Probably the most various cities you’ll be able to go to in all of Peru, Cusco is thought each for its unbelievable structure and close by Sacred Valley area.
Nevertheless it’s the encompassing Andean landscapes that actually deliver this metropolis and area to life, the place we are able to discover multi-colored mountains, deep blue glacial lagoons, snow-capped peaks and untamed wildlife in all corners. In consequence there are various unforgettable mountaineering circuits to go on from Cusco, which all provide one thing barely totally 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 all the pieces else it’s essential to know for a visit, together with the very best time to hike, preparation and learn how to guide a tour.
Why Head On A Multi-Day Hike From Cusco?
One of many easiest nations to go trekking inside South America, Peru has many unbelievable mountaineering circuits which embody these present in Huaraz in addition to these inside the Amazon Jungle. Nevertheless 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 method earlier than their time. They have been maybe greatest recognized for his or her developments in stonemasonry and structure, which allowed them to create many unbelievable buildings which we are able to nonetheless see in the present day (such because the perfectly-fitted big stones of Sacsayhuamán Ruins).
Throughout a multi-day hike from Cusco we are able to 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 are able to additionally work together with totally different distant Andean communities, who nonetheless stay and apply the traditional methods of their ancestors in the present day.
After all 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 are able to see quite a lot of unique animals alongside treks equivalent to Vicuñas, Spectacled Bears, Viscachas in addition to the emblematic orange Cock-of-the-rock (which is the nationwide fowl of Peru).
How To Get To Cusco
Regardless of Cusco’s distant location deep inside the Peruvian Andes, getting right here is kind of easy given the way it has now develop into one of the vital widespread locations to go to inside this iconic South American nation. No matter which you select, you’ll first have to arrive into the capital of Lima, which is the principle gateway into Peru.
Flying from Lima to Cusco is the preferred choice, which is a one hour flight over the scenic Andes Mountains. Airways equivalent 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 brief on time in Peru and wish to arrive into Cusco at once, or for many who desire a extra comfy journey choice.
Our subsequent technique of getting from Lima to Cusco is by bus, which regardless of being the cheaper choice (round $20-30), will take a sobering 20-22 hours to reach from the capital. Throughout the district of La Victoria in Lima we are able to discover quite a few bus operators which all differ in consolation and extras, with the preferred being Palomino and Paredes Estrella. After all the lengthy trip places many off, nonetheless it’s a strong choice for many who wish to lower 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 very best multi-day hikes you are able to do from Cusco. After all 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 totally different Cusco treks you’ll be able to head on, the 4 Day Inca Path To Machu Picchu is the very best all-rounder for nature, historical past and tradition. Right here we are going to 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 equivalent to these of Sayaqmarca, Wiñay Wayna and Intipata.
In addition to tenting in some extraordinary places inside the Andes, we’ll additionally get to get pleasure from many various landscapes alongside the hike. This contains epic mountain views equivalent to these from Useless Girl’s Cross, trekking via 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 Fowl.
The 5 Day Salkantay Trek
In case you love epic mountain surroundings, then the Salkantay trek is by far your greatest wager. Set a lot increased up into the distant Andes than the Inca Path, right here we are going to see a number of snowy passes, icy lagoons in addition to big glaciers alongside the hike.
Right here we will even 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 might be fairly tough alongside this trek, so that you’ll wish to observe our key excessive altitude mountaineering suggestions 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 very best of all within the Cusco area (and the fourth highest in Peru). Alongside the hike this implies we are going to expertise unbelievable excessive mountain passes equivalent 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 inside the Upis settlement on the primary day. The opposite particular factor about this explicit trek is how the encompassing mountains slowly develop into extra crimson as we proceed mountaineering – 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 greatest pulls of mountaineering outdoor across the Cusco area is getting out into untamed nature, and likewise experiencing quite a lot of stunning surroundings. That is the place the Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is arguably the most effective well-stocked, the place we’ll see crashing waterfalls, turquoise lagoons, big glaciers in addition to indigenous Quechua villages alongside the hike.
Over the past two days we’ll then be a part of on to the Brief Inca Path, which takes a barely totally different route from the basic 4 day hike. Right here we’ll move via the traditional Chachabamba Ruins, and likewise others equivalent 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 inside the distant sacred valleys above Lamay, Huchuy Qosqo is one other Inca stronghold that can be related 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 mountaineering expertise we will even get to go to the traditional ruins of Patabamba and Moray, and likewise get to go to the legendary Maras Salt Mines – that are one of the vital widespread websites to see inside the total Sacred Valley area of Peru. On the final day we will even get pleasure from a guided tour round Machu Picchu, and be taught why this web site was so formidable and remained fully undetected in the course of the Spanish Conquest.
