4.7 3 Days 
Alternative Treks
Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu and Cusco: 6 Routes Compared
Dive into the thrill of alternative hikes in Peru, off-the-beaten-path routes that unveil pristine landscapes and ancestral traditions. Our alternative trekking in Peru leads you along hidden trails through towering mountains, forgotten valleys, and lush Andean forests, where nature is at its purest and most breathtaking. Each journey is crafted to connect travelers with the rich culture of local communities and promote responsible tourism that safeguards the environment. Dare to discover the unexpected and live unique experiences in Peru, far from conventional paths and infused with the authenticity only this extraordinary destination can offer.
Six multi-day treks from Cusco compared with the same data: days, highest point, whether the tour ends at Machu Picchu, permits, effort and price. Salkantay, Lares, Inca Jungle, Huchuy Qosqo, Choquequirao and Ausangate run from 2 to 8 days and start at US$240 per person.
4.7 3 Days 
4.7 4 Days 
4.7 4 Days Inca Jungle Trek To Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights + Biking+Rafting+Zipline
- Challenging
- 4,350 m · 14,270 ft
From
US$410
per person
4.7 3 Days Inca Jungle Trek Machu Picchu 3 Days / 2 Nights + Biking+ Rafting+ Zipline
- Moderate
- 4,350 m · 14,270 ft
From
US$390
per person
4.7 2 Days 
4.7 3 Days 
4.7 4 Days 
4.7 3 Days 
4.7 6 days 
4.7 4 Days / 3 Nights 
4.7 5 Days 
4.7 6 Days / 5 nights 
4.7 8 Days 
4.7 4 Days / 3 Nights Salkantay Trek 4D/3N Sky Lodge Dome To Dome (Unique )
- Challenging
- 4,650 m · 15,260 ft
From
US$675
per person
4.7 3 Days / 2 Nights 
4.7 4 Days Salkantay Trekking to Machu Picchu 4 Days / 3 Nights by Andean Huts.
- Challenging
- 4,650 m · 15,260 ft
From
US$440
per person
4.7 2 Days Salkantay Mountain Humantay Lake Sky Domes 2D-1N
- Challenging
- 4,650 m · 15,260 ft
From
US$310
per person
4.7 5 Days Salkantay Trekking by Domes To Machu Picchu 5D / 4N
- Challenging
- 4,650 m · 15,260 ft
From
US$675
per person
The main alternative treks to Machu Picchu from Cusco are Salkantay, Lares, the Inca Jungle, Huchuy Qosqo and Choquequirao, and Ausangate is a sixth multi-day trek that heads to Rainbow Mountain instead. Five of the six routes have tours that end at Machu Picchu; our departures last 2 to 8 days and start at US$240 for the 2-day Huchuy Qosqo trek. Only one tour, Lares combined with the Short Inca Trail, needs an Inca Trail permit.
- 6 routesand 18 departures from Cusco, from 2 to 8 days, starting at US$240 per person.
- 5 of 6routes have at least one tour that ends at Machu Picchu, with the entrance ticket included. Ausangate does not go there.
- 1 permitOnly the 6-day Lares + Short Inca Trail needs an Inca Trail permit; the other 17 tours need none.
The 6 treks from Cusco compared
The same fields for every route, taken from our own itineraries. “Optional” means it depends on which of our tours you choose.
| Route | Days | Highest point | Ends at Machu Picchu? | Inca Trail permit? | Effort | From, per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salkantay | 2–5 | 4,650 m / 15,256 ft (Salkantay pass) | Optional: yes on the 3-, 4- and 5-day treks; the 2-day returns to Cusco | No | Challenging | US$310 |
| Lares | 3, 4 or 6 | 4,420 m / 14,501 ft (Puerto pass) or 4,700 m / 15,420 ft (Pachacútec pass), depending on the route | Optional: yes on the 4- and 6-day tours; the 3-day ends in the Sacred Valley | Only the 6-day Lares + Short Inca Trail | Moderate (3 days) to challenging (4 and 6 days) | US$445 |
| Inca Jungle | 3 or 4 | 4,350 m / 14,272 ft at the Málaga pass, reached by vehicle; on foot, no higher than about 2,650 m / 8,694 ft | Yes, on both tours | No | Moderate (3 days) to challenging (4 days) | US$390 |
| Huchuy Qosqo | 2 or 3 | 4,230 m / 13,878 ft (Rumicruz pass) | Optional: yes on the 3-day; the 2-day returns to Cusco | No | Moderate | US$240 |
| Choquequirao | 4, 5, 6 or 8 | About 3,050 m / 10,000 ft at the Inca site; over 4,000 m / 13,120 ft on the 8-day trek | Optional: yes on the 6- and 8-day tours; the 4- and 5-day are round trips | No | Moderate (4–5 days) to challenging (6–8 days) | US$430 |
| Ausangate | 3 or 4 | 5,020 m / 16,470 ft at Rainbow Mountain and the Minasniyuq pass (4-day itinerary) | No: both tours end at Quesiuno and drive back to Cusco | No | Challenging | US$400 |
Prices are per person in a group, from the cheapest departure on each route. Every tour that ends at Machu Picchu includes the entrance ticket; Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are extra (see Machu Picchu tickets 2027).
