Santa Cruz Trek

The Inca Trail may be the most famous, but keen walkers should look north of Lima for the country's most awe-inspiring treks. Reached from the gateway town of Huaraz, the Cordillera Blanca shelters scenery that will send a tingle down your spine.

This is magnificent trekking country, offering the chance to get right amongst 6,000m peaks relatively quickly and easily – though altitude makes the going tougher – and indeed it is home to both Peru's tallest mountain and its most concentrated cluster of big peaks.

The 4 or 5-day Santa Cruz Trek is the area's most popular, offering up the best of the dramatic scenery over 4 or 5 tough but exhilarating days. 

This is a fully assisted trek with a knowledgeable guide to lead the way and a team of porters to carry all equipment and have the camp set up and a hot meal waiting by the time you arrive.