Hiking in Peru: The Complete FAQ

What are the best hikes in Peru?

The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is Peru's most famous trek, and for good reason: it is the only route that walks you through original Inca stone pathways and delivers you to Machu Picchu on foot through the Sun Gate. The Salkantay Trek is the leading alternative, a higher and slightly longer route past the snow-capped Salkantay mountain that does not require an advance permit. Beyond those two, experienced hikers look at the Lares Trek for Andean village culture, Choquequirao for a remote, less-crowded ruin comparable to Machu Picchu, and Ausangate for the highest and most demanding scenery, including the Rainbow Mountain. For most first-time visitors, the choice comes down to the Classic Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek, or a combination of both.

Do I need to be an experienced hiker to trek in Peru?

No. Most people who complete the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek have never done a multi-day trek before. What matters is showing up with a reasonable base level of cardiovascular fitness and giving yourself two to three months of regular walking, hill training or stair climbing beforehand. Peru's high-altitude treks are physically demanding because of the elevation and the terrain, not because they require technical climbing skills or prior backpacking experience. If you can comfortably walk for several hours on uneven ground, you can prepare for these treks.

What's the difference between the Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trek?

The Inca Trail is a permitted, government-regulated route that follows original Inca stonework and ends by walking into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate. It is shorter, slightly lower in maximum altitude, and sells out months in advance because only a limited number of permits are issued each day. The Salkantay Trek is longer, climbs higher, does not need a permit, follows natural mountain trails rather than Inca stonework, and ends with a train ride into Aguas Calientes before touring Machu Picchu the next day. Neither is "easier" across the board: the Inca Trail has steeper stone steps, while Salkantay has a higher pass and longer daily distances. Many travelers who want the best of both combine them into a single trip.

How difficult is hiking in Peru?

Most Peru treks, including the Classic Inca Trail and the Salkantay Trek, are graded moderate to challenging. The difficulty comes almost entirely from altitude and daily walking distance, not from technical climbing. On the Inca Trail, the hardest day is Day 2, when you climb to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215 meters (13,828 feet). Expect 6 to 10 hours of walking on some days, uneven stone steps, and thinner air that makes everything feel more strenuous than it would at sea level. With two to three months of hill training and two to three days of acclimatization in Cusco beforehand, healthy adults of almost any age complete these treks successfully every week.

What altitude will I hike at, and how serious is altitude sickness?

Cusco itself sits at 3,400 meters (11,150 feet), and the treks climb higher still: up to 4,215 meters on the Inca Trail and roughly 4,600 meters on the Salkantay Trek. Altitude sickness, medically known as acute mountain sickness, is a real risk at these elevations and affects fit and unfit travelers alike. Mild symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue and shortness of breath.

The single best protection is time: spend at least two full days in Cusco or the Sacred Valley before you start trekking, so your body can begin acclimatizing. Drink more water than usual, cut back on alcohol for the first 48 hours, walk at a slow pace, and consider a doctor-prescribed medication such as acetazolamide if you are prone to altitude issues. Your guide will carry supplemental oxygen and is trained to recognize warning signs, but prevention beforehand matters far more than treatment on the trail. For more detail on staying safe at elevation, the CDC's guidance on high-elevation travel is a solid reference.

When is the best time of year to hike in Peru?

The dry season, from May through September, offers the most reliable weather: clear skies, minimal rain and firm trails, which is why it is also the busiest and most expensive time to book. June through August is peak season and nights get cold, sometimes near freezing at altitude. The shoulder months of April, late September, October and early November offer a strong middle ground: green landscapes, thinner crowds and generally stable weather. The wet season, December through March, brings frequent rain and slippery trails, and the Inca Trail closes entirely every February for annual maintenance, so it is not bookable that month regardless of route. If you want the best balance of good weather and fewer people on the trail, aim for May or September.

Do I need a permit to hike in Peru?

It depends on the route. The Classic Inca Trail requires a government-issued permit, and only around 500 people are allowed to start the trail each day, roughly 200 of whom are trekkers and the rest guides, cooks and porters. Permits are tied to your passport, are non-transferable, and routinely sell out 5 to 8 months in advance for the June through August peak. The Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek and most other multi-day routes do not require an advance permit, which is one reason they make a good backup plan if your Inca Trail dates are gone. Machu Picchu itself always requires a separate entrance ticket regardless of which trek you take to get there.

How far in advance should I book?

For the Inca Trail, book 6 to 8 months ahead if you are traveling in June, July or August, and at least 3 to 4 months ahead for other months. Permits are issued in a fixed daily allotment and popular dates, especially weekends and the July and August high season, can sell out even earlier. For the Salkantay Trek and other unpermitted routes, you have far more flexibility and can often book just a few weeks out, though earlier booking still gets you better availability on group sizes, campsite quality and flight connections into Cusco.

How far in advance should I book?

For the Inca Trail, book 6 to 8 months ahead if you are traveling in June, July or August, and at least 3 to 4 months ahead for other months. Permits are issued in a fixed daily allotment and popular dates, especially weekends and the July and August high season, can sell out even earlier. For the Salkantay Trek and other unpermitted routes, you have far more flexibility and can often book just a few weeks out, though earlier booking still gets you better availability on group sizes, campsite quality and flight connections into Cusco.

Do I need a guide, or can I hike independently?

