Hiking is about walks that are mainly carried out along trails and paths. The degree of difficulty is usually not high. It’s a mixture of sports and tourist activities, which takes place mainly in natural environments and Machu Picchu is a perfect environment to practice this activity, its terrain is not complex and its wonderful landscapes will surely make you have incredible moments. Hiking Machu Picchu could be the best experience in your life.
The Inca Trail is not the only route to Machu Picchu. The city of Machu Picchu was connected to it by a network of roads known as Qhapaq Ñan. Here we will leave you a brief summary of the Inca Trail and other routes to Machu Picchu, we hope to help you compare and thus be able to choose your best option.
The Inca Trail
- It’s the most popular route, but also the most expensive and crowded.
- This route lasts approximately 4 days.
- It cannot be done on your own and it is necessary to hire a guided excursion, whose price is around $400-600, depending on the agency, the number of days and the quality of the service.
- These excursions can be booked online, in the city of Cuzco or even in Lima.
- The Inca Trail is a 43-kilometer route that crosses forests and stone steps that were part of the Inca trail network, and some ancient ruins, culminating in the famous Puerta del Sol, one of the entrances to Machu Picchu.
- Access is only allowed to 500 people per day, so it is essential to book in advance
The salkantay trek
- The Salkanatay route is more scenic, harder and with more altitude than the Inca trail. This is a full-fledged hiking trail.
- This route lasts approximately 4 – 5 days.
- Unlike the Inca trail, its entrance is free and its cost is between 150 – 400$
- It crosses high mountain areas, descending later through the jungle and coffee plantations until reaching Machu Picchu.
- This route only passes through the ruins of Llactapata, so it is a route with less archaeological interest but more scenic beauty.
- To complete this route you need acclimatization and good physical condition. You don’t have to be Rafa Nadal, but you will have to climb a pass of 4700 m above sea level with a backpack on your back.
Jungle Trek
- Jungle Trek is one of the most popular options among backpackers who travel to Cusco because it’s the cheapest option, but only if you do the entire route on foot.
- Jungle Trek is not just a hiking route, but it combines a lot of activities: rafting, trekking, ziplining, biking, etc.
- This route lasts approximately 4 days.
- Its entrance is free and its cost is between 150 – 400$. Although it could turn into a little more money if you decide along the way to add more activities, which they will surely offer you.
Lares Trek
- The Lares path is a more cultural option, so it can be interesting to do it with a guide. The landscape setting is in the background, as its main attraction is to learn about the traditional culture of the most remote areas of the Sacred Valley.
- The route consists of a 4 day and 3 night trek through valleys, mountains, tropical forests, lakes, waterfalls and small Andean towns.
- Can it be done for free? Yes. But it is advisable to carry a GPS and to have previously studied the route. Apparently, being such a little crowded route, the paths are not well defined
- Its entrance is free and its cost is between 200 – 600$.
