Trekking in Peru is much more than hiking through the Andes. It’s following ancient trails, crossing villages where time seems to stand still, exchanging sincere glances, and feeling a deep connection between people, the land, and the mountains. It’s an experience that involves the body, of course, but also the heart.
Whether you’re a casual hiker or a seasoned adventurer, Peru offers a unique diversity of trails where each step tells a story. At Escápate, we value routes with meaning—where the beauty of the landscape meets the richness of human encounters. Here is our selection of the most beautiful treks to experience in Peru.
The Inca Trail – The Historic Route to Machu Picchu
Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Difficulty: moderate to strenuous
Highlight: the spectacular arrival at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate
This is Peru’s most iconic trek. Walking along these ancient Inca stone paths is a one-of-a-kind experience. Each day brings new landscapes: cloud forests, stone staircases, archaeological sites… And at the end of the trail, Machu Picchu slowly reveals itself at sunrise.
This trek is highly regulated: daily permits are limited and guides are mandatory. Booking several months in advance is essential, especially during high season. A legendary adventure to experience at least once in your life.
The Salkantay Trek – The Wild and Spectacular Alternative
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Difficulty: strenuous
Highlight: diverse landscapes, from snow-capped peaks to tropical forest
For those looking for a more natural, less crowded option that doesn’t require a special permit, the Salkantay trek is an excellent choice. It begins at the foot of Mount Salkantay, a sacred peak over 6,000 meters high, and descends gradually through the tropical forest toward Aguas Calientes.
It’s a demanding trek, with a high mountain pass at 4,600 meters, but the views are breathtaking. You’ll pass from glaciers to coffee plantations, from rivers to lush vegetation. A complete journey for lovers of the great outdoors.
Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain – A Gentle Hike… at High Altitude
Duration: 1 day
Difficulty: moderate (technically easy, but altitude can be challenging)
Highlight: a spectacular setting, accessible and crowd-free
If you’re dreaming of seeing a rainbow mountain without tackling the crowded Vinicunca route, Palcoyo is a perfect alternative. Less known and more peaceful, it offers an impressive mineral landscape, with several rainbow-colored mountains visible from a single viewpoint.
It takes about 3.5 hours by car from Cusco. Once there, the walk is short (about one hour) and technically easy, but the altitude (over 4,800 meters) can be a real challenge if you’re not acclimatized. It’s best to spend a few days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley beforehand.
On clear days, you can even spot Ausangate in the distance, towering on the horizon. A beautiful experience for discovering the geological wonders of the Andes—gently, but mindfully.
The Lares Trek – A Deep Andean Immersion
Duration: 3 to 5 days
Difficulty: moderate
Highlight: meeting local Andean communities
Lesser known to the general public, the Lares Trek winds through remote valleys, traditional villages, and stunning high-altitude scenery. Here, it’s not Inca ruins that impress most, but the human connections: weavers met along the trail, children walking kilometers to reach school, families welcoming travelers into their homes.
This trek offers a precious chance to discover everyday life in the Andes, far from the usual tourist circuits, while enjoying majestic natural surroundings.
The Ausangate Circuit – The Giant of the Andes
Duration: 5 to 7 days
Difficulty: strenuous to difficult
Highlight: a high-altitude loop around a sacred mountain
Ausangate is a trek for experienced hikers. Located southeast of Cusco, it follows a loop around the namesake mountain, passing turquoise lakes, glacial lagoons, alpaca herds, and isolated villages.
The altitude is demanding (most of the trek is above 4,000 meters), but the remoteness and majesty of the setting make for a timeless adventure. It’s also one of the few treks where you might still see llama caravans carrying goods for local communities.
Choquequirao – The Lost City of the Andes
Duration: 4 to 5 days
Difficulty: strenuous
Highlight: discovering a site as impressive as Machu Picchu… without the crowds
Often called “Machu Picchu’s hidden sister,” Choquequirao is a lost Inca city tucked into the jungle, still largely off the tourist radar. Getting there takes effort: two days of hiking in, two days out, across deep valleys and steep climbs.
But once you arrive, the silence and beauty of the site more than make up for the journey. You can wander for hours, alone among the terraces, temples, and traces of Inca life—an experience that feels both powerful and intimate.
What if we walked differently?
In Peru, walking is never just a physical effort. It’s a way of meeting others, of feeling the earth under your feet, of slowing down and reconnecting. No matter your level or the time you have, there’s always a trail that fits—a journey to experience at your own pace.
At Escápate, we can help you choose or organize a tailor-made trek, based on your wishes, physical condition, and travel philosophy. Because walking, after all, is a way of getting closer to what truly matters.
