The 5 Greatest Multi-Day Hikes To Do From Cusco

Some of the various cities you’ll be able to go to in all of Peru, Cusco is thought each for its unimaginable structure and close by Sacred Valley area.

Nonetheless it’s the encircling Andean landscapes that actually convey this metropolis and area to life, the place we will discover multi-colored mountains, deep blue glacial lagoons, snow-capped peaks and untamed wildlife in all corners. Consequently there are a lot of unforgettable mountain climbing circuits to move on from Cusco, which all provide one thing barely completely different.

On this article we’ll discover 5 of the easiest multi-day hikes that you are able to do from Cusco, and why each is well worth the go to. We’ll additionally cowl every part else it is advisable know for a visit, together with the most effective time to hike, preparation and the best way to e-book a tour.

Why Head On A Multi-Day Hike From Cusco?

One of many easiest international locations to go trekking inside South America, Peru has many unimaginable mountain climbing circuits which embrace these present in Huaraz in addition to these throughout the Amazon Jungle. Nonetheless the multi-day circuits that may be taken from Cusco are one thing particular in their very own proper.

Simply over 500 years in the past this area was as soon as the beating coronary heart of the legendary Inca civilization, who have been each formidable and approach earlier than their time. They have been maybe greatest identified for his or her developments in stonemasonry and structure, which allowed them to create many unimaginable constructions which we will nonetheless see immediately (such because the perfectly-fitted big stones of Sacsayhuamán Ruins).

Throughout a multi-day hike from Cusco we will see much more of those spectacular creations, and particularly on the Inca Path which incorporates the strongholds of Wiñay Wayna and Sayaqmarca. On different treks we will additionally work together with completely different distant Andean communities, who nonetheless reside and observe the traditional methods of their ancestors immediately.

In fact the surroundings of those areas are particular in their very own proper, which incorporates multi-coloured Rainbow Mountains, towering snow-capped peaks and excessive Amazon Jungle. Given the number of biomes right here, this implies we will see quite a lot of unique animals alongside treks similar to Vicuñas, Spectacled Bears, Viscachas in addition to the emblematic orange Cock-of-the-rock (which is the nationwide chook of Peru).

How To Get To Cusco

Regardless of Cusco’s distant location deep throughout the Peruvian Andes, getting right here is kind of easy given the way it has now grow to be one of the vital standard locations to go to inside this iconic South American nation. No matter which you select, you’ll first must arrive into the capital of Lima, which is the primary gateway into Peru.

Flying from Lima to Cusco is the preferred possibility, which is a one hour flight over the scenic Andes Mountains. Airways similar to LATAM and Sky Airways function dozens of flights day by day, with a one-way costing roughly $35-50 (with out baggage). That is the best choice for many who are both quick on time in Peru and need to arrive into Cusco directly, or for many who desire a extra comfy journey possibility.

Our subsequent methodology of getting from Lima to Cusco is by bus, which regardless of being the cheaper possibility (round $20-30), will take a sobering 20-22 hours to reach from the capital. Throughout the district of La Victoria in Lima we will discover quite a few bus operators which all differ in consolation and extras, with the preferred being Palomino and Paredes Estrella. In fact the lengthy experience places many off, nevertheless it’s a stable possibility for many who need to reduce journey prices, those that have an extended time in Peru or for many who merely desire a new journey.

The 5 Greatest Multi-Day Hikes To Do From Cusco

Alright let’s go! Listed here are the most effective multi-day hikes you are able to do from Cusco. In fact everybody is aware of primary, however there are different must-see hikes as properly.

The 4 Day Inca Path To Machu Picchu Hike

Out of all of the completely different Cusco treks you’ll be able to head on, the 4 Day Inca Path To Machu Picchu is the most effective all-rounder for nature, historical past and tradition. Right here we’ll hike alongside the identical stone steps that the traditional Inca as soon as took to get to Machu Picchu, the place we’ll additionally go to misplaced ruins similar to these of Sayaqmarca, Wiñay Wayna and Intipata. 

