Best Treks and Hikes in Peru
Discover Peru on foot. From the legendary Inca Trail and the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, to the glaciers of the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash and the deep Colca Canyon, Peru has a trek for every level. Filter by destination, duration, difficulty, maximum altitude and trek type, then open any trek for the full day-by-day plan.
Showing 30 of 30 tours
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4 DaysCusco regionChallenging · 4 Days
4-Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Km 82 · Wayllabamba · Dead Woman's Pass · Runkurakay · Wiñay Wayna · Sun Gate · Machu Picchu
The world-famous Inca path: four days on original stone trails past cloud forest and Inca sites, crossing Dead Woman's Pass and arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
Rates from$750per person -
5 DaysCusco regionChallenging · 5 Days
5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Mollepata · Soraypampa · Humantay Lake · Salkantay Pass · Santa Teresa · Aguas Calientes · Machu Picchu
A spectacular alternative to the Inca Trail beneath the glaciers of Salkantay, with a visit to turquoise Humantay Lake, a high mountain pass and a descent into cloud forest.
Rates from$580per person -
Full DayCusco regionChallenging · Full Day
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) Full-Day Trek
Cusco · Pitumarca · Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain · Red Valley viewpoint
Peru's famous striped mountain: an early start from Cusco and a high-altitude hike to the coloured slopes of Vinicunca, with optional Red Valley views.
Rates from$75per person -
2 DaysCusco regionModerate · 2 Days
2-Day Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Km 104 · Chachabamba · Wiñay Wayna · Sun Gate · Machu Picchu · Aguas Calientes
The Inca Trail in one day of hiking: from Km 104 to the terraces of Wiñay Wayna and the Sun Gate, a night in Aguas Calientes and a guided visit of Machu Picchu.
Rates from$520per person -
Full DayHuaraz · ÁncashChallenging · Full Day
Laguna 69 Full-Day Trek
Huaraz · Llanganuco lakes · Cebollapampa · Laguna 69
Huaraz's most famous day hike: past the Llanganuco lakes to the brilliant turquoise Laguna 69, set beneath the glaciers of Chacraraju.
Rates from$45per person -
2 DaysArequipa regionModerate · 2 Days
2-Day Colca Canyon Classic Trek
Arequipa · Cruz del Cóndor · Cabanaconde · Colca Canyon floor · Sangalle Oasis
Descend into one of the world's deepest canyons after watching condors at Cruz del Cóndor, spend the night at the Sangalle oasis and climb back out at dawn.
Rates from$160per person -
4 DaysHuaraz · ÁncashChallenging · 4 Days
4-Day Santa Cruz Trek
Cashapampa · Santa Cruz Valley · Punta Unión Pass · Alpamayo views · Vaquería
The Cordillera Blanca's classic trek: four days through glacial valleys and lakes to Punta Unión pass, with views of Alpamayo and Taulliraju.
Rates from$420per person -
4 DaysCusco regionModerate · 4 Days
4-Day Inca Jungle Trek
Abra Málaga (bike) · Santa María · Cocalmayo hot springs · Santa Teresa · Hydroelectric · Machu Picchu
A multi-activity route to Machu Picchu: downhill biking from Abra Málaga, optional rafting and ziplining, jungle trails and the Cocalmayo hot springs.
Rates from$380per person -
4 DaysCusco regionModerate · 4 Days
4-Day Lares Trek
Lares hot springs · Andean villages · High passes · Ollantaytambo · Machu Picchu
A cultural trek through remote Quechua weaving communities, alpaca pastures and glacial lakes, finishing with hot springs and a train to Machu Picchu.
Rates from$620per person -
4 DaysCusco regionChallenging · 4 Days
4-Day Choquequirao Trek
Cachora · Capuliyoc · Apurímac Canyon · Marampata · Choquequirao
Hike deep into the Apurímac Canyon to Choquequirao, the remote 'sister city' of Machu Picchu, with its llama terraces and very few visitors.
Rates from$560per person -
8–12 DaysHuaraz · ÁncashDemanding · 8–12 Days
Huayhuash Classic Circuit (8–12 Days)
Llamac · Carhuacocha · Siula Grande · Huayhuash high passes · Huayllapa
One of the world's great treks: a full circuit of the Cordillera Huayhuash, crossing high passes around Yerupajá and Siula Grande past lakes of every colour.
