10 Mountains in Peru for Climbing: Snapshot Overview

Peru is a country perfect for lovers of the great outdoors and hiking in Peru offers some of the most picturesque trails. However, not every visitor has the time or inclination to spend several days trekking through the mountains at a high altitude. For those looking for some tamer walking and the chance to see something of the Andes without quite so much hardship, here is a guide to some of the best hikes in Peru, in no particular order. If you are interested in trekking in Peru, then please do read our ultimate guide on the 10 best treks in Peru.

Visitors to Peru have been venturing further afield than the Sacred Valley to discover the Colca Canyon area. For the truly adventurous, a little further north of Colca Canyon lies the world’s deepest canyon named Cotahuasi Canyon. This great gorge is so immense that it could fit the Grand Canyon in twice. This gives the benefit of intriguing Cotahuasi Canyon Trekking routes which are off-the-beaten track. For those willing to make the trip, what lies in wait is a land of traditional village life, cascading waterfalls, dizzying suspension bridges, rarely seen ruins, mysterious ancient petroglyphs, hot springs and the chance to spot elusive Peruvian wildlife – and you will barely see any other tourists the whole time you are there.

Whether you’re an avid hiker or an enthusiastic traveller or both, traveling to Peru is probably on your bucket list. A mesmerising country with vastly varying landscapes, Peru is a country to be explored. No one can say they are truly acquainted with this beautiful country until they’ve explored the glorious Cordillera Blanca. These mountain ranges represent a whole new world, where forests submerged in cloud, the world’s deepest canyon and mystical remains of ancient worlds are nestled among the 5000+ m peaks. Peru treks are truly some of the most striking in the world. Peru has something to offer everyone, so why not find out which treks are best for you? Before embarking on a trekking trip in Peru it’s important to consider some questions: When is the best time? What level of fitness do you need? What can you do to prepare for altitude sickness? And most importantly, what if you don’t want to do the Machu Picchu trek? Read on to find out about 10 treks in Peru that take you beyond the Inca Trail. Overview map of the 10 best treks in Peru

Arriving in Cusco is an adventurer's paradise as there are a number of great treks and adventures to choose from. It's worth doing a little research before you arrive on where you'd like to go and what kind of trek expedition might be the best fit. Below are some of the more well-known routes along with a couple of lesser-known ones. These routes will provide an ideal starting point for your trip whether you're a pro or a novice trekker. We've graded them according to difficulty to help you understand a bit more about the challenge each one presents.

For those of you who want a taste of trekking in the high Andes before visiting Machu Picchu but are not willing to compromise on comfort, the Machu Picchu lodge trek is perfect for you! The Machu Picchu lodge trek offers all the pleasures of trekking in the mountains – with luxury accommodation, a comfortable bed, a good meal and a glass of wine awaiting you at the end of each day’s exertions. Now, doesn’t that sound lovely?

Of the 2,500 daily visitors to Machu Picchu, only 400 are permitted to scale Huayna Picchu, the peak that towers above the northern end of Machu Picchu. For the best views of Machu Picchu as well as the opportunity to discover seldom-visited areas of the site, the Huayna Picchu hike can be a memorable addition to your visit. You just need to make sure you book early! Note: For more to do in Machu Picchu, see our list of things to do in Machu Picchu and also check out when is the best time to visit Machu Picchu.

Of all the alternative treks to the Inca Trail, the Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu is perhaps the least known. A far cry from the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, on this trek you are unlikely to see any other tourists for the duration of your trip. This is an option that will appeal to those who enjoy being different and who want to attempt a trek that few others will even have heard of.

The remote and spectacular Colca Canyon is one of the deepest canyons in the world. This magnificent rock formation of the Colca River has now become Peru’s third most popular destination. It promises rewarding trekking trails against the backdrop of rugged mountain scenery and offers the chance to interact with distinctive local cultures, which makes it one of the best hikes in Peru. It is little wonder that more travelers are making their way to this intriguing destination. Here is everything you need to know about organizing your Colca Canyon trek.

Practically every visitor to Peru wants to visit Machu Picchu. For some, the experience would not be complete without completing the four-day Inca Trail that winds through the mountains leading to the mystical ruins. The Inca Trail is the original Machu Picchu trek that has become extremely popular and is always fully booked well in advance. Now, many trekkers opt for alternative treks to Machu Picchu. This is a guide to the classic Inca Trail as well as some of the best alternatives in the Sacred Valley.

For any hiker attempting the Inca Trail, one name inspires a sense of anxiety and foreboding above all, and that is the Dead Woman’s Pass, or Warmiwañusqa in Quechua. At 4,215 m above sea level, the pass has gained a fearsome reputation among trekkers. Everyone starting the Inca Trail is aware that day two will inevitably lead them up and over this infamous pass. Failure to cross the pass will mean being defeated by this classic Peru trek and a return to Cusco without reaching Machu Picchu.

For anyone short on time or concerned about their fitness levels but still hoping for a taste of trekking in Peru and a visit to the famed Machu Picchu, the short Huchuy Qosqo trek is the ideal solution. Most versions include two days of relatively easy trekking combined with a visit to Machu Picchu on the third day. While being short on days, the trek still allows for a glimpse of the Andes in a rarely visited part of the Sacred Valley that receives fewer visitors than many of the more popular trails.

There are several alternative treks to the Inca Trail, some of which have now become famous in their own right. However, for trekkers looking for a varied and challenging trek, the Vilcabamba trek offers an authentic experience of high-altitude trekking.