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Travel advice for Peru
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Peru
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written by Meera Dattani
updated 14.12.2020
If the Inca Trail is booked up, or you don’t fancy camping, or you want to hike away from the crowds, there are more treks in Peru‘s Sacred Valley than you might think. Meera Dattani finds some beautiful alternatives to the Inca Trail worth your time, energy and camera-clicks, yet without the permit restrictions.
It’s the end of rainy season, the vegetation is lush, and we’ve only seen a handful of other hikers. This is what trekking is about, right? The twitter of birds. Sighs of relief after a tough climb. The sound of silence. The sight of soaring peaks and deep valleys.
“Welcome to the Salkantay Trail,” says my guide Wilfredo, beaming. It may not be as famous as the Inca Trail but it’s beautiful, moderately challenging and – and if you’re not a camper, you can even trek lodge to lodge. The Salkantay is also one answer to the growing problem of overtourism, a hot topic in these parts.
The Incan citadel of Machu Picchu has and always will be a ‘bucket-list’ destination, but with over half a million visitors a year – that’s over 2,500 a day – and 500 daily permits issued for the increasingly popular Inca Trail (amid reports of overflowing squat toilets and litter along the route) it’s time for travellers and authorities to rethink. And encouraging people to arrive by rail, limiting hiker numbers and promoting alternative trails are among the solutions.
...with over half a million visitors a year and 500 daily permits issued for the increasingly popular Inca Trail (amid reports of overflowing squat toilets and litter along the route) it's time for travellers and authorities to rethink.
While the Inca Trail is the only route ending inside Machu Picchu Sanctuary, there are other equally scenic, if not more spectacular, hikes around Cusco‘s Sacred Valley, such as the Salkantay and Lares. And if you desperately want to hike into Machu Picchu, one-day hikes do just that anyway, and permit rules don’t apply.
With many arriving in Cusco too late to even apply for Inca Trail permits – some departures are sold out months in advance – these other trails are worth considering. Whatever you choose, allow time in Cusco for acclimatisation, regardless of fitness: Altitude sickness has its own rules and coca tea alone isn’t always enough…
8 days / from2429 USD
Peru: into the Incan Empire
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customize ⤍8 days / from2822 USD
Female Empowerment Tour
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Culture, Nature and Adventure in Peru
Get to know Peru through its locals and breathtaking trails- full of history. Hop aboard a motorboat to get to know the local way of life of the Uros people, before you start the great Inca trail, where beautiful landscapes, archaeological sites and fresh air are waiting for you.
customize ⤍8 days / from1885 USD
The Inca Empire and the Nazca Culture
Peru has a rich history and culture, this itinerary will give you a taste of just how special it is. Take a flight over the mysterious Nasca lines, head to Cusco for some brilliant archaeological sites and discover the Inca cities. This trip will leave you wanting more!
customize ⤍12 days / from6970 USD
Peru - the modern, the iconic, the wild
Spend 12 days in magnificent Peru - famous Machu Picchu, legendary Titicaca Lake and the wild Amazon await. This tour is great for foodies with amazing Peruvian delights, for history and culture lovers in the Sacred Valleys as well as wildlife enthusiasts in the Amazon. Something for everyone!
customize ⤍14 days / from6565 USD
Best of Peru & Galapagos Islands
Split your South America trip into two fascinating countries: Peru with Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, as well as ocean-facing capital Lima. Afterwards, proceed to the Galapagos Islands. You will stay on 3 different islands and explore many more.
customize ⤍11 days / from9192 USD
Best Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands Tour Package
Explore a trio of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in this Machu Picchu and Galapagos tour package! Your journey begins in Quito, home to the Middle of the World. Afterward, fly on over to the Galapagos Islands the best biodiversity hotspot and following with the sublime Machu Picchu in Peru.
customize ⤍7 days / from1640 USD
Peru Express
Soak up some Peruvian culture on a whirlwind tour of Peru. See the capital Lima, pretty Cusco and the Sacred Valley before you acclimatise to the high altitude of Machu Picchu, the greatest mountain city on earth and the gateway to the Incan Empire.
