Machu Picchu, one of the highlights of Peru, is an experience not to be missed. But the traditional way of hiking there, via the Inca trail is expensive and must be booked months in advance. This can be challenging for a backpacker who wants to do things cheaper and for whom planning months in advance is not an option.
The alternative Machu Picchu trek can be booked the day before a budget traveler wants to leave. It is also less expensive to go on an alternative Machu Picchu trek for 4 days and 3 nights than just to visit the site by train in one day, so it is a great option for a backpacker who wants to make the most of their money.
There is no shortage of companies offering tours to Machu Picchu from Cuzco and they all have similar itineraries so it is a good idea for the budget-conscious traveler to shop around. Prices and quality vary a great deal. There is no camping on the alternative treks, hikers stay in simple hostels along the way.
So what can an independent traveler expect on an alternative Machu Picchu trek?
Mountain Biking on the Machu Picchu Alternative Trek
On the first day, travelers depart with their chosen company for a day of mountain biking. Most companies stop in Ollantaytambo and drive through the Sacred Valley. This is not a drive for the faint-of-heart or someone who is afraid of heights, but the views are spectacular.
After about 3 hours, tours are allowed to get out of the van and onto the mountain bikes. Time varies, but most groups will bike for about 4 hours. The majority of the road is paved but at the end bikers will ride over a gravel road. From the end of the bike ride it is a thirty minute drive to Santa Maria where tours will spend the night.
Hiking on the Machu Picchu Alternative Trek Trail
The hike is long on the second day but it allows for some of the most spectacular views. Most groups hike for 9 hours, but there is plenty of built-in rest time for hikers. Hikers will walk along steep trails and above the river, winding their way through small villages. With most companies, hikers can rest their feet and soak sore muscles at local hot springs at the end of the day which makes for a pleasant way to relax after a long hike.
The second night is spent in Santa Teresa. This town is small but equipped with grocery stores, a pharmacy and even internet access if any of those amenities are desired.
Hiking the Alternative Inca Trail to Aguas Calientes
The hike on the third day is mostly along a dirt road and railroad tracks. The hike itself is mostly flat, therefore much easier than on the previous day of the trek.
Most groups will arrive in the city of Aguas Calientes in the evening. This city is the jumping-off point for Machu Picchu and has plenty of nice restaurants and hotels. The train that takes most tourists to Machu Picchu arrives in Aguas Calientes. It is a busy city with a large river running through it.
Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
For most groups it is an early start on the fourth day to go to Machu Picchu. Travelers can hike up the many stairs to the park or take a bus. The day is spent exploring the ruins. Most groups will offer a tour in the morning to the major sites.
In the afternoon, hikers will take a train from Aguas Calientes back to Ollantaytambo where they will catch a bus back to Cuzco arriving late in the evening where the alternative Machu Picchu trek finishes.
