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Peru Hiking

Peru Hiking

With legendary Machu Picchu as its centerpiece, this Backroads hiking adventure offers an intimate introduction to Peru's bounty of cultural and geographic treasures. Join us to trace the path of an ancient civilization, beginning in Cusco, where Inca-built stone walls attest to its long history. Venture into the Sacred Valley of the Inca, where relics and ruins of the distant past still shape the vibrant Andean culture of the present. Visit colorful Quechua markets, marvel at towering glacier-capped peaks and, finally, feel your heart race as you visit Machu Picchu, one of the world's most magnificent archaeological wonders.  

Permits to hike the Inca Trail are extremely limited so we recommend booking a minimum of 4-6 months prior to departure date so significantly increase your chance of securing a permit. If permits are unavailable during some seasons, we will take a train to Aguas Calientes, bus to the entrance and hike into Machu Picchu.

Days 1-2 Cusco

Meet in Cusco, which rests at 11,200 feet Take a guided walk through the cobbled stairways of the historic city center and view the remains of Coricancha, once the Inca empire's grandest temple  Hike in the hills above Cusco to Tambo Machay  After a picnic lunch, continue to the Temple of the Moon  Accompanied by our local guide, investigate the extraordinary Sacsayhuamán ruin, called the "Stonehenge of the Andes."

Days 3-4 Urubamba

High above the Urubamba River Valley, hike through the altiplano and ancient salt pans, which are still farmed today Rub elbows with the locals at Pisac's lively market In the peaceful town of Ollantaytambo, climb the ruins of an Inca temple and fortress before walking along the terraced river valley  Journey into a remote valley to visit local schoolchildren and a weaving community hidden in the hills Back in Urubamba, take the opportunity to shop for Andean ceramics crafted using traditional Inca techniques.

Days 5-7 aguas calientes

After a morning train ride, hike on the Inca Trail - still lined with ancient stones and stairs - and arrive at the "Gate of the Sun" for an unforgettable view of Machu Picchu  Spend the next day strolling through Machu Picchu to view the Lost City's intricate stonework and mysterious religious designs Feeling intrepid? Summit Huayna Picchu for a bird's-eye look at the ruins  Return by train to Ollantaytambo, where we catch a bus bound for Cusco.

big map

INCA HOSPITALITY: Premiere Inns

Hotel Monasterio del Cusco (2 nights): Originally a 17th-century seminary, this five-star hotel offers a tranquil courtyard and garden, and refined Spanish-Colonial décor.

Sol y Luna Lodge (2 nights): At this beautiful lodge in the Sacred Valley, enjoy the pool and admire the views from the terrace of your private bungalow. Or, Willka T'ika, an acclaimed retreat with Spanish-Colonial garden cottages.

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (2 nights): This graceful Peruvian hotel, with charming adobe cabanas surrounded by tropical gardens and a pool, is embellished with traditional handicrafts and stylish furnishings, and is 100 percent carbon neutral.

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7

Please note that altitude and rugged terrain make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage suggests.  


Routes For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Biking Average Walking Average
Level 1 2-3 hours 10-20 mile 2-5 miles
Level 2 2-4 hours 21-30 miles 5-7 miles
Level 3 3-5 hours 31-40 miles 7-9 miles
Level 4 4-6 hours 41-55 miles 9-11 miles
Level 5 5-7+ hours 56-75+ miles 11-13+ miles
2010 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
2011 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS

Guest Trip Reviews

I had an amazing week. When thinking about the value of the trip, I could not have put together the number and range of activities for a single week on my own. Not even close. So really, it is like having three weeks of vacation seamlessly organized into a single week. All I had to do was show up. My favorite aspect of the trip is how the activities fit together like a story across the week as opposed to a random collection of activities. Wow.
Carol Waldo - Ventura, CA

Backroads delivered what they promised and more! Hiking among Inca ruins would have been enough. But the gorgeous flora and fauna of the Forest of the Clouds and beautiful accommodations made this hiking trip incredible. In addition, the fantastic leaders made the trip safe and fun, and the hiking itinerary was very well set-up to prepare you for the most difficult (and important) hike to Machu Picchu. Thanks for a wonderful and memorable vacation!
Enid Gomez - Los Angeles, CA

