Classic trekking routes in Peru

Popular trek destinations in Peru

If you are coming to South America to trek for a week, Peru is truly a paradise for hikers. Practically all of the Andes include trekking circuits of various degrees of difficulty and only a few have been discovered as commercial trekking routes used by the pre Incas, Incas and local communities for centuries. We offer a variety of treks of various days between Arequipa, Puno and Cusco regions, our itineraries are designed exclusively for private groups. Come and hike one of the deepest canyons in Arequipa (Colca), or along the high plateau in Lake Titicaca, or simply choose one of the various hikes that we have in Cusco.

So don´t worry if Inca trail permits are sold out. We’ve got different alternative trekking Peru tours to choose from! Come and discover the real Peru through authentic trek adventures.

Main trekking routes in Cusco

• The famous Inca Trail

  It is considered the most fascinating trail in South America; this trail takes 4 days- 3 nights camping arriving at Machu Picchu the last day. It is 43 km or 26 miles long. Get more information about this 4 days’ trek, please see our post “Inca Trail Difficulty”.

• Hiking to Machu Picchu through the Sacred Inca Trail

  For those adventurers who want to enjoy the Inca trail and do not have many days, they can make part of this spectacular trail in 1 day. We invite you to walk with our best adventure guides, in a 6-hour hike surrounded by spectacular landscapes, visiting Wiñaywayna archaeological complex, waterfalls, flora and fauna of the so-called "jungle brow" or high jungle. Cross the Sungate or Inti Punku, and witness from up there the greatness of the lost city of the Incas: Machu Picchu.

• Hike Huaynapicchu

  This excursion begins at the checkpoint of the Ministry of Culture (way to Huayna Picchu) located in the northern part of the citadel of Machu Picchu. Here it is necessary to show the tickets and passports, each adventurer signs and states the entry time. The trail takes about 60 minutes at a quiet hike; the first five minutes are very easy: flat trail, steps down, flat Inca trail and some steps up, then you will have a view of the canyon and Urubamba river, and see the division between the mountains of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. Afterwards, all the way uphill through stone steps and in about 10 minutes you will see two ways: one in the left direction that goes to the famous great cave or temple of the moon; skip this trail, you have to continue up. After a while, you will get to the summit of the mountain at 2,700 meters or 8,850 feet, from there you will have a spectacular 360º view of Machu Picchu area.

• Humantay lake

  It takes 2 hours hike uphill to get to the lake, and 1 hour and 20 minutes downhill to return to Soraypampa where all cars park. You will reach an altitude of 4.200 m.a.s.l. or 13.800 feet. Our transportation vans from Cusco city take about 2 hours to reach Soyaypampa, passing by beautiful natural sceneries of the Andes, tiny towns and local people.

• There are two routes to get to Vinicunca Mountain or Rainbow Mountain.

   If you take Cusipata route, the hike lasts 2 hours uphill to get the classic picture of the mountain. If you go via Pitumarka, it´s 1 hour hiking uphill. The height of this place is 5.200 m.a.s.l. or 17.000 feet.

• Palccoyo Mountain

  Considered the alternative colored mountain (4.800 m.a.s.l. or 15.750 feet), and still not as crowded as Vinicunca, reaching it takes only 25 minutes walking from the parking lot. Red mountains surround the place and there are also 3 other colored mountains nearby that you can see as well as the snowy Ausangate.

• The hike from Moray to Maras and then to Urubamba river

  This tour lasts approximately 3 hours. All this trail is very enjoyable, flat and downhill. Moray is known as the crop circles of the Andes, or the ancient agricultural laboratory, from there the hike is very easy, mostly flat walk to get to Maras town, a picturesque colonial town with typical architecture and carved stone doorways, in some cases we can see the emblem of the Spanish families that once lived there. Afterwards the hike is downhill to reach the beautiful and unique Maras white saltpans. Finally, we will walk downhill to get to the Urubamba river.

Would you cheer for a mystical trek?

