Arrive: Cusco, Peru
Depart: Cusco, Peru
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
This trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate, according to our trip grading system. Cultural explorations are the focus of the trip, with hotel accommodations throughout. Much of the trip takes place at higher altitudes, ranging from 11,200 feet in Cusco to 13,779 feet in the Andean village of Patacancha, where we enjoy a traditional feast. Overland travel is by van.
While this is not a hiking trip per se, it is still a very active trip with good portions of each day spent exploring Cusco and small villages, on short hikes in the adjoining countryside, and with time spent investigating Inca ruin sites, which always involves climbing up and down steps along rough pathways.
Note on optional hike up Huayna Picchu: On Day 7, you will have the opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu, the spectacular peak rising from the ruins. This hike is quite rewarding but not for the faint of heart or those with a fear of heights. The climb is steep, a bit of a scramble, and can be slippery. It's suitable for very fit hikers who like a challenge. Think stairmaster at the highest level!
For maximum enjoyment of the trip (and the wonderful scenery, food, and history that are a part of it), you must be in fit shape and ready to walk. We strongly urge you to train for the trip with regular exercise.
Being so close to the equator, Peru has only two climate seasons: a dry season from April to October, and a wet season from December to March. For hiking in the mountains, the April to October season is ideal; the countryside is green and lush, the skies are often blue and sunny, and the mountain vistas are at their clearest and most magnificent.
Altitude is the main factor controlling the climate. In the mountains, you'll encounter sunny days with daytime temperatures ranging between 65°F and 70°F degrees, dropping to the 40s°F and lower at night. The sun is very strong at high altitude and it can often be warm enough to hike in shorts and a t-shirt. However, it can also get extremely cold; if you're familiar with mountain weather, you know how suddenly it can get cold even in the daytime if the sun slips behind a cloud. Nighttime temperatures can drop to below freezing. Rain should not be a problem on our hikes, but always keep in mind that mountain weather is unpredictable and sudden storms can occur, especially on high mountain passes. The best preparation for the changeable climate of the high Andes is to dress in layers.
Lima lies in a coastal desert where rainfall is rare and temperatures are usually warm (70s°F and 80s°F). Days are overcast most of the year due to the Humboldt current that comes up from Antarctica and meets the warm, tropical El Nino current from the north to create the garua, or coastal fog/mist.
The climate in the Amazon Basin is generally warm and humid throughout the year but can also be unexpectedly cool (usually 60s°F) due to the breezes that blow down from the Andes.
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
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With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.