Learn more about Mama Cocha and water worship
Pay your respects to = when you visit Choquequirao. Archaeologists suspect that Choquequirao may have been an important centre of water worship, perhaps dedicated to Mama Cocha, the Inca goddess of the sea, rivers and lakes. The Incas were expert hydro-engineers, capable of building complex water channels and aqueducts in even the roughest terrain. You can see such constructions at Choquequirao, with man-made water channels feeding the agricultural terraces and providing water to what are believed to be water shrines at the site.
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Trekking in Peru

There’s nothing quite like traversing a remote trail on foot, arriving at a new place by muscle power just like the travellers of old. Trekking in Peru satisfies the human itch to travel by foot for days, to earn a destination after a hearty physical challenge.

Machu Picchu hikes

While there are hundreds of fascinating ruins in Peru, the famed Machu Picchu has captured the hearts and imaginations of travellers around the world.

The Inca Trail Trek: An Expert Guide

The classic Inca Trail, one of the world's most iconic treks, is so famously popular because its final destination is the most spectacular of all: Machu Picchu. Only on this classic route can you actually arrive at the famous ruins on foot.

Hiking the Lares Trek

The Lares Trek is known as the “cultural trek” to Machu Picchu, as it offers opportunities to interact with local communities along the way. It’s one of the shorter treks, which makes it a good option for those who are short on time.

Hiking to Choquequirao

Until recently, relatively unknown and vastly overshadowed by the “sister ruins” of Machu Picchu, the Choquequirao complex is a true hidden gem that receives just a handful of visitors each year.

Hiking the Salkantay Trek

The Salkantay Trek is the most popular alternative to the Inca Trail, described by National Geographic as one of the best treks in the world. While there are no ruins along the way unless you do the lodge-to-lodge version, the opportunity for gorgeous landscapes is even greater than on the

Hiking the Ausangate trek

Because Ausangate Mountain is in the opposite direction to Machu Picchu, this trek is not typically described as an alternative to the Inca Trail.

Hiking the KM 104 route

Although tour operators typically refer to this as the "Two Day Inca Trail", it actually only involves one day of hiking. The second day you visit Machu Picchu after spending the night in a hotel Aguas Calientes.

The best time to hike in Peru

Choosing the best time to go trekking in Peru requires some trade-offs between ideal conditions, prices, and busyness. Conditions also vary considerably depending on where you're going.

Must-see Peru ruins

Peru is one of the most archaeologically-rich countries on earth, and not just because of its blockbuster site, Machu Picchu.

Alternatives To Machu Picchu

For most people, Peru is Machu Picchu.