• Home
  • /
  • Blog
  • /
  • Alternative Inca Trail Treks – 5+ Routes That Will Rock Your World

Alternative Inca Trail Treks – 5+ Routes That Will Rock Your World

Mark Whitman

Trekking to Machu Picchu is a dream adventure for many people, with the Inca Trail featuring as the most popular route to the famous site.

But its popularity has its downsides as well.

Here are a number of brilliant alternative Inca trail hikes to Machu Picchu – each offering something truly unique.

machu picchu cta

Get a Machu Picchu trek quote

Start planning your Machu Picchu hiking holiday.

Alternative Inca Trail - Treks to Machu Picchu and Beyond

The 4-Day Inca Trail is one of the world’s most famous trekking routes for obvious reasons. Trekkers spend four glorious days walking along vast stretches of authentic Inca trails that sojourn through breath-taking Andean landscapes. Scattered throughout the trail are a number of important Inca ruins, which trekkers get to visit.

And perhaps most impressively, the trail ends at the famous entrance to Machu Picchu, Inti Punku or Sun Gate, which affords trekkers an early-morning birds eye view of the incredible Inca city.

But there are some downsides to the Inca Trail.

Firstly, the trail has a limit of only 500 trekking permits a day, half of which are used by guides and porters. This means that would-be trekkers need to book early, especially during the peak season of May-September.

Secondly, despite the limit of 500 people per day, the trail is always crowded, which can make the experience feel a little too ‘touristy’. And finally, the trail is closed in February due to heavy rains.

So, if you are not one for booking early or sharing an experience with crowds, then these alternative Inca trail treks to Machu Picchu might just be right for you.

Alternative Inca Trail Treks

Salkantay Trail

salkantay trek

The Salkantay trail is perfect for mountain-lovers. It is the most popular alternative trek to Machu Picchu which gets nowhere near the Classic Inca Trail. The route provides unparalleled views of the snow-capped Mount Salkantay, which stands at just over 6,200 meters (20,341 feet), and provides an incredibly diverse range of scenic views.

The Salkantay route reaches a maximum altitude of just over 4,600 meters (15,092 feet) and typically takes 5 days to complete, with two additional days spent acclimatising and exploring Cusco.

Please Note: The Salkantay route is the only alternative route to Machu Picchu that can be combined with the Classic Inca Trail if you book early enough. 

Worth reading...

Lares Trail

lares trail hike

The Lares trek is the perfect trail for anyone looking to experience authentic Andean culture. The trail, which is the second easiest of the alternative Inca trails to Machu Picchu, goes through a number of fascinating and unique local villages. Some of these villages have remained unchanged for hundreds of years.

Along the route, trekkers will undoubtedly meet and interact with local farmers and weavers wearing their traditional Andean clothes. It is worthwhile taking a few spare Soles to buy some locally weaved materials – they are a lot cheaper in these villages than in Cusco town.

The Lares trail also provides noteworthy mountain views and requires trekkers to scale a few 4,000-meter (13,123 foot) passes.

Worth reading... 

Inca Jungle Trek

biking-on-inca-jungle-trek

The Inca Jungle Trail is for adventure-seekers. It starts with a 4-hour drive to the 4,300 meter (14,108 foot) Abra Malaga pass. From here, trekkers mountain bike down the winding road to Santa Maria, a 60km (37 mile) cycle which is all downhill!

A night in Santa Maria is followed by a trek due south to Santa Teresa where trekkers spend an adrenaline-filled afternoon having fun on South America’s highest zip-line.

From here, trekkers make their way to Aguas Calientes (fondly nicknamed 'Machu Picchu Town'), which sits just below the famous Incan ruins. Three days of biking, trekking and ziplining is followed by a tour of the famous Inca city.

The Inca Jungle Trek is the perfect alternative Inca trail to Machu Picchu for the young and adventurous, or for anyone with limited time.

Worth reading...

machu picchu cta

Get a Machu Picchu trek quote

Start planning your Machu Picchu hiking holiday.

Choquequirao Trek

choquequirao trek trail

The Choquequirao trail is one of the quietest treks in the region. The route begins with a 2-day journey to Choquequirao, one of the largest and most-intact Inca sites outside of Machu Picchu.

However, unlike Machu Picchu, there is usually only a hand-full of people at this impressive site. Look out for Condors flying overhead – they are quite common in this region. From here, trekkers follow a beautiful 3 or 4-day trail towards Machu Picchu.

The trek is relatively tough, so a good level of fitness is required, and is best done during the dry season shoulder months (March/April or October/November), as the sun is very intense in the peak season (May-September).

See more details on Machu Picchu weather.

Vilcabamba Trail

Ñustahispana

The Vilcabamba trail is by far the quietest route to Machu Picchu. In fact, it is possible to do this trek and not see another trekking group for miles. The route is also arguably the most scenic in the region, taking trekkers from wondrous highlands that feature a number of impressive snow-capped peaks through to lush rainforests.

However, the five-day trek is very tough and trekkers need to be prepared for three 10-12 hour trekking days. The trek is ideal for the rugged and experienced trekker.

I love this alternative Inca trail trek and think it's an excellent challenge for any hiking enthusiasts!

Huchuy Qosqo trek

The Huchuy Qosqo trek is perfect for people with limited time, as it is the shortest – only 17km (11 miles). It is also the easiest trek; so, if you are looking for a trekking experience that won’t give you sore feet, this alternative Inca trail is for you.

The route begins at Tauqaq, a small village that sits on the edge of Piuray Lagoon. This 2-day trail includes a visit to Huchuy Qosqo, an impressive Incan complex.

machu picchu cta

Get a Machu Picchu trek quote

Start planning your Machu Picchu hiking holiday.

Conclusion

And that's a wrap on my Alternative Inca Trail article! If you have any questions or insights on an alternative Inca trail in Peru, please feel free to leave a comment below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

You may also like...

Tags: Alternative Inca Trail, Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu, Alternative Machu Picchu Treks, Inca Trail Alternative, Machu Picchu Alternative, Alternative Routes to Machu Picchu, Alternative Trails to Machu Picchu, Alternative Trek to Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu Alternative Trails, Machu Picchu Alternative Treks, Alternative Hikes to Machu Picchu

References: (1) TrailBlazer Guides (2) Wikipedia (3) Multiple Guide Interviews (4) First-hand trekker experience

Mark Whitman

Hi, I'm Mark! Welcome to Machu Picchu Trek Guide - the Web's No.1 Trekking Guide to Machu Picchu. I started this guide to help trekkers like yourself get the information you need to plan for an awesome Machu Picchu trekking experience. Over 1 million people have used Machu Picchu Trek to plan their adventure to the famous Incan ruins. We hope we can help you too! If you have any questions don't hesitate to drop a comment below! Happy Trekking!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

  1. I am looking into and wanting to travel to Peru in SEPTEMBER 2019..Interested in a 1 to 2 day hike. All just in a beginning stages as I am looking for friends come join me. This Macchu Picchu Travel guide is very informative .. Which way to go and start organize my travels. Travel to Lima then to Cuzco and from there …? Thank you

    1. I am planning to go to Machu Picchu trekking in Sept 2019 as well. Looking for friends. Did you plan your trip yet? let me know, thanks.

  2. I am in the very beginning stages of planning a trip to Peru April 2023 and am hoping to add the trek to Machu Picchu to the trip. I am thinking I'd like to do the Inca Trail route. Do you have a recommendation for which company to book with? Any other advice?

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Get a quote from our recommended local trek operator in Peru

Get a Machu Picchu trek quote