Best Treks to Machu Picchu

Best Hiking Tours to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is the highlight of everyone who is traveling to Peru. Since 2007, it has been declared one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, providing unique insights into the Inca civilization, which expanded from Colombia to Chile and was the biggest pre-Columbian society in South America.
Trekking to Machu Picchu is definitely the best way to immerse yourself in an adventure that will change your life. Stunning views in the mountain Andes, rich traditions, and rich Inca history You hike through the mountains and valleys of Peru in the footsteps of Inca people or olden-day explorers.
In this post, you will find the best trek tours to Machu Picchu available to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Let’s get stuck into the detail so you can choose the best hike for you.

Inca Trail

Typical Length: 4 Days
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Distance: 42 km (26 miles)

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is the most iconic hike in the world. It is a small part of a vast network of trails built by the Incas hundreds of years ago. Nowadays, it starts at km 82 of the railway, which goes from Cusco to Machu Picchu town, and ends at the Machu Picchu archaeological site, arriving through the famous Sun Gate.
Today is on many travelers’ bucket lists; it’s won an insane number of recognitions and awards worldwide. It combines history, beautiful landscapes, traditions, and a variety of biodiversity that can only be seen on the Inca Trail.
Due to its popularity and to conserve the area, there are a lot of regulations, and it must be booked in advance to secure your spot.

Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Typical Length: 2 Days
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 9 km (5.5 miles)

Hiking to Machu Picchu through any of the trekking routes is without doubt the best way to discover more about Peru. However, for many travelers who do not have enough time to take one of the multiday treks, we have a great option by hiking the best section of the classic Inca Trail in only two days. Discover some of the most iconic Inca sites along the Inca Trail and be amazed by the biodiversity and history. Get to Machu Picchu with a first view from the Sun Gate and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views from the New Seven Wonder.

Salkantay Trek

Typical Length: 5 Days
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Distance: 64 km (39 miles)

Without a doubt, this is one of the best alternative treks to Machu Picchu after the Classic Inca Trail. In the last few years, National Geographic has chosen one of the 25 top hikes in the world. It offers equally breathtaking scenery at high altitude, surrounded by snowy mountains, turquoise lakes, and picturesque Andean villages.
Salkantay Mountain is one of the most representative mountains in Cusco, considered the deity for many locals. It offers stunning views during the highest pass nestled in the mountain.
The Salkantay Trek usually takes 5 days, starting in the high mountains and ending with a visit to Machu Picchu. This hike is definitely cheaper than the Inca Trail, less crowded, and less strict. It does not require any permits like the Inca Trail, but booking in advance will help you organize and prepare better.

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

Typical Length: 4 Days
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Distance: 37 km (22.9 miles)

The 4-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu will have you stumbling upon people in colorful traditional dress, still conserving their old style, as you hike from the Andes mountain towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. They plant potatoes by hand, raise herds of llamas and alpacas, and weave cloth as they have for generations.
Enjoy the hot springs in Lares town and hike through stunning landscapes, snow-capped mountains, alpine lakes, fantastic waterfalls, beautiful rivers, and native trees. Learn about the incredibly rich culture of the Andean people and visit some local families and their kids.
The hike takes 3 days of hiking in the mountains away from the crowds. On the last day, you will visit the iconic Inca site of Machu Picchu

Choquequirao Trek

Typical Length: 7 Days
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 62 km (38 miles)

The Choquequirao Trek to Machu Picchu is a 7-day trekking excursion in Peru that takes you from the hidden Incan ruins of Choquequirao to the famous Machu Picchu. Choquequirao, which means «cradle of gold» in Quechua, is a lesser-known Incan site that is situated high in the Andes Mountains. For many, this is considered the sister of Machu Picchu, and even they say it is bigger than Machu Picchu. The journey there is difficult but rewarding.

Hiking through the off-beaten track and enjoying the most incredible landscapes surrounding huge snow mountains, crossing one of the deepest canyons, and exploring the most beautiful Inca site Get disconnected by exploring the most remote and adventurous trek in the Andes of Peru.

Inca Jungle Trail

Typical Length: 4 Days
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 28 km (17 miles)

The Inca Jungle Trail is the ultimate adventure tour to Machu Picchu; although it is not only a trekking tour, it combines different outdoor activities on the way to reach the iconic Inca site. Mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and ziplining in the high Peruvian jungle Get ready to immerse yourself in the adventure of a lifetime.

Hike through incredible rain forest, visit some local farms, bananas, coffee, coca, oranges, and more plantations, get connected with nature away from the crowds, and soak in the hot springs of Cocalmayo in Santa Teresa.
After incredible days in the jungle, reach Machu Picchu and learn its history by exploring the most beautiful Inca temples.

Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu

Typical Length: 4 Days
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 25 km (15 miles)

Often overlooked in favor of the more famous ruins in the Sacred Valley, Huchuy Qosqo (Little Cusco) is an Inca archaeological site located north of Cusco, near the town of Lamay, which remains off the beaten path for most tourists.
The hike to this hidden Inca site starts in Cusco and ends in Machu Picchu, crossing some mountains with beautiful landscapes, lakes, and picturesque Andean villages. Get to The Sacred Valley, surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Urubamba mountain range. Hike on the original Inca Trail, which connected Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
Learn about the wonderful Inca history, visit some local families, and explore Machu Picchu on the last day of your tour by train along the Urubamba Valley.

EXPLORE MORE TREK TOURS IN CUSCO

Cusco has more incredible trekking routes that can be explored by anyone. Have a look at our different treks that are not going to Machu Picchu.

Ausangate Trek 5 Days

A wonderful hike in the Andes of Peru, Ausangate is the highest mountain peak in Cusco and is nowadays considered a deity and protector for many locals. Located in the Vilcanota mountain range with an elevation of 6,384 meters,
The Ausangate Trek takes you to the most remote area in the Andes, home of many wildlife species such as Vicuñas, Chinchillas, Andean foxes, condors, and many herds of alpacas.
Hiking this beautiful route, you will appreciate some incredible landscapes of turquoise lakes, snowy mountains, colored mountains (Rainbow Mountain), glaciers, and learn the traditions of the locals by hiking through picturesque Andean villages.
Have a look at our different multi-day treks in Ausangate and Rainbow Mountain.

Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley Trek 2 Days

You want to hike these incredible places with not many people! So, we have the right itinerary for the Rainbow Mountain 2-Day Trek connecting to Red Valley.
This is our ultimate trekking tour in Cusco, which combines two different tourist attractions while avoiding the crowds of the day tour. Spend a night near Rainbow Mountain and enjoy the starry night with Ausangate Mountain in the background. Hike to the Seven Colors Mountain early in the morning to enjoy the sunrise and avoid the crowds. Hike to the Red Valley for a lunch spot with a great view.
Perfect trekking tour for couples, families, and solo adventurers who want to be disconnected from the day-to-day routine.

Pick Your Favorite!

Whatever one of these unforgettable experiences you select, it will be breathtakingly beautiful and thrilling! The experience of relying on your own two feet to get you to a location like the beautiful fortress of Machu Picchu after traversing sublime landscapes that most people will never see is unmatched in the entire world.