Alternative Machu Picchu Treks Offer Six Superb Choices

Alternative Machu Picchu Treks Offer Six Superb Choices

by Donna Beley

Alternative Machu Picchu treks means enjoying the privilege of drawing near to the Lost City standing on one's own two feet. Hiking is the classic way to approach this deeply spiritual destination. It has become one of the trendiest activities in recent years, but must be planned carefully today. No traveler can any longer just roll into Cusco and obtain an Inca Trail trek the next day. Damage is being limited to the highway by the Peruvian government.

Today six different trails are used. Each has their own scenic features, these are the Vilcabamba Traverse Route, Cachicata Trail, Lodge Trail, One Day Inca Route, Lares Trail, and the classic Salcantay Trek.

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.

Traversing a host of eco zones, valleys, mountains, and rivers is what to expect on the 60 mile Vilcabamba Traverse route. Sixty miles of hiking in this terrain over two days is for the fit, not the faint of heart. The trail starts in Cachora, crossing the Apurimac canyon, and river, through the ruins of Choquequirao which almost mimic Machu Picchu, winding up with the traditional train ride up to the Sun Gates of the Lost City.

For those folks with little time, who still want to see Machu Picchu, the One Day Trail could be the answer. It only takes three hours along a very abbreviated version of these Inca highways. Realistically speaking, this should take at least 4 days for maximum benefit. It is an uphill hike, so take advantage of a stay overnight, and enter the Sun Gate in the morning, this is how it should be seen. Book well in advance, there are only 500 permits to trek Machu Picchu issued per day.

A new route to the city is the Lodge Route, and could be considered to be alternative by some. It is for those travelers who wish to hike Andean explorer style by day, and enjoy clean sheets, cocktails and epicurean meals by night. It is a similar way to the Salcantay Route.

Classic alternative Machu Picchu treks do not leave out the Cachicata Trail. According to Inca mythology, this is where Chaski messengers ran to keep the vast empire components in touch with one another. It offers an extremely high altitude entry to Machu Picchu, and offers some sights that cannot be seen on any other trek. Chaski messengers were reputed to be so fleet of foot that they could get fresh fish from the Pacific Ocean to the Emperor on the same day.



Check out <a href="http://www.world-dispatches.com/">world dispatches</a>.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 <a href="http://www.world-dispatches.com/an-alternative-machu-picchu-trip/">world-dispatches.com/an-alternative-machu-picchu-trip</a> today.

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