In addition to tenting in some extraordinary places throughout the Andes, we’ll additionally get to take pleasure in many various landscapes alongside the hike. This contains epic mountain views similar to these from Lifeless Lady’s Cross, trekking by distant cloud forest in addition to exploring the excessive Amazon Jungle. There’s additionally an opportunity of recognizing animals like Vicuñas, Spectacled Bears and the elusive Cock-of-the-rock Chook.

The 5 Day Salkantay Trek

When you love epic mountain surroundings, then the Salkantay trek is by far your greatest wager. Set a lot larger up into the distant Andes than the Inca Path, right here we’ll see plenty of snowy passes, icy lagoons in addition to big glaciers alongside the hike.

Right here we may also get to go to many well-known websites, such because the deep-blue lagoon of Humantay, Machu Picchu in addition to getting up and shut with Apu Salkantay – one of many tallest mountains in all the Cusco area. It’s vital to say that the altitudes will be fairly tough alongside this trek, so that you’ll need to comply with our key excessive altitude mountain climbing ideas which we’ve listed later on this article.

The 4 Day Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain 

Peaking at a towering 6384m above sea-level, the Ausangate Mountain is the best of all within the Cusco area (and the fourth highest in Peru). Alongside the hike this implies we’ll expertise unimaginable excessive mountain passes similar to these of Surini and Arapa, in addition to many multicoloured lakes dotted all through the area.

Through the 4 Day Ausangate Trek To Rainbow Mountain we’ll additionally get to expertise genuine native tradition, as we meet indigenous cultures within the mountains and now have a homestay throughout the Upis settlement on the primary day. The opposite particular factor about this specific trek is how the encircling mountains slowly grow to be extra crimson as we proceed mountain climbing – till we ultimately culminate the hike on the unforgettable Rainbow Mountain.

The 5 Day Lares Trek And Brief Inca Path To Machu Picchu

One of many largest pulls of mountain climbing outside across the Cusco area is getting out into untamed nature, and in addition experiencing quite a lot of stunning surroundings. That is the place the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is arguably among the best well-stocked, the place we’ll see crashing waterfalls, turquoise lagoons, big glaciers in addition to indigenous Quechua villages alongside the hike.

Over the last two days we’ll then be a part of on to the Brief Inca Path, which takes a barely completely different route from the traditional 4 day hike. Right here we’ll cross by the traditional Chachabamba Ruins, and in addition others similar to Wiñay Wayna earlier than lastly having fun with the historic sanctuary of Machu Picchu on the very finish of the hike.

The Three Day Huchuy Qosqo Trek To Machu Picchu

If getting off the overwhelmed path and experiencing lesser-explored routes is a should for you, then the three day Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu is a good contender. Situated throughout the distant sacred valleys above Lamay, Huchuy Qosqo is one other Inca stronghold that can also be linked up by a lesser-known a part of the unique Inca Path. It’s believed that this web site as soon as served as a retreat and ceremonial web site for the Inca Elite.

Through the multi-day mountain climbing expertise we may also get to go to the traditional ruins of Patabamba and Moray, and in addition get to go to the legendary Maras Salt Mines – that are one of the vital standard websites to see throughout the complete Sacred Valley area of Peru. On the final day we may also take pleasure in a guided tour round Machu Picchu, and study why this web site was so formidable and remained utterly undetected throughout the Spanish Conquest.

The Greatest Time To Mountain climbing Round Cusco

The dry season is the general greatest time to go mountain climbing on account of frequent clear blue skies, which begins in Could and lasts till October. That is the place we normally have clear blue skies and just about no rainfall most days, which is ideal for views alongside the completely different routes. It does additionally fall throughout the winter season, and consequently temperatures can get a lot colder throughout these months (so that you’ll must convey further layers, gloves and a hat).

The moist season isn’t as standard, however nonetheless provides lots of its personal advantages for hikers right here. Lasting from November till April, these months see far more rainfall than the dry season, which might generally trigger flooding on roads and harder mountain climbing situations (with sure routes closing such because the Inca Path throughout the month of February). The advantages nevertheless embrace extra comfy temperatures, much less crowds in addition to a greater probability of seeing wildlife and greener pastures.