I have wanted to see Machu Picchu for a very long time. This trip was the ideal way to see it. The best part was that the timing of the trip meant I spent my birthday hiking the Inca Trail, coming through the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu for the first time and drinking champagne while looking down at the ruins. It was truly a special day. The trip was also fun because I discovered there is so much more to Peru than just Machu Picchu. The trip up to Huilloc was very touching. Being able to give the children in the village the food we brought was very special. Having the llamas and alpacas hike along side us on the way down from Tombo Machay was great fun. The trip was well designed. It made sure to allow everyone a chance to get acclimated to the new altitude while getting us out to see all the area had to offer.
Barbara Grewe - Bethesda, MD

A wonderful way to get introduced to a part of the world I had read and heard so much about. Our local guide was fantastic - he gave us a deep understanding of not just the ancient history, but also how recent history, politics and socioeconomic influences have made Peru what it is.
Yadey Yawand-Wossen - New York, NY

This was my first trip with Backroads and I am hooked! It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience-hiking to Machu Picchu provided a great way to see the sites up close and personal. I am a 'Type A' person who sometimes has problems letting go, but Backroads planned everything so well I could sit back, relax and truly enjoy my vacation. I knew that our leaders had every detail under control. And our local guide was great, providing us with insight about the local culture and history. I really enjoyed our 'culture day' when we went to a local village to visit a school and also traveled to a mountain village to take in how the locals lived on a day-to-day basis. You don't get this with other companies or traveling on your own. It is the type of insight that makes you feel like you've made a connection with the local culture of the country. A wonderful experience! Thanks Backroads for a great vacation!
Rochelle Babb - Folsom, CA

The trip was great. Our local guide Aurelio was a fabulous addition to the trip, and I truly enjoyed his talks on the Incan culture and history. The visit to Huilloc will forever be etched in my mind -the people, the culture, the community and the weavings. Everything we could have possibly wanted all brought together for us to experience.
Kimberly Wright - Wilmington, DE

I thought it would be hard to top my last Backroads trip, but the additional cultural learning, made possible by having local guide Aurelio with us every day, certainly made this trip extra special. For me, Day 4 was an excellent example of what would be impossible for me to arrange on my own but what Backroads can do to perfection: Ollantaytambo, lovely hike by the river, bountiful spread for our picnic lunch; up to meet Octavio and his family in Huilloc; visit to the Seminario Ceramics shop and meeting the proprietor and finally ending the full day with dinner at the Hacienda. WOW! As last time, I found my fellow trip-mates to be very interesting and engaging people and I had a wonderful time!
Ann Hornsby - Williamsburg, VA

This was the best trip we have taken with Backroads. Peru was wonderful, the cultural experiences were amazing, the local guide was fantastic and his support crew was off the charts. They are individually excellent and together seemed to work so well. We loved the experience with the local people, children's school and the village we visited. Backroads giving to the people made it all the more special.
Patty Cook - Englewood, CO

Our leader was much more than a trip leader to us. She was our nurse, counselor, translator, friend and humorist. She demonstrated exceptional fortitude, resourcefulness and compassion. She is an irreplaceable asset to Backroads and we hope that she is treated accordingly. We are confident that your organization recognizes individuals of extraordinary talent. She is such an amazing person.
David & Linda Pearce - Louisville, KY

The leaders were phenomenal. Always prepared, very well informed and made the workings of the trip look easy. There was always excitement around every corner, the llama lady, the musicians at lunch, the dancing, the fashion show on the train, the weaving and seeing Dolores' house, the going to the primary school. What an insight into the Peruvian culture.
Cynthia Nicholas - Ontario, Canada

Another great trip full of new experiences, people and culture. But, most of all I love your flexibility. You offer levels for everyone, from the die-hard to the not so die-hard. I can say this is one of the main reasons why I'm coming back to Backroads. It's beginning to feel like family whenever I contact you.
Evi Alford - Campbell, CT