Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes Free

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Then I visited Peru and that all changed. There are more hikes in Peru than I can even count, but incorporating my experiences and those of other bloggers who love hiking and the outdoors, these are some of the best hikes in Peru, spanning several different regions, levels of difficulty, and lengths:. Acclimatizing is essential for all of these hikes and difficulty is assessed based on proper acclimatization and good fitness. The classic and most famous way to get there is via the Inca Trailthe trail that the original Incans traversed. Most hikes are done over the span of four days, finishing with sunrise at the sun gate before descending into Machu Picchu. You also pass several impressive ruins on the way, and you get fed and treated like a Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes The jumping off point for the Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes is Cusco, which is a lovely town with lots of great things to do nearby for the days that you spend acclimating. Here are a few essential things to remember:. I took my first tour group here and will be repeating the trip in Aprilclick here to learn more. Begin by heading to Huaraz, Peru, which is an 8 to 9 hour bus ride north of Lima. Like most hikes in Peru, this one is pretty high up. Acclimatizing is absolutely essential in order to enjoy or even attempt it. Much of the hike takes place over m elevation, with the highest point topping out at m. The trek is moderately difficult, mostly due to the altitude, and especially if you decide to go independently and carry your own gear. I chose to do this one independently and Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes some great ways to avoid the crowds. You can read more about it here. Here are some more essential things to know:. This is another one that is very high up, topping out at m. The best way to do this is to take a guided tour, mostly because transport can be difficult coming back to Huaraz if you go independently. Everyone ends up on the same bus anyway. If you only Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes one day in Huaraz, make this the hike that you do, but make sure that you are acclimated first! You can read more about who to book with and how to prepare for Laguna 69 here. The mountain you see in the picture is the most famous feature of the trail, but the entire landscape is rainbow colored and stunning. The trail is mostly flat, and not very long, however it tops out at around m, which is just shy of Everest base camp! Many people attempt this trail only a day or so after arriving in Cusco and have severe altitude sickness issues. Seriously acclimate for this one. If possible do the Inca Trail first. Your day will begin bright and early, around 3 or 4 AM, in Cusco. From there it is a 3-hour drive to the start of the trail. Expect to be back in Cusco around the evening. However for the most part, people will be offering you the option all along the trail. To read more about doing it in one day click here. We also chose this trail because it is longer, more challenging, and it can be booked Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes minute. After 4 days trekking through the Andes, we reached Machu Picchu on the 5th day. The trail itself is easy to find and well-trodden but the high altitude is an important factor to consider. It is a moderate trek through amazing landscapes with a phenomenal ending. The scenery on the hike is incredible; colourful mountain lakes, hanging glaciers, the Rainbow mountaingreen pastures with hundreds of alpacas, waterfalls, and the beautiful night sky. Ausangate is still quite off the beaten track hike compared to the more famous Inca Trail or Salkantay, except the Rainbow Mountain part which nowadays can be visited as a day trip from Cusco. The total distance is 46km, and it takes between 5 and 6 days to compete the hike. We hiked Salkantay and Choquequirao beforehand. The trek is a circuit around the Huayhuash mountain range and involves crossing over 8 mountain passes. We passed numerous turquoise alpine lakes and forbidding snow-capped peaks. Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes for the bucket list for sure. The Huayhuash Trek is considered to be more difficult than its more popular counterpart — the Santa Cruz — since most of the walking is done at over m and some of the passes are at m. Doing this independently is possible, but I recommend going with a tour company the company I went with was called The Huascaran Adventure. Due to the length and altitude involved — altitude sickness and getting caught in bad weather is a real risk. All of our group members experienced some form of altitude sickness. Hiring Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes, and getting rental equipment can be arranged from Huaraz, the nearest town where you should spend a few days acclimatizing. The beautiful colonial town of Arequipa is the perfect base, and while there is the opportunity to do a day trip, most people Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes the canyon on a two or three-day tour, giving you enough time to hike in the canyon rather than just seeing it from above. There are several tour companies offering the trip