Peru is such a diverse country that even the places for trekking are abundant and generous in challenge. At each step of the best hikes in Perú you will find a challenge, so tie your pins well so that you are not going to fall, we are going to do a brief review of the best hikes in Perú most traveled by hikers in search of adventure.
Best Hikes in Perú
Cotahuasi Canyon, Arequipa
The Cotahuasi canyon called “The Canyon of Wonders” or Cotahuasi Sub-basin is located approximately 400 km northwest of the city of Arequipa.
The canyon is a unique landscape in the world, since it houses traditional Andean farms, fields and terraces, walls, steep slopes, deep ravines and remains of pre-Inca and Inca constructions, testimonies of the wonders of the ancient civilizations that inhabited this area.
- Duration: This tours last 4 days
- Walking distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles
- Initial elevation: 2720 m. / 8923 feet
- Highest elevation: 3000 m. / 9842 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
Cordillera Huayhuash, Huaraz
inca trail 
inca trail
The Huayhuash mountain range is located in the department of Huaraz, and offers you the possibility of practicing sport fishing in the lagoons, Jahuacocha, Solteracocha and Rasac, in addition to trekking that will vary between moderate to difficult.
- Duration: 4 days
- Walking distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles
- Initial elevation: 2720 m. / 8923 feet
- Highest elevation: 3000 m. / 9842 feet
- Places to visit: Andes Mountains of Peru
- Best season to travel: Between the months of April to November
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Gocta waterfall, Chachapoyas
The Gocta waterfall is located in the Peruvian villages of San Pablo, Cocachimba and La Coca, in the district of Valera in the province of Bongará, in the Amazon – Peru.
This wonderful place, full of mysticism and pure charm is known as LA Chorrera, because the most crystalline waters of Peru fall from this place.
- Duration: 4 days
- Walking distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles
- Initial elevation: 2720 m. / 8923 feet
- Highest elevation: 3000 m. / 9842 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
Huaytapallana
Huaytapallana, is a mountain in Peru that belongs to the Cordillera de Huaytapallana in the department of Junín – Huancayo. This place is characterized by its imposing place and for being the food that nourishes the waters of the Mantaro River. Likewise, Huaytapallana was declared a Regional Conservation Area since 2011
- Duration: The tour of this trek lasts 4 days
- Walking distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles
- Initial elevation: 2720 m. / 8923 feet
- Highest elevation: 3000 m. / 9842 feet
Huayhuash
Ten days among Andean lakes, condors flying over 6,000 meter peaks, such as Yerupajá (6,634 meters), the second highest tropical mountain in the world, and mountain passes with dizzying views. Of course, always upwards: the difference in altitude (positive) on each day varies between 500 and 1,200 meters – there are only a couple of days of truce -, with a daily average of 12 kilometers (between 4 and 8 hours walking).
Many hikers add extra days of rest in this great circuit through the Huayhuash mountain range, which also allow them to slowly enjoy the sensational views; the eastern flanks of the massif are washed by spectacular lakes and offer fantastic camping areas (ideal for trout fishing). Others prefer to do a reduced version and limit the experience to half, crossing the eastern slope of the mountain range, in which secondary routes and other alternatives that require an extra day on the road are opened.
Best day hikes in Perú
Escaping the city to discover incredible natural landscapes, trekking or surfing and enjoying fascinating country walks is easier and faster when the destinations are only a few hours away. Discover every best day hikes in Perú without complications thanks to this list of short routes!
Trekking in the Colca Canyon
In the department of Arequipa the second deepest canyon in the world is located with more than 3500 meters deep and 200 km. of pure, exhausting and pleasant journey. This is one of the best day hikes in Perú, also there are hikes of up to 3 days, in which, in addition to abundant nature, trekking enthusiasts will appreciate Inca terraces and the flight of the millennial condor in the sky. The best time to go to Colca is from May to September.
Trekking in Lima and surroundings
In the capital of Peru you can also enjoy long and pleasant best day hikes in Perú. In the territory that includes the province of Lima is Rúpac, which many enthusiasts know by the nickname of Machu Picchu from Lima.
Another place, very popular among Lima residents, and somewhat unknown among visitors from outside, is Lomas de Lúcumo, located 40 minutes from the city, in the Pachacamac district. In these hills you will live a challenging ascent, since in the highest areas you will find huge stones blocking the roads.
The best season for group trekking is during winter, spring and fall (the area becomes very humid, but with the greenery of the vegetation in its maximum splendor). In the summer, the climate is desert, with great aridity in the environment. If you want a much more challenging adventure, go up the hills in the summer, but bring lots of water!
