Hiking in the Andes: 3 exciting multi-day treks in Peru

Karuraqmi Puririnay, says an old Quechua proverb. I still have a lot to travel. And that's how it is with Peru: there is always something left to discover. Trekking is one of the best ways to explore Peru the way the Incas did: on foot. In the endless expanses of the mountains you will meet their inhabitants and get an authentic picture of their lives. In this way, you will still find landscapes that hardly any tourists see because they are so difficult to access. However, multi-day treks in Peru are not easy when you are marching for the second or third day in a row. Especially at that altitude! But as we say, the journey is the destination. Below we present 3 exciting multi-day treks in Peru.

1. Multi-day trek: Inca Trail

Dawn is just breaking, the fog still hangs in the air and you listen to the silence. Full of anticipation and adrenaline, you set out to explore the trails that were once roamed by the Inca. With each step, the beauty of the landscape is further revealed. In the vast panorama of the Andes, you become a small dot, struggling through narrow paths and up primeval stone staircases.

And then, after all the agony, it fully takes your breath away. Fittingly, at the climax of the long journey, Machu Picchu finally appears before you. The sun's rays break through the cloud cover, dispersing the permanent fog and bathing the surroundings in a golden light that adds to the magic of the place. The magnificent ruins stretch majestically and mysteriously right in front of you. A feeling of awe and gratitude fills your heart as you take in the beauty and significance of this historic site.

The Inca Trail is the most famous trek, as the trails follow the original Inca paths and lead directly to the Inca fortress of Machu Picchu. Since no other trek ends exactly at Machu Picchu, this one is as popular as it is special. The IncaTrail takes you over very high passes and through picture-perfect Andean landscapes, past numerous Inca archaeological sites and ultimately down into the mountain rainforests before heading up to Machu Picchu on the final day.

• Length: 4 days / 3 nights
• Difficulty level (1-5): 3
• Distance: about 50 kilometers
• Highest point: Dead Woman's Pass (4.215m)
• Best time: Dry season from May to October. The trail is closed in February for maintenance.
• Booking: The Inca Trail must be booked well in advance. The Inca road network, called Qhapaq Ñan, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and therefore protected by regulations. The number of participants is very limited. We therefore advise booking 6 months in advance.

2. Multi-day Trek: Choquequirao Trek

From Cachora, a small village surrounded by majestic mountains and deep canyons, the trail passes through spectacular landscapes, passing lush valleys, rushing waterfalls and dense cloud forests. The highlight of the Choquequirao trek is undoubtedly the visit to the ruins of Choquequirao, the "sister city" of Machu Picchu, at 3,104 meters. The former retreat of the Incas from the Spaniards is still an imposing site today, covering an area of more than 1,800 hectares and impressing with its well-preserved terraces, temples and residential buildings. Perched on a mountain ridge and surrounded by steep slopes, the sight of the ruins is simply breathtaking and rivals Machu Picchu.

What makes the Choquequirao trek special is its unspoiled beauty, as it is less crowded than the famous Inca Trail to MachuPicchu. Here you can still enjoy the ruins and the surrounding nature with tranquility, without being overwhelmed by crowds of tourists. However, the trekking is not without its difficulties. Several times quite a few meters of altitude must be overcome, the trails lead 30 km through difficult terrain and must also be walked back.

• Length: 4 days / 3 nights
• Difficulty level (1-5): 5
• Distance: 30 kilometers
• Highest point: Choquequirao (3.104m)
• Best time: Dry season from May to October. Rainy season should be avoided.
• Booking: The Choquequirao Trek can be booked easily on the spot. However, in high season and over holidays you should take care of the booking a few days in advance.

3. Multi-day trek: Ausangate Trek

This is no ordinary trail - it's a challenge that only the bravest dare to take on. As you struggle your way up, turquoise lagoons shimmer in the distance. Wild llamas and vicuñas cross your path and seem to cheer you on encouragingly. The cold gnaws at you, but each step brings you closer to the high point: the dizzying Palomino Pass. What a view! Snow-capped peaks stretch seemingly endlessly, and it's not just the vastness of the Andean highlands that takes your breath away.

The Ausangate Trek, named after the highest mountain in southern Peru at 6,384m, is one of the most challenging and beautiful multi-trail treks in Peru. In this case, Machu Picchu is not the destination, but the circumnavigation of Ausangate. A journey through a very rough and wild landscape, isolated from any civilization. You may not see a soul during the trek, except for a few Andinos shooing their llamas and alpacas over the mountainsides.

• Length: 5 days / 4 nights
• Difficulty level: (1-5): 5
• Distance: 60km
• Highest point: Pass Palomani (5.200m)
• Best time: Dry season from May to October. Trekking can be done all year round.
• Booking: The Ausangate trek can be booked on the spot, but since it is not very frequented, you have to book it as a private tour or contact us early to find participants.

What you should keep in mind when multi-day trekking in Peru

1. Don't overdo it! Feel your way through the hikes, never underestimate the strain, especially the altitude! Always start rested and fit, never sick! 
2. Make sure you have enough supplies! Even if it's extra heavy pack, but besides high energy snacks like nuts and fruit, every liter of water can save lives!
3. The way is the goal! Don't focus on the destination and you won't be disappointed! Always sounds stupid and we also get annoyed when you can't see anything at the crucial moment because of fog, but try to already enjoy the way, the challenge itself.

Here we have compiled more tips against altitude sickness in Peru