Inca Trail Alternatives
When the Inca trail 4-day permits run out, and there is no single ticket left, the backup for a new adventure is the Inca trail Alternatives, with an unlimited entry admission, or rather, no ticket reservation is needed.
Although these treks don´t lead straight to Machu Picchu, each hike has its charm and highlights. See what other travelers are reporting and pick the hike that you think suits you best. So here go with seven Inca trail alternatives. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Inca trail alternatives that ends in Machu Picchu
Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu
Salkantay trek is the second as most demanded after or whenever the Inca trail permits run out. So there you go, if you want, do the hike on your own if it is something you are used to or choose wisely a tour company from Cusco, for an organized tour. Tours extend from 4 days up to 8 or more days depending on which type of service you want to take.
What is interesting about the Salkantay trek is the hike through a mountain valley between two massive snow peaks on day one; the Salkantay and the Humantay. And beyond the mountain pass at 16 000 feet, little by little, hikers head to the warm valley hamlets such as Chaullay. And on the following days, they pass through coffee farmhouses and fruits, until the Llactapata Inca site to have the first glimpses of Machu Picchu. Thereafter, the hike continues downhill from Hidroeltrica station to the final trail to Aguas Calientes by the side of the railroad.
Things to know
- Hiking Salkantay trek: You will have a chance to visit Machu Picchu following circuit 1 or 2.
- Season: This trek is open the whole year. But it is not recommended to hike in January and February because of the rainy season. The heavy rain causes landslides on the trail.
- Booking: You don’t need to book 8 months in advance like Inca Trail. You can do it 1 or 2 months in advance.
- Horse support: In Salkantay trek Horses are allowed so if you get tired, you can ride a horse. We recommend riding only uphills, not downhills.
- Arrival: You arrive at Machu Picchu by bus or hiking. Most people prefer the bus because you get to Machu Picchu fresh.
- Accommodations: Each company has different accommodations, some have Domes, some have Hotels, some have sky lodges, and some use tents.
- Duration: You can hike in 4 days or 5 days or you can even combine with Inca Trail in 7 days.
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Highlights: Glacier, different scenic beauty, and local farms
- Starting elevation: 12,795 ft (3,900 m)
- Peak elevation: 13,615 ft (4,6150 m)
Inka jungle trek to Machu Picchu
Inca Jungle trekking, also known as the Inca jungle tour, is a mixture of biking, rafting, hiking, and ziplining before getting to Machu Picchu. It begins with a road trip through the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo onwards the Abra Malaga pass. Everyone gears up there for biking down the winding road to Santa Maria: a descent from the highlands to the jungles of Cusco.
On the second day, there is a 15 km hike; tough at the beginning, but it levels out soon. Some of the portions of this trek will be the original Inca trail, overlooking the lush green valleys of Santa Maria and Vilcannota River, across coca and coffee plantations until Santa Teresa Hotsprings.
The third day is for airborne adventures, and as you might know, there in Santa Teresa are zip lines for ziplining and a zip line bridge to cross, so the morning hour is for adrenaline rush activities. Later in the afternoon, to get to Aguas Calientes town, you will have to walk from Hidroelctrica station following the railroad for 3 hours.
Things to know
- Season: This trek is open the whole year. However, it is not recommended in the rainy season (January – March) because there is a high chance of landslides and the river level increases too much for rafting.
- Accommodations: There are no places to set up tents, so travel companies use hostels and hotels.
- Duration: The popular itinerary is 4 days ending in Machu Picchu. There is also an option to do it in 3 days, but you will miss the hiking on the Original Inca trail.
- Machu Picchu visit: Hiking the Inca Jungle trek, you will have a chance to visit Machu Picchu following Circuit 1 or 2.
- Booking: You don’t need to book 8 months in advance like Inca Trail. You can do it 1 or 2 months in advance.
- Logistics: In the Inca Jungle trek, there are no horses or porters. All equipment is transported by vehicles.
- Arrival: You arrive at Machu Picchu by bus or hiking. Most people prefer the bus to arrive fresh. Hiking from Aguas Calientes is a steep uphill.
- Itinerary: Each company offers different ways; some include hiking Llactapata and some do not. Always ask what is included.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Amazing mountain views, rafting, biking, zipline, and hot springs.
- Starting elevation: 9,589 ft (2,931 m)
- Peak elevation: 13,812 ft (4,209 m)
Lares trek to Machu Picchu
For an adventure enthusiast, there is beauty everywhere in nature. Now we know you wanted the Inca trail option, and yes, it really is a great thing to experience, but there is not much that we can do to get permits after all has been betrayed. If the Inca trail follows the centuries-old path and ruins, the Lares trek follows through the mountains and valleys where Andean men inhabited for centuries, they still keep alive their lifestyle and cultural practices. See more about Lares trek to Machu Picchu.
Things to know
- Machu Picchu visit: Hiking Lares Trek, you will have a chance to visit Machu Picchu following Circuit 1 or 2.
