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El Morro Solar: A "Peak" into Lima's Culture and History image

El morro solar: a "peak" into lima's culture and history

El Morro Solar: A "Peak" into Lima's Culture and History

Mention “El Morro Solar” in Lima and locals will have more than a few things to say about the city’s iconic peak. The politically-minded will comment on the Christ of the Pacific statue gifted by ex-President Alan Garcia or mention the historic Battle of the Pacific that unfolded there, while the socially conscious will spout statistics about one of Peru’s poorest barrios that calls the mountain slope home. If you’re not already catching on, El Morro Solar is much more than a pretty Pacific view or a day hike to pack in while you tour Peru. It’s full of enlightening culture, monumental Peruvian history, and heart-pumping adventure.

Laurel ThompsonApr 22, 2024

The Enlightening Culture


Hugging the hillside of El Morro Solar is the community of Alto Peru, a place once synonymous with poverty, delinquency, crime, and drugs.  Since 2008, the NGO Alto Peru has been using sport, mainly surfing and muay thai, to help inspire and ignite change in the youth of the Alto Peru community. And it’s working. Today (with a proper guide we should note), it’s possible to tour the community, meet some of the locals, and witness the ongoing transformation firsthand, all while en route to El Morro Solar’s tempting peak.


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The Monumental Peruvian History


During the War of the Pacific, El Morro Solar was the scene of one of the war’s bloodiest battles, the Battle of San Juan and Chorrillos. War monuments bedeck the hillsides, including the 22-meter-tall (72 ft.) stone obelisk dedicated to the unknown soldiers who lost their lives in the battle. The other major monument is that of Miguel Iglesias who became a national hero after he steadfastly defended the hill during the war.


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The Heart-Pumping Adventure


At 251 meters tall (823 feet), El Morro Solar is more than just a hill. The zig-zagging trails to its summit will get the heart racing a bit, whether or not the rest of your Peru adventure took you to heights far, far higher.  The views of the Lima coastline from the top are truly picturesque and the list of historic and religious monuments to check out once there is a long one.


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Join Explorandes for a Half-Day Adventure to El Morro Solar


Explorandes offers a well-rounded half-day activity to El Morro Solar. The itinerary starts with a locally-guided tour of Alto Peru, continues with an ascent of El Morro Solar to the Christ of the Pacific statue, and finishes on the sandy shores at the hill’s base where fishermen and seabirds alike are busy catching fish. For information about this and the other Peru tours we offer, get in touch with us today.

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this season featured experiences
HIKING&TREKKING
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inca trail to machu picchu
This 5-day journey begins at Km 82, the marker that signifies the start of the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Our highly trained guides, who are deeply familiar with these ancient Inca footpaths, will expertly lead us through the magnificent Andean terrain. Along the way, we’ll traverse breathtaking high alpine passes, lush valleys, dense cloud forests, and rushing rivers. We’ll pass through ancient Inca remains of Andean settlements, ultimately arriving at Machu Picchu via Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). Each night, our team of porters and skilled cooks will have a delicious hot meal and a comfortable camp already set up for your convenience. Since we highly value sustainable tourism, we’ll have very little impact on the land, communities, and environment we encounter along the trail, and we will also take steps to enjoy a tranquil hike, avoiding crowds of fellow trekkers. On the final day, a guided tour of the citadel will bring Machu Picchu to life, as we explore and immerse ourselves in the magic and beauty of this ancient, mystical site. Our version of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu trek is truly an unforgettable experience you’ll reminisce about for years to come.
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huayhuash trek
The Huayhuash Trek is an amazing journey to the very heart of the Cordillera Huayhuash, the second highest tropical mountain range in the world. A trekker's paradise, this terrain is remote, wild, and stunningly beautiful. The film Touching the Void, the tale of climbers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, was made about their harrowing experience as the first mountaineers to scale Siula Grande, which is part of this mountain range. This version of the Huayhuash trek crosses six high passes over 4500 m (14,763 ft) and two that are higher than 5000 m (16,404 ft)! Throughout the 12 days of the trek, we camp next to stunningly beautiful alpine lakes and in broad, grassy valleys replete with wildflowers and rushing alpine creeks, while basking in the imposing presence of the White Mountains looming over us, with peaks at elevations above 5000 m (16,404 ft) and 6000 m (19,685 ft). At least three days of acclimatization hikes in the area are strongly recommended to be able to enjoy the trek.
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ancascocha trek & the short inca trail
National Geographic Magazine has rated this Inca Trail alternative trek as one of the top hikes in the world! This Ancascocha Trek & the Short Inca Trail is truly the road less traveled by, for those who crave time away from crowds, amidst the beauty of nature. The journey begins at the Parpishu Footbridge and ascends amidst the dramatic backdrop of Mts. Salkantay and Verónica. Crossing through rugged terrain, remote mountain communities, ancient ruins, and diverse ecosystems for around 37 km (23 mi), the trek culminates at the village of Camicancha, near Km 77 on the railroad tracks to Machu Picchu. On day 4, we will board the train to Km 104 to walk along the pathway that covers the final stretch of the Inca Trail, where you will have a taste of the famous longer Inca Trail hike, and the thrill of entering Machu Picchu through Inti Punku, the Gate of the Sun. On our last day of the Ancascocha Trek & the Short Inca Trail, we will spend time exploring Machu Picchu, one of the ancient wonders of the world.
HIKING&TREKKING
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choquequirao to machu picchu
The Choquequirao to Machu Picchu trek perfectly combines remote high-mountain hiking with archaeological exploration. The sheer diversity of terrain you will experience on this route will provide a feast for your eyes, and the remoteness and rarefied atmospheres will nourish your soul. You’ll see fantastic rock formations, deep, colorful canyons, flutes of glacial ice, and nebulous cloud forests during this incredible seven-day trek, culminating with a visit to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. The route starts at the famous citadel of Choquequirao, passes through the Apurimac Canyon and the Cordillera Vilcabamba, and finally reaches the ancient complex of Machu Picchu. We invite you to check out the full Choquequirao to Machu Picchu itinerary for a preview of the incredible discoveries you’ll make along the way. Don’t forget to check our tips on the left-hand side of the page. They will advise you on how to prepare for this intense, life-elevating experience. See you on the trail!