THERE’S NOTHING LIKE the satisfaction of trekking through the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu Citadel with one’s own two feet, which is why the Classic Inca Trail hike has become so popular in recent years. There was a time when a traveler could roll into Cusco and set up an Inca Trail trek for the following day—or week, or month—has long since passed! To limit damage to the trail, the Peruvian government now limits access to 500 persons per day, porters included. The entire world is competing for permits for the peak hiking season from May to October, thus permits sell out months in advance. Many of the best dates are sold out the prior year in October when the permits become available.
An alternative trek is another for a trek instead of the Classic Inca Trail, which is also in the Andes Mountains and Cusco region. The classic Inca Trail Trek is one of the most popular and well known, but unfortunately it sells out very quickly and bookings must be made way in advance.
There are alternative treks that include the 2-Day Inca Trail and another popular trek such as the Lares Trek or Salkanty trek. Thus the hiker gets to experience the last part of the Inca Trail and still visit Machu Picchu at the same time. These need 2 day permits for the Inca Trail but these do not sell out as fast and there are more available. These are a great alternative for those that want to at least trek part of the way on the Inca Trail and they also get to enter into Machu Picchu passing through the famous Sun Gate or Inti Punku.
There are also some great alternative treks (that do not include the Inca Trail) that still lead to Machu Picchu. These are gaining in popularity as they become more well known. These are not restricted by the government so they are available any time of the year. The two most popular are the Lares trek 4D/3N or the Salkantay trek 5D/4N. There are others that do not end at Machu Picchu, such as Choquequirao 5/4N, a new lost city of the Incas larger than Machu Picchu.
The actual hiking views on these Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu might be even more spectacular than what you see on the Inca Trail but instead of hiking directly into the ruins, your trek ends at Aguas Calientes and spend the night there in a hotel. These treks tend to be less crowded and you still have the Machu Picchu tour the next day and in fact get to the ruins 2 hours before the Inca Trail trekkers. On clear mornings you will see the sun rising over Machu Picchu the surrounding mountains.
We have a large variety of alternative treks and tour Packate to Machu Picchu available. This gives our passengers plenty of options to choose. We do not just focus on the standard treks or tour that everyone else offers. Our treks have different routes, campsites, and added features that no one else does. It costs a bit more to do this but our focus is to provide the best “Off the Beaten Track Trekking” experience possible. Here are some great Tours, Treks and Packages to Machu Picchu, review and explore them bellow.
Our expedition staff are experienced, enthusiastic and among the best in the industry - they are our secret to success
Travelling with us will always feel like going with friends and not with a group of strangers in an organized tour.
With ten years’ experience and over 25 Packages to Machu Picchu alone, our team knows how to deliver a successful expedition.
The food is one of the most important things on the trek, we bring balance, and nutritive food along the trail, most of our meals are buffet with.
Education and conservation are our passion. We aim to create lifelong ambassadors for the protection of all wilderness areas.
When renting a camping tent or renting a backpack from Orange Nation, you are renting camping gear and backpacking.