customize ⤍8 days / from2445 USD
Culinary Peru
Discover the taste of Peru on this unique culinary trip. Starting in Lima, and then travelling on to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Machu Picchu and later Cusco, this trip includes all the essential destinations, and adds a unique culinary dimension to each, giving a real flavour of the country.
customize ⤍13 days / from2419 USD
Peruvian Inca Domains
Ideal for everyone wanting to explore the Inca history and combine it with today's culture and traditions. Fly over the mysterious Nasca lines, visit the penguins on Ballestas islands, sail the Titicaca Lake and discover the stunning Sacred Valley with Machu Picchu.
customize ⤍11 days / from3050 USD
Peru for Nature Lovers
Peru is considered one of the most ecologically diverse countries on earth: 84 of the 103 ecosystems and almost 90% of the world’s recognised climates can be found within the country’s borders. Needless to say, Peru has a lot to offer nature lovers.
customize ⤍10 days / from7018 USD
Galapagos Cruise and Scuba Diving Adventure
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customize ⤍14 days / from4697 USD
Essential Peru
Get to know the best of Peru with this 14-day trip. Explore the cultural and culinary parts of Lima, get to know more about the Andean textile industry, discover Machu Picchu and if that's not enough you will also travel along the most beautiful routes in the world aboard the Titicaca train.
customize ⤍7 days / from1750 USD
Witness the Sun Ceremony Inti Raymi in 2024
Celebrate the spectacular Sun Ceremony in Peru in 2024. This trip starts on the 24th of June 2024 to be able to witness the ceremony. Extensions and pre-programs are readily available.
customize ⤍14 days / from4396 USD
The Andes to the Amazon: Peru Explored
Peru has much to offer and excites the most intrepid of travellers, from vibrant cities brimming with history, art and culture to the lofty mountainous heights of Machu Picchu and the Andes. A foray into the steamy Amazonian jungle completes your Peruvian adventure.
customize ⤍8 days / from2250 USD
The Enigmatic Sites of Peru
Explore the stunning sights of Peru. From the enigmatic Nazca Lines to the historical monuments of Cusco, this trip has it all. Visit the impressive Machu Picchu, a world heritage site, and hike up the magnificent Rainbow Mountain for breathtaking views.
customize ⤍10 days / from7795 USD
The Best of the Mashpi Rainforest and Galapagos
Begin this journey in one of the first cities to be given the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site – Quito, Ecuador! Afterward, just a few hours away, you’ll head down into the lush cloud forests that surround Quito to experience Mashpi Lodge. You’ll finish this journey with the the Galapagos Islands
customize ⤍11 days / from2980 USD
Machu Picchu, Titicaca & Uyuni
The highlights of every Peru and Bolivia trip: the fascinating ruins of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, followed by a trip to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Afterwards, continue via La Paz to the Salar de Uyuni, the incredible salt flats.
customize ⤍15 days / from6380 USD
Exploring Southern Peru
Inca ruins and fascinating tribal customs make Peru a unique destination. Visit Machu Picchu, stay on the shores of Lake Titicaca and take in the beautiful scenery of the Peruvian Andes before you finish your journey on a cultural high note taking in Lima’s museums and colonial gems.
customize ⤍10 days / from2437 USD
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Discover the wonders of Peru, with this less crowded route to the North of the country where you will enjoy rarely visited destinations. Archaeological remains will tell you more about its amazing history, and you will remain impressed with its vast nature and beautiful landscapes.
customize ⤍9 days / from1863 USD
Coast, Mountain Ranges and the Amazon Rainforest
Discover Peru, it's history, nature and culture. You will start in the captivating city of Lima, from where you will make your way to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu only to end in the Peruvian jungle....where you can find lakes, nature trails and stunning views.
customize ⤍10 days / from2287 USD
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customize ⤍16 days / from4665 USD
Hiking Adventures in the Sacred Valley
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Active Machu Picchu
An unforgettable adventure from Cusco to Machu Picchu. Sleep in community houses and local accommodations to immerse yourself in the rich culture. Feel the thrill as you mountain bike through rugged terrains, soar through the air on exhilarating ziplines, and hike amidst breathtaking landscapes.
