Trekking is the best way to have a complete experience, not only with the ruins of Machu Picchu, but also with the fantastic natural environment of the jungle and surrounding mountains. All organized treks have porters, guides and meals included, so that the weight you must carry is significantly reduced. Here are 6 of the best options to achieve one of the Wonders of the Modern World in an exciting way.
1.-INCA ROAD
The Inca Trail is the most famous trekking to reach the ruins. The route runs through a small section of the gigantic network of trails that built this ancient civilization throughout its empire, which extended from Ecuador to Chile. It is estimated that the trail had an extension of 30,000 kilometers.
If you are interested in this option, you should know that it has a variable duration according to the starting point of the tour. It can last 1, 3 or 4 nights, so you can adapt the trekking to your time and physical preparation. The itinerary always concludes in Machu Picchu, regardless of the days you take.
It must be taken into account that, for reasons of preservation of the natural and archaeological spaces that are traversed during the route, there is a limited number of people 500 people / day who can start the Inca Trail, in groups of 16 people maximum. As a control measure, a government permit of about US $ 150 must be paid, which includes the entrance to the ruins. In February, the road remains closed for maintenance. If you want more information, enter our tours section of the Inca Trail.
2.-TREKKING SALKANTAY
It is a good alternative option to the Inca Trail, whose strength is the variety of climates and ecosystems that can be admired. You will be surprised to be in a lush jungle and, just an hour later, before an impressive glacier in the mountains. An authentic adventure, in scenarios that cut your breath. Another advantage of Salkantay is that the quotas are not so limited and you save the permit payment.
3.-TREKKING LARES
The Lares trekking to Machu Picchu is relatively little known among most tourists. It proposes an interesting combination of nature and a visit to two authentic indigenous peoples, only accessible on foot. The fact that the route is still little traveled by visitors, offers the opportunity to approach the natives and interact with them.
This trek has a duration of 3 nights and is also an interesting option to recover physically, since one of the nights is spent in a rural hotel (the other two camps)
4.-TREKKING HUCHUY QOSQO
The perfect alternative for those who like trekking, but in their right measure, and prefer not to give up the comforts of a hotel at dusk. The tour proposes a 6-hour walk through various highlights of the Sacred Valley: Qenqo, Siwa, Lamay and Ollantaytambo, among others. This is a good way to savor the attractions of the valley in a closer and leisurely way than with motorized tours.
Subsequently, the group members are transferred to the train that will take them to Aguas Calientes (the town closest to the ruins). The second day you visit the ruins and return to Cusco. Total duration two days, one night.
5.-TREKKING CHOQUEQUIRAO
If you love mountaineering and have time to devote many days to your visit to Machu Picchu, this is your trek. It includes long walks every day, along paths with landscapes that we guarantee you will never forget, reaching an altitude of 4,670 meters. On this route you can admire the two most important Inca ruins in the area. You probably haven’t heard of the Citadel of Choquequirao. With the nickname of «sacred sister of Machu Picchu» for its architectural similarities, these impressive ruins of almost 2,000 hectares are an extraordinary example of Inca construction mastery.
You will need 8 days and seven nights to complete this route as hard as it is wonderful.
6.-INCA JUNGLE
Without doubt the most adventurous option to reach the ruins. This proposal combines trekking, cycling, rafting and even the zip line (canopy), clearly betting on adrenaline and the variety of activities. It includes a mountain bike descent of nothing more and nothing less than 3,100 meters of unevenness, rafting on a rough river with rapids of grade III and IV, walks of up to 7 hours through the heart of the jungle to some hot springs and canopy to more than 150 meters high. Like all previous trekking, it ends with a guided tour of Machu Picchu. It can be done in 3 or 4 nights. In Willkatravel.com we have confirmed departures every day, enter here and book the Inca Jungle, we have confirmed departures every day of the year.