The Greatest Time To Mountaineering Round Cusco
The dry season is the general greatest time to go mountaineering resulting from frequent clear blue skies, which begins in Might and lasts till October. That is the place we often have clear blue skies and nearly no rainfall most days, which is ideal for views alongside the totally different routes. It does additionally fall inside the winter season, and consequently temperatures can get a lot colder throughout these months (so that you’ll have to deliver additional layers, gloves and a hat).
The moist season isn’t as widespread, however nonetheless presents a lot of its personal advantages for hikers right here. Lasting from November till April, these months see rather more rainfall than the dry season, which might generally trigger flooding on roads and harder mountaineering situations (with sure routes closing such because the Inca Path in the course of the month of February). The advantages nonetheless embody 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
A giant a part of your mountaineering expertise and success right here in Cusco comes right down to strong preparation, which frequently begins lengthy earlier than you come to Peru. Beneath we’ll discover the principle components which you’ll wish to plan correctly for upfront.
Pre-Reserving Your Mountaineering Tour
Probably the greatest issues you are able to do is to guide your hike early, which ensures each your spot and most popular tenting places. Hikes just like the basic 4 day Inca Path trek can run out of areas rapidly, so we extremely advocate reserving not less than 6 months upfront to ensure your spot (solely 500 permits can be found every day). It’s vital to notice that treks aren’t as widespread within the moist season so you’ll be able to generally get away with a late reserving – nonetheless it may be dangerous leaving all of it as much as a final minute probability.
Stopping Altitude Illness
The largest concern for travellers heading to Cusco is altitude illness – given town is positioned up at 3399m above sea-level (while a lot of the remainder of Peru is located decrease down).
It’s widespread for signs equivalent to complications and illness can happen, and particularly so when heading on these higher-altitude treks which frequently surpass 4000m in altitude. We recommend spending not less than two days in Cusco previous to your trek in your physique to begin acclimating, and likewise to drink Coca Leaf Tea which helps forestall signs. You may also purchase Soroche Drugs in Cusco that are the simplest technique of stopping altitude illness.
Packing Correctly For Your Trek
Packing correctly can actually make or break your mountaineering journey, so that you’ll wish to be certain have all the pieces you want earlier than arriving into Cusco.
As a place to begin you’re going to wish each mild layers, because the solar might be intense in the course of the day. Through the evenings the temperatures will dip rapidly, so that you’ll additionally have to deliver some thick layers too.
We extremely recommend bringing strolling poles in case you are inexperienced or have had accidents from mountaineering earlier than. Different vital issues to deliver embody a hat, thick socks and heat gloves (particularly when heading on the upper altitude treks equivalent to these round Ausangate and Salkantay).
Vital Ideas Earlier than Heading On A Multi-Day Cusco Trek
Tip #1: E-book Your Mountaineering Tour With A Native Operator – Cusco is a extremely popular place to go mountaineering inside Peru, and this implies we are able to discover every kind of various companies who provide every kind of various excursions. I extremely advocate reserving with native mountaineering firm AB Expeditions, who’re extremely respected and function all the treks talked about on this article. Not solely will you might have top quality gear and native experience, you’ll even be serving to them to enhance wages and requirements for native communities inside 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. Nevertheless you are able to do one higher and plan your hike in the course of the shoulder months (April, Might, September and October), the place you’ll nonetheless have excellent climate for these memorable mountain pictures while having much less vacationer crowds round.
Tip #3: Embark On Light Day Hikes Round Cusco Earlier than Your Multi-Day Hike – In case you’re nonetheless fearful about getting altitude illness, then one other method of getting ready in your trek is to go on mild day journeys from Cusco as a method of getting acclimated each faster and smoother. This contains mountaineering round Pisac Ruins, Ollantaytambo and as much as the Cristo Blanco Statue in Cusco – all of that are positioned 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 very best multi-day hikes that you are able to do from Cusco.
Identified for its gorgeous mountains, historic historical past and high-altitude lagoons, Cusco and the encompassing Sacred Valley area are residence to many spectacular multi-day treks. With correct planning you’ll be able to simply get pleasure from one (or many) hikes throughout your journey, which can find yourself being your greatest spotlight throughout your journey to Peru.
As at all times, remember to take the altitude severely and to go slowly, and likewise to be sure to pack all the pieces you want earlier than heading in your trek. Relying on the season you can be visiting, you’ll additionally wish to guide your hike not less than 3-6 months upfront to ensure your spot in your dream Cusco multi-day trek.