If what you want is to walk connecting with nature and yourself, this hike will be energizing for you. We will take you to meet the natives of the town of Willoq, who will teach us their daily life. Then we will walk from the Inca fortress of Pumamarca to Ollantaytambo, passing through ancient aqueducts and cultivation terraces. Connect with yourself and with the energy of the mountains that will surround you, where you are part of everything. An authentic chaman will be playing the flute on the way and teaching you the magic of life. You will most surely be the only one walking through those places.

Is it possible to trek in Peru without a guide?

Numerous Inca trails and regular trails spread across Cusco and Peru. You can, for example, trek from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, or inside the national park of Saqsaywaman, or hike along the Sacred Valley without a guide along alternative trails. Our professional trekker guides know these alternative routes like the backs of their hands. However, if you still want to trek alone, you will need to be a sufficiently experienced trekker, and you will need to take in consideration things like the time of year (weather/climate conditions), your ability to communicate with locals along the route (learn or brush up your Spanish and Quechua), and the availability of maps or a good GPS. You will also be far better off going with at least one or two trekking companions, mainly for safety reasons, these routes can pose a few potential risks, natural and man-made. Only female trekkers need to be particularly cautious. So, we strongly recommend that you hire a local tour guide that knows these trails and the regulations of the area.

Peru trekking best time

The dry season is generally the  best time to do a trek or mountaineering in Peru . This season generally runs from May to October , while the wet season runs from November to April. The Inca Trail is closed in February for maintenance. June to September are the most popular months for treks and mountaineering in Peru. May and October can be great months for trekking or one-day hikes, as weather is nice and it´s less crowded. Even during the rainy season, it doesn’t usually rain all day long, and you can have a pleasant, yet damp trek (plan ahead for treks or mountaineering during these months, especially the Inca Trail which can sell out 6 months in advance).

Recommended clothes for trekking

Whether you are a seasoned trekker or a newbie, Porcell Tours can help you with some trekking tips to make sure you have the best possible experience on the trail. Make sure your trekking boots or shoes for adventure are well-worn. If you´ve just purchased a new pair of shoes for adventure, we recommend one week of frequent wear to make sure your feet are totally accustomed to them and that your hike will be comfortable. For Machu Picchu hike, a packing list should include enough clothes to keep you comfortable in a variety of conditions. The weather in the southern Andes of Peru where the archaeological site of Machu Picchu is located is defined by two marked seasons: the rainy season (from November to April) and the dry season (from May to October) which means that one should wear clothes accordingly. Sunhat, hiking boots and sneakers, cotton socks, comfortable pants, trekking pants, waterproof jacket, fleeces or down jackets, t-shirts, long-sleeve tops, are some of the clothes that you can bring with you.

Our tips for a safe and unforgettable trek

The best way to make your hike enjoyable in Peru is to plan ahead. On the trail, you’ll want to make smart choices and rely on yourself. Here are some good tips that can make your trip fun.

20 essential things to know before hiking in Peru, trekking tips:

1. Never hike alone.
2. Take a second blister protection and your own medical kit.
3. Consider chowing coca leaves.
4. Wear sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
5. Take slow, even steps when going uphill.
6. Bring sweets and snacks.
7. Prepare for your trek by getting fit.
8. Take the time to acclimatize.
9. Use a walking stick.
10. Extra socks can warm your toes at night.
11. Go at your own pace admiring the landscape.
12. Hiking boots are always preferred to gym shoes, make sure your trekking boots are well worn in.
13. Your safety on the trail is your own responsibility. Stay on the trail and don’t take shortcuts on switchbacks.
14. Invest in a good quality backpack that fits your style and body type.
15. Stop once every one hour for 5 minutes even if you don't think you need a rest.
16. You should never hike on an empty stomach. Be sure to eat before, during and after your hike.
17. Drink before you are thirsty. For every hour of hiking, plan to drink half a quart of water.
18. Always carry your trash with you. Don’t leave litter on the trail.
19. Plan to end your hike before sundown. If you do end up hiking in the dark, bring a flashlight with extra batteries or a headlamp.
20. Enjoy the way!!

Peru trek experiences in videos and testimonials