Top 10 excursions et randonnées à Pérou

Top 10 excursions and hikes in Peru

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Top 10 excursions and hikes in Peru

There are many excursions and hikes in Peru, let's first talk about the history of Peru. Ten thousand years of history have passed in Peru, including many periods of cultural development along the country's arid coast and in the Andes mountains. The Norte Chico civilization, the oldest in the Americas and one of the six cradles of civilization in the world, was located on the coast of Peru. 

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The Inca Empire of the Highlands, the largest and most sophisticated kingdom in pre-Columbian America, was headquartered in Peru when the Spanish first arrived in the 16th century. The Spanish Empire formed a viceroyalty with control over most of its South American possessions after the Inca conquest. Peru declared its independence from Spain in 1821, but it was not until the Battle of Ayacucho three years later that it became independent.

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Culture in Peru

In addition to the excursions and hikes in Peru, it is renowned for its culture. The Peruvian region has been inhabited by a variety of cultures during ancient and medieval times, and has one of the longest recorded histories of civilisation, dating back to the 10th millennium BC. Notable pre-colonial cultures and civilisations include the Caral-Supe civilisation, the oldest in the Americas and considered one of the cradles of civilisation, the Nazca culture, the Wari and Tiwanaku empires, the Kingdom of Cusco and the Inca Empire, the largest known state in the pre-Columbian Americas.

Best excursion and hiking activities in Peru

There are many better excursions and hikes in Peru, but here are the top ten described below.

1. Chemin Inca vers Macchu Picchu

Chemin Inca vers Macchu Picchu

The ancient Inca Trail (Camino Inka), which is hard and high, has become the most famous walk in Peru because of its spectacular display of varied landscapes and its ending at the famous Machu Picchu.

The traditional Inca Trail route climbs gradually as it passes through valleys, villages, mountains, crosses rivers and encounters lesser Inca ruins after starting relatively level at kilometre 82 of the Inca Trail.

The Sun Gate (Inti Punku), from which Machu Picchu can finally be seen, is reached by climbing a staircase. Most trekkers spend the night in Aguas Calientes after visiting the site, then take a bus home the next day. Among the best hikes in Peru, this is the best. Whoever visits wants to come back again and again.

2. Marcahuasi

There are many hikes in Peru and this one attracts more attention from tourists.

Marcahuasi

Marcahuasi is a beautiful overnight camping spot if you travel from Lima
due to its surreal landscape and rock formations. The beginning of the trail is a six-hour drive from the capital, and even if the hike is not very far and the trail is clearly marked, the real difficulty is to adapt to the altitude.

Marcahuasi, a naturally created stone forest with intriguing carvings of human and animal faces, is located at an altitude of 4,000 m (13,123 ft). Although many people believe it has medicinal value, the sight of a bright night sky full of stars is indescribably beautiful.

3. Laguna 69 hike

Of the hikes in Peru, this is the best day hike in Huaraz. One of the most amazing places in Peru, if not in all of South America, is Laguna 69, located in Huascaran National Park. Despite this, very few visitors to the Andean country get to see it. The still turquoise water is very beautiful and well worth the climb, especially against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains.

Randonnée Laguna 69

From the north-central Peruvian town of Huaraz, the scenic journey begins after a two-hour drive. Animals like cattle, gushing waterfalls and charming meadows come and go, but the towering peaks of the Cordillera Blanca remain a constant companion. The majority of the route sees a gradual transition to higher ground; however, the last 30 to 40 minutes involve a significant climb

4. The mountain range of Huayhuash

The Huayhuash Cordillera is considered the best hiking circuit in the world. This nearly two-week journey that wanders between 4,000 and 5,000 m (13,123 and 16,404 feet) above sea level paints a picture with glacial lakes of incredible turquoise hues, Andean peaks with the purest snowfall and a remarkable diversity of flora and fauna.

This natural splendour has earned the mountain range of Huayhuash trek the reputation of being one of the most beautiful hiking routes in the world.

Cordillère Huayhuash

Due to the extraordinary length and altitude of the trek, it is rare to come into contact with anyone other than the mountain people, who are often accompanied by alpacas or llamas. Therefore, regardless of your level of experience, it is strongly recommended that you go with a guide.

