Walking holidays in Peru overview
The ruined Inca citadel of Machu Picchu isn’t necessarily the be-all and end-all of walking holidays in Peru, but it’s certainly a great place to start – or finish, as it’s the spectacular reward at the end of the five-day Inca Trail trek. This is one of many trails starting out from the Sacred Valley, close to the city of Cuzco, where acclimatising to the altitude is always good advice during your first couple of days in the Andes. Alternative routes to Machu Picchu include the four-day Salkantay Trek or the lesser-known high-altitude Lares Trek. Find out more in our Peru walking holidays travel guide.
Our top Walking holidays in Peru
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
From
£3349 to £3849
17 days
inc UK flights
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
Small group2022: 15 Apr, 6 May, 20 May, 3 Jun, 24 Jun, 22 Jul, 12 Aug, 26 Aug, 9 Sep, 14 Oct
Peru walking and cultural holiday
From
£1917
10 days
ex flights
Trek the cultural sites and mountain scenery of Peru
Tailor made
Hiking the Inca Trail holiday
From
£2399 to £2949
10 days
inc UK flights
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
Small group2021: 8 Oct, 5 Nov, 12 Nov, 3 Dec, 18 Dec, 2022: 8 Apr, 15 Apr, 29 Apr, 19 May, 26 May, 2 Jun, 10 Jun, 30 Jun, 8 Jul, 14 Jul, 21 Jul, 28 Jul, 5 Aug, 18 Aug, 25 Aug, 16 Sep, 22 Sep, 7 Oct, 21 Oct, 4 Nov, 11 Nov, 2 Dec, 18 Dec
Map & highlights
For better or worse, when people think Peru they inevitably think of Machu Picchu. And how to reach this iconic and mysterious mountaintop citadel? The Inca Trail, naturally, a four-day trek beginning in the Sacred Valley that is one of the most sought-after on the planet, given permits are strictly limited. Avoid the crowds on the more scenic (and more challenging) Salkantay Trek, or on the much quieter Lares Trek which allows you to explore rural Peruvian culture. If you want an entirely different experience, the high-altitude Ausangate Trek eschews Incan ruins in favour of jaw-dropping Andean scenery, especially in the colourful Vilcanota Valley.Ausangate trek
1. Ausangate trek
100km south of Cuzco, the Ausangate Mountain towers above Andean plains where alpaca and llama herds roam and mythical Inca legends swirl across glaciers and frozen lakes. The five day trek around Ausangate’s north face won’t take you to the snow-covered top (6,384m) but it will provide a challenge, as well as nights in community-run lodges with proper beds, bathrooms and hot food.
Inca Trail trek
2. Inca Trail trek
Although hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu can be a challenge it’s also achievable at a relaxed pace over five days. Three nights of comfy camping and an afternoon arrival at the Inca ruins – after the crowds have left – makes this world-famous trek from trail head Km82 via Warmihuañusca ‘Dead Woman’s Pass, accessible for walkers who like to take their time on a tailor made or small group tour.
Lares trek
3. Lares trek
From alpaca herders in the Cordillera Urubamba Mountains to hot springs, stone footpaths and luscious lagoons, filled with birds, walking in the Lares Valley, between the villages of Huarán and Lares, is one of the area’s most cultural trails. Camping and walking through Quechua villages creates an authentic Andean experience, topped off with a bus trip to Machu Picchu on day four or five.
Machu Picchu
4. Machu Picchu
One of South America's most iconic tourism destinations, the mysterious Incan citadel of Machu Picchu perches at 2,430m in the Andes. Most visitors take the train from Cusco, but those able to secure a permit and ready for the challenge will take the Inca Trail, a four-day trek that tops many bucket lists. Time it right, and you can arrive just in time for a majestic sunrise.
Sacred Valley
5. Sacred Valley
The Urubamba Valley, which stretches from Pisac to Aguas Calientes, is strewn with ancient Incan ruins, a well-trodden pilgrimage route on the way to Machu Picchu. But steer clear of the tourist traps and there are many small villages where you can enjoy day hikes led by local guides. The Maras salt mines, often overlooked, is as interesting as it is photogenic, and you can easily branch out into the countryside from some of the lesser-known Ican sites.
Salkantay trek
6. Salkantay trek
This alternative Inca Trail trek can be accomplished over four full days of walking and takes travellers along the sub-tropical foothills surrounding Salkantay's summit (6,271m) to approach Machu Picchu from its southern slopes. A train ride or optional walk to Aguas Calientes allows access to thermal springs and a well deserved rest before departing for Machu Picchu by bus on day five.
