Is there any greater satisfaction than reaching the end point of a trekking route?
Walking for hours, delighting yourself with the view of beautiful landscapes and being aware that each step brings you a little closer to the longed-for destination is a truly enriching experience. Not only because it provides visual pleasure but also because it brings countless health benefits, both physical and mental.
In Peru, there is a wide variety of impressive trails accompanied by beautiful landscapes, ideal scenarios for trekking and adventure lovers. Among them, the most outstanding and rewarding are those that lead to our revered Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu. This site has been recognized for several years in the prestigious ”World Travel Awards” as the “Best Tourist Attraction in the World.” UNESCO has also recognized it as the “Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.“
What is Trekking?
Trekking is a sporting activity that satisfies the human desire to explore the natural environment on foot for several days to reach a destination after overcoming a physical challenge. This exciting activity is practiced outdoors and provides numerous physical benefits. As an excellent cardiovascular and muscle-strengthening exercise, it contributes to improving endurance, strength, and flexibility. In addition to its physical benefits, trekking also has a positive emotional impact by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression while increasing the overall sense of well-being.
Trekking is considered an adventure sport and a prominent trend in contemporary tourism. It has managed to capture the attention and interest of the community, partly thanks to the popularity it has acquired through social networks.
In short, trekking presents as a fusion of sport, connection with nature, health promotion, and a unique tourist experience.
Why go Trekking routes in Cusco?
Cusco is the ideal destination for trekking since its main scene is one of the Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. In addition to being in a mountainous area, it offers endless paradisiacal landscapes to explore. Here, you find various areas, ranging from the high Andean mountains to the high jungle itself, which allows you to enjoy different landscapes over short distances, making it a varied destination.
On the other hand, the Inca city has different options for each type of traveler, either day hikes in places with altitude and slopes or simple group hikes. Whichever option you choose, the important thing is that Cusco will always give you Adventure.
The Most Requested trekking routes in Cusco
Salkantay Trekking
This hike that reaches Machu Picchu is the favorite alternative for thousands and is considered one of the best hikes in the world by National Geographic. This renowned trail offers beautiful landscapes, some of the most impressive you can appreciate. During the trek to the Salkantay, you will enjoy remarkable diversity, descending from the snow-capped mountains to the warm and lush jungle brow.
Exploring breathtaking landscapes and discovering a wide variety of flora and fauna is an enriching experience that provides unforgettable moments for the traveler.
Difficulty and Duration
The Salkantay trek is rated from moderate to challenging, with the first day being relatively challenging, especially in the afternoon, during the hike to the Humantay Lagoon. The second day is the most demanding as you cross the Salkantay Pass, reaching an altitude of 4,600 meters above sea level. This 3-hour stretch is particularly challenging due to the steepness and high altitude.
The third and fourth days involve descents and cover a greater distance but are much more manageable.
There are two common variants to reach the destination: the Short Version, which comprises four days of trekking and the Classic Version, which spans five days. The latter route will cover a greater distance with an extra day, although with less daily walking time. It is worth noting that most visitors will rate any trek in Cusco as relatively challenging due to the high altitude it presents.
There are two common variants to reach the destination: the short version that includes four days of trekking and the classic one with five days. The latter route will cover a greater distance with an extra day, although with less daily walking time. It is worth noting that most visitors will rate any trek in Cusco as relatively challenging due to the high altitude.
There are also various options to reach Salkantay: the Salkantay Trek + Inca Trail, six and seven days; the Private Trek; and the Honeymoon Trek, lasting five days.
On average, you will hike approximately 7 hours daily, although the second day is longer and more challenging. We invite you to consult our itineraries for daily trekking times. The following is a brief overview of the distance per day on the Classic Salkantay trek:
- Day 1 – 10 km / 6.21 miles
- Day 2 – 22 km / 13.67 miles
- Day 3 – 18 km / 11.18 miles
- Day 4 – 25 km / 15.53 miles
- Day 5 – There is no exact distance as you will wander around Machu Picchu at your own pace.
Inca Trail
In short, it is the most famous trail in Peru and undoubtedly one of the most recognized worldwide. Its great popularity is because it leads to one of the world’s wonders, Machu Picchu, where the Incas built the roads hundreds of years ago. On the way to the imposing mountain, you will not only delight in a wealth of breathtaking scenery, high mountains, snow-capped peaks, and jungles full of flora and fauna but also have the opportunity to visit numerous archaeological sites.
Each site reveals a unique story, from the majestic Machu Picchu mountain to strategically located territories such as Sayacmarca and the spirituality of Wiñay Wayna. Each site you discover will immerse you in a past full of mystery and wonder.
Difficulty and Duration
The Inca Trail is known for being a regularly tricky trek, as it involves walking at great heights and facing challenging ascents in some sections. Despite this, there are less complex days, so it is considered moderate difficulty.
There are two popular ways to reach Machu Picchu: the Short Way, which has an estimated duration of two days, and the Classic Way, which takes four days.
In addition, there are several variants to reach this imposing mountain, such as the Private Inca Trail, which takes four days, and the route through the Salkantay, which offers options of six and seven days.
On average, you will hike around seven hours per day along the Classic Inca Trail.
Below is a summary of the distance covered per day:
- Day 1 – 14 km / 8.7 miles
- Day 2 – 16 km / 9.94 miles
- Day 3 – 9 km / 5.59 miles
- Day 4 – 5 km / 3.11 miles
If you wish to know in detail the average daily travel time of the Short Inca Trail.
Other Trails in Cusco
Although we previously presented our most requested routes in Cusco, which culminate in the majestic mountain Machu Picchu, in Salkantay Trekking, we also offer various alternatives full of breathtaking scenery, such as the Ausangate and Choquequirao trekking. Please investigate more about the different trekking routes we offer by visiting our website and being aware of our following blogs, which offer more information about the mentioned routes. This way, you can select your favorites for your next trek.
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