Mountainarc-en-ciel

The countryside is dotted with sheep and the occasional horse grazing while seemingly oblivious to the natural beauty around them. Your reward will be a view across the cloud-filled Vinicunca Valley and the snow-covered Ausangate mountain.

It's an arduous 16,000-foot hike to reach the intriguing Seven Coloured Mountain (4,800m). As if a painter had carelessly thrown all his brushes on sharp spikes that jut out diagonally across the grassy floor, the valley appears painted in shades of purple and green, rusty red and aquamarine.

Montagne arc-en-ciel

Without the altitude, the hike would not be difficult as it is not particularly steep. Dress appropriately as it is cold and windy outside. You can hire a horse to ride and enter for 10 soles. Of the hikes in Peru, this is the tough one.

6. Trek du Salkantay

Trek du Salkantay

An excellent replacement for the traditional Inca Trail. Climbing higher, it offers a breathtaking view of many of the mountains of the Vilcabamba Cordillera, including the Salkantay, which reaches its highest point at 6271 metres.

The best part of this walk is crossing both the semi-tropical countryside and the high altitude trails as you head towards Machu Picchu. Therefore, it is a walk with a lot of diversity.

It can be done in different ways over a period of 4 to 6 days. A different route passes through the Llactapata lookout, which offers a distant view of Machu Picchu. Among the trekking activities in Peru, this is the best trekking activity for walking.

7. Churup Lake

Lac de churup

Since hiking in Peru, this is a popular area for hiking. Explore this 5.8 kilometre round trip trail in the vicinity of Independencia, Ancash. It takes an average of 3 hours and 18 minutes to complete and is generally considered to be a challenging route. Since hiking is very popular in this area, you may meet other hikers while exploring.

Although Laguna Churup receives fewer visitors than Laguna 69, it is no less beautiful. It lies 20 kilometres east of Huaraz and can be reached from the Pitec trailhead in two to three hours. The long and steep hike is worth it for the blue lake.

8. Canyon de Colca

Canyon de Colca

There are many good tours and hikes in Peru, but Canyon is the second deepest canyon in the world. It is located 160 kilometres, or about 6 hours by public transport, northwest of Arequipa and receives about 120,000 visitors per year.

The Andean condor is a large bird with a wingspan of about 2.1 to 2.7 metres (7 to 9 feet) and a life span of about 60 to 70 years. The canyon is famous for its breathtaking views and condors.

Condors can be seen up close as they soar over the canyon walls. Ascending and descending the canyon, past condors and a spectacular oasis at the bottom, is a common method of exploring the canyon. It is relatively easy to trek independently and many 2 and 3 day trips are available.

9. Quilcayhuanca and Cojup valleys

Vallées de Quilcayhuanca et Cojup

A breathtaking 3 day trek through the alpine forest of the seldom visited Cordillera Blanca mountain range, past incredible glacial lakes and into soaring valleys with condors soaring overhead. Great views of the great mountains of the Cordillera Blanca range can be had by walking up the 5100m Chocu Pass.

This high pass is impossible for donkeys, so carrying your gear is the only option - hard work at this height. The remoteness and lack of other people in sight makes this breathtaking hike even more unique than other hikes in Peru.

10. Day trip to Lake Humantay

Among the hikes in Peru, Lake Humantay is one of the most beautiful.

Randonnée d'une journée au lac Humantay

As part of the Salkantay Trek, we visited the majestic glacial lake known as Lake Humantay, which is undoubtedly one of the most amazing places we have seen in all of South America. This beautiful lake can be reached on a day hike.

It is advisable to be sufficiently acclimatised before starting the trip as this is a moderate to easy hike with a maximum height of 4200m. You can travel alone or take a tour to the lake. To save money, take a public bus to Curahuasi and then a taxi to Soraypampa to get to Soraypampa from Cusco. The hike to the lake takes three hours and covers 10km in total. No permit is required.

Conclusion

There are a number of excursions and hikes in Peru that attract tourists and make them want to return again and again. Hiking in Peru leaves a lasting impression on you.

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