Peru is well known not only for Machu Picchu but for the exciting trekking routes that take you through stunning andean scenery to the Inca citadel. If you love trekking and outdoors, Peru has to be in your bucket list. The following are the most popular routes for trekking in Peru. All of them can be included in your Peru travel plan.
The Classic 4-day Inca Trail is one of the most important treks in the world. During only 43km, you will pass through stunning Andes scenery, lush cloud-forest, subtropical jungle and amazing Inca ruins. The trek starts at km 82 (82 kilometres along the railway from Cusco to Aguas Calientes) and finishes at Machu Picchu, the mysterious "Lost City of the Incas", for sunrise on the 4th day of the trek.
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An alternative to the famous Inca trail which allows you to explore local villages where it is possible to bump into local farmers and weavers. The trek takes 4 days and 3 nights, with two nights camping in tents and one night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, the town beneath the Machu Picchu. Day two of the trek involves an ascent up to over 4,200m, but you will be greeted with stunning views over the Andes landscape. You finish in Ollantaytambo, where you will take a train to Aguas Calientes.
This route is named after the 6,200m mountain which overlooks the trail. It takes 5 days to complete, reaching a maximum altitude of 4,600m. You will explore terrains ranging from jungles to snow-capped mountains. It is also significantly less crowded than the classic Inca Trail trek, meaning that you have more of a chance to discover the unchanged beauty of the Peruvian Andes. The trek arrives in Aguas Calientes, where you will spend a night before reaching Machu Picchu in the early morning of Day 5.
Peru is full of amazing options for outdoor enthusiasts. Have a look at our list below and contact us to start planning.
Proper thrill-seekers gravitate towards white water rafting for the unbeatable rollercoaster adventure of battling the raging swells of nature’s waterways. Cusco is located close to the Urubamba River, which offers rafting tours ranging in difficulty from gentle paddling for families or more thrills and spills for competitive adults!
Lima is surrounded by mountains and offers mountain biking to suit all abilities. The mountainous trails around Peru are well maintained and you can enjoy stunning views of Lima from afar as you zigzag your way down rugged mountains. For those who are looking for less of a heart-stopping thrill, you can also enjoy a gentle trundle along the coastal roads of Lima.
One of our favourite experiences in Peru is to spend a day kayaking in the serene blue waters of Lake Titicaca. Lake Titicaca is South America’s largest lake, stretching all the way into Bolivia. The lake is so large that in one direction it stretches as far as the eye can see; look the other way and you can make out the snowcapped Andes mountains in the background. A kayaking day trip allows you to gently paddle along the lake and visit some quiet lakeside villages to soak up the beauty of Titicaca.
Peru has the best surfing in South America and there are plenty of places to catch some waves along the 1,500 miles of Pacific coastline. If you’re a beginner, it’s easy to learn to surf in Miraflores, an upscale suburb of sprawling Lima. Alternatively, head to La Herradura to take advantage of the tall waves and the beachside ceviche restaurants to quench your hunger after a hard day’s surfing.
If you take a trip to Miraflores in Lima, one of the first things you will notice is the parachutes drifting down off the cliffs. Accompanied by a qualified guide, you take a leap off the cliff and soar through the sky over the Pacific Ocean before gently landing on the beach. This is definitely one of the most picturesque places to parachute in Peru. The feeling of swooping through the air is unmatchable.
Any of the activities mentioned above can be included in your itinerary. Talk to an Expert Now.