Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu

Many people dream of hiking to Machu Picchu, but many people don't realize that there are options in how to get there. The classic Inca trail is great, but it books up very quickly and is often not available on the dates you are hoping to travel.  There are many alternative routes available for trekking to Machu Picchu, and in many ways they are superior to the classic trail.

Alternative treks are always less crowded and cheaper than the Inca trail.  The Inca trail was regulated by the Peruvian government in 2000 and there is now a significant cost for each person (this includes guides and porters) to enter the trail.  Even though the Inca trail is limited to only 500 people per day, the trail is crowded and you are constantly asked to stop hiking for a minute to let people pass (often porters carry 25 kg).  

But the alternative treks do not only offer affordable hiking or open space - they offer amazing views, totally different experiences and the possibility to see how the Inca descendants live today.  These trails are always available and are ready to book.  Don't forget to pack your bathing suit, lots of trails offer hot springs - a great way to relax your bones after so much walking.

Below are some highlights of what you will see on our alternative treks.

*****

LARES TREK

The Lares trek is best way to see and experience life on the mountains.  You get to visit some local indigenous villages and participate in their daily life to better understand how the Incas lived.  You will step inside their homes and get to eat their food.  Remember some spending money, because its a great place to buy a little memory and see the different textiles they make on the mountain.  But that’s not all, we are in the Andes after all.  As we are hiking, we pass through big families of llamas and alpacas.  We also get to enjoy the nice views of valleys, rivers, lakes, glacier mountains and peaks, and nice flora and fauna. 

    

SALKANTAY TREK

The Salkantay trek is one of our most challenging treks offered, but the views can not be beat.  They are truly spectacular with highlights including views of Salkantay, the second highest peak in Cusco, walking through a forest of clouds, getting lost in the jungle and experiencing the tropical valleys, rivers and waterfalls.

    

VILCABAMA TREK

Machu Picchu is the sacred city of the Incas, but didn’t survive as long as Vilcabama, which was the last refuge for the Incas after the Spaniards invaded.  This trek is special in that you start and end at the two most cherished Inca ruins.  One of the best features of this trek is how unknown it still is - you will get to experience all this with very little crowd.  After experiencing the ruins of Vilcabama you will hike on the original Inca trail which hasn’t been restored.  We get to see nice mountains with snow, many lakes, rivers and waterfalls.  You will probably have a viewing of condors, eagles, and falcons before descending into tropical jungles where you can see coffee, passion fruit and cocoa plantations.

    

HUCHUY QOSQO

Perched on top of a cliff over the Sacred Valley is another alternative trek location, Huchuy QosQo.  This is a great way to explore the Andes without huge crowds.  You will walk through mountain passes, along ravines, by waterfalls and into amazing Inca ruins.  You will encounter beautiful flora and fauna including different varieties of cacti and will walk side by side with llamas and the other animals of the Andes.

    

ALPACA TREKS OR AUSANGATE TREK

These treks have recently been created for those who are interested in doing more hiking after or before they reach Machu Picchu.  It is still relatively unknown, so it’s great for those who want to avoid crowds.  This hike through the Andes involves impressive views of the biggest mountain in Cusco, Ausangate, and many other glacier mountains.  This is the only hike that you will get to see VICUÑAS, the animal with the softest wool in the world.  Of course you will get to enjoy all the animals of the Andes including alpacas, llamas, and condors.  This hike is quite challenging because the elevation is pretty substantial - make sure to get in shape.

    

CHOQUEKIRAW TREK 

Choquekiraw means “cradle of gold” and is another impressive Inca ruin which is located at Vilcabamba Mountain range.    There are beautiful views of the glacier mountains, flora and fauna.  The Incas became extra artistic at Choquekiraw, creating pictures of llamas with stone into the terraces.

    

This is just a small glance at what you will see and experience on your trek.  We hope you find the Andes as beautiful as we do.  

Visit www.AlpacaExpeditions.com for more information on each of these treks.


https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com
machu picchu tours

Interview with the Owner of Alpaca Expeditions

Q: Raul, why did you start Alpaca Expeditions?

Raul: I started with the purpose of helping porters and their families.

Q: What makes Alpaca Expeditions different than other adventure companies?

Raul: I created Alpaca with two goals - a superior experience for my hikers and a better life for my porters.  I want to make sure that each trip is unique for the hikers who are going.  Each of us has different needs and expectations from a vacation and I want to plan each trip catered to the hikers needs.  But creating a better life for my porters is just as important to me.  I want to make sure my porters have a good life and an income that can support them and their families. I want to make sure they have the appropriate hiking equipment and clothing.  Sometimes people do not realize how difficult it is to be a porter, how physically demanding it is.  I want to make their life a little bit easier.

Raul, owner of Alpaca Expeditions

Q: Is it true that you were a porter and a guide before you started Alpaca?

Raul: I was a porter for three years while I was studying tourism at the University.  I then moved to the office for one year learning a little bit about how the business and how to organize tours. After graduating, I got the opportunity to guide my own groups to Machu Picchu.  I have been guiding now for four years.  All these experiences have helped me to understand how to run a company dedicated to making a truly unforgettable vacation for my travelers.

Q: Do you remember the first time you saw Machu Picchu?

Raul: Of course I do, it was magical.  Once I started working as a porter I really wanted to visit Machu Picchu.  But it was against the rules for porters to go through the Sun Gate. Eventually I was chosen to take one of the duffel bags of a hiker to Sanctuary Lodge, allowing me to finally see the wonder.  I had seen pictures of Machu Picchu of course, but arriving at the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu made me cry.  It was more than I imagined.  It was so beautiful and so much more than the photos show you.  In spite of being so tired from waking up at 3AM that morning, I found the energy to not only walk around Machu Picchu, but I ended up hiking to Huaynapicchu.  I now love watching my hikers get to the Sun Gate to watch their experience of seeing the real thing.

Q: How many times do you think you have done either the Inca trail or one of the alternative treks to Machu Picchu?

Raul: Since 2003, I have trekked more than 650 times on all the different treks to Machu Picchu.  I have had the opportunity to take 1000s of visitors from all over the world to our beautiful Inca ruin. 

Q: When do you think is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?

Raul:  There are two seasons: from November to March is the rainy season.  This is not the ideal time to visit.  From April through October is the dry season and the most perfect time to hike and to visit Machu Picchu, as you can see the sun rise over the ruins.  Even though the rainy season is not the ideal time to travel, you can still have an amazing adventure and its usually raining in showers and not all day.

Q: Can people hike the Inca trail without a guide?

Raul: No.  The Inca trail has been regulated in 2000.  They now only allow 500 people on the trail each day.  This includes porters, cooks and your guides.  You need to book the inca trail in advance.  Alpaca Expeditions has many alternative treks to Machu Picchu for those who can't book the Inca trail on the dates they were hoping for.  These treks are just as beautiful and offer amazing views and many inca ruins.  They are also less crowded and some people find it more enjoyable because of this.  

Q: What is the best piece of advice you can give to someone who is planning on doing one of the hikes to Machu Picchu?

Raul: Do not panic.  Everyone can do it.  It's not a race and everyone needs to take their time and walk in a comfortable pace.  This is your holiday.  Do not forget to enjoy the hike, the views, the experience.  

If you have any questions you would like Raul to answer, please comment below or email info@alpacaexpeditions.com.  

https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com
machu picchu tours