While the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is undoubtedly one of the most iconic hikes in the world, Peru offers a wealth of other spectacular trekking routes that are just as breathtaking and often less crowded. From the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the verdant jungles of the Amazon, hiking trails in Peru take adventurers through some of the most stunning and diverse landscapes imaginable. Whether you’re an experienced trekker or looking for a day hike, Peru has a trail for every kind of traveler.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best hiking trails in Peru beyond the Inca Trail, revealing hidden gems that showcase the country’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
1. Salkantay Trek: A High-Altitude Challenge
The Salkantay Trek is often considered the most popular alternative to the Inca Trail. This challenging hike takes adventurers to high-altitude passes, breathtaking mountain views, and ends near the majestic ruins of Machu Picchu. As you trek through dramatic landscapes, from cloud forests to snowy peaks, the Salkantay Trek offers a rewarding and immersive adventure.
- Why Choose It: The Salkantay Trek offers more solitude and diverse landscapes compared to the Inca Trail, and no permits are required. It reaches a high point at Salkantay Pass (15,213 feet), providing stunning views of the Salkantay Mountain and its snow-covered peaks.
- Duration: 4 to 6 days
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Highlights: Crossing Salkantay Pass, descending into cloud forests, camping under the stars, and visiting hot springs along the way.
2. Lares Trek: A Cultural Journey Through the Andes
For those seeking a deeper cultural connection, the Lares Trek offers the perfect blend of beautiful landscapes and interactions with traditional Andean communities. This off-the-beaten-path hike takes you through remote villages where you can witness centuries-old weaving traditions, meet local Quechua families, and enjoy breathtaking mountain vistas.
- Why Choose It: The Lares Trek is less physically demanding than the Inca Trail and offers a more immersive cultural experience. You’ll have the opportunity to stay with local families in villages and learn about their way of life.
- Duration: 3 to 5 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Meeting local weavers, visiting hot springs, and stunning views of the Sacred Valley. It’s a perfect trek for those who want to combine cultural experiences with scenic hikes.
3. Ausangate Trek: A Remote High-Altitude Adventure
If you’re looking for one of the most visually stunning and remote hiking trails in Peru, the Ausangate Trek is the ultimate adventure. This high-altitude trek circles the Ausangate Mountain, the fifth-highest peak in Peru, and offers views of rainbow-colored mountains, glacial lakes, and vast alpine landscapes. This trail is for serious hikers seeking solitude and dramatic natural beauty.
- Why Choose It: The Ausangate Trek is one of the most challenging hikes in Peru, but the reward is unparalleled landscapes with very few other trekkers. You’ll pass glaciers, wild llamas, and local shepherd communities.
- Duration: 5 to 6 days
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Highlights: Spectacular mountain views, Rainbow Mountain, and remote, untouched landscapes. The trek also offers the chance to soak in natural hot springs along the way.
4. Choquequirao Trek: The Sister City of Machu Picchu
Often referred to as the “sister city” of Machu Picchu, Choquequirao is a less-visited but equally impressive Inca site. The trek to Choquequirao is physically demanding but offers a rare opportunity to explore this vast archaeological complex without the crowds. Perched on a mountain ridge, Choquequirao offers sweeping views of the Apurímac River valley.
- Why Choose It: The Choquequirao Trek is a hidden gem among hiking trails in Peru. For those willing to take on the challenge, the reward is exploring a stunning Inca site with few other visitors. It’s a more rugged and adventurous alternative to Machu Picchu.
- Duration: 4 to 5 days
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Highlights: Exploring the ruins of Choquequirao, trekking through cloud forests, and possibly spotting condors soaring above the valley.
5. Colca Canyon: The World’s Deepest Canyon
The Colca Canyon trek offers hikers the chance to descend into one of the world’s deepest canyons—twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States. The trek takes you through traditional Andean villages, terraced farmland, and provides an excellent opportunity to spot the majestic Andean condor soaring above.
- Why Choose It: The Colca Canyon is ideal for those seeking shorter treks that still offer spectacular scenery and cultural encounters. The highlight of the trek is the opportunity to spot Andean condors gliding on thermal currents near the canyon’s rim.
- Duration: 2 to 3 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Witnessing Andean condors, traditional villages, and breathtaking canyon views. For an added treat, take a dip in the nearby hot springs after the trek.
6. Huascarán National Park: Trekking in the Cordillera Blanca
For those seeking high-altitude thrills, Huascarán National Park in the Cordillera Blanca offers some of the most challenging and rewarding hiking trails in Peru. Known for its towering peaks, glacial lakes, and dramatic landscapes, this region is a paradise for experienced hikers. Trails like the Santa Cruz Trek and the climb to Laguna 69 are among the most popular.
- Why Choose It: The Cordillera Blanca is the highest tropical mountain range in the world, and Huascarán National Park offers a rugged beauty with less tourist traffic compared to other parts of Peru.
- Duration: Varies (Santa Cruz Trek: 4 days, Laguna 69: 1 day)
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Highlights: Spectacular mountain vistas, turquoise glacial lakes, and wildflower-filled valleys. Laguna 69 is one of the most stunning high-altitude lakes in Peru.
7. Vilcabamba Trek: The Inca’s Last Refuge
The Vilcabamba Trek is a historical hike that traces the path of the last Inca resistance. This remote and challenging trail takes hikers through lush jungles and high Andean passes to the Vilcabamba ruins, where the last Inca emperor, Manco Inca, retreated during the Spanish conquest.
- Why Choose It: The Vilcabamba Trek is one of the lesser-known but most historically significant hiking trails in Peru. It offers trekkers the chance to follow in the footsteps of the Incas through stunning and varied landscapes.
- Duration: 5 to 7 days
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Highlights: Exploring remote Inca ruins, crossing high passes, and trekking through dense cloud forests.
8. The Inca Jungle Trek: A Multi-Sport Adventure
For those who love adventure and variety, the Inca Jungle Trek combines hiking with biking, rafting, and zip-lining. This unique route to Machu Picchu takes adventurers through a mix of mountain trails, jungle paths, and Inca ruins, offering a thrilling way to reach the famous citadel.
- Why Choose It: The Inca Jungle Trek is perfect for thrill-seekers who want to combine outdoor activities with trekking. The combination of biking, rafting, and zip-lining makes this a one-of-a-kind experience.
- Duration: 4 days
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Biking through the Andes, rafting in the Urubamba River, and zip-lining across jungle canyons before reaching Machu Picchu.
While the Inca Trail is undoubtedly a bucket-list hike, the diversity and beauty of other hiking trails in Peru offer equally rewarding experiences. Whether you’re scaling the heights of the Andes, trekking through remote Inca ruins, or immersing yourself in Andean culture, these trails showcase the very best of Peru’s natural and cultural wonders. Each trail offers its own unique landscapes and challenges, providing something for every adventurer.
Pack your gear, lace up your boots, and set off on an unforgettable journey across the incredible hiking trails that Peru has to offer.
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