Amazon Adventures

Peru

Alternative Treks To Machu Picchu

Below are 4 alternative Inca Trail treks for people who don't want to see many other people on the trail. The first 2 options follow the Urubamba River, at a lower altitude, while the last 2 are via Salkantay mountain, at a higher altitude. These have the same new reservation requirements as the Classic Inca Trail - you must register at least 30 days in advance with passport names and numbers and the number of trekkers per day is limited, so many dates sell out fast.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu via the Urubamba

(4 days / 3 nights)

This is a new and easier trek to Machu Picchu. You don't hike up to the same altitude as on the classic trek, but rather stay closer to the river. Very few people hike this trail (so far), so there are no crowds. But you do see many of the same ruins and much lush vegetation, including many orchids.

"What a fabulous trip! They took excellent care of us. Cesar, Percy and Fernando were all just great. We are so glad we took the lower Inca Trail route - beautiful with lots of scenic wonder and ruins, but not so gruelling (from what we heard). Also, we did not see another tourist the entire time! Thanks again, we will let our friends know about you." Pat Milton and David Harder

Day 1 - Chillca / Llactapata - We leave our hotel and journey to Ollantaytambo, where we will visit the main places of interest in the company of our guide before continuing on by car to Chillca, where our trek begins. Here we will meet our porters, and begin to follow the trail along the left bank of the Urubamba river from where we will see beautiful views of snowcapped Veronica (5850m) as far as Llactapata, a restored Inca site.

Day 2- Llactapata / Chachabamba - An early start. As we advance along the Urubamba the canyon begins to gradually narrow and the landscape becomes more rugged. The vegetation also begins to change, as we move into thick forest. We will pass the Inca agricultural terraces of Qenti, where some Inca buildings have been recently restored, and continue as far as Chachabamba, another Inca residential complex, where we will camp.

Day 3- Winay Wayna / Machu Picchu - The trail begins to climb gradually halfway up the mountain where we find the ruins of Winay Wayna among the thick vegetation. We will pass by a high waterfall where we can refresh ourselves before continuing. The Winay Wayna complex was once inhabited by farmers who used terraces to reclaim these steep slopes for agriculture. We will encounter about twenty constructions which have all been recently restored, as well as an irrigation system and a splendid Inca temple. That afternoon we will continue along the trail to Machu Picchu, enjoying along the way the spectacular scenery, with the river far below, and the snowy peaks emerging from the surrounding cloud forest. Following a path which is very narrow in places, we eventually arrive at the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu from where we will get our first glimpse of the ruins below us. From here it is a forty minute walk to Machu Picchu. We will camp near the ruins of Machu Picchu.

Day 4- Machu Picchu - We will get up early to visit this lost city which was rediscovered in 1911. This citadel, standing at the top of a steep, forested hill overlooking the Urubamba river was hidden by dense vegetation for centuries until Hiram Bingham began to clear the site. Today the city has been completely restored and even if it has lost some of its mystery it still remains an unforgettable sight. Our tour includes a visit to the temples, plazas, palaces, watercourses and residential areas and will also leave you time to explore the ruins on your own. Return to Cusco by train, transfer to hotel.

2007 Price: US$815 each for 2, $682 each for 3, $601 each for 4. Single tent, if requested: $50. Inca Trail fee of $73 is included

Dates: Can start any day with minimum of 2 people
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Salkantay / Huayllabamba / Winay Wayna / Machu Picchu (6 days / 5 nights)

Day 1 - Cusco / Mollepata - We journey west through the Anta Valley and over the Vilcaconga pass. Descending into the warm and dry Apurimac Valley we visit the Inca temple of Tarawasi, a fine example of Inca ceremonial stonework. A little further along the road we climb to the village of Mollepata, where our mule drivers will be waiting to load our things on to horses or mules. We will then walk a short distance towards a nearby valley where we will camp at 3250m (10,660ft), from where we will get fine views of the Apurimac Valley below us.

Day 2- Rio Blanco - We climb a summit above the Rio Blanco which is fed by Salkantay's principal glacier. It is common to see condors along this section of the trail. From our campsite at 3800m (12,500ft) we will have our first sight of the south face of the Salkantay massif (6247m / 20.600ft).

Day 3- Salkantay Base Camp - We continue our steep ascent up the enormous glacier, arriving at our most spectacular campsite at 4600 metres (15,100ft) directly below the south face of Salkantay. It was from here that a Japanese team successfully climbed the knife edge ridge that begins at our camp and ends at the summit.

Day 4- Qoriwayrachina - Today we will cross a pass at 4200m (14,l04ft). Our trail continues along the Paucarcancha valley where we will observe the irrigation system built by the Incas to carry water to the terraces in this area. We descend to the community of Huayllabamba and continue towards Qoriwayrachina (Km88 of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu). Here we will make our camp.

Day 5-WinayWayna / Machu Picchu - We take the train to Kml04, walk up to Winay Wayna and follow the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, camping overnight or taking hotel accommodation (extra cost).

Day 6- All day excursion to Machu Picchu. Return to Cusco on the afternoon train.

2007 Price: US$1067 each for 2, $918 each for 3, $793 each for 4. Single tent supplement, if requested is $88. Inca Trail fee of $73 is included.

Dates: any day with minimum of 2 people.
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Salkantay / Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

(7 days / 6 nights)

Day 1 - 3 - same as above

Day 4- Salkantay / Huayllabamba - Today we will cross a pass at 4200m (14,l04ft). Our trail continues along the Paucarcancha valley, where we will observe the irrigation system built by the Incas to carry water to the terraces in this area. We descend to the community of Huayllabamba where we will say goodbye to our mule drivers and continue with porters to carry our gear. Camp at Huayllabamba.

Day 5- Huayllabamba / Pacaymayo - From the village of Huayllabamba the trail climbs steadily through high Andean woodland to a plain called Llulluchapampa just before the first pass, from where there are excellent views of the Huayanay mountain chain. After another two hours walking we will reach the pass of Warmiwanuska (4050m/13,280ft), before descending as far as the canyon of the Pacaymayo river where we will make our second camp.

Day 6- Pacaymayo / Winay Wayna - The trail now climbs to the second pass at Runcuracay from where we will be able to see the Vilcabamba and Urubamba mountain ranges. After a short rest we will descend slowly along a paved Inca road to the ruins of Runcuracay and Sayacmarca which have been recently restored. Here we enter the cloud forest and in the afternoon the trail descends via a stone staircase past the ruins of Phuyupatamarco to Winay Wayna, where we will camp for the night.

Day 7- Winay Wayna / Machu Picchu - After about two hours walking we arrive at Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate, from where we will get our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. On arriving at the citadel we will tour the temples, houses, agricultural terraces and palaces of this magical place. Return to Cusco by train in the afternoon.

Price: US$1236 each for 2 people, $1033 each for 3, US$876 for 4 . Inca Trail fee of $73 is included.

Dates; any day with minimum of 2people