How Far in Advance Should I Book an Alternative Route to Machu Picchu?
Alternative routes to Machu Picchu are excellent options for travelers looking for an authentic trekking experience in the Peruvian Andes. Unlike the Inca Trail, these hikes offer less crowded trails, spectacular landscapes, and a deeper connection with nature.
Among the most popular alternative routes are the Salkantay Trek, Lares Trek, Ausangate Trek, and Choquequirao Trek with an extension to Machu Picchu. Each route offers unique experiences, allowing travelers to explore impressive mountains, high-altitude lakes, traditional Andean communities, and a great diversity of flora and fauna.
One of the most special aspects of these treks is the opportunity to sleep under the stars in the middle of the Andes, surrounded by remote landscapes far from the crowds.
After completing your 3, 4, or 5-day trek, you will arrive at Machu Picchu through Aguas Calientes. In general, travelers who hike alternative routes arrive at the citadel earlier than those entering through the Inca Trail, allowing them to enjoy a more relaxed visit.
Entrance to Machu Picchu is included in most of our trekking packages. However, it is very important to book in advance to secure availability for the best visitor circuits. We recommend booking at least 3 to 6 months in advance. If you can plan your trip 8 months or even one year ahead, even better, as this significantly increases your chances of obtaining the best available circuit to visit Machu Picchu.
Why Is It Important to Book in Advance?
After the pandemic, the Peruvian Government implemented a circuit system to organize the flow of visitors inside Machu Picchu. There are currently three main circuits:
- Circuit 1: Panoramic viewpoints
- Circuit 2: The most complete and requested circuit
- Circuit 3: Route through the lower section of the citadel
Circuit 2 is the most requested because it allows visitors to explore a large part of the citadel and access some of Machu Picchu’s most iconic areas. Due to its high demand, tickets often sell out quickly.
For this reason, we recommend booking your trip at least 4 to 6 months in advance. If you plan to travel during the high season, booking 8 to 12 months ahead is the best option to secure availability for your preferred circuit.
Currently, the number of tickets for Circuit 2 is limited, so availability may sell out long before your travel date.
At Alpaca Expeditions, we manage entrance tickets as soon as we receive your booking confirmation, with the goal of securing the best available circuit for your Machu Picchu experience.
Which Circuit Is Included in Alternative Routes to Machu Picchu?
Alternative routes include treks such as:
- Salkantay Trek
- Lares Trek
- Ausangate Trek
- Choquequirao Trek + Machu Picchu
- Huchuy Qosqo Trek
- Inca Jungle Trek
The assigned circuit will depend mainly on availability at the time of booking.
Our priority when booking Machu Picchu tickets is:
- Circuit 2 — 2A or 2B
- Circuit 3 — especially 3B
- Circuit 1
What Is the Best Circuit to Visit Machu Picchu?
Our main recommendation is Circuit 2, either 2A or 2B.
This route offers the most complete experience inside Machu Picchu, allowing visitors to explore a large part of the citadel and discover its most important areas from an archaeological, historical, and scenic perspective.
For this reason, Circuit 2 is considered the best option for travelers arriving at Machu Picchu after completing a trekking route.
What Do Circuits 2A and 2B Include?
Circuits 2A and 2B allow visitors to explore almost the entire citadel of Machu Picchu.
They are ideal for travelers who complete alternative routes such as:
- Salkantay Trek 5 days / 4 nights
- Lares Trek
- Ausangate Trek
- Choquequirao Trek
- Other adventure routes that end at Machu Picchu
Most of these travelers arrive from Aguas Calientes and are looking for a complete visit that allows them to fully appreciate this Wonder of the World.
Why Do We Recommend Circuit 2?
One of the greatest advantages of Circuit 2 is that it includes access to the famous viewpoint at the Guardhouse, also known as the Watch Tower, where travelers can take the most famous panoramic photos of Machu Picchu.
This is the place where the classic images seen in magazines, documentaries, social media, and postcards around the world are taken.
In addition, this circuit allows visitors to explore a large part of the citadel, making it the best option for those who want a complete Machu Picchu experience.
Differences Between Circuit 2A and Circuit 2B
The differences between these two routes are minimal. One of the variants includes an additional terrace near the main viewpoint area. However, the overall experience, the areas visited, and the photo opportunities are practically the same.
For this reason, both Circuit 2A and Circuit 2B are excellent options for visiting Machu Picchu.
What a trip!!
First time booking with Alpaca Expeditions (Machu Picchu) and honestly can't recommend them enough. During the booking process they were very helpful and made recommendations that worked very well. They were exceptionally well organised, both before and during the tour, making sure everything went smoothly and informing at all stages which was really reassuring to me as a solo traveller.
The tour itself of Machu Picchu was amazing, the highlight of my trip to Peru so far, my guide Javier was incredibly knowledgeable about the site and the history of the incas. Plus he knew where all the best spots for photos were!! I didnt feel rushed at all, Javier was very easy going, and it was an excellent tour. Looking forward to doing the rainbow mountain with Alpaca later this week and hope to be back one day to do the inca trail. Would use again without hesitation.
Spectacular vistas, adventure with extraordinary guide and porter support.
This was a father-son trip of a lifetime. I couldn’t be happier with the route (which is challenging) for scenery and history, or the guide and support staff. There were 7 hikers in our trip, including my son and I, who were supported by an superbly dedicated and knowledgeable guide, 14 truly amazing porters (who just to watch in action was priceless), and and excellent camp chef.
Trip of a lifetime
This really was the experience of a lifetime and David made sure that we got the most out of it. He knew where to take the best pictures and took pictures for everyone in the group. David was obviously very knowledgeable and passionate about his culture and country. I can’t recommend this tour enough, and would tell people to request David as their guide if possible. Thanks for making this trip so memorable, David.
Best experience and tour
We had an incredible experience with alpaca expeditions. Guides were professional, food was the best food we have had our whole trip and the walk was full of different environments with the guys giving beautiful cultural experiences as well. Sergio and Yeferi our guides truly made our experience. With so much knowledge and energy and laughter brought to every day. This trip is challenging but you can go at your own pace and the guides are very supportive in ensuring everyone is able to achieve the hike.
Best Trek of Our Lives!
It was my partner’s dream for a long time to hike the Inca trail. We started talking about doing it last winter and bought our flight tickets once we were able to confirm with Alpaca Expeditions for our dates in July. We had a phenomenal team of guides (Jimmy and Hans), wonderful team of porters led by Samuel. The chef, Mijael definitely wowed us the entire meals. We wouldn’t trade this experience for anything else. Hans exceeded our expectations as we were a Deaf couple, and Hans used whiteboard to communicate with us. It was overall an inclusive experience! 10/10 would do it again with them!