On the Inca Trail, a licensed guide is mandatory by Peruvian law. Independent, unguided access is not permitted under any circumstances, and permits are only issued through authorized trekking operators. On routes like Salkantay, Lares or Choquequirao, independent trekking is technically possible, but most travelers still choose a guided trek for safety, logistics, porter support and the added context a local guide brings to the ruins and landscape along the way. Given the altitude and remoteness involved, we recommend a guided trek on any multi-day route in the Andes, permit-required or not.

What should I pack for hiking in Peru?

Layering is everything, since daytime temperatures can reach 20°C (68°F) while nights at camp drop close to freezing. Core packing list:

• Broken-in, waterproof hiking boots
• Moisture-wicking base layers and a warm mid-layer (fleece or down)
• A waterproof, windproof outer shell
• A 4-season sleeping bag rated for sub-zero temperatures (many operators, including us, include rental)
• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen (the sun is strong at altitude)
• A headlamp, trekking poles, and a reusable water bottle or hydration bladder
• A basic first aid kit with altitude medication if prescribed

For the full packing list broken down by trek day and season, see our complete Peru hiking packing list.

Will I have to carry my own gear?

No, not the heavy stuff. On guided treks like the Inca Trail and Salkantay, porters or horses carry the communal equipment, food and a set weight of your personal duffel (typically 5 to 7 kg per person). You only carry a daypack with water, snacks, a camera, rain gear and anything you want during the day's walk. This is one of the most reassuring facts for first-time trekkers: you do not need to be strong enough to haul a 20 kg backpack for four days, just fit enough to walk with a light one.

How much does hiking in Peru cost?

Guided multi-day treks in Peru typically range from around $700 to $1,800 per person, depending on the route, group size, season and what is included. Our Classic Inca Trail Tour starts from $830 and our Salkantay Trek starts from $700, both covering permits or park fees where applicable, licensed guides, porters, camping equipment, meals on the trail, and return transport to Cusco. Budget separately for tips for your guide, cook and porters (a commonly recommended range is $60 to $100 per trekker across the whole crew), plus any nights in Cusco before or after the trek. Combining both routes into one trip, like our 7-day Salkantay and Inca Trail Combo, runs from $970 to $1,610 and is often better value than booking two separate treks.

Is hiking in Peru safe?

Yes, when you trek with a licensed operator. Peru's most popular routes are trekked by hundreds of thousands of travelers every year, and the biggest real risks are altitude sickness and minor injuries from uneven terrain, not crime or wildlife. Licensed operators are required to carry certified guides trained in wilderness first aid, first aid kits, and emergency evacuation protocols, and reputable companies carry supplemental oxygen on high-altitude routes as standard practice. Standard precautions apply: get comprehensive travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking above 3,000 meters, stay with your group, tell someone your itinerary, and take altitude symptoms seriously rather than pushing through them.

Can beginners, families or older travelers hike in Peru?

Yes, with the right route. Families with children and first-time trekkers often do well on the 2-day Short Inca Trail or the Lares Trek, both of which involve less daily distance and lower maximum altitude than the Classic Inca Trail or Salkantay. Older travelers in good general health complete the Classic Inca Trail regularly, and age alone is rarely the limiting factor: fitness, training and acclimatization are. If mobility, medical history or fitness level are a concern, a private, custom-paced trek with a smaller group and flexible daily distances is usually the better choice over a fixed group departure. Talk to us before booking and we will match you to a route and pace that fits your family or fitness level, not the other way around.

What are toilets, showers and food like on the trail?

On the Inca Trail, campsites have basic shared toilets (a mix of flush and pit-style depending on the site), and hot water for washing is typically limited to a basin rather than a full shower until you reach Aguas Calientes on the final day. Food on guided treks is a genuine highlight: professional trekking cooks prepare hot, plentiful meals three times a day, dietary restrictions can usually be accommodated with advance notice, and drinking water is boiled or filtered and provided throughout. Do not expect WiFi or reliable phone signal once you leave Cusco or the Sacred Valley; most trekkers disconnect fully for the length of the trek, which many say becomes part of the experience.

Booking Your Trip With Us

The questions below are about planning and booking with Tour Leaders Peru directly, separate from the trekking questions above.

How does the Tour Leaders Peru website work?

Browse tours by destination or trek, or use our contact form to tell us what you're after. Every itinerary on the site is a starting point, not a fixed package: once you reach out, your Travel Expert works with you to adjust the route, pace, dates and inclusions to fit your trip.

How long does it take to plan a trip?

Most travelers get an initial itinerary within a few days of an introductory call or inquiry. Complex, multi-destination trips take a little longer to put together properly, and if you're booking last-minute we can often turn around a proposal within hours.

Can itineraries be adapted, or are they set in stone?

Fully adaptable. Every itinerary on our site is a sample of what's possible, not a locked package. Your Travel Expert customizes dates, pace, accommodation level and inclusions around you.

Are Tour Leaders Peru trips child-friendly?

Yes. We regularly plan family trips with age-appropriate pacing, shorter trek options like the 2-day Short Inca Trail, and family-friendly accommodations throughout.

Will I be joining a group, or is it private?

Most of our tours are private, with no minimum or maximum group size requirement, so it's just your party on the day's itinerary.

Can you plan short breaks, or only longer trips?

Both. We arrange everything from a single-day Cusco tour to multi-week, multi-region itineraries across Peru.

Do you book flights?

Yes, we can help arrange domestic and international flights as part of your itinerary, based on your preferences.

What happens after I book?

We confirm all suppliers, send your full travel documents and itinerary, and schedule a pre-departure call to walk through the final details before you travel.

Can I add extra services after I've
booked?

Yes, you can add tours, transfers or upgrades at any point after booking, subject to availability.