Trekking the Andes

Inca Civilization

The Inca civilization was the largest Pre-Columbian civilization in the Americas and Cusco was its capital. The best kept example of its architecture is Machu Picchu.

Machu Picchu

The Sacred City is one of the most significant archeological sites left by the Incas

Culture

Fascinating culture and Inca heritage of this beautiful country

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. It occupies an important place in Inca mythology.

Animals of Peru

Animals in Peru have specialized and adapted to the conditions of its geography. At higher altitude levels, few animals and plants can survive because of the lack of oxygen.

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The Inca Trail is without doubt the most popular trekking route in South America, but due to its popularity it does not offer a genuine wilderness experience. This trek involves walking from ruin to ruin with some breathtaking views. The Peruvian Andes offer a wealth of more isolated routes that are not as popular as the Inca Trail. The best time to enjoy climbing and trekking is from May to September during the dry season and because of the different altitudes along the Andes there are many microclimates. All these treks require acclimatization to high altitude.

Peak Ausungate is located in the south of Peru between Cusco and Puno and it is the highest peak in this area of the Andes, it traverses Cordillera Vilcanota and Cordillera Carabaya. The highest point is the route from Chilca to Pukaqocha in the Paso de Palomani where the altitude reaches 5,100m/16,732ft. This trek on the Ausangate offers the experience of observing the lives of people living in one of the most remote areas of the Altiplano of Peru. Their lifestyles have changed little from the Inca times several hundred years ago.

Mount Ausungate – Photo Caroline Shannon

Cordillera Vilcabamba stretches for about 260km/160m northwest from the city of Cusco. This trek offers the variety of high Andean glaciers and the subtropical rainforest. This section of the Andes has deep canyons that have been eroded by rivers from the melting glaciers. The ruins of Vilcabamba are along the way, this was the last stronghold of the Incas before the Spanish conquest. The trail will eventually join the Inca Trail that leads to the lost city of Machu Picchu.

Peak Alpamayo is considered the most beautiful mountain the Andes because of its unusual shape. It is located in the Cordillera Blanca in the department of Ancash. The highest point of the peak is 19511 ft / 5947 m and many passes are at 4,600 to 4,900 m. The Alpamayo is Alpine grade AD, or fairly hard. This hike is recommended for hikers with experience and acclimatized to altitude. Climbing the Alpamayo is risky, in 2003, 8 climbers were killed by an avalanche. There are many hiking options close to Alpamayo such as the Santa Cruz Trek, which offers shorter routes but beautiful scenery.

Mount Alpamayo

Nevado Huascaran is the highest peak in Peru and is located in the Cordillera Blanca, the western range of the Andes, in the department of Ancash. It was name after Sapa Inca Huascar, one of the rulers of the Inca Empire. The summit of the Huascaran reaches 6,768 m/22,205 ft. The peak is divided into South and North Huascaran, the summit of the South Huascaran is 113 meters higher than the North peak. The Huascaran is rated as PD, however because of changes in climate the peak has also changed making it steeper and more difficult to climb.