Alternative Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

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4 Days

From

~~$680~~

$646

Alternative Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

4 Days Starting and ending in Cusco

Visiting: Cusco, Juchuy Coscco, Ollantaytambo, Machupicchu District

Tour operator:

TreXperience

Tour code:

AIT0403

Recommended For:

Couples, Family-Kids, Singles

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 8

Physical rating:

Medium, MODERATE

Age range:

3-70

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Vegans, vegetarian, Gluten free

Tour operated in:

English , Spanish

From:

$680

$646 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$34

Tour Overview

Alternative Inca Trail is a 4-day trek to Machu Picchu will take you on a hike across the Mountains nearby Cusco city, following an ancient Inca Trail that connects with the Sacred Valley, follows the Urubamba River, join the Last section of the Classic Inca Trail, and Arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sungate right before the sunset. Along the way, you will have an amazing view of Cusco from the Mountain, visit local communities, hiking with Llamas and alpacas, visit beautiful archaeological sites such as Huchuy Qosqo, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo, Wiñaywuayna, and Machu Picchu. This trail was used by the Last Inca King who moved his rebel army in 1536 from Cusco to the Last Capital of Incas (Vilcabamba) during the XVI century.

Highlights

Explore the mountains around Cusco
Follow the ancient Inca Trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu
Arrive hiking to the Sacred Valley from Cusco
Ride the panoramic Vistadome Train

Itinerary

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Day 1: Cusco – Tambomachay – Pukamarca

Location: Cusco

Accommodation: Camp

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

After being collected from Your hotel in Cusco at 7:00 am, drive for 20 minutes towards the archaeological site of Tambomachay (3812 m /12506 Ft), a beautiful archaeological site located just outside of Cusco. Here, You’ll start the expedition to the legendary lost city of the Incas Machu Picchu. The first part is a gentle 4- hours climb, passing through local communities, beautiful mountain lakes, large grassland where llamas and alpacas feed. This area is home to a wide variety of birds including Wallatas (love birds), partridges and lapwings, all of which are regularly spotted throughout the day. Lunch is at Koricocha lake (4049 m / 13284 ft). After enjoying the fresh meals prepared by your trekking chef, continue 3 more hours up and down to the campsite is located at the small Andean village of Pukamarca (3800m/12,467ft). This is a good opportunity to understand their lifestyle, interact with local children, and visit the houses to see how they live and what they have. You can take some gifts if you like.

Campsite Altitude: 3800m/12,467ft

Distance: 15 km/9.3 miles

Duration: 7 hours

Meals: Snacks, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Camping under the stars

Difficulty: moderate

Day 2: Pukamarca – Huchuy Qosqo – Ollantaytambo

Location: Juchuy Coscco

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy the Local Village early in the morning with a cup of coffee while you enjoy the first rays of the sun, after breakfast, we will start a gradual up and down to Huchuy Qosqo 3600m (1118127ft) a spectacular ancient city on top of the Sacred Valley, Along the way you pass refreshing streams, beautiful canyons, and breathtaking views. After exploring the Inca Site, we will continue for 15. hours into the Sacred Valley, Our chef will be waiting with a special Lunch that local love, PACHAMANCA,

The last part of the will be traveling by van along the Sacred Valley until we arrive in Ollantaytambo where we will check-in in a hotel.

Distance: 8 km/5 miles

Duration of hike: 5 hours hike

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Casa Blanca or Similar

Difficulty: easy

Day 3: Ollantaytambo - Km 104 - Sungate - Machu Picchu

Location: Ollantaytambo

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Wake up early in your hotel, breakfast, and then take the train from Ollantaytambo to Km 104, to begin the Inca Trail. Once you pass the checkpoint you will start the final and most impressive stretch of the full Inca Trail. You will visit amazing Inca Sites, see a vast variety of flora and fauna, and finally arrive at Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.

This trek allows you to visit the most impressive sites inside the Inca Trail and you will have the chance to arrive twice to Machu Picchu, if you plan properly the times, you can arrive after 4:00 pm to Machu Picchu and you will find the place almost empty since everybody starts leaving the citadel early. After enjoying a full day in the Inca trail and Machu Picchu, You will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, check-in, dinner in a local restaurant and sleep early for the next day.

