While Peru is probably most well-known for Machu Picchu, this country is actually full of traditions, customs, breathtaking landscapes, and friendly people worth seeing. The best way to experience it is to get out and hike off-the-beaten path, but we know most people don’t have a ton of time to spend here.
If having an experience hiking in Peru has been on your bucket list for a while but you just don’t have too much time to do a multi-day trek, you might want to consider one of these shorter options.
- Huchuy Qosqo trek– this is a 3-day experience but only one night camping. You will spend a day and a half hiking through the mountains before taking a trail to Aguas Calientes and visiting Machu Picchu on day 3.
- Waqrapukara & Rainbow Mountain – this is a 2-day experience starting from Cusco with 6-7 hours of hiking on day one. The terrain is very easy – anyone in moderate shape can make easy work of this hike. Barely any tourists visit Waqrapukara so you will have the trail to yourself and really experience what it was like for the ancient Incas. Day 2 at rainbow mountain is also amazing because you will get there before the crowds.
- Machu Picchu day trip by train – If you don’t have the endurance or time to reach Machu Picchu by foot, don’t fear. You can take a scenic and relaxing train ride instead.
Short treks are a great opportunity to get off the grid and experience what Peru is all about! Consider these when thinking about getting off the beaten path and planning your trip of a lifetime.
