Peru Treks

The Andes is to trekkers what Dom Pérignon is to wine lovers: you have to do it at least once in your life. Peru is home to some of its highest peaks, making it a must-see for anyone with even a passing interest in the outdoors. Indeed, staying in Peru without swinging by one of its hiking trails is like going to Paris and completely missing the Eiffel Tower.

The most popular route is easily the Classic Inca Trail, a journey through mountain scenery, pristine forest, and the historic slopes of Machu Picchu, ending with a view of the ruins over the Sun Gate. But take note: although most first-time visitors opt for this trail, it’s far from being the easiest. The Short Inca Trail, which can be completed in one day instead of four, is a good alternative if you want to take it easy or just don’t have the time to kill.

There are other trails worth looking at, such as the Lares Trek, where you can pause and mingle with locals on the way to the peaks. The Salkantay Trek includes nightly stops at strategically placed lodges for those who aren’t into camping.

If you’ve already seen Machu Picchu or want to explore the literally less-trodden path, start with Choquequirao—a cluster of buildings and terraces similar in style, scale, and historic value to Machu Picchu itself. Located further west of Cusco, it gets far fewer visitors than Macchu Picchu, although it gained some popularity after a footbridge was built over the Apurimac River. It’s a challenging 5-day trek, but it’s well worth the effort.

History buffs should definitely have a look at Chachapoyas, home to an ancient civilization of the same name. Also known as the “Cloud People of Peru,” they carved their entire city into the Andes mountains some 1,000 years ago, although much of the ruins and some of the bodies remained hidden until 2008. The Chachapoyas hike will take you through the large but elusive Kuelap fortress, sarcophagus halls, and a recently discovered waterfall that towers at 770 feet, the third highest in the world.

If pretty sights are more your thing, book a four-day hike through the snow-capped mountains of Cordillera Blanca (White Range) in Santa Cruz. The Alpamayo, a mid-range peak, was once said to be the world’s most beautiful mountain, and the deep turquoise Laguna Parón is said to be the world’s most beautiful glacial lagoon. Other must-sees are the Laguna Santa Cruz, nestled under the Alpamayo, and the Laguna Chinancocha and Orconcocha, which glisten a stunning turquoise green.