THE BEST PERU OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
The Hiking Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Part of the 23.000 km (approximately 14.000 miles) of roads built by the Incas in South America, this is Peru’s most famous trekking route and possibly one of the most spectacular in the Americas. Every year, some 25.000 hikers from ar cfd ound the world walk along the extraordinary 43 km of this stone-paved road built by the Incas leading to the unassailable citadel of Machu Picchu located in the depth of the Cusco jungle.
The journey starts in the village of Qorihuayrachina, at kilometer 88 of the Cusco-Quillabamba railway and takes three or four days of strenuous walking. The route includes an impressive variety of altitudes, climates and ecosystems that range from the high Andean plain to the cloud forest. Travelers will cross two high altitude passes (the highest being Warmiwañuska at 4.200 masl) to culminate the hike with a magical entrance to Machu Picchu through the Inti Punko or Gateway of the Sun.
One of the main attractions along the route is the web of ancient settlements built in granite rock by the Incas like Wiñay Wayna and Phuyupatamarca immersed in an overpowering natural scenery. Hundreds of species of orchids, multicolored birds and dreamlike landscapes provide the ideal backstage for a route that every hiker should walk at least once.
Many travel agencies sell complete packages to trek the Inca Trail that include meals, camping gear and porter services. Travelers who wish to organize themselves independently can find porters in the communities of Chillca and Wayllabamba who will charge a modest fee to help carry your gear. Drinking water and food supplies, as well as full camping gear are needed.
Trekking in the Sacred Valley: The most famous trek outside Cusco is, of course, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. But if you're not up to 4 strenuous days with a group along a highly structured trail, there are plenty of additional hiking options in the Sacred Valley. Other trails are much less crowded and share some of the same extraordinary scenery. Ollantaytambo and Yucay are the best bases for walks in the pretty countryside of the Urubamba Valley. The trek from the Inca site Moray to the Salineras salt mines is particularly stunning.
Running Big-Time White Water: Just beyond Cusco in the Urubamba Valley are some excellent river runs, ranging from mild to world-class. Novices can do 1-day trips to get a taste of this thrilling sport, while more experienced rafters can take multiday trips and even hard-core rafting journeys along the Tambopata River in the Amazon jungle. The area around Arequipa and the Colca Canyon in southern Peru is even better for rafting. The easiest and most convenient runs from Arequipa are on the Río Chili. More advanced rafting, ranging up to Class VI, beckons on the Río Majes, Río Colca, and Río Cotahuasi.
Exploring Colca Canyon: Perhaps second only to the Callejón de Huaylas Valley in northern Peru for quality independent hiking is Colca Canyon. One of the most celebrated hikes is the descent into the canyon itself, from the Cruz del Cóndor lookout. There are others that are even longer and more demanding, but more accessible hikes are also possible; walking from one village to another in the valley should satisfy most peoples' urges to get outdoors. Excursions on horseback throughout the valley and into the canyon are also possible. Hard-core sports enthusiasts might take on remote Cotahuasi Canyon, deeper and more rugged even than Colca.
Mountain & Volcano Climbing Near Arequipa: For mountaineers (and fit, adventurous travelers), the volcanoes just beyond Arequipa are perfect for some of Peru's best ascents. Several don't demand technical skills. Towering El Misti, which forms part of the Arequipa skyline, is an extremely popular climb, and the city's other major volcano, Chachani, also presents an accessible ascent. Peaks in the Colca Valley are great for serious climbers; these include the Ampato Volcano and Coropuna, which, at more than 6,425m (21,079 ft.), is perhaps the most stunning mountain in the Cotahuasi Valley and is for specialists only.
Spotting Birds & Wildlife in the Peruvian Amazon: Peru's Amazon rainforest is some of the most biologically diverse on the planet. The southeastern jungle and its two principal protected areas, the Tambopata National Reserve and the Manu Biosphere Reserve, are terrific for viewing wildlife and more than 1,000 species of birds. One of the great birding spectacles is the sight of thousands of macaws and parrots feeding at a clay lick. Keep your eyes peeled for more elusive wildlife, such as caimans, river otters, and even jaguars and tapirs.
Surfing the Waves of Peru's Pacific Coast: Brazil might be more popularly known as a surfing destination, but wave connoisseurs dig Peru, with 2,000km (1,200 miles) of Pacific coastline and a great variety of left and right reef breaks, point breaks, and big-time waves. Beaches are mostly uncrowded, but the water is cold, and most surfers wear wet suits year-round. More than two dozen beaches attract surfistas. Northern Peru, best from October to March, is the top choice of many; surfers hang out in the easygoing fishing village of Huanchaco, but the biggest and best waves in Peru are found at Puerto Chicama (also called Puerto Malabrigo), about 80km (50 miles) up the coast from Trujillo. The best beaches in southern Peru, where surfing is best from April to December (and at its peak in May), are Punta Hermosa, Punta Rocas, Cerro Azul, and Pico Alto.
Trekking & Climbing in the Cordillera Blanca: The Cordillera Blanca, the highest tropical mountain chain in the world, is almost wholly contained in the protected Huascarán National Park. For walkers and mountaineers, the scenery of snowcapped peaks, glaciers, lakes, and rivers is unrivaled in Peru. Fifty summits soar between 4,800 and 6,662m (15,748-21,857 ft.) high, so naturally, expert mountaineers are drawn to the Cordillera, but trekking and climbing opportunities abound for less experienced outdoors types. The classic trek is the 4- to 5-day Santa Cruz-Llanganuco route, one of the most beautiful in South America
Mountain Biking in the Callejón de Huaylas: Mountain biking is developing some legs in Peru. The top spot is the valley near the Cordillera Blanca, the pristine mountain range in central Peru. Hundreds of mountain and valley horse trails lace lush fields and push past picturesque Andean villages and alpine lakes. Hard-core peddlers can test their lung capacity climbing to 5,000m (16,400-ft.) mountain passes. For cycling camaraderie, check out the Semana del Andinismo in Huaraz, which features a mountain-bike competition.
Tour Operator: Classical Inca Trail, Short Inca Trail, Salkantay trek, Machu Picchu. Back to top
The information shown below is taken directly from the government trek permit database and shows the real-time availability of trek permits for the Inca Trail. Trek permits are required for the classic 4-day Inca Trail, the shorter 2-day Inca Trail and the 7-day Salkantay / Inca Trail trek. Alternative treks such as Lares Valley, Ausangate, Choquequirao, and the 5-day Inca Trail via Santa Teresa do not require trek permits. The government issues a maximum of 500 trek permits for each day. Since trekking staff are also included within this limit of 500 persons this means that, on average, about 200 trek permits are allocated to tourists and about 300 allocated to guides, cooks and porters.