customize ⤍5 days / from995 USD
The "new" Machu Picchu - Chachapoyas
An incredible journey to Chachapoyas, Peru's hidden gem. Explore the ruins of Kuelap, an ancient fortress shrouded in mystery. Discover the breathtaking Gocta Waterfalls, one of the tallest in the world. Immerse yourself in Chachapoyas' rich culture, scenic landscapes, and archaeological wonders.
customize ⤍"We'll hike through 15 different ecosystems," Wilfredo tells our small group at the Salkantay Trail briefing.
It's a much longer route than the Inca Trail at 74 kilometres (46 miles) but it's hiked over six days, with day seven at Machu Picchu. Some ascents are certainly testing, for the amateur hiker at least – such as the 4,600-metre-high Salkantay Pass, the trail's highest point – but the pace isn't rushed, there's an emergency horse, and it helps to know there's a delicious meal (and hot tub and log fire) waiting. You can even book a massage. And if you don't want to hike, swap for horse-riding, biking and zip wires.
There's a cultural element too, with Mountain Lodges of Peru's community-run lodges run by local Quechua people, where you can chat to staff, learn to make pisco sours and try cuy (guinea pig) and support micro-businesses – day one visits a women's craft co-operative in the village of Mollepata and an organic farm.
But really, the Salkantay is about the vistas of the Peruvian highlands; the brilliant purple lupin and wild orchids, lodges coming into view at the end of a long ascent, views of brilliant blue Lake Humantay and towering Mount Salkantay, the exhilaration of reaching the Salkantay Pass, heading down into cloud forest and into coffee plantations, and that first glimpse of Machu Picchu mountain from the Llactapata Pass on the final day before catching the train to Aguas Calientes. Here, in the town closest to Machu Picchu, an early night beckons before a morning's exploration of the 13th-century citadel that has literally seen jaws drop on first sight, mine included.
Salkantay trek © Evan Austen / Shutterstock
There's another trek in these parts that's worth doing: the Lares. With homecooked lunches, beautiful hikes and llama farms, it mixes action and culture in equal doses, with a closer look at Andean life, its weaving heritage and communities of the Sacred Valley between the towns of Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. "Wait till you try the pachamanca," our guide Miguel tells us. And this meal of meat and potatoes (Peru has 300 varieties of the latter) slow-cooked under hot stones by a family in the farming community of Viacha is certainly memorable, not least for a special ceremony thanking Pachamama/Mother Earth.
Other highlights include Awanakancha, a weaving centre and camelid exhibition home to adorable alpacas and llamas, the brilliant market in Pisac, and exploring Ollantaytambo, the best-preserved Incan town of all with its maze of streets, ancient ruins and views over terraced hills. And that outdoor jacuzzi at above-the-clouds Huacahuasi Lodge, sitting high at 3,800 metres, is a real treat.
The Lares Trek also has one of the prettiest hikes; descending from the Lares Pass is a barely-touched ancient Inca trail along a canyon and into the village of Totora, passing fairytale-esque glens and verdant valleys. Like the Salkantay, the five or seven-day tour finishes at Machu Picchu. Several years ago, Mountain Lodges of Peru added luxury lodge-to-lodge trekking to this route too, and on any given day, you can do a cultural activity or choose an easy or challenging hike, making it popular with less keen trekkers.
However you see the valley – whether you trek or go on horseback, camp or choose luxury lodges – there are paths less trodden here, where the magic of the Sacred Valley remains very much intact.
Lares Trek © Lisa Stelzel / Shutterstock
Consider taking the road less travelled with a tailor-made trip, such as the Hidden Gems of Peru trip to Northern Peru. If you're set to visit Machu Picchu, check out our Incan Empire sample itinerary. All itineraries can be modified to it your preferences and travel style.
written by Meera Dattani
updated 14.12.2020
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