For those visiting Peru looking for an alternative route to Machu Picchu that’s a little more off the beaten path than the usual tourist trails, the options below are all good choices.
The Lares Route
Allow three to five days for this trip to Machu Picchu, which begins at the tiny settlement of Lares in the Lares Valley. The trail takes hikers through several other villages and runs alongside a number of mountain lakes; walkers will also have the opportunity to take in some breathtaking views of Mount Veronica, which ascends to a height of more than 18,000 feet.
The Lares Route terminates close to the ruins of Ollantaytambo, and from here Machu Picchu is just a short train ride away.
The One Day Inca Trail
This trail is perfect for those who may not have time to complete the standard four to five day hikes to Machu Picchu. The route begins at KM 104 of the train line to the ancient Mayan city; from here, hikers will begin a three-hour ascent, after which they will continue along the route to Machu Picchu. Frequent travelers to this area, such as John Quarenghi, may choose to camp for a night on the trail, knowing that this will give them the opportunity to enter Machu Picchu at dawn through the Sun Gate.
The Salcantay Route
This mule-assisted route usually takes five to eight days and passes through the picturesque Mollepata Valley. It also crosses Mount Salcantay, which was one of the Inca’s most sacred peaks. From here, the trail descends into cloud forest before joining part of an ancient Inca highway that hikers can follow to the ruins of Llactapata; after this, a downhill walk leads to a small train station, where walkers can catch one of the frequently running shuttles to the town that nestles at the base of Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes.
The Lodge Trek
Allow seven to eleven days for this trek, which alternates days of hiking with evenings spent in the comfortable private lodges that are peppered along the route. This route covers much of the ground of the Salcantay Route outlined above, and the price of this package usually includes a private tour of Machu Picchu and luxury accommodation located near the ruins of the ancient city. Take a look at the embedded PDF for more information about alternative routes to Machu Picchu.