- Season: This trek is open the whole year. You can hike Lares any time because there is no risk of landslides. During the rainy season, the only risk is that the pass might be covered in snow, making it difficult to cross.
- Booking: You don’t need to book 8 months in advance like Inca Trail. You can do it 1 or 2 months in advance.
- Horse support: In Lares trek Horses are allowed so if you get tired, you can ride a horse. We recommend riding only uphills, not downhills.
- Arrival: You arrive at Machu Picchu by bus or hiking. Most people prefer the bus to arrive fresh. Hiking from Aguas Calientes is a steep uphill.
- Accommodations: There are only 2 options. Only one company has hotels in the area and the rest of the companies use tents.
- Duration: You can hike in 3 days or 4 days or you can even combine with a short Inca Trail in 5 days.
- Itinerary: There are more than 7 itineraries. Each company offers a different one. The classic itinerary starts from Kiswarany and ends in Huaran or vice-versa.
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Amazing mountain views, visit remote villages and hot springs.
- Starting elevation: 9,589 ft (2,931 m)
- Peak elevation: 14,612 ft (4,449 m)
Inca quarry trail to Machu Picchu
The Inca Quarry trail is one of the less-trodden routes in Cusco; therefore, not very popular among the other treks. The trailhead is at a small hamlet of Socma, where few locals make their living by plowing the soil and planting seeds, and farming animals. During the three-day hike, you will be experiencing waterfalls, Inca ruins, and magical Andean sceneries; there is also a second Inti Punku at the summit of a mountain before reaching the Inca quarry on the third-day hike. Most of the trek is over the tree-line terrain but worth the experience. See more about the Inca Quarry trail vs Inca trail.
Things to know
- Accommodations: There are no hotels in the area. All companies offer this route with tents.
- Itinerary: There are 2 itineraries. The classic one is 4 days starting from the town of Socma and ending in Ollantaytambo combined with Machu Picchu.
- Duration: 4 days.
- Highlights: Waterfall, Sungate, amazing mountain views, visit remote villages, and Inca ruins.
- Machu Picchu visit: Choosing Quarry Trail, you will have a chance to visit Machu Picchu following Circuit 1 or 2.
- Season: This trek is open the whole year. However, it is not recommended to hike in the rainy season because on the second day, you hike mostly on top of the mountain and there is a risk of lightning.
- Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult.
- Booking: You don’t need to book 8 months in advance like Inca Trail. You can do it 1 or 2 months in advance.
- Horse support: In Quarry Trail horses are allowed so if you get tired, you can ride a horse. We recommend riding only uphills, not downhills.
- Arrival: You arrive at Machu Picchu by bus or hiking. Most people prefer the bus to arrive fresh. Hiking from Aguas Calientes is a steep uphill.
- Starting elevation: 12,589 ft (3,831 m)
- Peak elevation: 14,512 ft (4,549 m)
Huchuy Qosqo trek to Machu Picchu
There are three ways to get to Huchuy Qosqo, and considering the one that relates most to the Inca trail experience, and which we want to suggest, is the 3-day Huchuy Qosqo hike for there is an ancient and less crowded Inca trail from Cusco to a mountain above the Sacred Valley where Huchuy Qosqo sits.
It essentially consists of hiking paths where solitude still exists, over the mountains between Cusco and Sacred Valley. First, you will see beautiful Andean lagoons; Piuray lagoon and the golden lagoon. The vistas are an amazing display, with the jagged mountains on one side and the Chinhchero plains on the other. As for the second day, before visiting Huchuy Qosqo, you gotta pass through a very narrow canyon and enter Huchuy Qosqo by the gate of gates. See more about the Huchuy Qosqo trek.
Things to know
- Family friendly: This hike is perfect for families with kids and if you have pets, you can hike with them without any problem.
- Accommodations: There are no hotels in the area. But there are families who offer homestays where you will learn about daily life. Travel companies offer camping in tents or homestays.
- Itinerary: There are 3 itineraries. Each company offers a different one. The classic itinerary starts from Patabamba and ends in Lamay or vice-versa.
- Duration: You can hike Huchuy Qosqo in 1 to 3 days combining with Machu Picchu, or even combine with a short Inca Trail in 4 days.
- Highlights: Amazing mountain views, visit remote villages and Inca ruins.
- Machu Picchu visit: Choosing Huchuy Qosqo, you will have a chance to visit Machu Picchu following Circuit 1 or 2.
- Season: This trek is open the whole year. You can hike Huchuy Qosqo any time because there is no risk of landslides on the way.
- Difficulty: Depends on the itinerary. The route from Patambamba to Lamay is considered easy to moderate.
- Booking: You don’t need to book 8 months in advance like Inca Trail. You can do it 1 or 2 months in advance.
- Horse support: In Huchuy Qosqo horses are allowed so if you get tired, you can ride a horse. We recommend riding only uphills, not downhills.
