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  • Peru
  • Peru

    There's more to Peru than Macchu Pichu. While the mountain city of the Inca is spectacular, you can also find amazing ruins elsewhere in the country, as well as mind-blowingly beautiful trekking in the Cordillera Blanca, and surfing on the coast!

    Top Spots in and near Peru

    • Anta, Peru

      Backpack the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu

      4.8
      44.5 mi
      Day 1: Cusco to Soraypampa to Wayracpunku (9 miles)The trail starts at 12477 ft and proceeds towards Salkantay Pass at 15090 ft. It's a gradual climb and incredibly beautiful. From the pass, it's a short downhill to the campground in Huayracmachay at 12477 ft. Even if the weather is sunny and cle...
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    • Aguas Calientes, Peru

      Hike Huayna Picchu at Machu Picchu

      5.0
      2.4 mi / 1000 ft gain
      The 1,000ft climb up Huayna Picchu is one of the highlights of a visit to Machu Picchu. This diamond shaped mountain looms directly behind the site and provides a unique perspective of Machu Picchu, allowing you to see the amazing engineering that went into this site. You start the hike on the fa...
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    • Yungay, Peru

      Hike to Laguna 69 in Cordillera Blanca

      5.0
      8.1 mi / 2624.7 ft gain
      This is one of those hikes I'll be telling my grandchildren about. Heck, I'll be taking my grandchildren here just so I can do it again!  Hidden in the Cordillera Blanca lies a turquoise lake fed by snow packed mountains and tiny waterfalls. This is not a hike for the faint of heart. Beginning at...
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    • Aguas Calientes, Peru

      Hike Machu Picchu Mountain

      5.0
      1.2 mi / 2000 ft gain
      Getting There: When you're purchasing your ticket for Machu Picchu, there is the option to add on "Machu Picchu Mountain". To do this hike, you need to purchase this add-on. Like Huayna Picchu, only a certain number of people are allowed up per day, so make sure you purchase your ticket ahead of ...
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    • Caylloma, Peru

      Trek Colca Canyon

      5.0
      14 mi / 3675 ft gain
      Colca Canyon is an amazing hike and truly an awe-inspiring place to explore... it's just a little tricky to get to.Notes Before Hand: 1) In the Peruvian city of Arequipa, you will need to take a 5-6 hour bus to Cabanaconde to reach the Canyon. Tickets for the bus can purchased at main bus statio...
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    • Urubamba, Peru

      Backpack the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

      26.5 mi / 6279 ft gain
      Day 1: Cusco to Ayapata (10 miles) The trail starts at 8,923 ft at the main gate operating the permit and passport check-ins at KM 82, Piscachucho. You'll cross the Urubamba River on a suspension bridge and proceed towards Ayapata at 10,829 ft. It's an easy day on the first day and should take ab...
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    • Abancay, Peru

      Backpack to Choquequirao

      5.0
      28 mi / 9523 ft gain
      Choquequirao, located in Apurimac Canyon, is a remote historical site of the ancient Incas also known as “the Lost Machu Picchu.” Most treks to Choquequirao take 4 to 5 days as you must cover 28 miles (45 km) and hike up and down the Apurimac Canyon.Day 1: When you arrive at the trail you can see...
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    • Yungay, Peru

      Backpack the Santa Cruz Valley: Vaqueria to Cashapampa

      28 mi / 3445 ft gain
      Permits and Logistics:You can do this hike in fewer days if interested as there are many National Park approved campsites to choose from. According to the "Casa de Guias" the Huascaran National Park may start cracking down on independent trekkers who are choosing to camp outside of the designate...
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    • Qosqo, Peru

      Hike to the Devil's Balcony

      3.1 mi / 656.2 ft gain
      Of all the hikes within the proximity of the city of Cusco, this one is the coolest. Not only that, but no one knows about it. It is a local's only secret. The only reason I know about it was because I lived there for years.There are two approaches to the hike. One that is for beginners, and is a...
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    • Bolognesi, Peru

      Trek the Huayhuash Trail in Peru

      81 mi
      I wanted to share my most recent adventure in hopes to inspire some of you to do it as well!  Everyone thinks of the Inka Trail when they think of Peru, but Peru has sooo much more to offer, and at much more reasonable prices too!  I did the Huayhuash trail self guided and I spent about a total o...
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    • Carhuaz, Peru

      Backpack the Laguna 69 - Pisco Base Camp Loop

      5.0
      Most people opt for a day trip to Laguna 69. You'll get picked up by your tour in Huaraz early in the morning, drive 3 hours to the trailhead, hike to the laguna (which is spectacular), take pictures with dozens of other people, and then head back down to return to Huaraz. Here's a more adventuro...
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    • Ica, Peru

      Sanboard in Huacachina, Peru

      4.0
      Getting There: Huacachina is a little desert oasis town about 5km outside Ica, Peru. Getting to the town is best done by taxi, don't pay more than 10 Sol from the bus station. The Boardin': The town itself can be walked in about 10 minutes, so you can shop around for the best price while trying t...
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    • Urubamba, Peru

      Photograph Salinas de Maras

      Cascading down a hillside valley not far from Cusco, the nearly 3,000 salt pans at Salinas de Maras sit at an elevation of 3,380 m. Believed to have been created in the 1400s by the Inca, the historical site now operates like a co-op and preserves the ancient technique of harvesting salt by hand....
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    • Yungay, Peru

      Hike Laguna Paron

      5 mi / 3000 ft gain
      You have options for this adventure: One is to do a day trip alone to Laguna Paron. Another is to go with a guide/tour company. And lastly, is to do a trek without a company to the lake and what lies beyond. Depending on your skill level, timeframe and any other factors that may arise, some of th...
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    • Anta, Peru

      Hike to the Top of Cerro Yanaoaoa

      6.8 mi / 4068.2 ft gain
      The route is access fairly easily from Sorayapampa. You follow the trail to the west of town, towards the lake. as you work your way up the gully you get to south western trail. Take this upwards. You can follow the trail up to the Incan Cross, itself a marvelous view point. From the Incan cross ...
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    • Písac, Peru

      Hike to the Pisac Ruins

      5.0
      2 mi / 2000 ft gain
      The Pisac ruins bear a striking resemblance to Machu Picchu, just on a smaller scale. Fascinatingly, the drainage systems and agricultural terraces built in 1440 along with the rest of the ruins are still in use today. The Pisac ruins are believed to have defended the Southern entrance to the Sac...
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    Guides, Insights and Stories from Peru

    The Adventurous Route to Machu Picchu

    The Adventurous Route to Machu Picchu

    Madalyne Staab

    More Than Machu Picchu: Explore Adventurous Peru

    More Than Machu Picchu: Explore Adventurous Peru

    Sara Sheehy

    Win a Guided Trip for 2 in Peru

    Win a Guided Trip for 2 in Peru

    The Outbound Collective

    Tips for Visiting Machu Picchu in the Rainy Season

    Tips for Visiting Machu Picchu in the Rainy Season

    Jess Fischer

    Why Backpacking the Inca Trail Is Better Than Machu Picchu Itself

    Why Backpacking the Inca Trail Is Better Than Machu Picchu Itself

    Katie Y

    5 Experiences Every Traveler Should Have While Visiting Peru

    5 Experiences Every Traveler Should Have While Visiting Peru

    Hillary + Matt