The Classic Inca Trail Trek is one of the most popular hikes in the world, it leads to the mysterious ancient Inca Citadel Machu Picchu that leads directly into the citadel of Machu Picchu through the Sun gate. It is also know for its high quality spectacular arequeological ruins along the Inca trail. Since 2001 the Peruvian government has enforced a quota and permit regulation in order to preserve the 500 year-old trail.
Below are all of the Orange Nation Treks that are part of the Inca Trail:
An alternative trek is an alternative option of a trek instead of the classic Inca Trail, also in the Andes Mountains and Cusco region. The classic Inca Trail Trek is one of the most popular and well know, but unfortunately it sells out very quickly and bookings must be made well in advance.
There are some great alternative treks that still lead to Machu Picchu. These are gaining in more popularity as they are 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, you end up 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 and hopefully with views of the sun rising over the mountains.
All Alternative Treks of Orange Nation that end at Machu Picchu are: