With permits limited on the iconic, well-trodden Inca Trail, these alternative routes to the treasures of the Andes are ever more appealing.
Photo © Shutterstock/Rafal Cichawa
- Practical Tips for Hiking to Machu Picchu
- Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
- Ancascocha Trail to Machu Picchu
- Classic Choquequirao Trail
- The Ausangate Trek and Vinicunca (Rainbow) Mountain
Peru's iconic Inca Trail, a fairly taxing 26-mile hike to the sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu, has been an adventure lover’s rite of passage since the site was first discovered in 1911.
As more than a million travelers descend each year, and the site nudges ever closer to inclusion on UNESCO’s list of endangered Heritage Sites, more sustainable tourist initiatives have taken hold.
These equally scenic routes offer trails strewn with Inca ruins amidst a flamboyant diversity of ecosystems, unsullied by the selfie stick-wielding crowds.
Practical Tips for Hiking to Machu Picchu
Besides the alternative routes to Machu Picchu listed here, many operators will customize their standard routes and offer treks that range from basic tents to more "glamping" style options.
Travelers with tight schedules and who like
In very high season (June to September), tours quickly sell out and you’ll need to purchase your permits for Machu Picchu at least three months in advance.
To avoid altitude sickness, plan to spend two or three days acclimatizing in Cusco before setting out. High elevations can also mean dramatic temperature spikes.
Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
The five-day Salkantay Trail, which connects Cusco to Machu Picchu, is the most popular alternative to the classic Inca Trail. The trail starts at the village of Mollepata, a few miles from Cusco, and negotiates 45mi (72.5km) of Andean peaks, cloud forest, and lowland jungle.
Widely considered to be a step up from the Inca Trail in terms of physical challenge, hikers must tackle the windswept, frigid Salkantay
The trade-off is huge: the chance to hike in relative solitude past awe-inspiring Salkantay Mountain (20,569 ft or 6,269m) and through valleys studded with ruins. The five-day tour costs around S/. 1,779 or US $550 (based on nine trekkers).
For travelers that prefer more creature comforts, this hike provides the option of staying in high-end mountain lodges (with plush duvets, eggs over easy, and wine lists). But prices are high-end too, from S/. 10,350 (US $3,200)
No permits or guides are required for the Salkantay trek, but you’ll still need to purchase an entrance ticket to Machu Picchu (around S/. 226 or
Ancascocha Trail to Machu Picchu
Located within the Sacred Valley, the Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu yields similar scenery to the classic Inca Trail, but with little tourist traffic and the chance to explore recently excavated ruins en route.
Much more strenuous than the Inca Trail, this grueling, 34mi (55km) high-Andes trail involves ascending seven steep summits and negotiating rocky terrain at a dizzying 15,800ft (4,816m).
Your reward: a secluded hike through the pristine landscapes of the Vilcabamba and Urubamba mountain ranges.
On the final day, trekkers board the train to Aguas Calientes, the base camp for Machu Picchu. Tours begin in Cusco and drive to the starting point at Mollepata, three hours away. Prices for the tour range from S/. 3,073 or US $950 (six to ten trekkers) to S/. 3,720 or US $1,150 (two trekkers).
Classic Choquequirao Trail
Nestled in cloud forest, some 61mi (98km) west of Cusco, the magnificent Inca citadel of Choquequirao is often called the "other Machu Picchu". With a maximum elevation of 10,000ft (3,048m), this trail is not a high-altitude head spinner compared to some other Andes treks. But it does feature some brutal ascents, rocky terrain, and a challenging hike deep into the Apurímac Canyon.
Your payoff is gorgeous scenery, Quechua villages steeped in mysticism, and ruins that are still being excavated – all without the need for a guide and the crowds of Machu Picchu.
Departing from Cachora (four hours from Cusco), the four-day round trip hike to the ruins of Choquequirao with a guide will set you back around S./ 1,860 or
The Ausangate Trek and Vinicunca (Rainbow) Mountain
One of the most scenic and challenging hikes in Peru, the Ausangate Trek is also one of the highest-altitude treks in Peru.
Tour companies offer treks that range from three to seven days, but the most scenic treks involve, at a minimum, a five-day loop circuit from a starting altitude of 12,464ft (3,800m). From there, the trail ascends to over 17,060ft (5,200m) and negotiates three hair-
Proximity to Ausangate's snow-covered massif means temperatures plummet well below freezing at night.
Unlike the Inca Trail, no permits or guides are needed, and chances are you’ll encounter only a smattering of other hikers as you traverse snow-capped peaks, glaciers, high alpine lakes, and valleys full of alpacas and llamas – the Ausangate local community is one of the few shepherding communities left in the world.
As well as basic campsites, trekkers can sleep at one of four upscale lodges (
Also available is a combined Vinicunca-Ausangate trek which showcases the much-photographed Vinicunca (aka "Rainbow") mountain, with its naturally striated multi-colored hues.
If you opt to do a standalone trek to Vinicunca on a day trip from Cusco, be aware that it's a challenging hike with a maximum elevation of 16,470ft (5,020m). Don't attempt it unless you've properly acclimated beforehand, and be sure to wear good hiking shoes and be prepared for both cold and sun.
Want to know more about Peru? Check out our podcast. We chat about alternative treks to Machu Picchu, how Peru is the original home of surfing, and look at what vaccinations do you need when traveling to South America.
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