Machu Picchu Treks, we know you want to have the best possible vacation in Peru and we understand that you are hoping to go in one of the the right Machu Picchu treks and have an amazing experience. At Inka Trail Explorer we do our very best to help you choose which route is best for you, but no matter which trek you do with Inka Trail Explorer, we assure that you will have amazing time.
Below are descriptions for each tour and treks:
The Inca trail is one of the best Machu Picchu treks and the total distance is 45km/26miles, the highest elevation is called Dead Women’s Pass at 4,215m/ 13,829ft and the lowest elevation is Aguas Calientes town at the end of the trek, at 2000 m/ 6562ft.
Considerations: There is not another trail that can be compared with this for so many reasons: historical importance, Amazing nature, fascinating ecosystems, and it is the only trail that goes through the Sun Gate into Machu Picchu. This trail is many hundred years old and was built by the Incas to connect Cusco with Machu Picchu. It is considered to be the most important trail that only the high class people were allowed to make this pilgrimage. The path is stone paved and many Inca sites can also be visited. The different ecosystems that you will pass through are stunning.
How is the crowd? Many people talk about how crowded the Inca Trail is, especially with 500 people trekking per day? This is not necessarily true because the campsites are located in different places and groups don’t camp together. Inka Trail Explorer always chooses slightly different campsites that allow you much more nature than crowds. Our guides get an earlier start than everyone else to enjoy more nature rather than other people or crowds.
Premium Inca trail 5D/4N with one night Hotel
Inca Trail 5 Day follows the same trail as the 4 Day Inka Trail; however they camp at completely different campsites than 4 day groups. When you take this option you walk at a slower pace, you walk shorter distances each day, and spend more time at the Inca sites, this trek minimizes the chances of running into crowds. The highlight of this trek is camping at Phuyupatamarca on the 3th night, where you will see absolutely stunning views of the surrounding mountains such as Salkantay, Machu Picchu peak and Pumasillo. Another highlight is that you will visit Machu Picchu twice, on day 4th you have a big chance to enjoy the sunset, and again on day 5th in the morning you get to see the Sunrise in the early morning, before the mystical mists have lifted. This trek is highly recommended for families with children.
Short Inca trail 2D/1N with Hotel
The Short Inca trail is another important Machu Picchu trek and the total distance of this trek is 10km/6.25 miles. The lowest elevation is 1,900 m/6,234ft which is at the trailhead at Km 104, and the highest point is the Sun Gate at 2,700m/ 8,858 ft. People considering this trek need not be worried about altitude sickness because the elevation is lower than Cusco and is located nearer the Amazon Jungle where there is plenty of oxygen and humidity.
This tour includes accommodation in a hotel in Aguas Calientes located down below Machu Picchu at 6,194ft, lower in elevation than the Machu Picchu complex and is in such a remote area that it may only be reached by train.
This trail combines the Salkantay Trek and the Classic Inca Trail. This is the best way to explore the Andes history and nature, the different eco-systems that you get to pass through are really magnificent – especially when you are coming from such high mountains as Salkantay and then come into the Cloud Forest on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
This trail is 84km/53 miles. The highest point is Inca Chiriaska on day 3th, which is right by Salkantay Glacier peak at 5100m /16732.28 ft. The second highest elevation is Dead Women’s Pass, along the Classic Inca Trail.
This trail is a bit more adventurous, with loads of nature, perhaps a bit more challenging and of course, offers some fascinating history. It passes through various ecosystems and goes directly into Machu Picchu, highly recommended for those who really love the outdoors, nature and of course the adventure.
What is an Alternative Trek?
An Alternative Machu Picchu trek is, in simplest terms, an alternative to the Inca Trail. Due to the strict permit process for the Inca Trail, these first became popular for those who were not able to secure a permit. But people are learning there are some real advantages to the alternative treks and that these routes are second to none.
This alternative option is considered to be the best option after the Inca Trail. The total distance is 60km /37.5miles. It can be dusty and a bit slippery in the dry season and muddy and slippery in the rainy season, so requires good, waterproof hiking shoes because you will be walking across small slippery stones. The highest peak is Salkantay Pass which is above 4650 m/15,255ft and the lowest elevation is Aguas Calientes at 1,900m/ 6,194ft.
This trail is highly recommended after the classic Inca trail, a bit more challenging and of course, offers some fascinating history. It passes through various ecosystems and goes directly into Aguas Calientes by foot.
The Lares Trek goes through some of the most amazing countryside of the Andes. It passes through indigenous villages where we can learn a bit about the lifestyles of the locals who still practice the ancient Incan traditions. We will see blue lagoons, free range llamas and alpacas, and also potato farms. The highest elevation is at 4800m/15,420ft and the total distance is 34km / 21.25miles. An important consideration is that temperature sometimes goes below zero at the campsites.
This is amazing trek and not too challenging option that combines nature, original Inca Trails and a beautiful Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo. Taking you off the beaten track you get away from all the crowds of the better known treks but still get enjoy all the amazing things. This trek starts near the Cusco City and ends in the amazing sacred valley, easier trekking route and fabulous experience.
Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 9 days
This is for our experienced hikers as it’s a long trek with difficult passages. You will get to spend a lot of time at Choquequirao ruins, which is larger than Machu Picchu and famous for its amazing constructions temple, palaces, agriculture terraces and the diversity of flora and fauna.
Treks that do not go to Machu Picchu
Recently Ausangate has been photographed by famous photographers including National Geographic showcasing the amazing beauty. Some areas of this trek look like you are on another planet. Rich in color, but quite difficult to hike.
Enjoy the natural colorful Rainbow Mountain rarely visited, hike through the ancient remote villages and experience their culture. The Rainbow Mountain invite you to enjoy the beauty of snowcapped peaks, glaciers, turquoise lakes and herds of Llamas and Alpacas, basically all set within an incredibly colorful mountain range.
Choquequirao trek 5 days
Choquequirao trek is a great adventure trek in the Cusco Region, a perfect place to get off the beaten track and enjoy the beauty of the Apurimac canyon and the stunning Inca city of Choquequirao rarely visited by tourist.