Highest altitude: 2700m / 8858ft

Distance: 15km, 7 hours

Meals: Lunch, snacks, and dinner

Accommodation: Killa INN or similar

Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Discover Machu Picchu – Return To Cusco

Location: Machupicchu District

Meals Included: Breakfast

The final day, you will wake up in your hotel and have an early breakfast and take the first buses up to Machu Picchu. If the weather is good you will be able to witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu, which is truly an unforgettable experience. You will have the chance to go to the Inca Bridge or spend some time in the upper part of Machu Picchu before starting the tour.

The guided tour takes about 2 to 23 hours, where your tour guide will show you the best of Machu Picchu. Later you will have time to explore by yourself or either climb Huayna Picchu or Montaña, These tickets need to be booked in advance. After you are done with Machu Picchu, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch ( not included) and then take the Panoramic train and bus back to Cusco. The TreXperience Team will meet you off the train and return you safely to your hotel.

Guided Tour: 2 – 3 hours

Meals: Breakfast (hotel)

Accommodation: not included

Difficulty: Easy

What's Included

Accommodation

1 Night Camping 2 nights in 3-star hotel
Entrance Fees

Entrance fees to Huchuy Qosqo Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
Fully Guided

Professional Tours during the 4 days of tour
Local Taxes

All taxes Included
Train Tickets

One way Expedition train One way Vistadome Train

What's Not Included

Sleeping bags, air mattress, or trekking polesLast Day LunchHuayna Picchu or Montaña entrancesTips for porters, chef, guides
Tipping and Gratuities

Optional

Requirements

Original PassportRain gair, rain Poncho
Sun Protection
Warm and light clothes
Personal medication
Extra snacks
Water container for 2 litters
Extra Money

Videos

Check out our Q&As

When is the tour available?

This tour is available all year round except February
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

During the trek, you will always have time to explore the Inca sites on your own after the tour guide's explanation.
Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

Final schedules and hotel names will be provided 48 hours before departure
Are airport transfers included in this tour?

Transfer in and out in the airport of Cusco is included
Are all entrance fees included in the price?

All entrance fee to the places we visit is included

Are flights included in this tour?

Flights are not included in this tour
Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

Not Included, guests must ensure to get all visa requirements
Are vaccinations required for this tour?

Please visit your doctor and see what vaccines are required
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

Solo Travelers must pay a 35.USD as a single supplement, you can be pair up with another traveler as well (during this pandemic single supplement is mandatory)
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

Guest must have a moderate fitness leve
Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

You will always have a tour guide during our trekkings.
What currencies are required for this tour?

During our tours, we visit local villages where you can buy souvenirs and you need Peruvian Nuevos Soles
Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

In case you need help with pre and post-tour accommodation, please contact us
What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

We use 3-star hotels, based on double occupancy.
Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?

During our group tours, you will meet travelers from different countries and ages.
Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

You can put up to 7 kilos of your personal stuff in the duffel bag, this will be transported by porters
What is the maximum group size?

8 people
What is the tipping policy?

Tipping is absolutely optional.
What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?

Our tours are guaranteed and will depart always on the scheduled dates
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

All our tours guides are fluent English speakers
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

Children must be always with their parents,

Reviews from Travellers on this Tour

epav

Alternative Inca Trail 4D/3N

15-Nov-2019

Loved every step! Grueling first day going uphill at high altitude. Our guide, Charlie was so patient and kind. Well worth it with every turn bringing breathtaking views. We were met by an unbelievable camp set up for lunch and dinner. The food was delicious and gourmet level. We even had two cakes for dinner and breakfast made at the camp! I have never been so comfortable sleeping in a tent. Trexperience exceeded my expectations. Thank you Charlie, Superman Leo, Margot, and Juan!!

Magan T

Amazing 3 day Huchuy Qosqo Trek

16-Aug-2019

My husband, two friends and I booked a last minute trek with Trexperience, to Huchuy Qosqo. We didn't have enough time to do the Inca trail so we opted for an alternate route. We were paired with Elisban as our guide and Basilio as our chef. And we couldn't have been happier. Elisban was so pleasant and encouraging throughout the whole trek and went out of his was to make sure we were as comfortable as possible. And Basilio somehow managed to cook gourmet meals 3 times a day over a camp stove, including a full birthday cake one day! It was magical. The trek itself was lovely, and we didn't see a single other tourist the entire time, until we got to Machu Picchu. We experienced a little Peruvian village in the mountains, beautiful lakes and had a memorable pachamanca meal with our Trexperience family. We added on the salt mines and Moray, and while it made for a long day they were really neat to see. Just be ready for freezing cold at night and boiling hot sun during the day. You'll experience it all. I can't recommend Trexperience, Elisban and Basilio or this trek enough.

