Walking & Hiking Holidays

Peru is home to some of South America's best walks. Whether you choose the famous Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek, each route offers a unique way to reach Machu Picchu while passing through spectacular mountain scenery and ancient Inca sites.

The four-day Inca Trail is Peru's most famous trek and one of the world's great walks. Following original Inca stone paths, the trail passes through cloud forest, mountain passes and fascinating archaeological sites before reaching the Sun Gate, where you'll get your first view of Machu Picchu.

Covering around 43km over four days, the route crosses two high mountain passes, including Dead Woman's Pass at 4,215 metres. Along the way, you'll camp in the Andes and be accompanied by experienced guides, chefs and porters.

If you don't have time for the full trek, the Short Inca Trail is a great alternative. This one-day walk follows the final section of the famous route, passing the impressive ruins of Wiñay Wayna before arriving at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.

It's a shorter and easier walk than the Classic Inca Trail, while still offering the experience of reaching Machu Picchu on foot.

The Salkantay Trek is a quieter and more challenging alternative to the Inca Trail. Instead of following ancient Inca paths, the route takes you beneath the snow-capped Salkantay Mountain, through glacial valleys, cloud forest and lush jungle on the way to Machu Picchu.

It's a more demanding walk, but the spectacular scenery and fewer visitors make it a rewarding choice for keen hikers.

Inca Trail – The famous four-day trek to Machu Picchu, combining spectacular scenery with ancient Inca sites.

Short Inca Trail – A one-day walk that's ideal if you'd like to experience part of the Inca Trail. Salkantay Trek – A longer, more challenging trek with incredible mountain scenery and fewer crowds.

Chile is a fantastic destination for walking, with everything from volcanoes and lakes to mountains and desert landscapes. Whether you're looking for a short scenic walk or a full-day trek, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the country's spectacular scenery on foot.

This full-day excursion takes you into Chile's beautiful Lake District, where you'll visit the snow-capped Osorno Volcano. After taking in the views across Lake Llanquihue and the surrounding volcanoes, you'll enjoy a guided walk of around two hours through ancient forest and volcanic landscapes. The day also includes visits to the Petrohué Waterfalls and Lake Todos los Santos. The walk follows uneven ground, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.

The Las Torres Trek is one of the most rewarding walks in Torres del Paine National Park. The trail climbs through valleys, beech forests and mountain scenery before reaching the famous granite towers, one of Patagonia's most iconic sights. The walk is around 18km and takes between eight and ten hours, so a good level of fitness is needed.

If you're looking for an easier walk, the Short Torres del Paine Hike is a great option. This 6km trail takes you through open countryside with views of the Paine Massif and passes ancient rock paintings that are over 7,000 years old. You may also spot guanacos and a variety of birdlife along the way. The excursion takes around four to five hours, including transfers.

The Atacama Desert offers a completely different walking experience. Around San Pedro de Atacama, you'll explore colourful valleys, salt flats and volcanic landscapes, with short walks to some of the region's most spectacular viewpoints. It's a great way to experience one of the world's driest and most unique landscapes.

Sri Lanka's central highlands are perfect for anyone who enjoys walking, with tea plantations, forests and beautiful mountain scenery. One of the best walks is the 9km circular trail through Horton Plains National Park to the famous World's End viewpoint. Setting off early, when the weather is cooler, and the views are usually at their clearest, you'll follow a trail through open grasslands, forests and wetlands before reaching the dramatic cliff edge, where the plateau drops 880 metres into the valley below. On a clear day, you can even see the Indian Ocean in the distance. Along the way, there's a good chance of spotting sambar deer, giant squirrels and a variety of birdlife. The walk has some uneven ground and gentle climbs, making it suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness, before returning to Nuwara Eliya for a relaxing afternoon.