Rates from$1,350per person -
Full DayCusco regionModerate · Full Day
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain Full-Day Trek
Cusco · Checacupe · Palcoyo rainbow mountains · Stone Forest
A quieter, gentler alternative to Vinicunca: an easy walk among three rainbow mountains and a stone forest, with far fewer visitors.
Rates from$85per person -
5 DaysCusco regionDemanding · 5 Days
5-Day Ausangate Trek
Tinki · Upis hot springs · Ausangate glaciers · Coloured mountains · Palomani Pass
A high-altitude circuit around Ausangate, Cusco's sacred snow peak, past glaciers, turquoise lagoons, herds of alpacas and coloured mountains.
Rates from$750per person -
5 DaysCusco regionChallenging · 5 Days
5-Day Vilcabamba Trek
Huancacalle · Vitcos · Yurak Rumi · Vilcabamba mountains · Inca refuge
Follow the trail of the last Incas into the Vilcabamba mountains, visiting Vitcos and the sacred white rock of Yurak Rumi in a wild, little-visited region.
Rates from$780per person -
2 DaysCusco regionModerate · 2 Days
2-Day Huchuy Qosqo Trek
Cusco · Andean pass · Huchuy Qosqo ruins · Lamay · Sacred Valley
A short trek from Cusco over the mountains to the Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo, 'Little Cusco', with sweeping views over the Sacred Valley.
Rates from$320per person -
Full DayCusco regionModerate · Full Day
Waqrapukara Full-Day Trek
Cusco · Acomayo · Apurímac canyon views · Waqrapukara fortress
Hike to Waqrapukara, the 'horned fortress', an Inca and pre-Inca site perched above a dramatic canyon in a rarely visited corner of Cusco.
Rates from$95per person -
4 DaysHuaraz · ÁncashChallenging · 4 Days
4-Day Mini Huayhuash Trek
Huayhuash range · Carhuacocha lake · Siula Grande views
The highlights of the Cordillera Huayhuash in four days, including the mirror lakes of Carhuacocha beneath Yerupajá and Siula Grande.
Rates from$560per person -
8–11 DaysHuaraz · ÁncashDemanding · 8–11 Days
Alpamayo Base Camp Trek (8–11 Days)
Cashapampa · Santa Cruz Valley · Alpamayo base camp · Cordillera Blanca passes
A long expedition trek to the base camp of Alpamayo, often called the world's most beautiful mountain, crossing remote passes of the Cordillera Blanca.
Rates from$1,250per person -
9–12 DaysHuaraz · ÁncashDemanding · 9–12 Days
Cedros–Alpamayo Trek (9–12 Days)
Cedros valley · Alpamayo north face · Remote Andean villages · Cordillera Blanca
A remote and rewarding traverse of the northern Cordillera Blanca, with the classic view of Alpamayo's north face and very few other trekkers.
Rates from$1,350per person -
3 DaysHuaraz · ÁncashChallenging · 3 Days
3-Day Quilcayhuanca–Cojup Trek
Pitec · Quilcayhuanca valley · Tullpacocha · High pass · Cojup valley
Link two glacial valleys close to Huaraz over a high pass, with lagoons beneath the ice walls of the Cordillera Blanca.
Rates from$390per person -
3 DaysHuaraz · ÁncashModerate · 3 Days
3-Day Olleros–Chavín Trek
Olleros · Andean valleys · Yanashallash pass · Chavín de Huántar
Walk an ancient route across the Cordillera Blanca to Chavín de Huántar, the UNESCO-listed ceremonial centre of one of Peru's oldest cultures.
Rates from$380per person -
Full DayHuaraz · ÁncashModerate · Full Day
Laguna Churup Full-Day Trek
Huaraz · Pitec · Rocky section · Laguna Churup
A short but steep acclimatization hike close to Huaraz to the emerald Laguna Churup, with a fun rocky section near the top.
Rates from$45per person -
Full DayHuaraz · ÁncashEasy · Full Day
Laguna Parón Full-Day Trek
Huaraz · Caraz · Laguna Parón · Viewpoint over Artesonraju
An easy walk around the largest lake of the Cordillera Blanca, with the classic viewpoint of Artesonraju, the peak said to have inspired a famous film-studio logo.
Rates from$50per person -
Full DayHuaraz · ÁncashModerate · Full Day
Laguna Rajucolta Full-Day Trek
Huaraz · Macashca · Rajucolta valley · Laguna Rajucolta
A peaceful valley hike to Laguna Rajucolta beneath Nevado Huantsán, ideal for acclimatization and quiet mountain scenery.
