It has become a tradition to walk into the Lost City of Peru through the Sun Gates, and alternative Machu Picchu treks allow the traveler to do just this. Today these lost and found Inca Highways are carefully protected from damage by the Peruvian Government, so, careful planning is required.
There are six ways to trek to follow the Inca trail. These include the Salcantay Trail, Lares Route, Vilcabamba Traverse Route, one day Inca Trail, Cachicata Trail, and the Lodge Trail.
Trekking the Salcantay route offers a wide spectrum of topography, as well as eco-diversity. It cannot be beat for scenic beauty, and a view like this of the impressive Salcantay Mountain is just too good to miss. At 20,500 feet high, this is one of the most sacred peaks of Andeans of today. This was also the case for the Incan religious pantheon.
Trekking via the Lares Valley also sees thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands of train travelers taking the Sacred Valley route between Cusco and Machu Picchu. It might get a little crowded, but the trek from the town with its famous hot spring does allow visitors to get a close up of how Andeans have lived life here for centuries. It also offers spectacular views of Mount Veronica, as well as high altitude lakes and the historic Ollantaytambo ruins.
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.
Travelers who want to visit Machu Picchu and do not have a great deal of time, could take the One Day route. It only takes three hours to walk, so offers some scenic quality in a brief uphill hike, and ends with the definitive train trip to the Lost City itself. In real terms, the ideal time to spend in this area is approximately four days. Not all visitors can take this amount of time.
Another trail that could be considered to be alternative is the Lodge Trail. There has been an increase in the number of travelers with the money to mix hard days of trekking with luxurious nights. If the idea of clean white sheets, comfortable beds, and gourmet meals appeals at the end of a hard long walk, then this could be the route for you. As far as direction and scenery goes, this is similar to the Salcantay Route.
Incas in this vast empire were able to keep connected by means of fleet-footed Chaski envoys. According to legend they ran the Cachicata Trail. It is a high altitude entry to the city, but takes in some of the sights not seen on any of the other tours. So, as far as alternative Machu Picchu treks go, this could be the best.
There are six ways to trek to follow the Inca trail. These include the Salcantay Trail, Lares Route, Vilcabamba Traverse Route, one day Inca Trail, Cachicata Trail, and the Lodge Trail.
Trekking the Salcantay route offers a wide spectrum of topography, as well as eco-diversity. It cannot be beat for scenic beauty, and a view like this of the impressive Salcantay Mountain is just too good to miss. At 20,500 feet high, this is one of the most sacred peaks of Andeans of today. This was also the case for the Incan religious pantheon.
Trekking via the Lares Valley also sees thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands of train travelers taking the Sacred Valley route between Cusco and Machu Picchu. It might get a little crowded, but the trek from the town with its famous hot spring does allow visitors to get a close up of how Andeans have lived life here for centuries. It also offers spectacular views of Mount Veronica, as well as high altitude lakes and the historic Ollantaytambo ruins.
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.
Travelers who want to visit Machu Picchu and do not have a great deal of time, could take the One Day route. It only takes three hours to walk, so offers some scenic quality in a brief uphill hike, and ends with the definitive train trip to the Lost City itself. In real terms, the ideal time to spend in this area is approximately four days. Not all visitors can take this amount of time.
Another trail that could be considered to be alternative is the Lodge Trail. There has been an increase in the number of travelers with the money to mix hard days of trekking with luxurious nights. If the idea of clean white sheets, comfortable beds, and gourmet meals appeals at the end of a hard long walk, then this could be the route for you. As far as direction and scenery goes, this is similar to the Salcantay Route.
Incas in this vast empire were able to keep connected by means of fleet-footed Chaski envoys. According to legend they ran the Cachicata Trail. It is a high altitude entry to the city, but takes in some of the sights not seen on any of the other tours. So, as far as alternative Machu Picchu treks go, this could be the best.
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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.
