4 Amazing Hikes in South America: Peru and Northern Chile

When it comes to some of the most rewarding hikes in South America, the continent is home to breathtaking landscapes that rank among the most stunning in the world. From towering Andean peaks to ancient Incan cities, there’s something for every type of traveler. Whether you’re seeking popular hikes, such as the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, or less crowded trails that lead you off the beaten path, South America has it all.

In this post, I’ll highlight the best hikes in South America, offering tough but rewarding challenges that push you to your limits. Get ready to lace up your boots and explore the best hikes in Peru and Northern Chile. Let’s discover the ultimate trails for your next adventure!

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What to Pack on Multi-Day Hikes in South America

Note: there are no affiliate links in this post and all the recommendations below are purely based on my own research and personal experience.

Of the 4 amazing hikes in South America I cover in this blog post, three are multi-day treks. If you choose to embark on these adventures with a tour guide, you likely won’t need to worry about packing a tent or 3 meals per day. In fact, most tours take care of these logistics for you. At the same time, it’s crucial to be prepared. Below, I put together my recommended list of essential items to pack on a hike.

Clothing & Footwear

Base layers: merino wool is my favorite as it will keep you warm and dry. The best would be to have one for the day hikes and one for the cold nights.
Mid Layers: fleece and/or down jackets are a must, especially at higher elevations.
Outer Layers: Waterproof or at least windproof jacket and if you’re hiking in South America during the rainy season, waterproof pants as well.
Trekking Pants or Shorts: I personally love the 2 in 1 short pant options, such as this pair from Salewa. It gives you the flexibility of hiking in either shorts or pants at the same time. When weather is unpredictable, this is life changing!
Underwear & Socks: merino wool hiking bras and socks have improved my hiking adventures massively! In fact, I don’t get blisters anymore and I stay warm the entire time.
Headgear: don’t forget a warm hat or a headband, especially when tackling some of the high-altitude hikes in South America.
Gloves: light and insulated, but it all depends on weather. My rule of thumb is better to have and not need, than need and not have.
Hiking boots: I’ve had my Scarpa hiking boots for over 3 years now, but they’re still as comfortable and in perfect shape as on day 1. These are probably some of the comfiest hiking boots on the market. Although, they’re a bit pricey, if you plan on hiking regularly, they’re an investment worth making.
Sandals: pack some lightweight sandals for when you reach camp at the end of the day.

Sleeping Gear

A tent is typically provided by the tour guide, but if you have your own, you’re more than welcome to bring it along. Additionally, tours provide sleeping bags and sleeping pads. For the multi-day treks of these 4 amazing hikes in South America, at higher altitudes we received two sleeping bags each, ensuring cozy nights despite the cold. That said, I highly recommend bringing your sleeping bag liner and a lightweight camping pillow for extra comfort.

Backpack

There are currently so many backpacks on the market that it’s hard to choose which one is the best. I personally still use my backpack that was gifted to me when I turned 18 and to this day wouldn’t need to change it. However, a brand that has built a good reputation for its great backpacks is Osprey. Although I haven’t tried any of their backpacks myself you can’t go wrong with their Ariel 65 and Kyte 48 models. If you choose to do one of these 4 amazing hikes in South America, I highly recommend using a sturdy backpack with good back support.

Cooking and Food

One of the perks of booking with a tour guide, is that you won’t have to worry about carrying kitchen supplies or food. These are provided and every meal is prepared by one of the tour members. However, I recommend packing some snacks, such as nuts, trail mix or granola bars for extra energy during the treks. Also, it’s a good idea to pack some electrolytes to help replenish the minerals lost through sweat, ensuring you stay hydrated throughout the treks.

An item I always take with me on all of my hikes is a water filter. Since some of the most rewarding hikes in South America are at high elevations, hydration is crucial and you should aim to drink plenty of water throughout the trek. I’ve been using a Grayl bottle for the last couple of years and have had only good experiences with this brand. However, there are many other options on the market, such as the Platypus GravityWorks.

Personal and Miscellaneous Items

I will list below some additional essential items that you should bring on these 4 hikes in South America.

Trekking poles: trust me on this one; these are long hikes at higher altitudes and trekking poles really make the difference in the long run.
First aid kit: pack tablets and any other medication for any potential occurrence, including altitude sickness.
Sunscreen and lip balm
Headlamp
Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes etc.
Quick-dry towel
Power bank

Overview of 4 Amazing Hikes in South America

I might be biased, but I truly believe that Peru and Northern Chile are some of the best countries in South America for hiking. After my 2-month South America backpacking trip, I can confidently say that this region is a hikers dream with some of the best outdoor adventures on the continent.

