TREKKING IN PERU
Why bring your hiking boots to Peru?
Perus mountains are famous worldwide for their vibrant colors, dramatic trekking routes to Machu Picchu and towering Andean peaks.
Featured trekking trips
Handpicked experiences worth checking out
The crown jewel: Machu Picchu
When people talk about trekking in Peru, there is usually one ultimate destination on everyone's mind: Machu Picchu. You’ll find it sitting 2,430 meters above sea level in the Urubamba Valley of the Peruvian Andes, just northwest of Cusco. Machu Picchu isn’t just Peru’s biggest highlight—it’s one of the most famous spots in all of South America, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. Trekking to Machu Picchu is a massive bucket-list experience, and this mystical citadel—which was voted one of the "New 7 Wonders of the World" back in 2007—draws tens of thousands of travelers every single year. Because it’s so incredibly popular, the Peruvian government strictly limits the number of visitors allowed in.
To catch a glimpse of this majestic place, you have to book a guided tour. In other words, you can’t just throw on your backpack and head out into the mountains on your own!
All smiles after the hike
Best trekking destinations
If Peru is not your vibe, check these out!
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All roads lead to Machu Picchu
Backpacking through Peru and got Machu Picchu on your bucket list? There are so many epic ways to get there, whether you want to sweat it out for days across massive mountain peaks or kickstart the trip with rafting through the jungle. There are so many different treks you can do, so pick the one that matches your vibe:
Inca Trail
This is hands down the most iconic and popular route to Machu Picchu. The trek usually takes four days and serves up absolutely insane landscapes and epic viewpoints. Because it’s so popular, you’ve got to be quick to lock in your spot!
Salkantay Trek
This 5-day trek is a proper fitness test—it’s pretty physically challenging, but the payoff is insane views the whole way. The absolute highlight (literally) is the snow-capped Nevado Salkantay, towering at 6,271 meters above sea level. Salkantay is one of the most popular routes, perfect if you're looking for a real challenge.
Lares Trek
Want culture and unique experiences? The Lares Trek takes 3–4 days and brings you up close and personal with the small, local communities in the Andes. This is the route to choose if you want to experience the real, authentic Peru and meet the people who live there.
Choquequirao Trek
This is the hardcore version! The trek normally takes 11–12 days and is super demanding, but it’s also one of the coolest things you could ever venture out on. Along the way, you’ll visit the Choquequirao Inca ruins—an area so fascinating it’s worth the trip alone. Combined with finishing at Machu Picchu, this is by far the most exciting route if you're hyped on history and archaeology.
Inca Jungle Trek
Are you an adrenaline junkie? Then this is your route. Swap out traditional hiking for downhill mountain biking, river rafting, and ziplining through the jungle. This trek is massively popular with young backpackers looking for a high heart rate and an experience they won't soon forget.
Vilcabamba Trek
Want to get completely off the beaten path? Vilcabamba is the least-traveled route, which guarantees you three things: total silence, a wild mix of mountain and jungle landscapes, and definitely sore feet. This one is ideal for the experienced hiker who isn't afraid of a long, tough expedition.
Huchuy Qosco Trek
This is a shorter, super pleasant trek to Huchuy Qosco ("Little Cusco" in Quechua), located just north of Cusco in the Sacred Valley. It’s perfect if you're short on time, or if you just want a solid warm-up hike before tackling the main trek to Machu Picchu.
Looking out over Machu Picchu
Frequently asked questions
You can trek up to Machu Picchu pretty much all year round, except for February. February is summer in Peru, which means heavy rain in the mountains—resulting in most trails being closed to tourists. If you’re backpacking through Peru in February, you're better off focusing on the Pacific Coast, hitting the beaches, or exploring the jungle around Iquitos.
As a rule of thumb, the best time to visit Machu Picchu is during the winter, which runs from May to November in Peru. The temperatures are still super comfortable during the winter months, but you avoid the worst of the rain. If you're used to hiking in Norway, you’ll definitely appreciate the comfortable trekking temperatures around Machu Picchu in May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
A trek to Machu Picchu isn’t the absolute toughest hike you can find on the global trail map, but we still recommend being in decent shape before hitting any of these routes. A good baseline is that you should comfortably be able to jog around 5 km or that you workout regularly.
After a few days of hiking, catching that first glimpse of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate at sunrise will be the ultimate reward for your efforts. Plus, there are plenty of awesome Inca ruins scattered along the trail to keep things interesting, fun, and highly motivating—even on the steepest climbs.
Your journey to Machu Picchu and its majestic ruins can be done via several different routes. Below, you can read a bit more about some of the most popular trails to Machu Picchu. If you want to know more about a specific route, just reach out to one of our travel specialists—they’re stoked to help you with any questions you have about trekking to Machu Picchu!
You should go trekking in Peru if you...
...want to experience breathtaking landscapes
From snow-capped Andean peaks to cloud forests and ancient valleys, Peru's trekking routes reveal incredible scenery at every turn.
...want to explore ancient Inca history
Follow paths once used by the Incas and explore remarkable archaeological sites, including the world-famous Machu Picchu.
...are looking for treks that are also cultural experiences
Peru offers some of the world's most iconic trails, combining rewarding hikes, rich culture, and spectacular mountain scenery.
