Plan exploreInca Trail to Machu Picchu
El morro solar: a "peak" into lima's culture and history
el morro solar: a "peak" into lima's culture and historyMention “El Morro Solar” in Lima and locals will have more than a few things to say about the city’s iconic peak. The politically-minded will comment on the Christ of the Pacific statue gifted by ex-President Alan Garcia or mention the historic Battle of the Pacific that unfolded there, while the socially conscious will spout statistics about one of Peru’s poorest barrios that calls the mountain slope home. If you’re not already catching on, El Morro Solar is much more than a pretty Pacific view or a day hike to pack in while you tour Peru. It’s full of enlightening culture, monumental Peruvian history, and heart-pumping adventure.
The Enlightening Culture
Hugging the hillside of El Morro Solar is the community of Alto Peru, a place once synonymous with poverty, delinquency, crime, and drugs. Since 2008, the NGO Alto Peru has been using sport, mainly surfing and muay thai, to help inspire and ignite change in the youth of the Alto Peru community. And it’s working. Today (with a proper guide we should note), it’s possible to tour the community, meet some of the locals, and witness the ongoing transformation firsthand, all while en route to El Morro Solar’s tempting peak.
The Monumental Peruvian History
During the War of the Pacific, El Morro Solar was the scene of one of the war’s bloodiest battles, the Battle of San Juan and Chorrillos. War monuments bedeck the hillsides, including the 22-meter-tall (72 ft.) stone obelisk dedicated to the unknown soldiers who lost their lives in the battle. The other major monument is that of Miguel Iglesias who became a national hero after he steadfastly defended the hill during the war.
The Heart-Pumping Adventure
At 251 meters tall (823 feet), El Morro Solar is more than just a hill. The zig-zagging trails to its summit will get the heart racing a bit, whether or not the rest of your Peru adventure took you to heights far, far higher. The views of the Lima coastline from the top are truly picturesque and the list of historic and religious monuments to check out once there is a long one.
Join Explorandes for a Half-Day Adventure to El Morro Solar
Explorandes offers a well-rounded half-day activity to El Morro Solar. The itinerary starts with a locally-guided tour of Alto Peru, continues with an ascent of El Morro Solar to the Christ of the Pacific statue, and finishes on the sandy shores at the hill’s base where fishermen and seabirds alike are busy catching fish. For information about this and the other Peru tours we offer, get in touch with us today.
Plan exploreDestino Cusco
this season featured experiences
HIKING & TREKKING
inca trail to machu picchuThis 5-day journey begins at Km 82, the marker that signifies the start of the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Our highly trained guides, who are deeply familiar with these ancient Inca footpaths, will expertly lead us through the magnificent Andean terrain. Along the way, we’ll traverse breathtaking high alpine passes, lush valleys, dense cloud forests, and rushing rivers. We’ll pass through ancient Inca remains of Andean settlements, ultimately arriving at Machu Picchu via Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). Each night, our team of porters and skilled cooks will have a delicious hot meal and a comfortable camp already set up for your convenience. Since we highly value sustainable tourism, we’ll have very little impact on the land, communities, and environment we encounter along the trail, and we will also take steps to enjoy a tranquil hike, avoiding crowds of fellow trekkers. On the final day, a guided tour of the citadel will bring Machu Picchu to life, as we explore and immerse ourselves in the magic and beauty of this ancient, mystical site. Our version of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu trek is truly an unforgettable experience you’ll reminisce about for years to come.
March - December
5 days / 4 nights
From
$ 1290
/ Per PersonHIKING & TREKKING
huayhuash trekThe Huayhuash Trek is an amazing journey to the very heart of the Cordillera Huayhuash, the second highest tropical mountain range in the world. A trekker's paradise, this terrain is remote, wild, and stunningly beautiful. The film Touching the Void, the tale of climbers Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, was made about their harrowing experience as the first mountaineers to scale Siula Grande, which is part of this mountain range. This version of the Huayhuash trek crosses six high passes over 4500 m (14,763 ft) and two that are higher than 5000 m (16,404 ft)! Throughout the 12 days of the trek, we camp next to stunningly beautiful alpine lakes and in broad, grassy valleys replete with wildflowers and rushing alpine creeks, while basking in the imposing presence of the White Mountains looming over us, with peaks at elevations above 5000 m (16,404 ft) and 6000 m (19,685 ft). At least three days of acclimatization hikes in the area are strongly recommended to be able to enjoy the trek.
April - October
12 days / 11 nights
From
$ 1750
/ Per PersonHIKING & TREKKING
the hidden valleys of salkantayStarting from a little-known valley near Limatambo, we ascend gradually over two days past ancient forests and varied Andean landscapes toward the Cruzjasa Pass at 4,550 meters / 14,927 feet above sea level. Here we will experience the best views of the south and east faces Mount Salkantay, away from the crowds. We descend along a gradual decline toward Mirador Pampaccahuana, accompanied by views of Mount Salkantay and its moraine until we reach Cusichaca Valley, which marks the eastern boundary of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary. As we approach the Sacred Valley, we will begin to see trekkers embarking on the first stretch of famous Inca Trail as we continue our hike downhill toward our private campsite at Chamana. Before finally reaching the Valley floor, we will take a detour to explore Wayna Q’ente and Machu Q’ente, two majestic Inca sites recently restored by the Ministry of Culture which showcase some of the finest Inca terracing and landscaping in the region. Our hike ends at the valley floor where we will be picked up and transported to Ollantaytambo in time to catch the afternoon train to Machu Picchu.
April - December
5 days / 4 nights
From
$ 1290
/ Per PersonHIKING & TREKKING
llama trekking on the north great inca trail
Embark on a journey through time as you explore one of the best-preserved portions of the Great Inca trail that connected Cusco, the ancient ceremonial capital of the Inca Empire, with Tomebamba, her northern sister city that is modern-day Cuenca, Ecuador. Explore over 70 km. of the main artery of the greatest road network in Pre-Columbian Latin America, speckled with archaeological sites in the remote landscapes of Northern Peru’s Central Andes. We’ll begin with a visit to Chavín de Huantar, a mysterious temple where ancient religious ceremonies took place over 3,000 years ago. We will immerse in diverse natural landscapes, crossing the Continental Divide and trek across two departments: Ancash and Huánuco, experiencing amazing vistas along the journey. On our last day we’ll arrive at Huánuco Pampa, the largest Inca administrative center outside the department of Cusco where we’ll marvel at feats of engineering achieved by a civilization whose abilities with stonecutting and placement remain unmatched to this day. This amazing trek will challenge, delight, and inspire you.
April - October
6 days / 5 nights
From
$ 1700
/ Per Person