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Walking In Peru
Walking in Peru is one of the best ways to see and understand the country. The Inca trail is probably its best known, but there are many others which rival this. The longer Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu, staying in lodges rather than camping allows you to walk the cordillera Vilcabamba with its impressive 6,000 metre peaks. The lesser known Choquequirao trek covers 60 km and follows the Apurimac River canyon and is flanked by the snow-capped Salkantay Mountains.
The Inca trail leading to Machu Picchu is not just a walk but a line in history, as you pass numerous Inca and pre-Inca ruins en-route. The flora and fauna, spectacular scenery and interaction with the locals means that by the time you arrive at the most impressive Inca ruins of them, Machu Picchu, you have had a glimpse into their past.
The Salkantay trek moves around the Cordillera Vilcabamba and connects the cities of Mollepata and Cusco with Machu Picchu. In the centre of the Cordillera lies Mt. Salkantay. It is an outstanding glacier-capped summit worshipped for thousands of years by local Indians. The name Salkantay is a Quechua word meaning "Savage Mountain". The lesser known Choquequirao trek leads you to the enigmatic last refuge of the Incas. Choquequirao is located at 3,100 metres and is a huge archaeological complex still under excavation today. Surrounded by the Salkantay sacred mountain and the Apurimac River canyon it is a sight to behold. 
The trip to Machu Picchu can be done several different ways. One of the most popular and spectacular is the Inca Trail. You traverse the Andes, passing archaeological ruins, rivers, terraced valleys, snow-capped peaks, cloud forest, and a wide array of flora (including numerous varieties of orchid) and bird life. Not only is this a good walk, but it also allows you to get a better understanding of the Inca world en-route to Machu Picchu. 
The Sacred Valley is a short drive from Cuzco and good place to help acclimatise to the altitude as it is lower than the Inca Capital. The Sacred Valley contains fertile valleys, White Water Rivers, colourful markets and hiking trails, making it a superb destination for both cultural and active interests. 
The Salkantay Trek has been named among the 25 best Treks in the World and unlike the Inca Trail it is open to everybody, with no limitation on spaces or permits. journey you will trek from 3,900m/12,800ft to 2,100m/6,900ft, traversing across magnificent mountain passes, enjoying enormous and mystical snow-capped peaks, seeing nature in its purest form and exploring more than 15 different ecosystems from beginning to end.
The Choquequirao trek is a spectacular 60 km trek that will lead you to one of the last refuges of the Incas. Choquequirao, located at 3,100 metres is a huge archaeological complex still under excavation today and is located amongst the Salkantay range 
The Colca Canyon is reputedly the deepest in the world – 3,182 metres (11,000 feet), which is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The region is also known for its terracing, thought to be the most extensive in Peru, its picturesque towns, where the traditional clothing is still worn by the majority of women and the spectacular mountain scenery with snow-capped Andean peaks.
Our favourite acclimatisation hotels
La Casona is a colonial manor house, perhaps the first Spanish construction in Cusco and is built on an Incan settlement near Cusco’s present-day main square, which was later occupied by the conquistadores of Peru and their descendants.
The Tambo del Inka is one few luxury hotels being built in the sacred valley. Only a few years ago it was difficult to find anywhere of any decent standard in the region, now there are a few to choose from
Hotel Monasterio which was built in 1592 is located in the heart of the historic city of Cusco, famous for its unique blend of Spanish and Inca cultures as the monastery is built on Inca foundations
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