Four things trek lists often get wrong
- Only the Inca Trail walks in through the Sun Gate. Of our 18 tours, only the 6-day Lares + Short Inca Trail arrives on foot through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), because its last trekking day is the Short Inca Trail from Km 104. On every other route you reach Aguas Calientes first and go up to the citadel by bus or on foot.
- The Inca Jungle does not climb the Málaga pass on foot. The van takes you to the 4,350 m / 14,272 ft pass and you ride a mountain bike downhill from there. The highest walking is about 2,650 m / 8,694 ft, on the section of Inca path above Santa María on the 4-day tour; on the 3-day you stay below about 2,450 m / 8,038 ft on foot.
- The 2-day Huchuy Qosqo trek does not reach Machu Picchu. It ends in Lamay, in the Sacred Valley, with a private transfer back to Cusco. Only the 3-day version continues by train to Aguas Calientes.
- Ausangate is not a trek to Machu Picchu. Both of our Ausangate tours finish at Rainbow Mountain and Quesiuno and return to Cusco by road.
Cusco treks by number of days
The same 18 tours sorted by length, so you can start from the days you have.
The shortest treks that end at Machu Picchu take 3 days. To go by train instead, see our Machu Picchu tours.
The six routes in brief
Salkantay. The highest route that ends at Machu Picchu: it crosses the 4,650 m / 15,256 ft pass below the Salkantay glacier, then drops through cloud forest to Aguas Calientes. It suits fit hikers who want big mountain scenery. Our tours run 2 to 5 days from US$310, in Andean huts or sky domes. See our Salkantay treks page and the side-by-side in Inca Trail vs Salkantay.
Lares. The cultural route: it crosses the valleys of Quechua farming and herding communities such as Quishuarani and Cancha Cancha. The 3-day trek starts at the Lares hot springs, crosses the 4,420 m / 14,501 ft Puerto pass and ends at Yanahuara in the Sacred Valley; the 4-day starts at Cuncani, climbs to 4,700 m / 15,420 ft at the Pachacútec pass and takes the train to Aguas Calientes for Machu Picchu. The 6-day adds a Cusco city tour and the Short Inca Trail. See our Lares treks and Inca Trail vs Lares trek.
Inca Jungle. The multi-sport option: a mountain bike descent from the Málaga pass, rafting on the Vilcanota River, a zipline in Santa Teresa and nights in hotels rather than tents. It suits active travelers who prefer variety to long hiking days. Both tours, 3 or 4 days from US$390, end at Machu Picchu. See Inca Jungle tours and Inca Trail vs Inca Jungle.
Huchuy Qosqo. The shortest and least expensive: from Tambomachay, above Cusco, over four passes up to 4,230 m / 13,878 ft, past the Inca quarry and down to the Huchuy Qosqo ruins at about 3,600 m / 11,811 ft, with camping at Pucamarca, about 4,010 m / 13,156 ft. It works as a first trek or a warm-up before a longer route: 2 days from US$240, or 3 days with Machu Picchu. See Huchuy Qosqo treks.
Choquequirao. An Inca site at about 3,050 m / 10,000 ft above the Apurímac canyon that can only be reached on foot. Our tours last 4 to 8 days from US$430; the 6- and 8-day tours continue to Machu Picchu, and the 8-day crosses passes above 4,000 m / 13,120 ft. Route, closures and altitudes on our Choquequirao treks page.
Ausangate. A high trek near the 6,380 m / 20,932 ft Ausangate peak, through alpaca-herding land, past glacial lakes such as Pucacocha, and ending at Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). It is the highest route here, with passes of up to 5,020 m / 16,470 ft and camps of up to 4,800 m / 15,748 ft, for experienced, acclimatized hikers. 3 or 4 days from US$400. See our Ausangate treks, or the Rainbow Mountain guide if you only want the colored mountain.
What if the Inca Trail is sold out?
