5 incredible routes for hiking in Peru

Peru is a country that has numerous paths for trekking or hiking, with mountains, jungles and impressive landscapes, which were traversed by the ancient Incas, where the iconic vestiges of this civilization can still be seen.

Carrying out any of the hiking trails in this country is one of the most enriching experiences in life, since it can connect us both with the beauty of nature and with the knowledge of ourselves.

Trekking or hiking is an activity in which travelers cross places in nature on foot, facing multiple challenges, but receiving an important reward at the end of the journey.

Travel to Peru: The top 5 hiking circuits for trekking lovers

1. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

All the hikers in the world want to do this 43 kilometer route, because it is considered the best trekking route in all of South America.

During this journey, mountains and paths that pass through different archaeological centers will be crossed, which significantly increases the attractiveness of these incredible places.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu has two routes:

• The so-called classic way that is done between 4 or 5 days

• The short tour that lasts only two days.

The long route begins in Cusco, being able to see some Inca ruins from the first day of the tour. On the second day the strongest ascent is made, reaching 4 thousand meters above sea level.

From this point privileged views of the mountains and the majestic tropical jungle are obtained, places that the Incas saw in the past, when they were heading to Machu Picchu.

On the third day of the journey, the descent begins, where you can see the magical views of the Pacaymayo River, and then the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wanca.

For the last day of the journey, more archaeological sites will continue to be sighted; but once you arrive at the Puerta del Sol, you will walk only about thirty minutes, until you make your triumphal entry into the iconic city of Machu Picchu.

For its part, the short path of the Ruta del Inca also begins in Cusco, but goes from the town of Aguas Calientes to the ruins of Wiñay Wanca; managing to reach Machu Picchu on the second day of travel.

2. Vinicunca Mountains

Although it has an elevation of 5,200 meters above sea level, this beautiful trekking route can be done in a single day.

The Vinicunca mountain, also known as the Seven Colors mountain, is a hiking experience that you cannot miss in Peru.

The departure to the mountain of the Seven Colors begins in Cusco, it is advisable to start the tour at 3 in the morning, because you need to walk for at least three hours, before reaching the starting point that is in Pampachiri.

There are 12 kilometers of route in which landscapes of various colors will be seen, such as the so-called Red Valley, which is the entrance to the magical mountain of the Seven Colors.

Pink, fuchsia, whitish, lavender, gold, red and green are the colors that you will see in this mountain, owing its particular color to the minerals that make up this area of the Andean mountain range.

3. The snowy mountain of Ausangate

The fifth-highest mountain in Peru is Ausangate, which has also become one of the key sites for trekking in this country and South America.

The extraordinary beauty of its paths, the chain of mountains, and some points such as its lagoons, make this place on the planet one of the most special routes that you can do in your entire life.

There are 70 kilometers of paths that you can do between four and five days, so it is advisable to prepare physically and mentally, to be able to enjoy the difficulties of the route.

As in every experience in life, at the end of the journey there is a very great reward waiting for you, and that is, the wonderful view of the Ausangate mountain, with its glaciers next to its snowy summit, offering you one of the best postcards in all of Peru.

This mountain is sacred to the indigenous community, so the route that reaches 4,000 meters above sea level must be done with the utmost respect; The experience of knowing the Quechua peoples, who inhabit these lands, is very valuable.

On the way to the Ausangate mountain, the following places stand out: the Sibinacocha lagoon and the snowy Vilcanota mountain range, in addition to enjoying the sighting of its wildlife: such as the flamingos in its lagoon, or the alpacas and vicuñas in various parts of the way.

4. Route of the Choquequirao archaeological site

The Choquequirao trekking route has the advantage of being a site rarely visited by tourists, so the trip will connect you more with nature; however, some parts of the journey can be more demanding than the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

The Choquequirao archaeological site is considered the "sacred sister" of Machu Picchu, due to the similarity with that tourist place.

To start the trip to this majestic archaeological center, you must first reach the town of Cachora, from where you will take the path that will take you to the Apurimac canyon; enjoying the magical views of the snowy peaks, until reaching the river of the same name.

The journey continues crossing a suspension bridge over the Apurimac River, passing later to the town of Marampata, located at about 2,800 meters above sea level.

Once you have reached this point, you will have to walk a short distance to the archaeological center of Choquequirao, where you will see its ceremonial plazas, stairways, buildings and temples, where the Inca civilization had its last bastion of resistance against the Spanish empire.

The round trip of this trip takes about 4 days, however, from this historical site you can also reach Machu Picchu, crossing places with impressive views, descending towards the most tropical areas of this route.

To get to Machu Picchu from this point, you must go down to the town of Aguas Calientes; place where the ascent to this important site of the Inca civilization begins.

5. The Huayhuash Mountain Range

The beauty and majesty of the landscapes that can be seen in this circuit have given it the well-deserved recognition of being one of the best trekking routes in the world.

This route has paths that take a height greater than 4,000 meters above sea level, even managing to ascend to 5,000 in several of its points; however, the images that will remain in your memory will make the trip worthwhile.

Not only the snowy peaks will make you admire the greatness of this landscape, but the amazing lagoons with colors that seem to be taken from a surreal painting, will make you think of the beauty of nature.

It is these places of indescribable beauty that have moved hikers from all over the world.

This Peruvian hiking trip can take between 10 or 12 days, due to its 130 kilometers of distance, starting in Llamac to the first camp known as Quartelhuain.

The next day's walk begins from the camp to the Qaqanan Pass, reaching 4,300 meters above sea level; highlighting the impressive views of the gorges, to then make the descent to the Mitucocha lagoon, being able to see the snowy peaks in the background.

Then you must cross the Paso de Carhuac with an altitude of 4,600 meters, on this road, the dark green of the mountains will make you feel that you are one of the few human beings on earth, who have stepped on these territories; arriving at the Carhuacocha lagoon, where you can camp.

Later, the next path is the route known as Paso del Carnicero, where you must reach the lagoon of the same name. This lagoon has the appearance of a mirror, where the snowy peaks are perfectly reflected.

Approximately on the fifth day, the highest point of the circuit begins to be reached, being the Portachuelo de Huayhuash the door that gives access to Punta Cuyoc, reaching 5,000 meters above sea level at this point.

Once there, the descent to Llamac begins, but in this part of the road, an interesting sight is the Paso de Punta Tapush, which, due to the color of the landscape, is somewhat reminiscent of the Seven Colors Mountain.

These are the 5 trekking circuits that you cannot miss, if you decide to go hiking in South America or Peru.