There really is no other city quite like Cusco.
Located up within the remote Peruvian Andes, this bustling city is well-known for its cultural markets, stunning colonial architecture as well as an abundance of ancient Inca ruins. However Cusco is also the gateway to many unforgettable landscapes and hiking circuits, and if planning on visiting then it’s worth tackling at least one of these incredible routes.
In this guide we’ll explore the different hiking circuits worth exploring around Cusco, and how to choose the right one for you. This includes not only the differences in landscapes between them, but also the difficulty of each multi-day hike.
Why Head On A Multi-Day Hike Around Cusco?
One of the most popular cities to visit in all of South America (let alone just Peru), Cusco is surrounded by giant mountains, snowy glaciers and the breathtaking Sacred Valley region. As we start declining in altitude towards Machu Picchu, we can also find the high Amazon Jungle with giant swatches of jungle in mountainous terrains. These alone guarantee many memorable vistas along the various hiking trails around the region.
Another large pull for hiking enthusiasts to this region is for its incredible history that spans thousands of years. The legendary Inca civilization once ruled these Andean highlands, and on treks like the Four Day Inca Trail we can find remote ruins which each tell their own tale – such as Sayaqmarca, Intipata and Wiñay Wayna. Previous to the Inca, many of their direct ancestry groups such as the Wari and Killke also once flourished here.
Perhaps, however, the most memorable part of a multi-day Cusco hiking circuit are the smaller things which aren’t the main highlights of the treks. Meeting indigenous groups in their villages as we pass by offers us a warm window into the real culture of the Andes. On the more remote parts of treks we may even spot rare endemic wildlife of the region – such as Spectacled Bears, the Andean Mountain Cat as well as the Giant Hummingbird.
The Best Cusco Hiking Circuits
In no particular order, let’s now explore some of Cusco’s most incredible multi-day hiking routes.
The Inca Trail
By far the most well-known and popular trek of all on this list, the Inca Trail combines breathtaking landscapes, raw culture and ancient history all into one unforgettable multi-day trekking experience. Once built by the ancient Inca civilization, this single stone path traverses cloud forests, around towering Andean peaks and through high Amazon Jungle on the way to Machu Picchu. During the Four Day Inca Trail Trek To Machu Picchu you’ll also get to explore other hidden remote ruins such as Wiñay Wayna and Sayacmarca, as well as potentially spotting endemic wildlife such as the Spectacled Bear and Giant Hummingbird. It’s one of the easiest treks to complete given the lower altitude and simple terrains, and you’ll also have all permits, camping equipment, meals and a professional guide included when hiking with AB Expeditions – the company that is linked above.
The Salkantay Trek
Next up on our list we have the Salkantay Trek, which again is another popular route – albeit not as busy nor easy when compared with the Inca Trail. This route is all about visiting the wild and beautiful frozen landscapes of the high Peruvian Andes, which includes seeing the bright-blue Humantay Lake, giant glaciers and snowy peaks of mountains such as Pumasillo and Salkantay itself. The conditions on this trek are challenging (most likely the most difficult on this list), and as such you’ll need to prepare well before embarking on the trek. Firstly temperatures can get very cold, so you’ll need to pack properly with lots of warm layers and high quality hiking boots. Secondly it’s one of the highest altitude treks in the Cusco region – occasionally passing above 4500m in altitude – so you’ll want to bring Soroche Pills and acclimate properly in Cusco beforehand.
The Lares Trek
The Lares Trek is by far the most complete hiking experience with all kinds of adventures and novel experiences waiting along the route. Along the four day trek you’ll visit indigenous villages and learn what it’s like living in these remote Andean regions, whilst also seeing crashing waterfalls and epic mountain scenery. The Lares Trek is not as popular as the already-mentioned routes, making it a great way to enjoy a trail with less crowds – and have an overall more authentic experience as we meet and learn from those who call these wild regions home. Like the Inca Trail, the Lares Trek also culminates at Machu Picchu and will have the necessary permits included when booking with AB Expeditions (who conveniently sort this all out for you before the expedition begins).
The Ausangate Trek
If you’re looking for unique mountain scenery and a more authentic hiking experience, then the Ausangate hike will be a great choice for you. Here you’ll see striking red mountains and multicoloured mountains along the hike, which reaches its finishing point at the legendary Rainbow Mountain. Between hiking over the three mountain passes (Arapa, Apacheta and Surini), we’ll also see giant glaciers and icy lagoons that feed off the Ausangate Mountain, as well as herds of wild Llamas and Vicuñas that roam freely along the paths. During the Four Day Ausangate Trek you’ll have all camping gear and meals included, as well as a private tour around both Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley. Like the Salkantay Trek, Ausangate is a high altitude route – so be sure to follow all preparation advice from your tour leader before starting.
Overview Of Cusco’s Multi-Day Hiking Circuits
And that’s all for this guide to the very best multi-day hiking circuits that you can embark on from Cusco.
With everything from colourful lakes and cheerful Andean communities to giant snow-capped mountains towering overhead, the hiking routes around the Cusco region are some of the very best in the entire continent. We are also lucky in that there is quite a nice variety to choose from, meaning it’s really up to you and your personal preferences about which one is best for you. Or who knows – perhaps like the author you may end up coming back for several more!
This article was written by George Alejandro Alvarez of www.georgeintothejungle.com
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