PERU TREK COMPARISON
| Trek Name | Difficulty Level | Highlights | Highest point | Longest day Km/hours to walk | Temperature (coldest camp at night) | Acclimatisation ** |
| 4 day classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu | Moderately difficult* | Inca sites, flora and fauna, beautiful scenery. | 4,200 m (day 2) | Day 2 – about 16 kms. This can take up to 10 hours walking. | – 2 to -4°C
Cold season June til August |
Recommended |
| 5 day classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu | Moderately difficult* | The 4 day Inca Trail at an easy pace | 4,200 m (day 3) | Day 3 – 14 kms more or less. This can take up to 8 – 10 hours walking.. | -2 to -4°C at the 2nd and 3rd camp
Cold season June til August |
Recommended |
| 7 day Inca Trail and Salkantay to Machu Picchu | Very Difficult* | Trek away from the crowds and after enjoy the Inca Trail. Beautiful views of Salkantay! | 5,100m (day 3) | Day 3 and 5 16kms or more
This can take up to 10 hours walking. |
Days:1,2,3, 5 -2 to – 6°C May til September | Recommended. |
| 5 day Salkantay (alternative) trek to Machu Picchu | Challenging* | Trek away from the crowds. Diverse flora and fauna beautiful scenery. | 4,680m (Day 2) | Day 2- 16kms
Day 3- 20kms This can take up to 9 hours |
1st night: -5°C 2nd night -2°C
June til August |
Recommended. |
| 4 day Salkantay (alternative) trek to MP | Challenging * | Salkantay trek for those who do not have the time for 5 days. | 4,680m (Day 1) | Day 1 about 18 kms. This can take up to 10 hours walk time. | Day 1: 0°C to -2°C
June til August |
Recommended. |
| 4 day Lares (alternative) trek | Fairly difficult* | Trek away from the crowds and experience Andean culture. | 4,800m (Day 2) | Day 2 about 12 kms. This can take up to 8 hours walk time. | Day 1 and 2; -2 to -4°C
June til September |
Recommended. |
| 5 day Vilcabamba trek to Machu Picchu | Challenging* | A diverse trek, from jungle to high Andes Inca sites. Very diverse flora and fauna. With stunning scenery. | 4,700m (Day 3). | Day 3 and 4 About 15kms.
This can take up to 10 hours walk time. |
Day 3: -2 to -4°C
June til September |
Recommended. |
| 3 day Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu | Fairly easy* | A relaxed trek visiting a Pre Inca site with amazing views of the Sacred Valley. | 3,900m. Day 1 | Day 1
About 10kms. This can take up to 8 hours walking. |
Day 1: 0°C to -2°C
June til August |
If you have the time. |
| 5 day Ausangate | Very Difficult* | A trek for the love of trekking. Stunning views the whole way. | 5,000m On day 2 and 3. | Day 1,2,3 and 4 -5 to – 8°C
May til September |
Strongly Recommended. | |
| 7 day Ausangate | Very Difficult* | A trek for the love of trekking. Stunning views the whole way, visit the largest lake in the Cusco region. | Days 2, 3,4 and 5
Approx 5000m. |
Day 3
9 and a half hours |
Every day: -5 to – 8°C
May til September |
Strongly Recommended. |
| 4 Day Choquequirao | Challenging* | Perfect for those who want the full Inca experience, visit an untouched Inca site. | 3100 meters | Every day is more or less the same distance. | 5°C May til September | Recommended |