for a fair price, and in my opinion, the two-day trip is by far the best option. The hike was approx. Finally, the hike into the canyon begins and you will spend your first few hours climbing down the steep and rocky trail into the canyon. While this part is quite exhausting, and you need to be careful due to the slippery rocks, the landscape in the canyon is rewarding. There are several lodges and accommodation facilities at the bottom of the canyon, where you will spend your evening and your night. Afterwards, breakfast is waiting for you and most tour agencies include a few stops at a viewpoint and hot springs on the way back to Arequipa. In case you decided to go for a 3-day tour, you will spend two nights in the canyon, giving you more time to relax and to enjoy the landscape. The trail to and from Choquequirao spans over 60 kms and the hike to the ruins is considered to be technical and challenging. Due to the daily altitude changes of up to 1,, days are long and strenuous, but luckily the views along the way make up for the Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes challenge. The ruins themselves are impressive and well preserved. They may not be as well known as Machu Picchu, but they certainly are worth a visit. While it is possible to undertake the hike to Choquequirao on your own, we highly recommend doing it with a responsible tour provider, like Apus Peru. The local guides and porters from Apus Peru made our experience on the trek that much more enjoyable, taking our focus away from carrying supplies and worrying about cooking meals and allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in the scenery and enjoy the experience. To be fair, not even many locals do. Marcahuasi, located at meters above sea level, is a hybrid between a natural site with rock formations resembling face shapes of both humans and animals and an archaeological site. It can be reached via a strenuous walk from San Pedro de Casta, a tiny village located around km from Lima and sitting at meters above sea level. The trip usually lasts about 3 hours along the side of a mountain and with incredible cliffs that make the view and the overall trip literally breathtaking. Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes are supposed to leave every day at pm, but in fact they leave just about whenever. This means that those who plan to hike Marcahuasi should count it as a 2 to 3 day trip as a minimum and consider spending the night in San Pedro de Casta, unless they have their own cars. Once in San Pedro de Casta, visitors have to register themselves in the tourism office, located in the main square. It is impossible to miss it: the village receives such few visitors no more than one or two per week that they are immediately identified and welcomed by the locals. As it gets very cold at night, make sure to carry enough warm clothes and a sleeping bag too. The hotel provides blankets. The actual hike can be done independently. It leaves from the village and follows a well marked trail. It takes between 6 and 8 hours to complete the trail. It is best to plan to leave right after sunrise, as it typically starts raining around pm. There are no shops along the way, so make sure to carry plenty of water and snacks for the hike. The hike itself around 12 km round trip is rather strenuous due to the high altitude. On the way up, the views of the mountains are spectacular. Marcahuasi itself is a beautiful site, where silence rules — making the place rather eerie. The relentless gradient is punishing on this moderately graded hike, but the scenery is more than worth the effort. We hired one through our accommodation near Urubamba, and were glad we did. The trail begins in the Andean village of Chinchero, just 30 km north east of Cusco. Famous for its traditional weaving culture, Chinchero is also known as the birthplace of the rainbow! Just outside the village, the path traverses magnificent Incan agricultural terraces, which are still in use today. It feels rather like walking back through history, and we had it all to ourselves! Flanked by waterfalls and functioning Incan irrigation channels, the trail winds its way down into the Sacred Valley, passing through misty valleys, dramatic gorges and peaceful eucalyptus forests. Lone farmers tend to small pockets of cultivated land, and on our hike we often stopped for a friendly exchange of waves and nods. Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes path however is incredibly steep, and coming back up is a bit of a challenge. Having a head for heights is obligatory. Back on the main trail, the gorge is now at its most dramatic, with plunging mountainsides, distant views of snow-capped Andean peaks, and eagles soaring high overhead as you continue down to the sleepy hamlet of Urquillos and the end of the trail. The hike makes a perfect day trip from Cusco, and can be combined with a visit to the weaving collectives in Chinchero, or even a trip to Pisac. Because it combines great landscapes, history, and adventure, it is usually called the Inca Trail of the North but it costs half price. The ruins here are the main sights of the Chapapoyas, warriors who controlled this area from AD until their defeat by the Incan Empire in the 15th century. The Trek Gran Vilaya 4 days and 3 nights is a mystical trek through the jungle, beautiful valleys, lost citadels some of them still to be discoveredgreat panoramas, and welcoming local people. The journey starts in the colonial city of Chachapoyas where you can book the trek with a local company. When we did this trek in it was not well known yet so there were only companies offering it, all located in Plaza de Armas. The funny thing is that all these companies were working with the same guide so regardless of who we booked with, Roger would be the guide. During the 4 days we walked an average of hours per day, sometimes with steep inclines over m and descending m. Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes - Hilary Bradt, Kathy Jarvis - Google книги

