You may think that there’s only one Inca Trail and, while the route to Machu Picchu is the most famous, it is far from the only path left behind by this amazing culture. In fact, it is estimated that there are more than 10,000 km of Inca trails.
- Inca trail trekJulie Edgley / Foter.com / CC BY-SA
This opens up a whole range of possibilities if you’d like to get slightly off the beaten track. To help you decide which of the various Inca trail routes is most suitable for you, here’s some information about why each one is great in its own way – you’ll find full details of tours to these locations here.
Lares Inca Trail
The Lares Inca Trail runs through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo – once an Inca settlement that is now a modern town. It will take you four days to complete the route and along the way you’ll pass through traditional Quechua villages and have a chance to see how people in the Andes have survived for centuries.
This trek won’t lead you to Machu Picchu, but it will take you past some other Inca ruins that are well worth exploring. Pumamarca is one such site and the buildings are in a remarkably good state. You’ll find the remains of houses and watchtowers, as well as the ruined walls that once protected the town.
Your end point – Ollantaytambo – is home to Inca ruins of its own, with a large ceremonial complex located on a hill overlooking the town. It has several unfinished temples, as well as a funerary area and a few fountains.
Why choose it: The Lares Inca Trail is great if you want to avoid the crowds associated with the Classic Inca Trail. Even though permits for the latter are limited, there are still far more hikers on this route than on the Lares path. It also gives you the chance to see the unspoilt Andean landscape in all its glory and learn more about the Quechua people who live in the region.
Trek to Espiritu Pampa
The route to Espiritu Pampa is even further off the beaten track than the Lares Inca Trail. It will lead you to what is now accepted as the last refuge of the Incas – Espiritu Pampa. The ruins here are extensive – much larger than Machu Picchu – although much of the site has not been cleared.
Generally, the walking is less strenuous than on some of the other Inca trail hikes and does not involve high altitude trekking, with the path leading you deep into the Amazon rainforest. You’ll primarily be hiking through valleys and, although there are steeper up and downhill sections, these are usually not very long.
Why choose it: If you don’t want to meet any other hikers, this is the route for you. It’s also a good option if you’re not so keen on the challenge of high altitude walking that is common on other Inca trail trips. It’s ideal if you want to feel like a real explorer, as discovering the Espiritu Pampa ruins hidden in the jungle is very exciting and you won’t be sharing the site with hoards of other travellers.
Classic Inca Trail
Just a few words about the Classic Inca Trail which is, of course, the first one that springs to mind when people ask you about walking in Peru. Although there are many more people on this route than on the others detailed above, the permit system means it is never overly crowded.
It is a tough trek to undertake, due to the steep uphill sections and the high altitude you’ll reach along the way. The reward of seeing Machu Picchu in all its glory from the Sun Gate – not to mention the other Inca ruins you discover along the way – makes it more than worth the effort, though.
Why choose it: Most tours that follow alternative routes will take you to visit Machu Picchu, but this is really the only way to reach it on foot. It’s great if you’re after a challenge and the various Inca ruins you pass on the way to Machu Picchu provide additional points of interest.
