiful sights in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca. Trekking to the lake located in the Huascaran National Park is a very popular one day hike of moderate difficulty. The hike takes about 6 hours return from the entering park (a permit is required) it is not a loop so you turn around going down the trail on the way back. Reasonable fitness and proper acclimatization are required to do this hike with a maximum altitude of 4,550 m. There are many one day tours available from Huaraz for about $50. You can do it independently by taking public transport from Huaraz to the nearby town Yungay and a taxi from here to the park. Expect a beautiful trail with waterfalls, lakes, and stunning peaks, the altitude is the biggest challenge.
Laguna Churup Hike
The hike to the beautiful lake, Laguna Churup, is another beautiful hike in Huascaran National Park. This stunning day hike is similar to the Laguna 69 day hike with a maximum elevation of 4550m, the trail takes 4 to 5 hours round trip to the lake. This route is often hiked as part of acclimatization before attempting a longer trek. Other than altitude the main challenge is a 9-meter rock wall you have to climb using ropes fixed to the rock wall to reveal the lake. The trail starts at the town Pitec about 45 minutes from Huaraz. A permit is required to enter Huascaran National Park. It is possible to do independently or with a guide.
Pisac’s 3 lakes
This is an easy, flat,’ off the beaten track’ one day hike with beautiful views of the three lakes. This hike can easily be tailored to suit the distance you want to hike. Walk over beautiful valleys, fields, mountains with stunning views of the lakes and fields of Alpacas. There are few tourists here, so you are likely to have the route all to yourself. From Cusco take a collectivo to Pisac, reaching this touristy town is cheap and easy it takes about 45 minutes for a dollar or 2. Stop a taxi in town, ask for ‘Kinsa Cocha Laguna’ and organize with the driver to wait for you while you do the hike, 3 hours should be enough. Organize with the driver that he first waits while you hike to two interconnected lakes, and then head onward to the third lake ‘Laguna Azul. On the way back visit the large market in Pisac before heading back to Cusco
Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu
There are two mountains flanking Machu Picchu that you can hike from the famous Inca ruins, Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu mountain, located on opposite sides of the famous archeological site. You can hike to either one when visiting Machu Picchu but have to buy a permit ahead since spaces are limited. You will not have time to hike both on the same day. Huayna Picchu is the peak located behind Machu Picchu on most photos of the ruins while Machu Picchu Mountain is located at the opposite end of the site. Permits are required for each option and have to be booked in advance as spaces are limited.
Buy your official tickets here and avoid disappointment and the crazy lines at the ticket office!
- Machu Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain tickets
- Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu tickets
- Official Machu Picchu entrance ticket
- Machu Picchu Mountain
- height 3051m
- climb 621m
- time needed 2.5 to 3 hours
- view of Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu below
- Huayna Picchu
- height 2720m
- climb 290m
- time needed 1.5 to 2 hours
- steeper, but shorter hike with stairs, tunnels and Inca ruins on the way
Insurance when hiking in Peru
Hiking at a high altitude in a remote location, there are obviously very real risks and evacuation and treatment can be expensive. When you feel your life is in danger cost is usually not a huge concern and the trip can become very expensive. Get an online travel insurance quote here quickly and easy!
Inca Trail travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Gear needed
Buying gear to hike in Peru changed our whole South America trip, we started hiking and camping everywhere! Having good quality equipment is important on these hikes, being cold or wet in the Andes is terrible and can be dangerous!
Related posts
- Ausangate trek and Rainbow Mountain
- Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu
- Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu
- Packing list for hiking in Peru
