Alternative Machu Picchu treks means enjoying the privilege of drawing near to the Lost City standing on one's own two feet. Hiking is the classic way to approach this deeply spiritual destination. It has become one of the trendiest activities in recent years, but must be planned carefully today. No traveler can any longer just roll into Cusco and obtain an Inca Trail trek the next day. Damage is being limited to the highway by the Peruvian government.
There are six both popular and alternative trails used: the One Day Inca Route, traditional Salcantay Trek, Lodge Trail, Vilcabamba Traverse Route, Cachicata Trail, and Lares Route.
Taking the Salcantay trek is the classic Inca route. It is famous for diversity in ecosystems as well as topography. This smorgasbord of scenic beauty is visually impressive as it passes the Salcantay Mountain at 20,500 feet high, one of the sacred peaks. It was one of the holiest mounts in the religion of the Incas, and is still considered to be sacred today in the Andean Religious pantheon.
Taking the Lares Trail means making your way through the same sacred valley where many thousands of Andean (and tourist) train commuters pass, and follows the path of least resistance. This trail is between Cusco and Machu Picchu, passing Lares along the way. This town is popular as the home of a famous hot spring, and can be crowded at times. Although this route allows visitors to see the way real Andeans live in the same way as they did centuries ago.
At sixty miles long, the Vilcabamba Traverse way runs through rugged mountain terrain and is not one for the unfit. Starting in Cachora, it crosses the Apurimac River, and canyon, through to Choquequirao ruins, (Cradle of Gold in the Quechua language. Don't think at this point that you have reached the Lost City, the resemblance of these ruins to those is quite uncanny, but there is still a ways to go. Crossing varied ecological zones, mountains, valleys, and rivers is the order of the day.
The One Day Trail is an extremely truncated version of a trail that should take at least four days in order to receive the maximum impact. However there is a market for what is only a three hour long hike up hill. It also means that it can be enjoyed by travelers who have very little time to see the lost city. There are only 500 permits issued daily for visits to the Sun Gates, so this particular route needs to be planned and booked well in advance.
A new route to the city is the Lodge Route, and could be considered to be alternative by some. It is for those travelers who wish to hike Andean explorer style by day, and enjoy clean sheets, cocktails and epicurean meals by night. It is a similar way to the Salcantay Route.
Last but certainly not least of the six alternative Machu Picchu treks, and according to Ancient Inca lore, the Cachicata Trail was used by Chaski runners who kept the empire informed of what news was taking place. Their ability to run and their endurance was legendary The trail itself is a high elevation entrance in through the Sun Gates. This trek offers much that is not seen when hiking any other route.
There are six both popular and alternative trails used: the One Day Inca Route, traditional Salcantay Trek, Lodge Trail, Vilcabamba Traverse Route, Cachicata Trail, and Lares Route.
Taking the Salcantay trek is the classic Inca route. It is famous for diversity in ecosystems as well as topography. This smorgasbord of scenic beauty is visually impressive as it passes the Salcantay Mountain at 20,500 feet high, one of the sacred peaks. It was one of the holiest mounts in the religion of the Incas, and is still considered to be sacred today in the Andean Religious pantheon.
Taking the Lares Trail means making your way through the same sacred valley where many thousands of Andean (and tourist) train commuters pass, and follows the path of least resistance. This trail is between Cusco and Machu Picchu, passing Lares along the way. This town is popular as the home of a famous hot spring, and can be crowded at times. Although this route allows visitors to see the way real Andeans live in the same way as they did centuries ago.
At sixty miles long, the Vilcabamba Traverse way runs through rugged mountain terrain and is not one for the unfit. Starting in Cachora, it crosses the Apurimac River, and canyon, through to Choquequirao ruins, (Cradle of Gold in the Quechua language. Don't think at this point that you have reached the Lost City, the resemblance of these ruins to those is quite uncanny, but there is still a ways to go. Crossing varied ecological zones, mountains, valleys, and rivers is the order of the day.
The One Day Trail is an extremely truncated version of a trail that should take at least four days in order to receive the maximum impact. However there is a market for what is only a three hour long hike up hill. It also means that it can be enjoyed by travelers who have very little time to see the lost city. There are only 500 permits issued daily for visits to the Sun Gates, so this particular route needs to be planned and booked well in advance.
A new route to the city is the Lodge Route, and could be considered to be alternative by some. It is for those travelers who wish to hike Andean explorer style by day, and enjoy clean sheets, cocktails and epicurean meals by night. It is a similar way to the Salcantay Route.
Last but certainly not least of the six alternative Machu Picchu treks, and according to Ancient Inca lore, the Cachicata Trail was used by Chaski runners who kept the empire informed of what news was taking place. Their ability to run and their endurance was legendary The trail itself is a high elevation entrance in through the Sun Gates. This trek offers much that is not seen when hiking any other route.
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Check out world dispatches.com for a summary of the things to keep in mind when booking Machu Picchu tours, now. You can also get more information about a reputable tour operator at world-dispatches.com/an-alternative-machu-picchu-trip today.
