Best Alternative Hikes to Machu Picchu

Why You Might Consider Alternatives To The Inca Trail?

it is not a cup of tea to climb the famous Inca trail and enjoy the views of Machu Picchu.

• Also, due to its increasing popularity, the Inca trail has become crowded. Anyone who has taken a break from work to have a peaceful holiday might not like being reminded of the city hustles and seeing the crowd. So considering alternative Hikes to Machu Picchu can be a smart idea.
• Also, since the government has put many restrictions on the Inca Trail trek, such as you can not travel independently on the Inca Trail, you need to book your trek with an authorized tour company. This can be problematic as many travelers make sudden plans and are not into pre-planning.
• But that is not all; the Peruvian Government has restricted the number of trekkers to the Inca to 500 per day, which would include porters and guides. So, planning your trip early and getting permits becomes a necessity.

Therefore, Alpaca has come up with many other treks that could be great alternative Hikes to Machu Picchu. These treks would not only be less crowded but would offer another side story of the great Incan People.

These treks would also be filled with adventures, wildlife, authentic traditions, and breathtaking views. Let us explore them.

Alternative Hikes to Machu Picchu:

1. The Salkantay Trek

Machu Picchu is undeniably an incredible experience, but reaching it via the Inca trail is not the only way. Another most explored trek to Machu Picchu is the Salkantay Trek.

• This is called so because it passes through Salkantay Pass, which is 4,650 m above sea level. This trek is 74 km long and is best for people who love adventures.
• While traveling through this trek, travelers get to observe much diversity. There are glacier lakes, snow-covered mountains, parts of the Amazon forest, ancient Incan runways, hot springs, horse rides, coffee plantations, and a lot more.
• The most beautiful part of this trek is the Humantay Lake. This is a turquoise color glacier lake because of the potassium present in it. And it becomes more dramatic as snow-capped mountains surround the lake.

Salkantay Pass:

People are unable to understand whether they observe this masterpiece of nature or capture the moment in their devices, as no one would believe that heaven exists on earth until they see it themselves.

• On Salkantay Pass, people see the snow-filled mountains and clouds talking to each other. The best adventure is for people to watch the cloud forest turn into a rainforest. People are amazed to experience completely different biomes.
• On the way, people observe the coffee plantation and savor the coffee by roasting it themselves and taking baths in hot springs. These hot springs are famous for relaxing the muscles and making people live longer and younger.
• This trail also offers something that the Inca trail does not provide, “The Llactapata Ruins.” this offers a different view of Incan history, and it is also easier to see the citadel and surrounding peaks. Here, people see the agricultural terraces and ceremonial buildings of the Incan people.
• Overall, this trek offers a comprehensive experience to trekkers. There is no limit on how many visitors can visit this trek. This trek is more complex than the Inca trail and is also more rewarding as it offers so much to the hikers.

2. The Lares Trek

Machu Picchu is located at an altitude of 2430 meters, but reaching it should not be difficult, as there are many treks that make the journey simpler.

The second most preferred trek is the Lares Trek.

• This trek gives people a fantastic experience. Along this trail, you will get to meet many locals and learn about the deep-rooted history of the Incas. Locals have preserved the Inca culture for years, and you can see their way of leading the most simple yet sophisticated life.
• Lares Trek begins at High Valley in Lares. It is 35 km long, making it moderately difficult.

This pass does not require any permit and is also less costly than the Inca trail.

• This Alternative Hikes to Machu Picchu consists of many high-altitude plateaus, glacial lakes, hot springs, unique wildlife, and waterfalls, and observe & learn local farming techniques.
• People enjoy the hot spring bath at Lares, at Kiswarani Waterfall; this water is filled with minerals and does not smell like Sulphur. Therefore, people love to take a bath here. The water moisturizes the skin and gives it the perfect massage.
• In this trek, people pass through many villages like Kiswarani, Cancha Cancha (the only village without any modern technology), where people can see the houses made only with stone and grass (just like the ancient Inca houses) Authorized tour services like Alpaca also encourage people to contribute something to the local community or their ward’s education.
• The best part about the Lares trek is that people can purchase things from the local community and keep them with them, which will remind them of the Lares trek later.

3. The Choquequirao Trek

The Choquequirao trek is named after the well-preserved archaeological site, Choquequirao, which consists of more ancient and larger ruins than Machu Picchu.

This trek offers a more intimate understanding of the Incan people and their culture, which is missing in other treks.

