The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
Starting from Mollepata and ending in Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu this is  the most popular alternative to the Inca Trail. Covering 81km / 51 miles over 4 days you pass through the stunning scenery of the high peaks of the Andes and the lowland cloud forest and have the chance to visit the beautiful Inca site of Llactapata along the way.
The Salkantay Trek is by far one of the most beautiful treks on offer in the region. The most impressive sight on the trek is the mighty Salkantay (The Savage) mountain which at 6271m / 20574ft is the highest peak in the region and the 38th highest peak in the Andes. Salkantay was worshipped by the Incas as a god and both Machu Picchu and Choquequirao are built in close proximity to it.
The Salkantay Trek is in general considered to be one of the hardest treks to Machu Picchu as the distances covered and altitudes reached are greater than on the other routes. This shouldn’t put you off though as each day is taken at your own pace with plenty of time allowed for rests and stops to take photos.
The Lares Trek
The Lares Trek isn’t just one trek but is a group of treks that all center on the small village of Lares. The main focus of the Lares Trek is on learning about the indigenous culture of the Andes. The people who live in the area still practice the traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation since the times of the Incas. Throughout the trek you visit communities along the way and will have the chance to meet the people and see their way of life.
The most common route taken by tourists is from Lares to Patacancha (close to the Sacred Valley). This is the shortest and easiest of the routes on offer but also offers the least opportunity to meet the people as only one community is visited. In contrast the route from Huaran provides the opportunity to visit several communities along the way but is significantly longer with higher passes to cross. The beauty of this trek is that it allows tourists to pick and choose what type of experience they want depending on the interests and fitness level of the group.
The one downside of the trek is that it does not finish at Machu Picchu. At the end of the trek you are transported to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley and then take a train from there on to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu.
The Choquequirao Trek
The Choquequirao trek is different to most of the treks in the region in that it does not include a visit to Machu Picchu. Choquequirao (meaning the Cradle of Gold) was another of the great Inca cities and due to its remote location it receives far fewer visitors than its counterpart Machu Picchu.
The Choquequirao Trek provides an extremely different experience to that of the other treks on offer. Located much closer to the jungle you have the opportunity to see a much wider range of flora and fauna and the scenery is strikingly different with sweeping panoramas of lush, green valleys set against the backdrop of the high peaks in the distance.
The trek is typically walked over a period of 5 days with 2 days walking to the city and 2 days walking back along the same route. The 5th day is spent visiting the site with a guided tour provided by your guide and plenty of time to explore the vast city by yourself. Most people consider the Choquequirao Trek to be the hardest trek in the region as the majority of the trek is spent descending and ascending the sides of the Apurimac valley. Another important factor is the climate with long periods spent in direct sunlight and high temperatures throughout the day.
Author Bio: Matt is a long term resident of Cusco and trekking enthusiast. His website Incatrailz provides tourists with an easily accessible source of information about treks in the region and local trekking operators.