Huayhuash Trek in Peru

Huayhuash Trek is a challenging multi-day trek at high altitudes around the Cordillera Huayhuash in the Peruvian Andes. I did the Huayhuash Trek in 8 days but there are some tours that offer it in 12 days. This trek includes multiple mountain passes over 4,000 meters (or even 5,000 meters) and offers breathtaking views of the second highest mountain in Peru. The Huayhuash Trek is a top contender on any hikers list of South America and in my opinion one of the best hikes in Peru.

Duration: 8-12 days (depending on the route)
Best time to go: Dry season from May to September
Difficulty: Challenging (high altitude and remote)
Highest point reached: Cuyoc Pass (5,000 m / 16,404 ft)
Starting point: Huaraz, Trailhead in Llamac Village
Should I book a tour? Recommended for logistics; but self-guided is possible with required experience
Cost: For guided tours, prices range between $400 and $600

4 Amazing Hikes in South America: Huayhuash Trek — Huayhuash Trek, Peru

Cerro Toco Volcano in Chile

Located near San Pedro de Atacama, the hike to the summit of the Cerro Toco volcano in Chile is a relatively short and non-technical hike. In fact, the ascent only takes approximately 1.5 hours and rewards trekkers with panoramic views of the Atacama Desert and the Licancabur Volcano on the border with Bolivia. This hike is ideal for acclimatizing to high altitudes.

Duration: Half-day
Best time to go: April to November
Difficulty: Moderate; steep but short hike at high altitude
Highest point reached: 5,604 m / 18,385 ft
Starting point: San Pedro de Atacama, 1 hour drive to trailhead
Should I book a tour? Optional but recommended for logistics and gear
Cost: For a guided tour, prices range between $60 and $100

Hikes in South America: Hiking Cerro Toco — Cerro Toco Volcano, Northern Chile

Note: Valle de la Luna in Chile is a great hike in South America for first-time hikers, featuring easy hiking trails and stunning desert landscapes. The reason it’s not on this list is that we biked it instead. But, you can still take short hikes at each stop throughout the valley.

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu in Peru

The Salkantay Trek is a popular alternative trek to the Inca Trail, offering a scenic route to the ancient archeological site of Machu Picchu. In fact, the most complete itinerary involves a 5 day trek through lush forests and high altitude passes, such as the Salkantay Pass (4,600 m / 15,092 ft). The main highlights on the trek are stunning views of snow-capped mountains, turquoise alpine lakes as well as a rewarding climb to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. So, if you’re looking for an alternative trek to the Inca Trail, make sure you add the Salkantay Trek to your hikers list of South America.

Duration: 4-6 days (different tour options)
Best time to go: Dry season from April to October
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging; hiking at high altitudes
Highest point reached: 4,600 m / 15,092 ft
Starting point: Cusco, Trailhead in Mollepata or Soraypampa
Should I book a tour? Recommended for logistics but self-guided is possible
Cost: For a guided tour, prices range between $250 and $450

4 Amazing Hikes in South America: Salkantay Trek — Salkantay Trek, Peru

Colca Canyon in Peru

This 2 to 3 day Colca Canyon trek descends into one of the deepest canyons in the world. You’ll hike past small villages and lush oases, while getting the chance to spot the majestic Andean condor in flight. The trek will end with a challenging climb back to the rim. Although the Colca Canyon is not an easy hiking trail in Peru, I believe it should be on any hikers list of South America.

Duration: 2-3 days (we did it in 2 days)
Best time to go: March to May or September to November
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging; steep descents and ascents
Highest point reached: 3,200 m / 10,499 ft (canyon depth is ~1,200 m / 3,937 ft)
Starting point: Arequipa, Trailhead in Cabanaconde
Should I book a tour? Optional, self-guided is possible with some planning
Cost: Guided tours range around $150

4 Amazing Hikes in South America: Colca Canyon — Colca Canyon, Peru

Final Thoughts on these 4 Amazing Hikes in South America

There are countless hiking trails in South America and I feel I’ve only scratched the surface. But, in my opinion, these 4 hikes in Peru and Northern Chile stand out for their jaw-dropping views and diverse landscapes. While I’ve highlighted some popular hikes in South America, such as the Salkantay Trek, Cerro Toco and Colca Canyon, it was the more off the beaten path Huayhuash Trek that truly captured my heart. If there is one hike you should do before you die, Huayhuash Trek deserves a spot on your bucket list.

But if you’re looking for stunning yet easy hikes in South America for first-time hikers, the Inca Trail in Peru might be just what you need. If a hiking trip in Peru and Northern Chile wasn’t on your radar, I hope this blog post changed your mind.