Peru

Day 1: Cusco to Soraypampa to Wayracpunku (9 miles)The trail starts at 12477 ft and proceeds towards Salkantay Pass at 15090 ft. It's a gradual climb and incredibly beautiful. From the pass, it's a short downhill to the campground in Huayracmachay at 12477 ft. Even if the weather is sunny and clear for a few miles, it can turn cloudy and cold on the backside of the pass. Like most mountains at ...

The 1,000ft climb up Huayna Picchu is one of the highlights of a visit to Machu Picchu. This diamond shaped mountain looms directly behind the site and provides a unique perspective of Machu Picchu, allowing you to see the amazing engineering that went into this site. You start the hike on the far side of Machu Picchu, entering through a gate that checks permits.Following along winding paths, c...

This is one of those hikes I'll be telling my grandchildren about. Heck, I'll be taking my grandchildren here just so I can do it again!  Hidden in the Cordillera Blanca lies a turquoise lake fed by snow packed mountains and tiny waterfalls. This is not a hike for the faint of heart. Beginning at 3,800 meters, you must already be acclimatized otherwise you will deal with the consequences that h...

Colca Canyon is an amazing hike and truly an awe-inspiring place to explore... it's just a little tricky to get to.Notes Before Hand: 1) In the Peruvian city of Arequipa, you will need to take a 5-6 hour bus to Cabanaconde to reach the Canyon. Tickets for the bus can purchased at main bus station (Terrestre). A oneway ticket to Cabanaconde is 16 soles. Early morning buses depart at 1am, 3am,...

Getting There: When you're purchasing your ticket for Machu Picchu, there is the option to add on "Machu Picchu Mountain". To do this hike, you need to purchase this add-on. Like Huayna Picchu, only a certain number of people are allowed up per day, so make sure you purchase your ticket ahead of time. To get to the entrance, enter Machu Piccu via bus or hiking from Agua Calientes. Once inside, ...

Day 1: Cusco to Ayapata (10 miles) The trail starts at 8,923 ft at the main gate operating the permit and passport check-ins at KM 82, Piscachucho. You'll cross the Urubamba River on a suspension bridge and proceed towards Ayapata at 10,829 ft. It's an easy day on the first day and should take about 7 hrs total with average speed and break for lunch. You will briefly hike beside the rushing Uru...

Choquequirao, located in Apurimac Canyon, is a remote historical site of the ancient Incas also known as “the Lost Machu Picchu.” Most treks to Choquequirao take 4 to 5 days as you must cover 28 miles (45 km) and hike up and down the Apurimac Canyon.Day 1: When you arrive at the trail you can see your Choquequirao if you carefully look across the canyon for the break in the trees where the stee...

Of all the hikes within the proximity of the city of Cusco, this one is the coolest. Not only that, but no one knows about it. It is a local's only secret. The only reason I know about it was because I lived there for years.There are two approaches to the hike. One that is for beginners, and is a 30 minute walk up a dirt road behind Sacsayhuaman. The other, has no real starting point but follow...

Permits and Logistics:You can do this hike in fewer days if interested as there are many National Park approved campsites to choose from. According to the "Casa de Guias" the Huascaran National Park may start cracking down on independent trekkers who are choosing to camp outside of the designated sites. But at the time of writing this you are able to camp and hike without a guide and sleep ou...