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.
Superb . Amazing . Memorable 🫶
Words cannot express the way I feel about The Salkantay Trek 7days 6 nights with our awesome Guide - Group Leader Ismael, was one of the most memorable experiences that I will treasure in memory forever. Ismael’s knowledge and passion in sharing the history of his culture, and the surrounding landscape, the historical sites, coupled with the flora and fauna was outstanding. He conveyed it with such enthusiasm, zealous paired with great humour made it all the more memorable and interesting.
The food that nourished us day today was superb, Marcelino was and outstanding chef.
The rest of the Alpaca crew was amazing, from setting up our camp site, we couldn’t have done this without our Alpaca Familia.
Kudos to you all, and many thanks 🙏🏽 🙏🏽🙏🏽 for making this one of the most unforgettable experience of a lifetime. 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶
Viva Peru 🇵🇪 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Best trip ever with Raul and Edwin! We highly recommend this tour and these guides.
We had an amazing experience with our guides Raul Angel and Edwin. They took excellent care of our group the entire time!
Bucket list must if you love the outdoors
The hike was absolutely incredible. Our guides Raul Angel and Edwin were amazing! They were helpful, supportive and full of knowledge to share. I can’t rave about them enough. The food was sooo good. We ate like kings every night! If I could give 10 plus stars to our guides and the porters and chefs I would! This is a bucket list trip that is a must if you like adventure and beautiful scenery!
Great experience
Had an amazing experience with Rolando and Meliton as guides on the 4 day Inca expedition. They did a great job explaining the history of each Inca site we visited, and they kept hike very entertaining. We had lots of great food as well
Inca Trail 4 Day Hike
We did the four day/three night Inca trail with Ronaldo and Meliton and it was an amazing experience! They did a wonderful job as guides and if I come back for any future trips I will be requesting them! Thanks for a wonderful time in Peru!