Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu

No — none of our alternative treks require the same restricted permits as the Classic Inca Trail. This means you can book with much shorter notice and have more flexibility with your dates. The Machu Picchu entrance ticket (if the route ends there) still needs to be reserved in advance, and we handle that for you.

Alternative treks are generally rated as challenging to very challenging. The Choquequirao Trek involves steep descents and ascents into a deep canyon with significant elevation changes. The Cachicata Trek is rated moderate to challenging. Good cardiovascular fitness and at least 2 days of acclimatization in Cusco are strongly recommended for all routes.

Yes! This is one of the biggest advantages of alternative treks — they are available year-round, including February when the Inca Trail closes for maintenance. February falls in the wet season, so rain is likely, but the landscapes are incredibly lush and green, and you'll have the trails almost entirely to yourself.

All our alternative treks include: certified bilingual guide, mule handlers and mules (for carrying camp equipment), cook and all meals on trail, quality camping gear (tent, sleeping mat), entrance fees to all sites along the route, and transport back to Cusco. Not included: sleeping bag (available to rent), travel insurance, and personal expenses. Check each tour page for specific inclusions.

Choquequirao and Machu Picchu offer very different experiences. Machu Picchu is more accessible, more excavated, and more famous worldwide. Choquequirao is more remote, receives almost no visitors, and much of the site is still unexcavated — giving it a raw, mysterious quality that Machu Picchu can no longer offer. Many travelers who do both say Choquequirao left a deeper impression precisely because of its solitude and sense of discovery.