Peru has always been a must-see destination for lovers of hiking. There are three main areas where you can do this activity: the Colca Canyon, Cusco and the Cordillera Blanca. An immense variety of unique landscapes and natural settings.
Near Arequipa there is the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world with an altitude difference of more than 3,000 meters. Different itineraries are possible crossing climates that vary from dry to subtropical. In the Colca Valley live numerous peasant communities closely linked to the traditions of the past, who currently still cultivate the land according to Inca techniques. Many of the walks do not require a particular physical condition, considering the fact that the altitudes are not too high.
To enjoy the natural and archaeological beauties together, you cannot miss going to Cusco. For simple and scenic excursions, the hikes to the Colored Mountains (Vinicunca or Palcoyo) at 5000 masl and to the Humantay Lagoon located at 4400 masl are unmissable.
To visit the Inca ruins and immerse yourself in nature, it is highly recommended to do the famous Inca Trail, a 4-day (or 2-day) walk during which you will walk on the old roads built by the inhabitants of the Inca Empire. The Inca Trail ends at Sun Gate from where you can admire the best panorama of one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World: Machu Picchu. For those seeking unsurpassed scenic beauty, such as the Inca Trail, there is the trek to Choquequirao, a fascinating destination that has yet to be explored by mass tourism.
Finally, for expert hikers, the most suitable area is the Cordillera Blanca, characterized by 16 peaks at more than 6000 meters above sea level: a true mountaineering paradise. The Santa Cruz walk is the most famous, with heights ranging from 3,000 to 4,700 meters above sea level, during which incomparable landscapes can be admired. The highest peak, Huascarán, belongs to the homonymous National Park: an extensive protected area that has an incredible biodiversity of Andean bears, vicuñas, condors and many other natural beauties.