Inca Trail Trek vs Alternative Trek to Machu Picchu

What Is an Inca Trail Trek?

The Classic Inca Trail Trek is one of the most popular hikes in the world! It leads to the mysterious citadel of Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, through the amazing Sun Gate. It is also known for its high-quality, spectacular archaeological ruins along the Inca Trail. Since 2001, the Peruvian government has enforced a quota and permit regulation in order to preserve the 500-year-old trail.

Below are all of the Machupicchu Hiking Peru Treks that are part of the Inca Trail:

• Classic Inca Trail Machu Picchu 4D/3N – Group Service
• Classic Inca Trail Machu Picchu 4D/3N – Private Service
• Short Inca Trail Trek 2D/1N – Group Service
• Short Inca Trail Trek 2D/1N – Private Service

What Is an Alternative Trek?

An alternative trek is an alternative option of a trek instead of the classic Inca Trail, also in the Andes Mountains and Cusco region. The classic Inca Trail Trek is one of the most popular and well-known, but unfortunately it sells out very quickly and bookings must be made well in advance.

There are some great alternative treks that still lead to Machu Picchu. These are gaining more popularity as they become better known. These are not restricted by the government, so they are available any time of the year.

The two most popular are:

• Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
• Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

There are others that do not end at Machu Picchu, such as Choquequirao Trek 4D and Ausangate Trek 4D/3N—featuring a new “lost city of the Incas” larger than Machu Picchu.

The actual hiking views on these Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu might be even more spectacular than what you see on the Inca Trail, but instead of hiking directly into the ruins, your trek ends at Aguas Calientes and you spend the night there in a hotel. These treks tend to be less crowded and you still have the Machu Picchu tour the next day—and in fact, you get to the ruins about 2 hours before the Inca Trail trekkers. On clear mornings, you will see the sun rising over Machu Picchu and the surrounding mountains.

All Alternative Treks of Machupicchu Hiking Peru that end at Machu Picchu are:

• Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
• Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
• Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N
• Machu Picchu by Car 2D/1N

What Makes the Inca Trail So Special?

• It’s one of the most famous treks in the world
• It hikes right into Machu Picchu using the Royal Road of the Incas – no other trek does this
• You arrive at the Sun Gate with an impressive view over Machu Picchu at dawn
• It has a wonderful array of fascinating ruins every day
• Breathtaking scenery – from snowcapped mountains to dense, lush cloud forest and jungle
• Good facilities and toilets are available at the campsites
• Despite large amounts of people, there are still moments for solitude in the mountains
• The feeling of completing a very famous trek
• Hiking through the ancient path to Machu Picchu

What May Be Inconvenient on the Inca Trail?

• 500 people depart every day (this includes tourists and trekking staff)
• You need to book about 4 months in advance for high season and you MUST make the date you booked for. No changes are allowed. If someone cancels, then their permit will not be used. There is no waiting list.
• Many groups are as large as 25 people (Machupicchu Hiking Peru maximum group size is just 8 people)
• Campsites are very full, with full facilities – it’s not exactly a wilderness or adventure camping experience

What Makes Alternative Treks So Special?

Good Aspects of the Alternative Treks

• Trekking “off the beaten track,” exploring new places no one else goes
• On some of the treks you may be the only group departing that day
• A sense of adventure and discovering new trails
• Real wilderness camping
• Isolation and remote atmosphere
• Incredible mountainous views and lots of wildlife
• Lots of herds of alpaca, llamas, and vicuña
• What is lacking in ruins is usually made up by cultural interaction and meeting locals
• You still get to trek to Machu Picchu and experience the same tour of Machu Picchu as the Inca Trail
• You get to be at Machu Picchu in time for sunrise

Some Inconveniences of the Alternative Trails

• You don’t walk into Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate, because you take the bus up to Machu Picchu.
• They are not as well-known (but are becoming more well known such as the Salkantay Trek and Lares Trek), therefore there may be concerns that you are making the best choice for you.
• There are not the high-quality, spectacular ruins along the other treks that you will find along the Inca Trail.
• You will need to spend the night before your Machu Picchu visit in Aguas Calientes. We recommend you take the bus up in the morning of your visit. When you get home, no one is going to say “WOW, you did the Lares or Salkantay trek!” (That is changing as they become more well known.)