Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu
Discover breathtaking routes like Salkantay, Lares, and Choquequirao. Fewer crowds, stunning Andean landscapes, and authentic cultural experiences before reaching Machu Picchu.
Explore Our ToursFrom Glaciers to Villages: The Alternative Treks Await
Skip the crowds and dive deeper into the Andes. The Lares and Salkantay treks are the ultimate alternative treks to the Inca Trail. Get close to the wilderness, more authentic, and the living cultures from the Andes. Along the way you’ll discover turquoise jewels like Humantay Lake, cross beneath the towering Salkantay Glacier, and share moments with weaving communities in the Lares Valley. These journeys take you off the beaten path, where nature and tradition reveal Peru in its purest form.
Top Alternative Treks
Salkantay Trail
In recent years, the Salkantay Trek has become a popular alternative route because of its unique features. Likewise, its similarities to the classic Inca Trail and unique views have earned it international recognition. We refer to National Geographic´s list as one of the 25 best treks in the world.
Furthermore, this trail follows the iconic section of the Qhapaq Ñan, an ancient Inca transportation system. Making it an excellent alternative to ascending through the cold heights to the wonderful jungle. Its contrasting diversity of flora and fauna makes it a fascinating experience for many international and national tourists.
Characteristics
- Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
- Typical Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
- High Season: May – September (during the dry season in Cusco)
- Total Distance: Approximately 51 kilometers / 32 miles
- Starting Elevation: 4,200 meters / 13,780 feet
- Maximum Elevation: 4,600 meters / 15,090 feet
- Highlights: Mountain spirit, varied scenic beauty, and local farms.
Lares Trail
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most attractive for culture lovers because of its closeness to local customs and traditions. Likewise, people also call it the Weaver’s Route because you can see traditional weaving villages. In addition, the mountainous landscapes, emerald lakes, and queuña forests stand out in this section.
The experience is similar to the Inca Trail and allows hikers a more comfortable and quiet journey. While it doesn´t feature many Inca sites, unlike the previous ones, you will have an authentic experience. Besides, many people also take the opportunity to see shepherds with their llamas or women weaving colorful garments.
Characteristics
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Typical Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
- High Season: May – September (during the dry season, which is the best time to visit Machu Picchu)
- Total Distance: Approximately 33 kilometers / 20.5 miles
- Starting Elevation: 2,925 meters / 9,596 feet
- Maximum Elevation: 4,450 meters / 14,600 feet
- Highlights: Stunning mountain views, Andean culture, and hot springs.
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