The best alternative treks to Machu Picchu
Every year many travellers discover too late that the Classic Inca Trail permits have sold out for their dates. The good news: some of the finest treks to Machu Picchu are not the Inca Trail at all — and most of them need no trekking permit. Here are the best alternatives and how they compare.
Why choose an alternative
- No trekking permit: Salkantay, Lares, Huchuy Qosqo and Choquequirao can be booked much closer to your dates.
- Open all year: the Inca Trail closes every February; the alternatives do not.
- Fewer people and, often, more dramatic mountain scenery.
You still need a Machu Picchu entrance ticket, which is included in our trek packages.
The alternatives compared
| Trek | Best for | Days | Highest point | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salkantay | Glaciers, Humantay Lake, big mountains | 3–4 | Over 4,600 m | US $470 |
| Lares | Andean villages, weaving, hot springs | 4 | 4,646 m | US $490 |
| Huchuy Qosqo | A quiet Inca site above the Sacred Valley | 3 | About 4,230 m | US $510 |
| Choquequirao to Machu Picchu | Remote ruins and true wilderness | 8 | High passes | US $930 |
| Inca Jungle | Biking, rafting and jungle hiking | 3–4 | Lower altitude | — |
No permit? No problem
Salkantay to Machu Picchu with guide, meals, camping, train and entrance — from US $470.
Salkantay: the great mountain trek
The most popular alternative, with a high pass beneath the Salkantay glacier, a visit to Humantay Lake and a descent into cloud forest. It is demanding but spectacular. Read our guides to the 4-day and 3-day Salkantay trek.
Lares: culture and quiet
Lares crosses remote valleys where families still herd llamas and weave by hand, starts with a soak in hot springs and climbs to the Sacsallaully Pass at 4,646 m. It is the most cultural route to Machu Picchu — see what makes the Lares trek special.
Huchuy Qosqo, Choquequirao and the Inca Jungle
- Huchuy Qosqo — “little Cusco” — is a beautiful Inca site with few visitors, reached on foot from the high plateau above the Sacred Valley. Read our Huchuy Qosqo guide.
- Choquequirao is a vast Inca city reached only on foot, with steep canyon descents and climbs — for experienced hikers. See the Choquequirao trek guide.
- The Inca Jungle swaps high passes for adventure sports — see our Inca Jungle guide.
Still want to walk in through the Sun Gate?
The Short Inca Trail (US $585) and the Lares + Inca Trail trek still use the final section of the Inca road to the Sun Gate. They need a permit too, but places are sometimes available when the Classic is sold out. Compare all three classic routes in Inca Trail vs Salkantay vs Lares.
Frequently asked questions
Salkantay for mountain scenery, Lares for Andean culture and Choquequirao for remote ruins and wilderness.
Salkantay, Lares, Huchuy Qosqo and Choquequirao need no trekking permit, but you still need a Machu Picchu entrance ticket.
Huchuy Qosqo and Lares are generally more moderate than Salkantay or Choquequirao, though all involve high altitude.
Yes. Unlike the Inca Trail, the alternatives stay open, although it is the rainiest month.
Yes: they finish in Aguas Calientes, usually after a train or a walk, with a guided visit of Machu Picchu.
