If you were thinking of hiking the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu but it has been sold out due to high demand you might want to consider some of the great alternative Inca Trail treks in the Cusco region. The Peruvian government has imposed limits on the number of people who can hike the trail and has established strict regulations which lead to people not getting permits if they dont book a while in advance. For detailed information regarding how many spaces are open each day please contact us at Escaped to Peru in Cusco.
Salcantay Trek
One of the alternative Inca Trails to consider is the Salcantay Trek which has no limitations on spaces or permits and is open to everyone. When planning to walk this trek, it is preferable to reserve through a tour company like us so that we can take care of transport, mules, porters, tents, sleeping bags and food as well as a guide to make sure you get to Machu Picchu!
The Salkantay Trail is not particularly tough for more experienced hikers but as with all treks in the Andes it is high altitude walking. This trek offers more privacy and authenticity than the more frequented classic Inca Trail and has a great deal of glorious scenery.
The end of the first day takes you very close to the mountains of Salkantay and Humantay. At a height of 6,274 meters, Mt. Salcantay has a glacier-capped summit, rising amongst the lovely country scenery of pastures, rural farms and glacial streams. After crossing a 15,000-foot pass and dropping down the other side of the mountain you find yourself in one narrow valley after another with great vistas with changing elevations and ecosystems. The end of the trail is a somewhat tough ascent but it offers a splendid view of Machu Picchu in the distance from a ruin on mountain opposing it, a view that not many people enjoy. Completing the trail is a short train ride to Aguas Calientes.
Lares Trek
Another alternative to the Inca Trail is the Lares Trail that takes walkers off the beaten tourist paths and through a part of Peru with spectacular scenery that has changed little over the past 500 years. This Inca trail offers the chance to view the lives of Andean farmers and see their thatched stone houses surrounded by herds of llamas and alpacas. This trail also does not require permits and therefore is much easier to arrange when the classic route is sold out.
The Lares Trail is a great alternative for the more experienced hiker as it includes three passes over 4,200 meters. Starting in the village of Quishuarani the route climbs to these high passes that offer tremendous views of mountains capped with glaciers and vistas of the Quellacocha lakes which are a dazzling turquoise color reflecting the surrounding peaks. The trail then descends to the village of Cuncani and passes along the base of Nevado Pumachuanca before descending to the village of Yanachuara in the Sacred Valley. You board a bus to Ollantaytambo and then a train to Aguas Calientes. The final day includes the landmark visit to the Machu Picchu citadel.
Choquequirao Trek
Another hike suitable for the more experienced trekker is the Choquequirao trek, which takes you to the beautiful and isolated ruins of Choquequirao located on a ledge high above the fierce Apurimac River. These ruins are considered to be very fine in design and of being of high status within the Inca culture given the quality of the main double-jamb doorways and niches found throughout the site.
The trek typically starts in the town of Cachora some 3 hours from Cusco by vehicle and walking from there climbs to Capuliyoc where great views of the Apurimac Valley can be enjoyed as well as the peaks of Oadrayac and Wayna Cachora, all capped in snow. A steep descent which is hard on the knees takes you to Rosalina Beach besides the Apurimac River where the night is spent followed by an extensive hike upward the next day to Choquequirao. You will then spend time visiting the ruins, maybe spotting a Condor swooping overhead. The trek returns to Coca Masana by way of Raqaypata with the return three or four hour bus ride to Cusco.
Although perhaps not as popular as the Inca Trail, these trails may take you away from the relative hustle and bustle of the Inca Trail but can offer just as interesting and exciting alternatives. They are also much easier to arrange at shorter notice with virtually no restriction on numbers of trekkers. Regulations are always changing in Latin America, such is the nature of the authorities here, so please check with us when you are making your plans. Feel free to check out our extensive information, Latin America website, Blogs and Faceb0ok for news and reviews…..
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Much appreciated for the information and share!
You are completely right the alternatives are great, I actually prefer some of them to the Inca Trail trek as they are so much quieter and especially in Lares you get to meet real living culture rather than one that died out 500 years ago. Choquequirao is a tough descent and ascent but stunning location and so quiet up there. I have been trying to compile a resource with detailed information and photos of these and many other alternative treks and day walks in the area http://www.trektheandes.com.
The Inca Trail trek is unique and it is beautiful but there is so much more to the Peruvian Andes that people just do not know about yet would love just as much.