Looking to explore Machu Picchu beyond the traditional route? Beyond the Inca Trail: Which Machu Picchu Trek is Right for Your Style & Season? is the guide you’ve been searching for. Whether you’re seeking adventure, comfort, solitude, or scenery, this detailed guide breaks down the best Machu Picchu treks for every type of traveller and every time of year.
Why Go Beyond the Inca Trail?
The Inca Trail is iconic, but it isn’t the only path to the legendary citadel. Due to permit limitations, rising popularity, and diverse preferences, more and more hikers are looking into alternative treks to Machu Picchu. Fortunately, Peru is home to some of the most scenic and varied hiking routes on the continent, with options that suit luxury seekers, hardcore adventurers, and everyone in between.
Comparing the Top Treks to Machu Picchu
Each trek offers a different perspective of the Andes, Incan heritage, and Peruvian culture. Here’s how to decide which Machu Picchu trek to choose based on your style, physical condition, and travel timing.
1. The Classic Inca Trail: The Bucket List Trek
- Length:Â 4 days / 3 nights
- Distance:Â 42 km
- Difficulty:Â Moderate to challenging
- Best Time:Â May to September (Dry Season)
- Highlights:Â Incan ruins along the trail, cloud forests, Sun Gate entrance
Still the most popular route and considered the best trek to Machu Picchu by many. It’s ideal for those who want the full Incan experience and a historic approach to the citadel. However, it requires booking months in advance.
2. The Salkantay Trek: For the Adventurous & Scenic Lovers
- Length:Â 5 days / 4 nights
- Distance:Â 74 km
- Difficulty:Â Challenging
- Best Time:Â April to October
- Highlights:Â Snow-capped Salkantay Mountain, high passes, jungle sections, Humantay Lake
When comparing Salkantay vs Inca Trail, the former is tougher but less crowded, with stunning high-altitude landscapes. It ends in Aguas Calientes and requires a bus or short hike to the ruins.
3. The Lares Trek: Culture Over Crowds
- Length: 3–5 days
- Distance: Varies (33–40 km)
- Difficulty:Â Moderate
- Best Time:Â May to September
- Highlights:Â Andean villages, weaving communities, thermal baths
The Lares trek to Machu Picchu is the perfect cultural immersion. You’ll pass isolated Quechua villages and see local traditions firsthand. While it doesn’t reach Machu Picchu directly, it ends with a train ride to Aguas Calientes.
4. Choquequirao to Machu Picchu: The Untamed Epic
- Length: 8–10 days
- Distance:Â 115 km
- Difficulty:Â Strenuous
- Best Time:Â May to October
- Highlights:Â Choquequirao ruins, vast canyons, low traffic
For those seeking a wild, remote experience, this is the ultimate hike to Machu Picchu without Inca Trail. It’s physically demanding but immensely rewarding, connecting two of the most important Inca sites.
5. Short Inca Trail: For Those Short on Time
- Length:Â 2 days / 1 night
- Distance:Â 10 km
- Difficulty:Â Easy to Moderate
- Best Time:Â Year-round (except February)
- Highlights: Wiñay Wayna, Sun Gate arrival, Inca Trail feel
This easy trek to Machu Picchu gives you a taste of the classic trail without the full commitment. Ideal for families or those with limited time.
Machu Picchu Treks by Season
Choosing the best time to trek to Machu Picchu depends on what you value most:
- Dry Season (May to September):Â Clear skies, better views, more tourists
- Wet Season (November to March):Â Lush greenery, fewer crowds, muddy trails
- Shoulder Season (April & October):Â Balanced weather and tourist flow
Machu Picchu hiking routes vary in difficulty depending on rain and altitude. Salkantay and Choquequirao are more affected by rain, while Lares remains somewhat consistent.
Trail Difficulty Comparison: Find the Trek That Matches Your Fitness
| Trek | Difficulty | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Inca Trail | Moderate-Challenging | History lovers & planners |
| Salkantay | Challenging | Fit hikers seeking variety |
| Lares | Moderate | Culture-focused travellers |
| Choquequirao | Very Difficult | Hardcore adventurers |
| Short Inca Trail | Easy-Moderate | Families & short stays |
Scenic Hikes to Machu Picchu: A Visual Feast
If your goal is breathtaking scenery, scenic hikes to Machu Picchu include:
- Salkantay (snowy peaks + jungle)
- Lares (highland pastures + alpacas)
- Choquequirao (dramatic canyons)
Even the Short Inca Trail offers incredible vistas with far less effort.
How to Hike to Machu Picchu Without the Inca Trail
Planning a hike to Machu Picchu without Inca Trail? Here’s how:
- Salkantay:Â Book through a tour company; many include mules and chefs
- Lares:Â Choose a cultural trekking operator
- Choquequirao:Â Hire a professional guide; self-guided treks not recommended
All alternatives end in Aguas Calientes, where you’ll overnight before visiting Machu Picchu the next day.
Your Personalized Machu Picchu Trekking Guide
This Machu Picchu trekking guide isn’t just about the routes; it’s about aligning the trek with your travel philosophy:
- Minimalist? Short Inca Trail
- Adventurer? Salkantay or Choquequirao
- Culture-seeker? Lares
- Classicist? Full Inca Trail
Let your fitness level, available time, and appetite for cultural immersion or physical challenge lead the way.
Final Word: Which Machu Picchu Trek to Choose?
There is no single best trek to Machu Picchu—only the one that fits you. Whether you want to walk in the Inca’s footsteps or discover quiet trails and raw landscapes, Peru has something to offer every type of traveller.