How To Put together For A Multi-Day Cusco Trek

An enormous a part of your mountain climbing expertise and success right here in Cusco comes right down to stable preparation, which frequently begins lengthy earlier than you come to Peru. Under we’ll discover the primary components which you’ll need to plan correctly for prematurely.

Pre-Reserving Your Mountain climbing Tour

The most effective issues you are able to do is to e-book your hike early, which ensures each your spot and most well-liked tenting places. Hikes just like the traditional 4 day Inca Path trek can run out of areas shortly, so we extremely advocate reserving at the very least 6 months prematurely to ensure your spot (solely 500 permits can be found every day). It’s vital to notice that treks aren’t as standard within the moist season so you’ll be able to generally get away with a late reserving – nevertheless it may be dangerous leaving all of it as much as a final minute probability.

Stopping Altitude Illness

The most important subject for travellers heading to Cusco is altitude illness – given town is situated up at 3399m above sea-level (while a lot of the remainder of Peru is located decrease down).

It’s frequent for signs similar to complications and illness can happen, and particularly so when heading on these higher-altitude treks which frequently surpass 4000m in altitude. We propose spending at the very least two days in Cusco previous to your trek in your physique to start out acclimating, and in addition to drink Coca Leaf Tea which helps forestall signs. You may also purchase Soroche Tablets in Cusco that are the simplest methodology of stopping altitude illness.

Packing Correctly For Your Trek

Packing correctly can actually make or break your mountain climbing journey, so that you’ll need to make certain have every part you want earlier than arriving into Cusco.

As a place to begin you’re going to want each mild layers, because the solar will be intense throughout the day. Through the evenings the temperatures will dip shortly, so that you’ll additionally must convey some thick layers too.

We extremely counsel bringing strolling poles in case you are inexperienced or have had accidents from mountain climbing earlier than. Different vital issues to convey embrace a hat, thick socks and heat gloves (particularly when heading on the upper altitude treks similar to these round Ausangate and Salkantay).

Vital Suggestions Earlier than Heading On A Multi-Day Cusco Trek

Tip #1: E-book Your Mountain climbing Tour With A Native Operator – Cusco is a very fashionable place to go mountain climbing inside Peru, and this implies we will discover every kind of various companies who provide every kind of various excursions. I extremely advocate reserving with native mountain climbing firm AB Expeditions, who’re extremely respected and function all the treks talked about on this article. Not solely will you will have top quality gear and native experience, you’ll even be serving to them to enhance wages and requirements for native communities throughout the Cusco area.

Tip #2: Head To Cusco Throughout The Shoulder Seasons – As we talked about earlier on this article, the dry season stays the preferred time to hike round Cusco for its nice climate. Nonetheless you are able to do one higher and plan your hike throughout the shoulder months (April, Could, September and October), the place you’ll nonetheless have good climate for these memorable mountain images while having much less vacationer crowds round.

Tip #3: Embark On Mild Day Hikes Round Cusco Earlier than Your Multi-Day Hike – When you’re nonetheless fearful about getting altitude illness, then one other approach of getting ready in your trek is to move on light day journeys from Cusco as a approach of getting acclimated each faster and smoother. This contains mountain climbing round Pisac Ruins, Ollantaytambo and as much as the Cristo Blanco Statue in Cusco – all of that are situated at not-so-demanding altitudes – while nonetheless serving to your physique to acclimate.

Overview Of The Greatest Multi-Day Hikes To Do From Cusco

And that’s all for this information on the most effective multi-day hikes that you are able to do from Cusco.

Identified for its gorgeous mountains, historical historical past and high-altitude lagoons, Cusco and the encircling Sacred Valley area are house to many spectacular multi-day treks. With correct planning you’ll be able to simply take pleasure in one (or many) hikes throughout your journey, which can find yourself being your greatest spotlight throughout your journey to Peru.

As at all times, make sure to take the altitude significantly and to go slowly, and in addition to be sure you pack every part you want earlier than heading in your trek. Relying on the season you can be visiting, you’ll additionally need to e-book your hike at the very least 3-6 months prematurely to ensure your spot in your dream Cusco multi-day trek.