Peru Hiking

peru hiking guide: best time, routes & tips

Hiking in Peru offers an extraordinary range of landscapes, climates, and trekking styles, from high Andean passes and glaciated peaks to cloud forests and remote valleys. Understanding when to go, which routes suit your experience level, and how to prepare makes all the difference in planning a rewarding journey. This guide brings together practical insights on the best time to hike in Peru, the most iconic and lesser-known trekking routes, and essential tips to help you travel safely, responsibly, and with a deeper connection to the places you explore.

By Jenny ErsbackJan 12, 2026

Peru Hiking: Essential Guide for Your First Major Trek in the Andes

The Andes Mountains run the length of South America, from Colombia in the north to Chile in the south, forming a dramatic continuous high-altitude landscape. In Peru, this mountain range takes on an especially unique form. Here, elevation changes give rise to diverse ecosystems, from cloud forests to puna grasslands, while history is never far from the trail.

Pack animal along a high-altitude trail near Huaraz, illustrating everyday landscapes encountered while hiking in Peru — A pack animal moves through open Andean terrain near Huaraz, reflecting the rural landscapes and traditional trail life common to hiking routes in Peru’s Andes. Photograph by Félix Grey

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For travelers preparing for their first major trek in the Andes, Peru hiking offers routes that are both accessible and memorable, paths that challenge the body while rewarding curiosity and exploration.

Why is Peru special for hiking?

Why is Peru special for hiking? Long before Peru became a bucket-list destination, its mountains were already crossed by an intricate network of trails. These footpaths were not just scenic routes, but carefully engineered to connect cultures and communities across some of the most demanding terrain on Earth.

What sets Peru hiking apart is the way geography and history remain closely linked. Before modern roads or railways, walking was the primary way to move through the mountains. To hike in Peru today is to follow paths that have been walked for centuries.

Hikers walking along a high-altitude Andean trail on the Great Inca Trail, a classic example of hiking in Peru — Trekkers move along a stone path on the Great Inca Trail, illustrating the mix of history, elevation, and open Andean landscapes that define hiking in Peru. Photograph by Christian DeClerq

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Hiking in Peru offers the opportunity to meet local people and observe traditions that have endured for generations, bringing the trails to life in ways few other destinations can.

When is the best time for Peru hiking?

The best time for Peru hiking often depends on who you ask. Peru is shaped by three distinct climate zones: the coast, the Andes, and the Amazon. Most of Peru’s well-known multi-day treks are located in the Andes. Here, the dry season typically runs from May through September and is widely considered the best time for hiking. During these months, days are generally clear and dry, though nights at higher elevations can be cold.

Hiker and pack animals crossing a high-altitude valley on the Ausangate trek, a classic example of hiking in Peru’s Andes — A hiker walks alongside pack animals through a wide alpine valley beneath snowcapped peaks on the Ausangate trek, highlighting the scale and remoteness of hiking in Peru. Photograph by Marco Arango

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The shoulder months of April and October can also be good options. These periods can bring fewer crowds and greener landscapes. In contrast, the wet season, from November through March, brings heavier rainfall, especially in January and February. Some routes are temporarily inaccessible, and certain trails, such as the Inca Trail, close for maintenance during this time.

The Andes are the primary setting for Peru hiking, but the best time to go can depend on the season and matching it to your personal trekking style.

Types of hikes you’ll find

Peru hiking is defined by its contrasts. There is a wide range of terrain, difficulty levels, and trekking styles. This diversity creates opportunities to experience a little bit of everything in a single journey.

The types of hikes you’ll find range from historic trails, to remote routes that offer longer, more demanding journeys through isolated terrain. There are also cultural hikes connecting local farming communities. Together, these options make it possible to choose a hike that matches both experience level and travel goals.

Top Hiking Routes in Peru

The top hiking routes in Peru can be divided into a few distinct trekking regions.

Cusco Region

This is Peru’s most well-known trekking region and home to the country’s most iconic routes.

Ancash Region (Cordillera Blanca)

This region includes some of the highest trekking routes in the country.

Santa Cruz Trek – The most famous trek in the Cordillera Blanca, known for turquoise lakes and snowcapped peaks over 4 days.
Huayhuash Circuit – A demanding, longer trek that typically takes 10 to 12 days to complete and is considered one of the most scenic mountain routes in the world.
Alpamayo Circuit – A 9-day trek built around the impressive peaks of Alpamayo, Santa Cruz, and Taulliraju.

Hikers on the Alpamayo Circuit in the Cordillera Blanca, showcasing high-altitude hiking in Peru — A group of hikers walks beneath snowcapped peaks on the Alpamayo Circuit, illustrating the alpine terrain and elevation typical of hiking routes in Peru’s Andes. Photograph by Alex Estrada

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Arequipa Region

This region blends trekking with deep canyon landscapes and volcanic terrain.

Colca Canyon Trek – A 3-day hike into one of the world’s deepest canyons, passing through agricultural villages and hot springs.

Deep canyon landscape along the Colca Canyon trek, highlighting the diversity of hiking in Peru — A dramatic canyon view along the Colca Canyon trek, illustrating the contrast between volcanic terrain, deep valleys, and lower-elevation routes found while hiking in Peru. Photograph by Peter Polak

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Preparation: Physical Fitness, Acclimatization and Gear

Preparation plays an important role in any multi-day trek, and Peru hiking is no exception. Physical fitness, acclimatization and gear all contribute to overall readiness.

Hiking in Peru can be physically demanding. While technical mountaineering skills are not required for most treks, hikers should be comfortable with long days of walking and elevation gain.

Acclimatization is important when hiking in Peru, particularly in the Andes. Spending a few days at altitude, like in the city of Cusco, before starting a trek helps the body to adjust. In addition, taking it slow and staying hydrated will help reduce the risk of any altitude-related issues.

Hikers should also bring lots of clothing layers for changing temperatures, as well as rain protection and sun coverage. A well-fitted backpack is useful, even on supported treks with porters.

Logistics & Good Practices

Like any outdoor adventure, planning logistics in advance is part of ensuring a successful trek. If not guided, hiking in Peru can require permits or advance reservations, particularly during the high season.

Good practices on the trail help protect both the environment and local communities. Staying on marked paths, packing out trash, and being mindful of local communities ensure that Peru hiking routes remain well cared for in the future.

Trekker hiking near Huaraz with snowcapped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, a key region for hiking in Peru — A hiker moves along a high-altitude trail near Huaraz, with the glaciers of the Cordillera Blanca rising behind, highlighting the scale and conditions of hiking in Peru’s Andes. Photograph by Félix Grey

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it's more than just a hike

Peru’s hiking trails weren’t accidental. Many of today’s most popular trekking routes still follow the paths used by ancient cultures like the Incas. It’s this combination of nature and history, where you can immerse yourself in a landscape and way of life that has been unfolding for centuries, that makes Peru hiking truly unique.