Machu Picchu Treks

This section compares the main treks that end at Machu Picchu.

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.

After four days and several high mountain passes, you reach Machu Picchu. On the last morning you reach the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where the citadel comes into view, often through the mist.

This journey is not only a physical challenge but also a deeply spiritual and cultural experience. Many travelers remember it as the highlight of their time in Peru. Walking on the original Inca stone path, past Inca sites and through changing landscapes, is what sets this trek apart from other routes in Peru.

Salkantay Hike#

The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the main alternatives to the classic Inca Trail, with high mountain scenery and fewer people on the trail. On this route you walk below Salkantay Mountain, which rises to 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. The last stage is the early morning visit to Machu Picchu, when mist often rises over the ruins. 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. Besides the biking and rafting, you can visit the Cocalmayo hot springs near Santa Teresa and coffee and cacao plantations along the way. 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)