Rates from$55per person -
3 DaysArequipa regionModerate · 3 Days
3-Day Colca Canyon Extended Trek
Cruz del Cóndor · Cabanaconde · San Juan de Chuccho · Malata · Sangalle Oasis
A more relaxed three-day route through the canyon's traditional villages, fruit orchards and the Sangalle oasis, with time to enjoy the scenery.
Rates from$220per person -
2 DaysArequipa regionModerate · 2 Days
2-Day Cabanaconde – Sangalle Oasis Trek
Cabanaconde · Colca Canyon descent · Sangalle Oasis · Cabanaconde
A direct trek from Cabanaconde down to the palm-fringed Sangalle oasis, with swimming pools fed by mountain water and a sunrise climb back up.
Rates from$150per person -
2 DaysArequipa regionModerate · 2 Days
2-Day Cabanaconde – Llahuar Trek
Cabanaconde · Colca River · Llahuar hot springs
Head to the quieter side of the canyon and the Llahuar hot springs on the banks of the Colca River — a peaceful night far from the crowds.
Rates from$170per person -
3 DaysArequipa regionChallenging · 3 Days
3-Day Colca Canyon: Llahuar & Sangalle Trek
Cabanaconde · Llahuar hot springs · Canyon villages · Sangalle Oasis
The most complete canyon trek: Llahuar's hot springs, remote villages and the Sangalle oasis, with more climbing and descending than the classic route.
Rates from$230per person -
2 DaysArequipa regionDemanding · 2 Days
2-Day Misti Volcano Trek
Arequipa · Aguada Blanca · Base camp · Misti summit crater
Climb El Misti, the perfect cone that watches over Arequipa: a night at high camp and a pre-dawn summit push to the crater rim with views to the Pacific haze.
Rates from$320per person -
2 DaysArequipa regionDemanding · 2 Days
2-Day Chachani Volcano Expedition
Arequipa · Chachani base camp · Summit ridge · Chachani summit
One of the most accessible 6,000-metre peaks in the world: a non-technical but demanding ascent of Chachani with an experienced mountain guide.
Rates from$330per person
Where to Trek in Peru
Cusco – treks to Machu Picchu and beyond
Cusco is the base for the Classic and Short Inca Trail, the Salkantay, Lares and Inca Jungle treks to Machu Picchu, the remote Choquequirao and Vilcabamba routes, the high Ausangate circuit and day hikes to Rainbow Mountain, Palcoyo and Waqrapukara.
Huaraz – Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash
Huaraz is South America's great mountain-trekking hub, with glacier lakes such as Laguna 69 and Churup, the classic Santa Cruz trek and long expeditions around Huayhuash and Alpamayo.
Arequipa – Colca Canyon and volcanoes
Arequipa offers treks into the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest on Earth, with condors, oases and hot springs, plus ascents of the Misti and Chachani volcanoes.
Difficulty levels explained
- Easy – short walks with little elevation gain.
- Moderate – a few hours of hiking per day with some climbs; good basic fitness.
- Challenging – long days and high passes; regular hiking experience recommended.
- Demanding – multi-day expeditions or summits above 5,000 m; very good fitness and acclimatization essential.
Acclimatization
Most treks reach high altitude. Plan at least two days in Cusco, Huaraz or Arequipa before a multi-day trek, and start with a shorter day hike to help your body adapt.
Trekking in Peru: Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for the Inca Trail?
Yes. The Classic and Short Inca Trail require permits sold only through licensed operators, with a daily limit. Book several months ahead; the trail closes every February for maintenance.
What is the best alternative to the Inca Trail?
The Salkantay trek is the most popular alternative, with glacier views and Humantay Lake. Lares is ideal for culture and fewer crowds, and Choquequirao for remote Inca ruins.
When is the best time to trek in Peru?
The dry season, roughly May to September, is best for the Andes. The rainy months, especially January to March, make trails muddy and some routes close.
How difficult is Rainbow Mountain?
The walk is not long, but the summit is above 5,000 m, so altitude makes it challenging. Spend a few days acclimatizing in Cusco first; Palcoyo is a gentler alternative.
Which trek in Huaraz should I do first?
Start with Laguna Churup or Laguna Parón to acclimatize, then Laguna 69. After that you will be ready for multi-day treks such as Santa Cruz or Huayhuash.
What is included in a trek?
Each trek page lists its inclusions; multi-day treks usually include a professional guide, camping or lodge accommodation, meals, transport and entrance fees. Rates are per person and confirmed when you request a quote.