How about showing off your Spanish skills to the locals? Well, good news. You can do all those things in Peru! The best way to make your trip one for the books is to trek around the country. Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. Try taking advantage of the vast array of treks the country has to offer. Peru has drastically varied landscapes and climates, as well as routes of varying difficulty, length and altitude. There really is something for everyone. Or hearing snippets of the Quechan language from locals while hiking through parts of the Cordillera Blanca? You should consider the following factors to help you decide which trek is the right one for you. Who knows, if time allows, you could hike all the trails on this list! If you prefer rugged mountains and lakes, think about trekking the Cordillera Blanca or Cordillera Huayhuash. Or for stunning natural beauty you might want to check out the cavernous Colca Canyon. The ideal time to trek in Peru is from May to October. This is when the weather is best and mountain views are clearest. Heads up, July and August can be touristy. Or do you want the challenge of a multi-day hike? When deciding on the length of your trek, think about your level of physical fitness, your time frame, whether the trek is beginner or advanced and the altitude. You can easily join a group of trekkers through an agency. Using a guide also helps the local economy. Sometimes guides have limited English skills, so make sure you book with a reputable company. FluentU takes real-world videos —like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized Spanish language learning lessons. And the first 15 days are free! Guided tours book up months in advance, and for a good reason. The classic four-day trail takes you through the Urubamba valley, past beautiful mountain scenery, tropical jungles and several historic archaeological sites. The trail finishes at Machu Picchu. This magical ancient Inca citadel is one of the modern wonders of the world. The trek follows the original paths that were traversed by the Incas themselves. The Inca trail leaves from Cusco. The trek length is 43 km. The trekking permits are limited and released several months in advance, so keep a look out online. Book your Inca Trail hike here. Although just a one-day jaunt, it climbs to over 4, m 15, ftmaking it great for those who want a challenge. The out-and-back hike takes between five and seven hours. Most of the trek is a moderately difficult, although with the altitude, the final incline is tough. You can also usually find cheaper online deals. If you find a discount company, just remember to bring a packed lunch. Most people opt for a three-day, two-night guided hike, which ranges from easy to moderately difficult depending on your fitness Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes. The trek costs around USD. This fee covers transport from Arequipa, a guide, accommodation and food. You might also catch a glimpse of the mighty condor. The trek itself is km and Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes 12 days. Elevation ranges from 3, m to 5, Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes 10, ft to 16, ft. A stunning trek Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes the Cordillera Blanca, many describe Santa Cruz as one of the most beautiful alpine treks in the world. Bring plenty of water to fight altitude sickness here! We recommend booking with an agency. Book your Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes here. Now you just need to start planning your trekking adventure. Have a good trip! Hanna Greeman is a language lover and global traveler. After graduating in Spanish and Italian from the University of Bristol, she has lived in Colombia, Peru, Italy, Australia and Thailand, and traveled across four continents. When not working as a freelance writer, catch her salsa dancing, reading or seeing live music. If you liked this post, something tells me that you'll love FluentU, the best way to learn languages with real-world videos. Sign up for free! FluentU is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon. We also participate in other affiliate advertising programs for products and services we believe in. FluentU brings language learning to life with real- world videos. Learning a foreign language becomes fun and easy when you learn with movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talks. 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The ultimate Peru trekking guide + 35 best hikes [] - Career Gappers

