Sometimes we hardcore aficionados need to color outside the lines. The most publicized trekking itineraries tend to be, um, too tamed in an effort to appeal to the general public. No complaints about that; we all have been introduced to trekking via softer iterations of the sport.
Still, when traveling abroad, it might take you some extra effort to find the (actual) best spots for venturing into the wild for days on end. So, here, at Terra Explorer, we have turned to our outdoor-adoring team of expert trekkers and have rendered their hard-earned savoir-faire into a list compiling the three best places for multiple-day hikes. Today, we’ll be taking on hard adventure treks. Let’s dive in.
Venturing in nature is no rocket science, really. You just need a breathtaking landscape to make the grind worth it—yet, when you’re over seventeen thousand feet (five thousand meters) high, breath is not something you have a surplus of. This five-day hike takes you right up there, around the fifth highest mountain in Peru: mythical and striking Ausangate.
The picture-perfect white peaks of this grand mountain nurture the waters of the sprawling Vilcanota river and the adjacent lagoons: Pukacocha, Hatunpukacocha, and Qomerqocha. These three boast green, turquoise, and red tints—there are no words for the visuals affecting your spirit, and this is just day two. The hike will also take you through three mountain passes parting the snow-capped Cordillera with views of the infinite thread of peaks rising over the remote steppes of the Andes.
Ausangate is, unarguably, one of the best places out there to go on treks. If you were to take just one in Peru, this is it. Words come short, so feel free to check the rest of the hiking itinerary (plus picture galore for you to convince your party) here.
We know the Inca Trail seems a bit overdone. We know the fame of the site moots the possibility of encountering throngs of tourists—or worse, full-fledged influencers in the wild—but the Inca Trail is well-known for a reason. And we assure you it is worth visiting—even more, if you fancy yourself a seasoned hiker.
The good news is: only the final stretch of the ancient path is overflown with visitors. And so, a five-day trek along the roadway towards Machu Picchu is almost completely reserved to the ones with more passion and dexterity. And if you were to run into another party, it should be more of a small convention of outdoor aficionados than an uncalled one of plain old tourists.
The path starts at the Sacred Valley, then snakes through the Andean tundra all the way to Machu Picchu—where the Amazon jungle meets the Cordillera. The itinerary listed on our website couldn’t be more thorough, so click (or tap) away on this link to explore it.
Here is what you need to know about the Ancascocha lagoon: In Quechua, “anqas” means blue. This modest lake has an apparent turquoise hue, turning this body of water into the perfect finale for a six-day hike across seven motley Andean mountain passes. This trek intersects the arid Andean deserts, cold tundra, twirling valleys, and ice peaks.
As for the views, it suffices to say that they are otherworldly. And when turning our sight to history, one learns the Incas called these imposing mountains Apus (masters). In their eyes, they were sacred beings deserving of adoration and adulation. This religious sentiment courses through your veins throughout the whole trek. Truly enlivening.
In all of these expeditions, muleteers take care of the heavy duties—pun intended—of carrying the proper gear and paraphernalia. Your job is simply to take in the vistas which occur day and night (perhaps take a photography class before embarking on these rugged trips). Because yes, the obscurity of the remote renders itself as the most star-filled night sky. What makes it so unique, you ask? Well, the southern hemisphere faces the kernel of the milky way.
The trip down the Equator to indulge in these Peruvian landscapes is a must for anyone who calls themselves a true outdoor aficionado. So dig further on our website, contact us, and let’s set the perfect adventure trip to Peru.
To ensure the well-being and safety of our travelers and staff throughout our operational chain, Terra Explorer will comply with the health and safety measures and protocols established by the Peruvian Association of Adventure Tourism and Ecotourism (APTAE), and implement the Covid-19 health and safety guidelines for adventure tourism developed by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).
Our experiences are designed considering the least possible exposure, where the final destinations are usually remote places. By their very nature, our adventure activities are considered to be low risk, mainly because they are performed outdoors where ventilation is constant and making it easy to achieve social distancing.
During these times we are working together with a small staff of honorable people who have been part of the Terra Explorer family for many years. They and their families are aligned with the established health and safety measures. Employing these staff members also seeks to reactivate the local economy.
We guarantee a safe, soul-fulfilling trip to all our travelers for whom we make these adventures possible.
Terra Explorer will strictly comply with the safety, cleaning, and hygiene protocols during our internal processes, third parties, and throughout your trip. This involves:
Follow the instructions related to health and safety given by the Terra Explorer team and your guide, before and during your trip.
Stay home if:
With the intention of delivering the most flexibility at the time of confirming your trip, we will determine the amount of the initial deposit individually and according to your itinerary characteristics.
Secure your trip with a deposit and pay the rest in one or more payments, at a time that suits you best. Please make sure you adhere to our policy and pay in full at least 31 days prior to your trip date.
If you need to cancel your trip, we will apply the following flexible policies.
For more detailed information on our terms and conditions and Covid-19 policies, please contact us at [email protected]