You can also trek until you drop in Marcahuasi, the mysterious stone forest that is 4 hours from the city; in the Rapagna Lagoon, where the pure air will renew your spirit of sportsmanship; Songos, with its small waterfalls on the way to a natural slide almost 10 meters high; Nor Yauyos and its rivers and waterfalls or Obrajillo, which is 105 km away.
northwest of the city of Lima, with its beautiful landscapes that seem to be taken out of a painting and its delicious trout, which will be the delicacy in your moment of rest along this section.
To get to the named places you only have to take one bus (although sometimes you have to take more than one). The prices are not very high (at most the cost of a tour can reach 120 soles). It is advisable to visit them from May to September (avoid going in summer, which could be a whole shrimp).
Best hikes near Cusco
From Mount Ausangate to the alternatives to the famous and demanded Inca Trail, which culminates in Machu Picchu, there are best hikes near Cusco. Fortunately, there are alternatives in the same Andean region and many best hikes near Cusco to promote so that the classic Inca Trail does not become the only option for hikers.
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
On the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu tour you will travel approximately 43 kilometers of jungle and mountains, reaching a maximum height of 4200 m.a.s.l., during the tour you will be able to witness some archaeological complexes such as:
Patallacta (ceremonial site and is located on a flat surface on the right bank of the Urubamba River).
The ruins of Wiñay Wayna, an Inca archaeological site, consists of a long stairway down whose side a fountain descends, these buildings are built with granite lithic elements.
Why trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu?
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, has been classified as one of the routes with the greatest physical effort and that would be located among the 5 best hiking routes (walks that are carried out on trails and roads carrying out sports and tourist activities, in addition to taking advantage of the environment natural) globally.
- Duration: 4 days
- Difficulty: Activity level is moderate
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu:
The Salkantay (Wild Mountain), is one of the highest mountains in the Cusco region, together with the Ausangate mountain in the Vilcanota mountain range, it is located in the district of Santa Teresa, province of La Convencion, Department of Cusco, Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.
- Elevation: 6,271 m.s.n.m
- Route: Cusco – Mollepata – Soraypampa
- Type: Adventure – Hike
- Cordillera: Andes
- Duration: 4 days
Choquequirao:
Choquequirao or Cuna de Oro is located at 3,033 m.a.s.l. between the hills of Salkantay, in the district of Santa Teresa, in La Convencion- Cusco.
The Archaeological Site of Choquequirao or Cradle of Gold, is as important and famous as Machu Picchu, it is said that this place was a kind of royal city for the Inca nobility. The Choquequirao Trek is characterized by its great biodiversity and richness of flora and fauna.
- Duration: The time that you will give us to know this Archaeological Site will be 4 days.
- Walking distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles
- Initial elevation: 2720 m. / 8923 feet
- Highest elevation: 3000 m. / 9842 feet
- Difficulty: Challenging
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu:
Lares is one of the 8 districts that the province of Calca has in Cusco. It has an average altitude of 3,171 m s. n. m. and is located in the Andes Mountains, in southern Peru. The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu, is another of the Treks that Inkayni Peru Tours recommends you do.
Places to know:
- The thermo-medicinal baths of Lares.
- The Mantto Falls.
- The hiking route to Machu Picchu.
- Duration: The Lares trek to Machu Picchu will last 4 days, passing through wonderful landscapes.
- Walking distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles
- Initial elevation: 2720 m. / 8923 feet
- Highest elevation: 3000 m. / 9842 feet
- Difficulty: The difficulty of the trek varies from easy to challenging
Ausangate, Andahuaylillas, Cusco
The majestic Ausangate, is the fifth highest mountain in Peru, also called “The creator of the waters” due to its glacial mass. This gives rise to several lagoons including the Sivinacocha lagoon, which is the second largest in the Cusco region. The hydraulic source of this place plays a very important role since it influences the production of electricity in the region.
Adahuaylillas:
Andahuaylillas, is located in the province of Quispicanchi, Cusco, has an average altitude of 3121 m s. n. m. This small town according to history was an Inca settlement of some importance. This place is also known as “Sistine Chapel of America”
- Duration: The Ausangante, Andahuaylillas, Cusco tour lasts 4 days
- Walking distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles
- Initial elevation: 2720 m. / 8923 feet
- Highest elevation: 3000 m. / 9842 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
Inca Jungle to Machu Picchu
Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu is the perfect combination of Hiking, Cycling, Canoeing, Zip line. It is definitely a set of activities designed for people capable of producing 100% adrenaline and allowing them to feel Alive! Don’t get lost and be part of the Inca Jungle Tour to Machu Picchu.
- Duration: 4 days
- Walking distance: 12 km / 7.45 miles
- Initial elevation: 2720 m. / 8923 feet
- Highest elevation: 3000 m. / 9842 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
