Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ALTERNATIVE ROUTES TO MACHU
PICCHU
For more information on the following hikes, the
Alternative Inca Trails Information Pack-
et
from the South American Explorers Club (
Click here
)
is a great resource.
Two-Day Inca Trail
This 10km version of the Inca Trail gives a fairly good indication of what the longer trail is
like. It's a real workout, and passes through some of the best scenery and most impressive
ruins and terracing of the longer trail.
It's a steep three- or four-hour climb from Km 104 to Wiñay Wayna, then another two
hours or so on fairly flat terrain to Machu Picchu. You may be on the trail a couple hours
more, just to enjoy the views and explore. We advise taking the earliest train possible.
The two-day trail means overnighting in Aguas Calientes, and visiting Machu Picchu the
next day, so it's really only one day of walking. The average price is US$400 to US$535.
Lares Valley Trek
This is not a specific track as such, but a walk along any of a number of different routes to
Ollantaytambo through the dramatic Lares Valley. Starting at natural hot springs, the route
wanders through rural Andean farming villages, lesser-known Inca archaeological sites,
lush lagoons and river gorges. You'll finish by taking the train from Ollantaytambo to
Aguas Calientes. Although this is more of a cultural trek than a technical trip, the mountain
scenery is breathtaking, and the highest mountain pass (4450m) is certainly nothing to
sneeze at. The average price is US$460.
Salkantay Trek
A longer, more spectacular trek, with a slightly more difficult approach to Machu Picchu
than the Inca Trail. Its highest point is a high pass of over 4700m near the magnificent
glacier-clad peak of Salkantay (6271m; 'Savage Mountain' in Quechua). From here you
descend in spectacular fashion to the vertiginous valleys of the subtropics. It takes five to
seven days to get to Machu Picchu, and the average price is US$400.