• The Choquequirao is also called the sister city of Machu Picchu. This trek is 54 km long and is comparatively less complicated than the Inca, Lares & Salkantay trek. The highest point in this trek is 3000 m above sea level, which is much lower than that of the other treks.
• Choquequirao means “Cradle of Gold.” it is one of the less known and visited places because of its inaccessibility. This place was the refuse place for the Incan people when the Spanish invasion happened. The excavation has not been fully completed, and it offers people a different story of the Incas.
• On this trek, people can see lush forests, snow-capped mountains, deep canyons, wildlife, great views of the Apurimac valley and river, jaw-dropping views of the Andes, diverse flora and fauna, and a lot more.
• This trek is less crowded but is more notable as people visit Choquequirao and learn a bit more about the Incas than others.

But this trek can be a little bit riskier if anyone plans to trek alone. It is more fun when you travel with a tour operator like Alpaca, who are the experienced ones in the valley. They would make you travel in groups, protect you from the harshness of the journey, and keep a strong backup if anything happens. You will surely feel the difference with Alpaca.

4. Ausangate Trek

This is one of the toughest hike one can have; you can hike upto 5030 m, which is one of the highest elevations (the fifth-highest peak in Peru) in Peru. This trek has a beautiful view of Ausangate Mountain, which is the most exceptional view of Peru.

• If you plan this trip with Alpaca, you can cover a trip to Rainbow Mountain along with Ausangate Mountain. This trail will be around 100 km. Although it is one of the toughest treks, but still people love it because of the spectacular views and experience it provides
• On this trek, people get to view the glacier mountains, waterfalls, lagoons, Andean valleys, Turquoise glacial lakes, multi-colored slopes, native birds, wildlife, interaction with local communities, and a lot more.
• Due to the difficulty, this trek is preferred by fewer people, making itself an excellent opportunity for those who prefer a peaceful and immersive trek.difference with Alpaca

5. Huchuy Qosqo Trek

This trek is named Huchuy Qosqo trek because it covers Huchuy Quosqo, an archaeological site, and a former Inca administrative center. People get to understand the hierarchical and official system of the Incas.

• This trek is comparatively more straightforward than the other treks and can be good if you are traveling with family. It can be completed in less time, and it is merely 15-20 km long.
• On this trek, people can see an Inca site called Puca Pucara, beautiful landscapes of mountains and farmlands, Queullacocha Lake, Andean grass called Ichu, Qoricocha Lake (Golden Lake), Urubamba mountain range, picturesque vistas, lush forests, wildlife and much more.
• Huchuy Qosqo is one of the important aspects of Incan reins. They did not build it but adopted it from the previous civilization. People visit this site to understand the Incan culture and traditions.
• This trek is perfect for those people who want to understand the history and know more about the Incas. As this trek demands less physical activity, it can be ideal for those who are not in their ideal fitness condition.

Choose The Best Alternative Hikes to Machu Picchu:

As you can now see and understand, there are many alternative treks to Machu Picchu, which do not require special permits and are less crowded; now you can plan your next holiday there.

You must see Machu Picchu, the sacred city of the Incas, in your lifetime. With so many alternative hiking options available, there is no reason to miss Machu Picchu.

You can choose your trek if you are still confused by the below table.

Trek	Best For	Key Features
Salkantay Trek	Adventure and fun	Salkantay Trek Adventure and fun High-altitude passes, diverse landscapes, and a challenging route with breathtaking views.
Lares Trek	Connecting with local communities and Incan culture	Passes through traditional Andean villages, offering cultural immersion alongside scenic views.
Choquequirao Trek	Understanding Inca history and visiting a secluded place	Leads to the lesser-known Choquequirao ruins, offering solitude and rich historical significance.
Ausangate Trek	Hiking at high altitudes and connecting with the mountains	Stunning views of snow-capped peaks, colorful and sacred mountain passes
Huchuy Qosqo Trek	Short on time or looking for an easier route to Machu Picchu	A shorter trek with manageable difficulty, passing through ruins and offering panoramic views.

After Choosing The Best Alternative Hikes to Machu Picchu, Choose The Best Tour Partner

Traveling solo to these places can sometimes be riskier; for example, if you miss any of your essentials at home during the Choquequirao Trek, it would be difficult as there will be no facilities available nearby.

Traveling with a tour operator like Alpaca would ensure that you get food, porters, camping, resting, and washroom facilities. Still, you won’t be creating any pollution or hurting the sacred or ancient places as Alpaca is a sustainable tourism company.

The best part is that you will get qualified guides who will give you in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Incans and enrich your journey.