5 off the beaten path to Machu Picchu

5 off the beaten path to Machu Picchu

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

Machu Picchu may well be a bucket list cliché, but there are plenty of reasons why so many visitors flock to this magnificent citadel perched high in the Andes.

Trekking to Machu Picchu through the Sacred Valley is deeply satisfying and remains a must-do for almost every visitor to Peru. The Inca masterpiece is spectacularly located and, once reached, meets all expectations with its magnificent emerald green peaks and terraced ruins.

The classic Inca Trail trek has become increasingly popular in recent years. In fact, in 2018, Peruvian authorities changed the daily limit to morning and afternoon cycles to allow more visitors per day overall.

old=““>DreamtimeThere are several alternative hikes to Machu Picchu (Eteri Okrochelidze, Shutterstock)

A total of 5,940 people are now allowed into the facility (including the Inca Trail) every day. Despite the increase, demand for South America's - perhaps the world's - most famous hike remains insatiable.

Fortunately, the Incas were also masters of road construction. They have blazed trails through the Andes, many of which offer excellent alternative hikes to Machu Picchu. When we visited in 2015, we opted for the quieter but more challenging Salkantay hike to Machu Picchu.

If, like us, you prefer hiking away from the crowds, then these remote hikes to Machu Picchu from Action Peru Treks might be just what you're looking for. All hikes end with a guided tour of Machu Picchu and the opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu.

5 off the beaten path to Machu Picchu

1. Ancascocha hike

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

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

The Ancascocha Trek is one of the least known treks to Machu Picchu, but offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the region. The remote route spends more time at higher elevations than other hikes.

Higher altitudes naturally bring with them harder hiking. The challenging hike leads to Huayanay Pass at 4,650 m (15,255 ft). The reward is that hikers enjoy some of the most beautiful alpine scenery in the Andes. At this altitude, the landscape stretches with spectacular views of mountain lakes, cascading waterfalls and the towering peak of Salkantay, which dominates the horizon at 6,266 m (20,551 ft).

The final day of this version of the hike includes a section of the classic Inca Trail. Ancascocha is Action Peru's signature trek with six variants of the route.

These options include a four-day trek, a five-day trek that includes a two-day section of the Inca Trail, and a five-day, seven-day or eight-day itinerary that combines the Ancascocha Trek with the Salkantay Trek.

Further information: actionperutreks.com

2. Salkantay via Inca Trail Trek

Distance: 42kmDuration: 4 days / 3 nightsPrice: $690 USD

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

This initially challenging hike winds through a high-altitude landscape and spends much of the first two days beneath the imposing peak of its namesake. The landscape on this route changes quickly on the third day when the route meets the Inca Trail and with it the lush vegetation and archaeological sites found there.

The itinerary includes two nights of camping, with the final night spent comfortably 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 final day.

Further information: actionperutreks.com

3. Moonstone hike

Distance: 38.5kmDuration: 5 days / 4 nightsPrice: $780 USD

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 newest hikes to Machu Picchu, developed and used exclusively by Action Peru Treks. A more moderate hike than the Salkantay and Ancascocha trails, the Moonstone hike takes in a number of contrasting and distinctive locations.

Trekkers visit a well-preserved pre-Inca archaeological site, the longest canal in the Inca Empire, and a quarry that produced the stone used in the Ollantaytambo temples. Along the way, the striking peak of Mount Veronica rises above you at 5,893 m (19,334 ft), casting its shadow over the surrounding glaciers, valleys and mountain villages.

Further information: actionperutreks.com

4. Lares hike

Distance: 37kmDuration: 4 days / 3 nightsPrice: $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 much-visited Sacred Valley, life continues as it has for centuries. Villagers in traditional Andean clothing tend to llamas and alpacas, planting potatoes by hand and weaving fabrics as they have done for generations. They 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 Lares Hot Springs on day three, where hikers can rest their weary limbs before continuing on to Ollantaytambo. The itinerary includes two nights camping and one night in a bed and breakfast.

Further information: actionperutreks.com

5. Huchuy Qosqo hike

Distance: 17kmDuration: 3 days / 2 nightsPrice: $620 USD

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

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

The following morning includes a tour of the Inca ruins, with an impressive collection of buildings including the 40m long Kallanka (Great Hall). On this day, hikers cover a much more leisurely three kilometers before taking the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, where they stay overnight in a hotel.

Further information: actionperutreks.com

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

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Lonely Planet Peru is a comprehensive Peru travel guide covering a range of activities and destinations, as well as hikes to Machu Picchu.

Lead image: saiko3p, Shutterstock

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