Inca Trail Permits and Alternative treks to Machu Picchu

Inca Trail

Do I need to book it in advance? The Inca Trail Tours, Alternative treks to Machu Picchu has departures 100% guaranteed, but Machu Picchu and Inca Trail permits, train tickets, local flights, hotels and entrances to Huayna Picchu Mountain are subjet to availability! For that reason, we HIGHLY recommend booking it well in advance to ensure you receive exactly what you want!!

No More Permits for the Inca Trail - Now What?

Couldn't get a permit for the Inca Trail? Come back next year! No, there is always an alternative for the Inca Trail that you can do. They're called the alternative Inca Trails, and while it may sound like these hikes aren't as exciting as the classic Inca Trail, that's not true. If you really want to go on the Inca Trail, you should stick to the classic Inca Trail. It's always worth waiting if the permits don't work out this year. For anyone who just wants to get to Machu Picchu and have a great trekking experience, there are several options to consider. The most famous Inca Trail alternative is the Salkantay Trek, but the others are just as good, if not better. The Lares Trek, the Choquequirao Trek, the Inca Jungle Trek and the Inca Quarry Trek are all good alternatives in case you couldn't get permits for the classic Inca Trail. Believe us, it's a bit of a blessing in disguise.

Inca Trail on your own

It might sound like a good idea, with all these permission restrictions. Do the Inca Trail on your own. But that's why there are permits in the first place. It is forbidden to go your own way on the Inca Trail. You need a permit and this permit must be organized by an authorized trekking company and a guide must join you. You can find a suitable trekking operator.

Inca Trail Alternatives

Salkantay Trek

The Salkantay Trek is an alternative trek to the classic route. The Salkantay Trek is considered by most to be the best alternative route. This route to Machu Picchu is offered in a four and five day version and starts and ends in Cusco. The four-day Salkantay Trek is a bit more difficult than the Inca Trail due to the altitude to be overcome. Already on the first day you hike to an altitude of 4,200 meters. This night is also the coldest night of the entire trek. On the second day, after an early breakfast, you will hike in about three hours to the Salkantay Pass, located at an altitude of 4,650 meters. After lunch you will then descend to an altitude of 2,900 meters, where you will also spend the night. On the third day, you hike from Chaullay via La Playa to Aguas Calientes in about six hours. On the last day, you will hike early in the morning to Machu Picchu, where you will take part in a 2-hour tour. After that you can walk around freely and then take the train back. From Ollantaytambo you will then be taken back to Cusco. Read our blog post about the Salkantay Trek

Lares Trek to Machu Picchu

The Lares Trek is easier compared to the Salkantay Trek and the Inca Trail. In addition, the Lares Trek is also the quietest. The Lares Trek is best known for its direct contact with the Peruvian locals. During the trekking you will pass the Sacred Valley where you will meet the first locals with their alpacas and llamas. On the first day you will reach a high altitude and cross the Amparaes Pass at 4,470 meters. Then it's on to Lares, where you can enjoy the warm thermal baths. Afterwards you descend to Cuncani and stay overnight. On day two, hike rocky trails through high lagoons and see glaciers in the distance that provide fresh drinking water to the locals. After reaching the summit, descend to camp in a quiet area surrounded by trees. After breakfast the last day begins. You dismount and eventually end up in Ollantaytambo. From here you take the train to Aguas Calientes. On the last day you will be driven by bus to Machu Picchu (at 2,400 m). There you will take part in a two-hour guided tour. After that, you can walk around the city on your own. Read our blog post about the Lares Trek.

Inca Trail Condition - How do I get fit?

A surefire way to get good at what you do is to practice. The best course of action when it comes to hiking is hiking. Since you are interested in the Salkantay Trek, we assume that you already enjoy hiking. Walk a little more. If you're lucky enough to be surrounded by hills or even mountains, it's time to see them more often. When? If you are new, we recommend starting six months before you plan to leave. Just go hiking for an hour (or more) a week.

When you get the hang of it, after about three weeks, it's time to up your intensity. Pack a 10-15kg pack and add a longer three-hour hike to your week. If this lifestyle is new to you, you will soon find the advantages of the trekking feel. After a few months of solid hiking, it's time to put your stamina on the sample. Do long back-to-back hikes. You can simulate a few days of constant trekking by hiking a few days at a time. Thats is quite easy. Plan a smaller trekking holiday or keep it simple by repeating your favorite route. If you can comfortably trek 4 hours a day 3 days in a row and carry a 10kg to 15kg backpack, you will be fine on the Salkantay Trek.

Moderate units of strength training You gotta get a little stronger. One way to get stronger is to do some basic strength training. You don't need a gym membership as just using your body weight can already provide the results you are striving for. Once or twice a week, depending on how you're feeling, you can do two sets each of 10 lunges, 10 squats, and 10 step-ups. If you want to push yourself a little more, you can try adding some pull-ups and making your routine a little more challenging. However, the extra exercise isn't strictly necessary for your strength and fitness. Trekking can be enjoyed by just sticking to the basics. After all, it's not a fitness competition. This should get you in shape!

Altitude sickness on the Inca Trail - Peru

Altitude sickness can occur when hiking the Inca Trail. From your home country you land in Peru at an altitude of 2,500 meters. Your body hasn't had time to acclimatize yet and you plan to travel to an even higher altitude. Altitude sickness is caused by a lack of oxygen in the body. A number of symptoms you may experience due to altitude sickness in Peru are: headaches, loss of appetite, dizziness, insomnia, vomiting and fatigue. Altitude sickness is mainly caused by a rapid increase in altitude.

For example, if you climb more than 750 meters during the day and stay at that altitude, your body may have trouble adjusting. As a general rule, the faster you ascend, the greater the risk of altitude sickness. 

The first symptoms of altitude sickness only appear after 6 to 12 hours. This means that you can, for example, climb more than 1,000 meters in one day if you also descend again on the same day. In this case, the chances of you getting altitude sickness are slim. The many ascents and descents cause the body to acclimate. The next day it is relatively easy to stay at higher altitude. Crossing Dead Woman's Pass during Inca Trail and Salkantay ensures better acclimatization during trekking.

Inca Trail experiences - travel report

The Inca Trail leaves an indelible mark on all who have walked it. Arriving at Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Intipunku) and crossing the famous Dead Woman Pass are things not easily forgotten. There are many people who have had fantastic Inca Trail experiences, but if you can't find them in your immediate area, it's handy that you can find an Inca Trail travelogue online. You are also welcome to contact our trekking experts and ask them about their experiences on the Inca Trail. This will give you a good idea of ​​what the Inca Trail expectations may be.

Where can I book the Inca Trail?

There are several websites through which you can book the Inca Trail. The important thing to remember is that the cheap providers probably don't treat their employees very well. Income is relatively low in Peru and some organizations take advantage of this. At Inca Trail Machu we try to find a selection of providers who care about employee well-being and the environment.

However, they are obliged to state their lowest price. Here you will find our offers for the 4 day Inca Trail. Now that you know everything about the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, you might be wondering how to get to Cusco. Check out this blog post and have a look at our Peru guide for more useful information. Have you considered expanding your Inca Trail trek by visiting Rainbow Mountain? you should