Every tour on this page except Lares + Short Inca Trail runs without an Inca Trail permit, so the dates do not depend on the permit quota. Which route feels most like the Inca Trail is a separate question, and we answer it in Inca Trail sold out? 2027 alternatives ranked. If you still hope to walk the Inca Trail itself, check live dates on our Inca Trail permits and availability page or see our Inca Trail treks.
How to choose your trek
- By time: with 2 days, Huchuy Qosqo or Humantay Lake and the Salkantay pass. With 3 days and Machu Picchu, the short Salkantay trek, the 3-day Inca Jungle or Huchuy Qosqo + Machu Picchu. With 4 days, every route except Huchuy Qosqo. With 5 to 8 days, the 5-day Salkantay, Choquequirao or Lares + Short Inca Trail.
- By effort: the gentlest on foot is the 3-day Inca Jungle, which we rate moderate, followed by Huchuy Qosqo and the 3-day Lares. Choquequirao is lower but steep: the canyon means a long descent to the river and the same climb back. Salkantay, the 4- and 6-day Lares, the 8-day Choquequirao and both Ausangate tours are the hardest.
- By altitude: from lowest to highest point, Choquequirao (about 3,050 m / 10,000 ft on the 4-, 5- and 6-day tours), Huchuy Qosqo (4,230 m / 13,878 ft), Lares (4,420–4,700 m / 14,501–15,420 ft), Salkantay (4,650 m / 15,256 ft) and Ausangate (5,020 m / 16,470 ft). Cusco itself sits at about 3,400 m / 11,155 ft, so plan two or three days in the city before any of them. Stop-by-stop altitudes are in our Machu Picchu elevation guide.
- Machu Picchu or not: if the citadel is the goal, pick a tour marked “Yes” in the table by days. If you have already been, or will go by train, the 2-day Huchuy Qosqo, the 3-day Lares, the 4- or 5-day Choquequirao and Ausangate leave it out.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main alternative treks to Machu Picchu?
From Cusco, Salkantay, Lares, the Inca Jungle, Huchuy Qosqo and Choquequirao all have tours that end at Machu Picchu. Ausangate is also a multi-day trek from Cusco, but it ends at Rainbow Mountain, not at Machu Picchu.
Do I need a permit for an alternative trek?
Only for Lares + Short Inca Trail, whose last day is the Short Inca Trail from Km 104. Our other 17 tours need no Inca Trail permit. Tours that end at Machu Picchu still need a Machu Picchu ticket, and ours include it.
How difficult are these treks?
We rate the 3-day Inca Jungle, Huchuy Qosqo, the 3-day Lares and the 4- and 5-day Choquequirao as moderate, and the rest as challenging; the 4-day Inca Jungle adds a 16 km hiking day. Altitude is usually the bigger factor: Salkantay, Lares, Huchuy Qosqo and Ausangate take you on foot above 4,200 m / 13,780 ft.
When is the best time to do these treks?
May to September is the dry season around Cusco and the busiest time. The rainy season runs from November to April, heaviest from January to March, when trails are muddy and some sites can close; Choquequirao entry was suspended from 1 February 2026 because of the rain. See the best time to visit Machu Picchu.
What is the highest point of the Lares trek?
It depends on the route. On our 3-day trek and on Lares + Short Inca Trail it is the Puerto pass at 4,420 m / 14,501 ft. On the 4-day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu it is the Pachacútec pass at 4,700 m / 15,420 ft.
Is the Lares trek better than Salkantay?
Neither is better overall. Salkantay has the bigger mountain scenery, with a 4,650 m / 15,256 ft pass beside the glacier and a descent into cloud forest. Lares is about Andean villages and herding communities, with a pass of 4,420 or 4,700 m (14,501 or 15,420 ft). Both reach Machu Picchu on our 4-day tours: Salkantay from US$440 and Lares from US$580.
Is the Lares trek more cultural than the Inca Trail?
In a different way. The Inca Trail is about Inca ruins along an original path; Lares is about living Quechua communities, and on the 4-day tour you can meet a family in Cancha Cancha. Read Inca Trail vs Lares trek.
Is the Salkantay trek harder than the Inca Trail?
It goes higher: the Salkantay pass is at 4,650 m / 15,256 ft, against 4,215 m / 13,828 ft at Dead Woman’s Pass on the Classic Inca Trail. The full comparison is in Inca Trail vs Salkantay.
Which trek reaches Machu Picchu in the fewest days?
Three days: the short Salkantay trek, the 3-day Inca Jungle and Huchuy Qosqo + Machu Picchu. None of our 2-day treks goes to Machu Picchu.
Do these tours include Machu Picchu tickets?
Yes, every one of our tours that ends at Machu Picchu includes the entrance ticket. Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain are extra and subject to availability.