The 5 Best Treks in Peru That You’ve Never Heard Of

The Peruvian Andes boasts some of the best hiking on the continent, with a great variety of trails that can take a few hours or a few weeks. Considering that Peru is not only home to the storied Andean range, with its snowy peaks, pastoral valleys, and pristine high altitude lakes, but also to the world’s deepest canyons, volcanoes, ancient pyramids and other mysterious ruins, it’s no surprise that the country has something for everyone. While the fabled Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is Peru’s most famous trek, there are plenty of other options for hiking and nature enthusiasts.

In 1996, a group of farmers near Leimebamba, Peru uncovered a Chachapoyas burial site with six burial towers, hundreds of mummies, and thousands of artifacts; it was a spectacular find that effectively put the region on the map. You’ll find the tombs, decorated with zigzag friezes painted in white or red and yellow ochre, along a cliff overlooking the Laguna de los Cóndores. You can reach the lake by a tough hike of 10 to 12 hours on both foot and horseback- you must go by horseback to the lake, then camp or spend the night in a farmstead, dedicate a full day to hiking around the lake and up to the cliff tombs, and then return to Leimebamba on the third day. (As the town of Chachapoyas is not far from Leimebamba, if you are in the area consider also visiting the stunning sarcophagi of Karajia and the ruins of Kuelap. Be sure to visit Leimebamba’s museum as well, to see the Chachapoyas mummies and artifacts.)

Remote Cotahuasi Canyon is the deepest known canyon around the world. It plunges almost 11,500 feet below sea level, making it twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The striking landscape includes a powerful river, hotsprings, waterfalls and geysers, and rural settlements. The trek back up the canyon can be arduous (enough so that some opt to rent a mule to ride on the way back up), but the excursion offers the opportunity to spot the rare and endangered Andean condor, the world’s largest bird of flight.

Although there are many scenic treks which depart from Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Lares trek is the favorite of local guides, who consider it to have the most beautiful panoramic views. If striking natural scenery is what you’re looking for, it beats even the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It begins in the village of Lares, and although it gets cold once you reach higher altitude, it’s worth it for views of the valley and surrounding peaks. Those who are looking for an alternative route to Machu Picchu can opt for a combination Lares Trek to Machu Picchu.

Finally, there’s the Santa Cruz trek, which is considered to be some of the best alpine hiking in the world. Almost all levels of hikers can tackle a three day trek from the picturesque mountain town of Huaraz. The high-altitude lakes are stunning, as are the snowy peaks of Peru’s Cordillera Blanca. Go between May and September to enjoy great, clear weather (although with cold nights).

Choquequirao is the “sister city” to Machu Picchu. If it’s lesser known, it’s only because its discovery was more recent- it’s actually much larger than Machu Picchu, even though much of it remains to be unearthed. The remote ruins are only accessible by a 4 to 5 day trek through a hot valley, cold mountain passes, and high altitude jungle! Those who want to visit Machu Picchu as well can opt for a tiring 9 day trek to both ruins; it’s a hard but supremely rewarding hike.