The Andean peaks and lagoons of Huaraz, the vast Amazonian jungle, the Inca intrigue of the Sacred Valley and the dizzying canyons of Colca and Cotahuasi — there is so much to explore. But with many trails located at high altitude, some only accessible with guided tours, varying levels of difficulty and a temperamental climate, research and preparation is vital. This Peru trekking guide covers everything you need to know before you hit the trails, and compiles 35 of the best hikes in Peru for your bucket list. This article contains links to travel products and services we love, from which we may make commission at no extra cost to you. This period is generally the best time for trekking in Peru. June and July, the height of the dry season, are the busiest months. This is also when it gets coldest at night, so you need to factor this into your preparations. The Inca Trail tops out at 4, metres above sea level, for example, and the Huayhuash Circuit even higher at 5, metres. Hiking at high altitudes brings difficulties, and affects everybody differently. It is extremely important to be well prepared, to understand the effects of altitude and to know what to do if things take a turn for the worse. For each of the 35 hiking trails we have compiled below, we have included details of the highest points above sea level. In general, if you are planning to hike above 3, metres, you should make the necessary preparations for high altitude. The first rule is acclimatisation. At altitude it is vital to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and refill whenever you can. Your body also needs more calories at altitude, so pack plenty of snacks, especially carbohydrates. Take frequent breaks, and stop for a breather whenever you feel you need to. In Peru you can buy coca leaves, which are known to alleviate the effects of altitude. You can chew them or drink them in tea. Taking acetazolamide can help to soothe the symptoms. For more information, this article provides useful guidance on treatment. For some treks, insurance is actually a compulsory requirement. When we did the Inca Trail, for example, we had to show proof of insurance upon arrival. The number one reason why insurance is so important for hiking in Peru is medical cover. Most trails are in remote, rural locations, and if something goes wrong, you may need emergency recovery. If this happens and you are not covered, the costs can be ruinous. We recommend World Nomads for travel and hiking insurance. World Nomads is also a highly reliable choice, underwritten by secure, specialist travel insurers. You can get started with a quote using the tool below. If your trip to Peru is part of a longer-term travel experience, take a look at our guide to career break travel insurance. Hiking in Peru often involves difficult terrain, and weather conditions that can change quickly and unexpectedly. Setting off well prepared can make the difference between a great experience and a disastrous one. Our Inca Trail packing list gives an exhaustive itinerary of everything you need to take for Peru trekking adventures. These are the basic essentials we recommend:. Before we get into the details of the best hikes in Peru, here are a few more things to bear in mind:. The iconic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu draws a million visitors every year, and the Inca Trail is a bucket-lister for many travel lovers. As the historic capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is surrounded by an array of different ruin sites that can be reached by hiking. For accommodation in the city before and after trekking, read our guide to the best hostels in Cusco. Also see our recommendations on things to do in Cusco. The classic route winds through breathtaking jungle and mountain scenery, passing various Inca settlement ruins on the way, culminating in a dawn descent to the world wonder of Machu Picchu in the clouds. Check out our review of hiking the Inca Trail with G Adventures. You can also book directly Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes G Adventures here. The trail starts in the village of Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes, around 56 kilometres east of Machu Picchu. From here, the scenic path leads onwards into the Andes, stopping at village settlements to meet local farmers and weavers, and learn about their way of life. Like the Inca Trail, the second day of the Lares Trek is the toughest, involving a sharp ascent to the highest point. The reward for conquering it is an incredible view at the top, and it gets easier after that. You can hike the Lares Trek independently, but going with a guide will give a lot more insight into the culture and history, as well as invaluable support. You can book here with G Adventures. The route is longer and tougher, but every bit Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes beautiful. The Salkantay Trek reaches the archaeological site of Llactapata about half-way through. These well preserved ruins are believed to have been used for crop production and storage. At this point you can catch the first glimpse of Machu Picchu, with a unique profile view on the horizon. The path continues through subtropical jungle and mountainous terrain towards Aguas Calientes for an early-morning hike up to Machu Picchu on the last day. Take a look at the G Adventures tour package here. For more information, check out this excellent guide to the