5 away from the tourist path to Machu Picchu

5 away from the tourist path to Machu Picchu

We take a look at five alternative hikes to Machu Picchu, worlds away from the busy classic route

MACHU PICCHU may be a cliché of the bucket list, but there are enough reasons why so many visitors flock to this wonderful citadel that is high up in the Andes.

The trekking to Machu Picchu through the Holy Valley is deeply satisfactory and remains a must for almost every visitor Peru. The Inca masterpiece is spectacular and fulfilled as soon as it has been reached, all expectations of its wonderful emerald green peaks and terraced ruins.

The classic Inka Trail Trek has become increasingly popular in recent years. In fact, in 2018, the Peruvian authorities changed the daily limit to morning and afternoon cycles to enable a total of more visitors a day.

alt = ““ Span Class = "Media-Credit"> Dream time There are several alternative hikes to Machu Picchu (Eteri Okrochelidze, Shutterstock)

Now a total of 5,940 people are allowed to go into the system (including the Inca trail) every day. Despite the increase, the demand for the most famous hike in South America - perhaps the world - remains insatiable.

If you prefer to hike off the masses, then these remote hikes to Machu Picchu from Action Peru Treks may be exactly what they are looking for. All hikes end with a guided tour of Machu Picchu and the opportunity to climb the Huayna Picchu.

5 away from the tourist path to Machu Picchu

1. Ancascocococha hike

Distance: 49 km duration: 5 days / 4 nights (+ other options) Price: $ 770

alt = “Alternative hikes to Machu Picchu Ancascocococha”> Ancascocococha is one of the least known treks to Machu Picchu (Scott Biales, Shutterstock)

The Ancascococha Trek is one of the least known treks to Machu Picchu, but offers some of the region's most dramatic landscapes. The remote route spends more time in higher locations than other hikes.

Higher heights of course bring harder hiking. The demanding hike leads to the Huayanay pass on 4,650 m (15,255 ft). The reward is that hikers enjoy some of the most beautiful alpine landscapes in the Andes. At this height, the landscape extends with spectacular views over mountain lakes, falling waterfalls and the high -towering summit of the Salkantay, which dominates the horizon with 6,266 m (20,551 ft).

The last day of this version of the hike includes a section of the classic Inca trail. Ancascocococha is the characteristic trek of Action Peru with six variants of the route.

These options include a four-day hike, a five-day hike that includes a two-day section of the incapaculation, and a five-day, seven-day or eight-day travel route that combines the Ancascococha trek with the Salkantay-Trek.

Further information: Actionperutreks.com

2. Salkantay via Inka Trail Trek

Distance: 42 km duration: 4 days / 3 night price: $ 690

alt = “Alternative hikes to Machu Picchu Salkantay”> The Salkantay via Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu (Marquess Kilian Beck, Shutterstock)

This initially challenging hike meanders through a high -lying landscape and spends a large part of the first two days below the impressive summit of his namesake. The landscape on this route changes quickly on the third day when the route hits the Inca trail and thus the lush vegetation and the archaeological sites found there.

The travel route contains two camping nights, with the last night of the last night comfortable in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. On the third day, hikers can relax and enjoy a train ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes before visiting Machu Picchu on the last day.

Further information: Actionperutreks.com

3. Moonstone hike

Distance: 38.5 km duration: 5 days / 4 night price: $ 780

alt = “Alternative hikes to Machu Picchu Moonstone 1 ″> The moonstone route is only used by action peru treks (elocin84, Shutterstock)

The moonstone route is one of the latest hikes to Machu Picchu, which is developed and used exclusively by Action Peru Treks. The moonstone hike is a more moderate hike than the footsteps of Salkantay and Ancascocococha and leads to a number of contrasting and distinctive places.

Trekker visits a well-preserved archaeological site from the time before the Inca, the longest channel in the Inca Empire and a quarry from which the stone comes from used for the Ollantaytambo temple. On the way, the striking summit of Mount Veronica rises above them at 5,893 m (19,334 ft) and throws its shadow over the surrounding glaciers, valleys and mountain villages.

Further information: Actionperutreks.com

4. Lares hike

distance: 37km duration: 4 days / 3 night price: $ 690 USD

alt = “Alternative hikes to Machu Picchu Lares 1 ″> The Lares Valley (Lisa Stelzel, Shutterstock)

in the Lares Valley, on the northern edge of the well-visited Holy Valley, life continues as it has been for centuries. Village dwellers in traditional Andean clothing take care of lamas and alpacas, plant potatoes by hand and weave fabrics as they have been doing for generations. You may be the only other people you see on the entire hike.

This alternative to the more traditional Lares route includes a visit to the hot springs from Lares on the third day, where hikers can rest their tables before they continue to Ollantaytambo. The travel route includes two nights camping and one night in a bed & breakfast.

Further information: Actionperutreks.com

5. Huchuy Qosqo hike

distance: 17 km duration: 3 days / 2 night price: $ 620

Alt = “Alternative hikes to Machu Picchu Huchuy Qosqo 1 ″> The archaeological site Huchuy Qosqo (Marco Alhelm, Shutterstock)

The Huchuy Qosqo hike is the most moderate option on the list and only includes a whole day of hiking. The first day comprises 14 km, with a break at Lake Qoricocha for lunch before continuing in a small section of the original Inca trail in the afternoon. That evening hikers camp on the terraces of the archaeological site Huchuy Qosqo.

The following morning includes a visit to the Inca ruins with an impressive collection of buildings, including the 40 m long Kallanka (large hall). That day hikers cover much more comfortably three kilometers before taking the train to Aguas Calientes in Ollantaytambo, where they spend the night in a hotel.

Further information: Actionperutreks.com

We recommend using Bookaway to find bus, ferry and train tickets in Peru. You can find popular routes to Machu Picchu here.

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Lonely Planet Peru is a comprehensive travel guide for Peru who covers a number of activities and travel destinations as well as hikes to Machu Picchu.

Mission statement: Saiko3p, Shutterstock

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