Alice A

4 days 3 nights alternative inca trek

09-Oct-2019

The trek as a whole was a great experience, although quite tough at times, it was definitely worth it. Our guide Kevin was great, he was so knowledgeable about the Inca history, really friendly bubbly and funny. He really kept our spirits high on the difficult parts of the hike. We also had a chef (Roger), his assistant (Freddie) and a horse keeper who were all very lovely. The food was also way better than expected for me. Good portion sizes and tasted great! Overall- great experience! Lovely guide and team

Nicole H

Best treks and trips with TreXperience!

04-Jan-2021

An adventurous and cultural trip to Machu Picchu has been on my bucket list for years. We monitored the cases in Peru and felt confident the Peruvian Government, people and tourism providers were exercising all the right safety measures to keep customers and themselves safe. And our expectations were more than exceeded. Everyone in Peru is wearing masks whether indoors or outdoors and when necessary wearing face-shields. The Peruvian people were extraordinary. So hospitable and happy to see some tourists visiting their amazing country. We choose TreXperience four our 4-day trek because they are locally owned and operated, promote sustainable tourism, they empower woman (Tania was one of our porters and she carried ½ her body weight) on top of their exceptional reviews and awards. TreXperience surpassed our expectations from booking to departure. Providing exceptional customer service, doing so much of the little things along with the big stuff, VERY WELL! Little things like...hot water and a cloth to wash our face and hands after a long day, a tarp, extra sleeping pad, and wool blanket to keep us warm and dry, coco leaves to help us with the altitude, shipping us a souvenir gift we left behind, teaching us Quechua (the ancient language of the Inca people) and the big things like… a popup toilet, delicious meals, spectacular treks and moments to explore and learn more about the fauna, flora and Inca history. All done with exceptional hospitality, smiles, and Peruvian Pride. Thank you to the TreX Team; our porters Tomy, Tania and Elvis our chef Celso and our guide Elisban. He was so knowledgeable, interesting, laughed at my jokes, gave us an extra hand and encouragement when we needed it, made great conversation, and much more. There was a moment when I looked out our train to see Elisban waving to us to make sure we got settled okay. I looked at my daughter and said, “I really like Elisban, he is the best guide I have ever done a trip with.” I traveled with my 9-year-old daughter and we are pretty fit. We selected the 4D/3N Alternative Inca Trail trek based on Colonel’s suggestion. The classic Inca 4D trek is not an option for us as it was closed due to a March rockslide. I am glad it wasn’t open as the Alternative trek was perfect. We explored the highlands, trekked above the sacred valley, saw a couple of villages, didn’t get burned out on camping, and got to experience the best part of the Inca trail! While at times it was sobering to see so few tourists and to have Winaywayna, the Sun Gate and Machu Picchu to practically to ourselves. It was a great time to visit allowing us to truly appreciate the beauty, deep, and impressive history of the Cusco region and the remarkable Inca sites. If you are thinking about a trip to Machu Picchu, book it! And book with TreXperience. It will be one of the best treks and trips you’ve taken!

Nadine B

Alternative Trek to Machu Picchu 4 Days 3 Nights

11-Oct-2019

Would highly recommend Trexperience as hiking company. They are very professional and have a great structure to their hikes, everything is organised well. Our tour guide Kevin had bubbly personality and was extremely knowledgable and informative about Inca History. He assessed our hiking abilities well and moulded our trek accordingly taking us to higher points and taking lots of photographs. He kept the positive energy when things became difficult. The food was amazing and we never went hungry. They consisted of 3 course hot meals every breakfast lunch and dinner which left us feeling extremely satisfied. Hot drinks and fresh water was also available and they even provided us with snacks for our journeys in between. The team (the chefs, tour guide and horseman) were very efficient and set up our tents and looked after our belongings well and ensured we were happy. Only negative is that we were under the impression we paid for a private tour (due to the classic Inca group being sold out) however when we arrived we realised we would be joining a group for the 3rd and 4th day. All in all a great experience would highly recommend.

Dates & Availability

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2025 Mar
2025 Apr
2025

Monday - Thursday

Apr 22, 2024 - Apr 25, 2024

~~$680~~ $646 (USD)