This guide is continuously maintained and verified by our resident Andean mountain leaders, ensuring accurate permit guidance, altitude protocols, and route recommendations for travelers in Peru.
Table of Contents (5 Sections)
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Treks & Adventure#
So you know Machu Picchu is on your list, but you’re unsure which treks include this great marvel within their package? This section about Machu Picchu Trekswill help guide you, helping you decide the best route for you. Machu Picchu Treks are among the most popular options for exploring this incredible destination.
Classic Inca Trail#
The Classic Inca Trail is widely regarded as one of the top ten treks in the world for its combination of Inca ruins, high passes, snow-capped mountains and ever-changing ecosystems; as you hike, you will learn about its history, flora and fauna with the help of our expert guides. Along the route, you will explore ancient archaeological sites such as Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, and Phuyupatamarca, each offering a fascinating glimpse into the engineering and spiritual world of the Inca civilization.
Four days later, having walked 28 miles (40 km) and crossed mountain passes reaching up to 4,300m, you will reach the climax of this sacred pilgrimage: the breathtaking citadel of Machu Picchu. The final approach through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) is especially unforgettable, as the first panoramic view of the lost city gradually appears through the mist.
This journey is not only a physical challenge but also a deeply spiritual and cultural experience. Many travelers describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, where every step brings a stronger connection to nature, history, and the Andean worldview. The combination of dramatic landscapes, ancient stone pathways, and the sense of walking in the footsteps of the Incas makes this trek truly unique among all trekking experiences in Peru.
Salkantay Hike#
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is widely considered one of the best alternatives to the classic Inca Trail, offering breathtaking landscapes, fewer crowds, and a deeper connection with nature. On this unforgettable journey, you will hike alongside the majestic base of the sacred Salkantay Mountain, which rises dramatically above the surrounding Andes at an impressive 6,271m / 20,574ft. The scenery constantly changes as you move from snow-capped peaks to lush cloud forests, making it one of the most diverse routes among all Machu Picchu Treks.
Along the way, you will pass through remote Andean communities where traditional lifestyles have remained largely unchanged for centuries. This cultural immersion is one of the highlights of many Machu Picchu Treks, allowing travelers to experience authentic local hospitality and Andean traditions firsthand. You will also explore ancient Inca ruins hidden along the route, each telling a unique story of the civilization that once thrived in these mountains.
The trek gradually descends toward the tropical jungle until you reach Aguas Calientes, the small town located beneath the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu. From here, you will finally prepare for the highlight of your adventure: the early morning visit to Machu Picchu itself, where mist often rises over the ruins, creating a magical and unforgettable atmosphere. Among all Machu Picchu Treks, the Salkantay route stands out for its perfect combination of adventure, culture, and natural beauty.
- Tour Type: Hiking, Nature and Archaeological Sites
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Distance: 72 km / 45 miles
- Considerations: A spectacular but challenging alternative to the famous Inca Trail.
- Elevation: 2040m- 4600m / 6692ft- 15,090ft
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Inca Jungle#
The Inca Jungle Trek is a more alternative, adventurous, adrenaline filled 4-day option which includes restaurant food and hotel stays.. Quite literally as you will adorn mountain bikes, zip wires and white-water rafts to get you to Machu Picchu, alongside a pleasant half or full days hike.
This trek lets you not only pass through the Jungle as other treks do but you spend all your time moving through it by boat, bike and boot.
This trek is a great choice as it needs no Inca Trail Permit. So, if you are a little impulsive or last minute you can still have a good chance of bagging a place. Alongside the wild rides, you visit the majestic Hot Springs in the charming town of Santa Teresa to soothe those aching muscles and be graced with visits to coffee and Cacao plantations with a tour. You also walk parallel to the high altitudes of the Inca Trail, following in the lowland along the railroad tracks into the heart of Aguas Callientes.
It demands a lower level of fitness than that of the Classic Inca Trail and Salkantay and allows you to bask in the warmth of the Peruvian Amazonian jungle for longer. It is one of the more luxurious tours as your nights will be spent in hotels. So, if you’re looking for adventure in the day and comfort during the night with a hot shower and plush beds this is the trip for you.
Day Tours#
Machu Picchu tours: experiences that involve a considerable amount of hiking which allows you the opportunity to camp until your arrival at Machu Picchu. Treks that are provided that fit this criteria are:
- Classic Inca Trail Trek
- Inca trail trek experience (5day)
- Classic Salkantay (5 days)
- Salkantay + Inca trail (7 days)
- Shortened Inca Trail camping (2 days)
- Inca trail + Sacred valley (5 day)
- Lares Trek (5 day)
Written by Joel Cárdenas Gonzales
Founder & CEOFounder and CEO of Southern Peru Explorers since 2009. Born in Cusco and trained as an official tour guide at Instituto Khipu. About the author
