Trekking alternatives to Machu Picchu: Unique routes beyond the Inca Trail

The classic 4-day Inca Trail is the most famous route to Machu Picchu, but it is not the only one. With limited spaces, high demand, and the search for different experiences, many travelers opt for alternative routes to Machu Picchu.

These routes offer spectacular scenery, contact with Andean communities, and, in some cases, the possibility of entering Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Intipunku), just as the Incas did.

Below, we will explore the main alternative routes to Machu Picchu, their characteristics, advantages, and what makes them unique.

Why choose alternative routes to the Inca Trail?

Although the classic Inca Trail is a magical experience, there are several reasons why travelers choose other options:

Availability: spots on the Inca Trail sell out months in advance.

Fewer tourists: alternative routes are less crowded and offer greater connection with nature.

New landscapes: glaciers, turquoise lagoons, cloud forests, and sacred mountains.

Living culture: many routes pass through Andean communities where ancestral traditions are still maintained.

Variety of options: from short 2-day hikes to 7-day treks.

Main alternative routes to Machu Picchu

Salkantay Trek (4 or 5 days)

The Salkantay Trek is the most famous alternative route to the Inca Trail. Named by National Geographic as one of the 25 best treks in the world, it combines snow-capped mountains, high jungle, and breathtaking landscapes.

Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail (4 days)

The Lares Trek is famous for its cultural connection with Andean communities that keep their traditions alive. This route allows you to live alongside local residents, learn about ancient textile techniques, and hike through landscapes of mountains, lakes, and llamas.

The combination with the short Inca Trail adds an archaeological touch and a unique arrival at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Intipunku).

Qachiqata (Inca Quarry) + Short Inca Trail (4 days)

The Inca Quarry Trek or Cachicata Trek is a little-explored route that combines history and archaeology. It takes you through the quarries where the Incas extracted stones for Ollantaytambo, passing hidden archaeological sites and spectacular landscapes of the Sacred Valley.

When combined with the Short Inca Trail, the trip culminates with a visit to Wiñay Wayna and a triumphant entrance to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.

Choquequirao Trek (7 to 9 days)

The Choquequirao Trek is one of the most demanding hikes, but also one of the most spectacular. It leads to the lost city of the Incas, considered the “sacred sister of Machu Picchu.”