- Arrival: You arrive at Machu Picchu by bus or hiking. Most people prefer the bus to arrive fresh. Hiking from Aguas Calientes is a steep uphill.
- Starting elevation: 12,589 ft (3,831 m)
- Peak elevation: 14,612 ft (4,449 m)
Ancascocha trek to Machu Picchu
Ancascocha to Machu Picchu is also one of the few treks, but there it is. The trailhead is again at Socma hamlet outside of Ollantaytambo, and yes, this is either to begin the Inca quarry trek or the Ancascocha trek to Machu Picchu. The minimum day of the trek is four days; plus the Machu Picchu day, it is a five-day trek in total.
Things to know
- Accommodations: There are no hotels in the area. All companies offer this route with tents.
- Itinerary: There are 2 itineraries. The first starts in Killarumic area and the second from Socma town. The popular itinerary is the second route in 5 days.
- Duration: A faster 4-day version is available for intense hikers, but we recommend the 5-day one to go at a slower pace.
- Highlights: Waterfall, amazing mountain views, visit remote villages, and Inca ruins.
- Machu Picchu visit: By choosing the Ancascocha trek, you will have a chance to visit Machu Picchu following Circuit 1 or 2.
- Season: This trek is open the whole year. However, it is not recommended in the rainy season due to the risk of lightning at the mountain summits.
- Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult.
- Booking: You don’t need to book 8 months in advance. You can do it 1 or 2 months in advance.
- Horse support: Horses are allowed; we recommend riding only uphills, not downhills.
- Arrival: You arrive at Machu Picchu by bus or hiking. Most people prefer the bus to arrive fresh.
- Starting elevation: 12,589 ft (3,831 m)
- Peak elevation: 14,512 ft (4,549 m)
Alternative treks that not end in Machu Picchu
Choquequirao trek
No train or shuttle buses get nearby Choquequirao Park because it is way high above the Apurimac River. Choquequirao trek extends from 4 to 5 days during which you sleep in tents and walk a challenging trail on both sides of the Apurimac canyon. The only thing keeping massive visitors away is the difficulty and toughness of the path. See more about the Choquequirao trek.
Things to know
- Season: This trek is open the whole year. However, we highly recommend NOT going in the rainy season (January – March) because of landslides.
- Booking: You don’t need to book months in advance. You can book even a week before.
- Horse support: Horses are allowed; we recommend riding only uphills.
- Transportation: There is no transportation to Choquequirao. You must hike in and hike out.
- Accommodations: Local people offer lodging in their houses or you can set up tents in campsites.
- Duration: 4 or 5 days. You can also combine Choquequirao with Machu Picchu in a 7-day trek.
- Itinerary: Nowadays, you can access via Cachora or Yanama town. The access via Huañipaca was destroyed by landslides.
- Difficulty: Challenging.
- Highlights: Amazing mountain views, remote villages, Choquequirao ruins, and Apurimac River.
- Starting elevation: 8,858 ft (2,731 m)
- Peak elevation: 9,973 ft (3,049 m)
Ausangate trek
If you’re looking for a truly unforgettable adventure, the Ausangate Trek in Peru should be on your list. This trek is known for its high-altitude passes, turquoise lakes, and breathtaking mountain views. It typically takes 5-6 days to complete and covers a distance of approximately 70 kilometers. Along the way, you’ll encounter traditional Andean communities and experience the rich culture of the region.
Things to know
- Season: This trek is open the whole year. However, it is not recommended to hike in the rainy season because the passes are covered with snow, especially in the 6-day versions.
- Accommodations: There is one company with a lodge, and others like AB Expeditions offer cabins and shelters. The rest of the companies offer camping with tents.
- Itinerary: There are more than 10 itineraries starting from Upis, Rainbow Mountain, or Chillca. Some include the Rainbow Mountain and others do not.
- Booking: You don’t need to book 8 months in advance. You can book even a week before.
- Horse support: Horses are allowed; we recommend riding only uphills, not downhills.
- Duration: You can hike from 1 to 7 days. The most popular are the 4-day and 6-day versions ending at Rainbow Mountain.
- Difficulty: Difficult because of the altitude.
- Highlights: Amazing mountain views, lakes, colorful mountains, waterfalls, llamas, alpacas, and remote villages.
- Starting elevation: 14,435 ft (4,431 m)
- Peak elevation: 17,060 ft (5,200 m)
My name is Abel, and I am the co-founder of AB Expeditions, a local travel company based in Cusco. I was born in Chinchero, in the community of Chusso. My journey began working as a farmer, then later as a porter on the Inca Trail. After that, I studied to become a tour guide, learned English, and spent 20 years guiding different treks around the Cusco region.
Over the years, I began writing blogs about the treks I’ve done and sharing useful tips about traveling in Cusco. Eventually, I founded AB Expeditions to offer authentic travel experiences with a strong commitment to supporting local communities and creating unforgettable adventures for our guests.
- Abel
- Abel
- Abel
- Abel