Salkantay Trek. The Inca ruin site of Choquequirao is similar in scale to Machu Picchu but much less frequented by tourists. It is believed to be one of the last bastions of the Inca civilisation against the invasion of Cusco by the Spanish Conquistadors. It is one of the most remote Inca ruins, taking about two days to reach by foot and another two days to hike out. The Choquequirao Trek is much quieter than the Inca Trail and other popular trekking routes nearby. G Adventures operates an Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes tour — check that out here. This land deep in the jungle was chosen by the Incas as an impenetrable stronghold as they retreated from the Spanish invasion. The trail explores dense wilderness and captures a unique glimpse of Inca history, passing fortresses and sacred sites that few people witness. The trek begins in Huancacalle, which is about kilometres and a good six-hour drive from Cusco. The terrain is unfamiliar, potentially dangerous and best traversed under the knowledgeable lead of a local guide. The multi-day route loops around the sacred Ausangate mountain, traversing high passes and winding through breathtaking surroundings of snowy peaks, glaciers and mountain lakes. It also passes the famous Vinicunca, otherwise known as Rainbow Mountain. Another highlight of the Augansgate trek is the opportunity to get immersed in Quechua culture while stopping off at remote mountain Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes along the way. This is a challenging trek, mainly due to the constantly high altitude — most of the route is above 4, metres. This involves a strenuous return hike of 5—6 hours, with an elevation gain of around 1, metres on the ascent. Rainbow Mountain has gained both its name and fame from its stripy, colourful appearance created by layers of sediments and minerals. It only became known in recent years after being uncovered by a receding glacier. Be ready for an early start and a late return. Day trips from Cusco typically leave at 3am, in order to make the three-hour drive to the starting point. Once the royal estate of the Inca emperor Viracocha, it stands at 3, altitude above the town of Lamay, and can be reached via various hiking routes. The site Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes an impressive network of stone and adobe walls spread across green hillside. Its kallanka great hall has been maintained in good condition, and a well preserved irrigation system demonstrates the engineering prowess of the Incas. The most popular trail to Huchuy Qosqo begins in the village of Tauca near Chincero, about a minute drive from Cusco. The route follows a restored Inca path over a high pass before descending through a canyon towards the ruins. After visiting the site, you can descend to Lamay for a transfer back to Cusco. Another great day hiking option in the Sacred Valley combines the Inca ruins of Moray with the salt pans of Maras. This is a shorted and easier route that can be done in half a day. After travelling from Cusco to Chinchero, you can take a taxi along a dirt track to reach the Moray archaeological site. The unusual ruins feature circular terraces hollowed out into the hillside, believed to have been used as agricultural laboratories. The hike from Moray to the Salineras de Maras salt pans follows a dirt path through Andean farmland via the small town of Maras, where you can stop for lunch. Humantay Lake is an idyllic, turquoise lagoon perched between the peaks of Humantay and Salkantay. The lake is formed from glacial melt and gets its striking colour from mineral deposits. The ascent is short but steep, and at high altitude, so allow about an hour and a half each way to include regular breaks and water intake. Ampay National Sanctuary is a large wildlife protection area on the doorstep of the city of Abancay. Covering over 3, hectares, the sanctuary is home to a diversity of native wildlife such as spectacled bears, pumas, wild cats, deer and foxes. The area protects several endangered plant species, most Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes the intimpa rainforest tree. There are several hiking trails in Ampay, as well as campsites within its territory maintained by park authorities. One of the most popular routes is a straighforward but challenging return hike to Laguna Uspaccocha, a huge turquoise lake at the heart of the sanctuary. The trail passes Laguna Ancascocha, a smaller lake surrounded by dense rainforest, and you can expect to see plantlife along the way such as orchids, bromeliads and ferns. Abancay is located about kilometres before you reach Cusco on the Highway 3S. Classic treks include the Huayhuash Circuit Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes Santa Cruz Trek, while many shorter hiking trails lead to stunning mountain lagoons Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes glaciers. Huaraz has grown Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes popularity as a hiking destination in recent years as a cheaper Trekking in Peru: 50 Best Walks and Hikes less crowded alternative to Cusco. The city stands at a little over 3, metres in altitude, so it makes for an ideal acclimatisation base before getting on the trail. For elite hikers, this is perhaps the mecca of hikes in Peru. You can book with G Adventures here.