Which Is The Best Trek To Machu Picchu?

So, you have booked your scenic trip to the iconic Machu Picchu ruins and are debating whether to take the train there or trek from Cusco.

While the Machu Picchu train ride from the Poroy train station to Aguas Calientes is one of the most picturesque in the world, nothing can beat getting all up and personal with the Peruvian landscape.

At Skyhook, we'd recommend hiking to Machu Picchu if you have the time and energy. You can book a hike with us, or even go to Machu Picchu solo.

But here's everything you need to know about the best hiking trails in Machu Picchu.

This is a tricky question because all the hikes are incredible.

So, the best hike to Machu Picchu is the one that will meet your unique needs as an adventure-seeking traveller. This depends on how much time you have to prepare for the trip, how long you can be in Peru, how well acclimatised you are to elevated altitude, your fitness level, experience level, and crowd preference.

We give you numerous options to go hiking in Machu Picchu with our curated and guided tours. Our trails include the Salkantay Trail, the Inca Trail, and the Lares Trek. We offer different variations of these trails, some lasting a week and others just a few days.

Once you fly into Peru (highly likely that you will land at Lima, the capital), take an adjoining flight to Cusco. Here, you will meet fellow voyagers visiting the Incan archaeological complex.

Like most of Peru, there are many things to do in Cusco if you spend time here. Besides, at an elevated altitude (3,399m), Cusco allows your body to acclimatise to the Andes conditions before you hike to Machu Picchu.

Feel free to enjoy activities like bike rides through Sacred Valley in Cusco, dining in the Neo-Andean restaurants, and shopping for souvenirs. You can also visit incredible feats of architecture like the Cusco Cathedral, the Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus (Church of the Society of Jesus) and the legion of museums and galleries.

A pro tip from Skyhook is to spend at least one day relaxed in your Cusco hotel room for one day, then explore for another two days before hitting the trails.

You're likely used to staying in lower elevations - even lower than Cusco, Aguas Calientes (2,040m) or the Machu Picchu site (2,430m). If you rush into your hike, you risk suffering some common Machu Picchu altitude sickness symptoms, which could ruin your experience.

Watch out for symptoms like headache, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness. At all times, take plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and take Coca tea - the local, highly effective remedy for altitude sickness will significantly improve your outcome. (And no, Coca leaves are not addictive!)

After acclimatising, here are some Machu Picchu treks to consider:

This trail is classic because it is the most popular hike above Machu Picchu. This populated trail is perfect if you do not mind the company and constant chatter of excited tourists.

The Classic Inca trail is a 40-km 4-day hike along an ancient Incan pathway that ends at the infamous Sun Gate (Intipunku), where you will get a breathtaking panoramic view of Machu Picchu. It is called the Inca trail because the Inca also used it to get from their capital, Cusco, to Machu Picchu.

If you go for the classic Inca trail, your trek will begin at a spot called Kilometre 82 (called so because it is 82 km away from Cusco) - situated between the towns of Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes. This trail includes stops at several enchanting Inca sites, not to mention the incredible natural scenery (the rugged mountains and cloud forests).

We offer the Classic Inca trail trip here are Skyhook, but it is one of the most sought-after hikes on Earth, meaning tickets sell out fast, and you will need to book a few months in advance.

Not sold on the Classic Inca Trail? Not to worry, there are many more off-the-beaten path alternative treks to Machu Picchu. However, only the Inca trail takes hikes to the ruins by foot; all others end at Aguas Calientes, from where you can catch a bus or train to the ruins.

There are still plenty of reasons to choose an alternative trail. For starters, the routes and campgrounds on these other trails will not be as crowded and you get to skip the permit system! Moreover, the Inca trail requires porters, while the other trails allow horses, llamas, and mules.

If you prefer quieter hikes so you can hear yourself marvel, the Salkantay trail, named after the iconic mountain, is an excellent route. The views of the Salkantay and Humantay mountains will leave you floored. If you have an extra day to spare for this 5-day trek, then go for it!

The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is also excellent for hikers who prefer the rugged mountain/wild camping experience. Some of its high passes that would intimidate many novices will be enticing for anyone wanting to get up close and personal with the Andes.

Although it is a less immersive experience, it is possible to do the Salkantay trek without a guide too.

Another good Machu Picchu trek is the 33-km Lares trek that starts in Lares town, crosses part of the Sacred Valley, and ends in Ollantaytambo.

Since this off-the-beat-path alternative lies deep in the Lares Valley, you will find yourself in the home of many traditional weavers that offer incredible art. Moreover, the path is dotted with multiple indigenous Peruvian villages that have not changed in centuries. Here, the families still don colourful ponchos and rear alpacas and llamas.

Even better, you don't require a permit! There is a catch, however: the altitude. The Lares trail is much higher than the Inca trail (3,200m elevation), so you should be careful with the altitude sickness symptoms.

Interested in visiting Machu Picchu's 'little sister' along your way? Do you have plenty of experience hiking high-difficulty trails and want to savour the Peruvian scenery without the chatter of other tourists around you?

Choquequirao is another grand Inca citadel that was difficult to find but holds just as much intrigue and wonder - so this is the hike for you. The difficulty (a 9-day 72-km trek of mostly miles of terraces, plazas, and stairways) has been compared to that leading to Mt Everest's base camp, so choose it if you want to push your fitness limits.

This trail will take you right into the Apurimac Valley, then up towards the highly truncated hilltop above the raging Apurimac River. Here, behold the Choquequirao Ruins and join the rest of the tourists heading to Machu Picchu.

The train ride may be pretty epic, but nothing beats a pilgrimage-like hike to the ancient city of the Incas.

Walking in their footsteps, breathing in the cool fresh air as you behold the lush farms, and being among the community makes for a more fulfilling tick-off-your-bucket-list accomplishment.

So, book your best Machu Picchu trek with Skyhook, and immerse yourself in the history and beauty. It will be totally worth it!