Inca Trail
Among the most famous walks in the world, the Inca Trail is just 43km in length but takes four days from Piscacucho to the Sun Gate entrance of Machu Picchu. Joining an organised tour ensures you can concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other, while a team of porters does all the heavy lifting, plus the cooking, washing up and tent-putting-up-and-down-again. Travelling with one of our responsible tour operators is the best way to ensure porters’ rights are respected. Peak months are May to September. Trail conditions are more challenging in the wet season, but it’s less crowded.
Lares Trek
Each of the three main routes up to Machu Picchu has its own unique appeal. With the three- to four-day Lares Trek, it’s the opportunity to dig deeper into living Incan culture and High Andean communities. You’ll wander through several villages in the Sacred Valley and puna grasslands, and if you travel with a responsible tour operator your trip may contribute to local reforestation or community tourism projects. Other key differences on the Lares Trek are that you can book a private tailor made tour, and that pack animals are used to carry baggage rather than porters.
More holiday ideas
Alternative Inca trail trek in Peru, Salkantay Trek
From
£750
5 days
ex flights
Salkantay trek - an alternative Inca Trail adventure
Small group2021: 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct
Classic Inca Trail holiday, 10 days
From
£1695
10 days
ex flights
10-days: Lima, Cusco, 4-day Inca Trail & Machu Picchu
Tailor made
Inca trail & Amazon Rainforest holiday
From
£3949 to £4399
17 days
inc UK flights
Inca Trail, Machu Picchu & rainforest
Small group2022: 8 Apr, 29 Apr, 13 May, 27 May, 17 Jun, 1 Jul, 15 Jul, 5 Aug, 19 Aug, 2 Sep, 16 Sep, 7 Oct
Small group2021: 1 Aug, 8 Aug, 15 Aug, 22 Aug, 29 Aug, 5 Sep, 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep, 3 Oct, 10 Oct, 17 Oct, 24 Oct
High Inca Trail trek in Peru
From
£2899 to £3349
16 days
inc UK flights
Machu Picchu, Inca fortresses and cloud forest
Small group2022: 30 Apr, 28 May, 25 Jun, 23 Jul, 20 Aug, 17 Sep, 1 Oct
Peru and Inca trail small group holiday
From
£1868 to £2240
12 days
ex flights
Travel from the Andes to the Amazon
Small group2021: 28 Aug, 11 Sep, 13 Sep, 17 Sep, 20 Sep, 27 Sep, 1 Oct, 2 Oct, 8 Oct, 9 Oct, 11 Oct, 15 Oct, 16 Oct, 18 Oct, 22 Oct, 23 Oct, 25 Oct, 29 Oct, 30 Oct, 5 Nov, 8 Nov, 12 Nov, 15 Nov, 19 Nov, 22 Nov, 26 Nov, 29 Nov, 3 Dec, 6 Dec, 10 Dec, 17 Dec, 18 Dec, 20 Dec, 24 Dec, 31 Dec, 2022: 1 Jan, 2 Jan, 7 Jan, 8 Jan, 15 Jan, 17 Jan, 21 Jan, 24 Jan, 5 Feb, 12 Feb, 26 Feb, 4 Mar, 5 Mar, 7 Mar, 11 Mar, 18 Mar, 19 Mar, 21 Mar, 25 Mar ...
More about Walking holidays in Peru
Salkantay Trek
Not for those new to hiking boots, the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is more demanding than the Inca Trail, more accessible with no permits required, and arguably more scenic. It brings you up close and personal with Andean nature in all its glory, from glaciers to cloud forest, and you will be at high altitude for much of it – 4,000m and more. Even though pack animals will take most of the strain, you’ll want to get in shape before tackling this route. Our expert tour operators also recommend a few short day walks around Cuzco to acclimatise first.
Sacred Valley
The Urubamba Valley – the Sacred Valley of the Incas – is strewn with ancient ruins and paths that lead to the jewel in the Incan crown, Machu Picchu. But the valley’s cultural integrity is at risk from poorly managed tourism, so instead of browsing trinket stalls for tacky souvenirs, we recommend taking a short taxi ride out of Pisac or Ollantaytambo to explore small villages and the day hikes emanating from them. The Maras salt mines are a lesser-known but interesting visit, and there are plenty of smaller Incan sites around where you can enjoy virtual solitude.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Peru walking or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
[Inca Trail: Erik Ringsmuth]
[Lares Trek: Paulo Philippidis]
[Salkantay Trek: McKay Savage]
[Sacred Valley: Diego Delso]
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