Top Treks to Machu Picchu

When most adventures lovers think about a Trek to Machu Picchu, they immediately think of the famous Classic Inca Trail.

Top Treks to Machu Picchu – Best Hikes to Machu Picchu

Admittedly the Inca Trail Hike is the only Hike to Machu Picchu that actually arrives at the famous Inca site, by the impressive Inti Punku (Sun Gate).

It is, however, not the only Hike to Machu Picchu.

Below we have provided a brief overview on the key characteristics of all the possible Treks to Machu Picchu, along with links to specific pages that provide detailed information on route profiles and itineraries.

Inca Trail In Peru

The Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the world’s greatest hikes and the most popular Hike in Peru.

Due to it’s greatest the Hike is only operated by licensed trekking companies and there are only 500 permits available per day ( 200 for trekkers and 300 for support staff).

The trek can not be completed without using a registered trekking agency.

Permits for the trail sell out months in advance so it is advised to book at least 6 months beforr to your preferred hiking date.

There are five trekking options on the foot step Inca Trail – the Classic Inca Trail Hike 4 Days, Short Inca Trail 2 Days, Comfort Inca Trail 5 Days.Sacred valley & One day Inca Trail 3 Days

Classic Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 4 Days

Distance: ~45km
Average trek distance per day: ~12km
Highest Altitude: ~4,200m (Warmiwanusca Pass or Dead Women’s Pass)
Number of Days: 4D/3N on the mountains
Difficulty: (trail consists of many steps which take a battering on your knees but en general if moderate)
Best Time: The dry months of May-September are best. Note, the trail is the busiest at this time. Rainy shoulder months of March/April and October/November can be good months. Trail is closed in February and very wet in December/ January
Accommodation: Camping
Trek Route: Inca Trail 4 Days

Comfort Inca Trail To Machu Picchu 5 Days

Distance: ~45km
Average trek distance per day: ~12km
Highest Altitude: ~4,200m (Warmiwanusca Pass or Dead Women’s Pass)
Number of Days: 4D/3N on the mountains
Difficulty: (trail consists of many steps which take a battering on your knees but en general if moderate)
Best Time: The dry months of May-September are best. Note, the trail is the busiest at this time. Rainy shoulder months of March/April and October/November can be good months. Trail is closed in February and very wet in December/ January
Accommodation: Camping
Trek Route: Inca Trail Trek 5 days Private

Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 2 Days

NOTA: This option of hike is really good for those with limit time but still you want to experience the one day hike to Machu Picchu and also you have you will see twice the cite of inca impire

Distance: ~13km
Average trek distance per day: ~13km
Highest Altitude: ~2,750m
Number of Days: 2D/1N (can be extended to 3D/2N for trekkers who would like to spend an additional day at Machu Picchu or hike one of the mounatins such a huayna picchu mountain or machu picchu mountain)
Difficulty: + ( easy-moderate no high altitude passes)
Best Time: whole year raound but february is closed
Accommodation: Hotel in Aguas Calientes 3*
Route Guide: Short Inca Trail 2 Days

Sacred Valley & short Inca Trail 3 Days

NOTA: This Trip is a mix of hike and day tour on the sacred valley where you will see the inca complex of Pisac, Pisac market, Ollantaytambo and overnight ata the hotel, The following day short inca trail to machu picchu

Distance: ~12km
Average trek distance per day: ~12km
Highest Altitude: ~2750m (sungate)
Number of Days: 3D/2N hotel
Difficulty: (easy – moderate)
Best Time: The whole year but february is closed
Accommodation: Hotel 3*
Route Guide: Sacred Valley Tour & Short Inca Trail 3 Days

Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu

There are a big number of Alternative Hkes to Mach Picchu with multy days, each one offers something unique.

All these Treks To Machu Picchudo not require permits.

They all arrive at Machu Picchu town ( Aguas Calientes town) the day before visiting the ruins. Trekkers sleep in a hotel in Aguas Calientes and either catch a bus up to Machu Picchu in the morning, or hike the final switchback paths to the entrance gate. None of these treks arrive at Machu Picchu via the famous Sun Gate.

It is possible to complete these treks unsupported, but not recommended for anyone who is not familiar with the area or inexperienced in backcountry trekking.

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 Days

NOTA: This trek is more for adventures lovers and flora, founa lovers too, your will see cristallakes of humantay and salkantay lake, snow peak mountains, apu salkantay and lush vegetation

Distance: ~55km
Average trek distance per day: ~12km
Highest Altitude: ~4,600m (El Passo – Salkantay Pass)
Number of Days: 5D/4N
Difficulty: (long trekking days and high altitude)
Best Time: The dry months of May-September are best. Unlike the Inca Trail, the Salkantay is not too busy during these months. Rainy shoulder months of March/April and October/November can be good months and are much quieter. The trail can be hiked all year round but we recommend avoiding the heaviest of the rain months (Dec, Jan and Feb)
Accommodation: Camping, with a night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
Route Guide: Salkantay Trek 5 Days to Machu Picchu

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days

NOTA: This alternative Trek to Machu Picchu is the best option afterinca trail but each one has something unique, On this hike you will see local peplos with tradditional alfets, llamas, Alpacas, and forming files of potato.

Distance: ~33km (varies depending on route variation)
Average trek distance per day: ~8km
Highest Altitude: ~4,450m (Ipsaycocha Pass)
Number of Days: 4D/3N (can be extended or shortened depending on route variation and number of days spent in Machu Picchu)
Difficulty: ++ (relatively easy, with one tough pass)
Best Time: The dry months of May-September are best. The trail never gets too crowded during the peak season. Rainy shoulder months of March/April and October/November can be good months. The trail can be hiked all year round but we recommend avoiding the heaviest of the rain months (Dec, Jan and Feb)
Accommodation: Camping, with a night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
Route Guide:Lares trek 4 Days to Machu Picchu

Choquequirao Trek 5 Days

Distance: ~65km
Average trek distance per day: ~8km
Highest Altitude: ~4,670m (Yanama Pass)
Number of Days: 9D/8N (can be shortened by a few days or lengthened if one wants to spend more time at the ruins of Choquequirao and Machu Picchu)
Difficulty: ++++ (Long trek, some high passes and intense sun in the dry season)
Best Time: The dry months of May-September are best. High exposure to the sun – make sure to wear loads of sunscreen and long-sleeve breathable shirts. The trail can be hiked all year round but we recommend avoiding the heaviest of the rain months (Dec, Jan and Feb)
Accommodation: Camping, with a night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
Route Guide: Choquequirao Trek 5 Days

Huchuy Qosqo Trek 3 Days

Distance: ~20km
Average trek distance per day: ~10km
Highest Altitude: ~4,230m (Rumicruz Pass)
Number of Days: 3D/2N (trek occurs in the Sacred Valley and finishes with a train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes)
Difficulty: ++ (short and relatively easy trek)
Best Time: The dry months of May-September are best. Trail is generally quiet during this months. Rainy shoulder months of March/April and October/November can be good months. The trail can be hiked all year round and because it is so short you can watch the weather forecasts for the Sacred Valley and take a chance to trek even in Dec, Jan and Feb.
Accommodation: One night camping, with another night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
Route Guide: Huchuy Qosqo Trek 3 Days