Alternative Treks, A unique way to experience Peruvian nature while visiting the modern world’s wonder, Machu Picchu.
A Peruvian Andes excursion that takes ancient roads not part of the classic “Inca Trail” to the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu.
These alternative tours are not subject to government regulations or permits, making them easier to book. They are just as beautiful and rich in history as the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, but less crowded.
Would you like to join one of our tours?
Simply select your preferred tour, visit our reservation form, and fill out the necessary information. You can also contact our trained staff for assistance in planning your adventure
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OUR ALTERNATIVE TOURS
We offer a variety of Alternative tour options from which you can select the one that best suits your needs. Examine each one we provide by difficulty, length, and other factors we include to make your search more personalized.
Alternative treks typically conclude with a bus ride into Machu Picchu.
The main distinction between the Alternative Treks and the Inca Trail Treks is that the hiking section of your journey will end in or near Aguas Calientes. The final night of the journey is spent in a rural hotel, and on the final day, you will take a bus up to Machu Picchu with your guide for a visit of the ruins.
Best Inca trail alternatives
Salkantay Trek After the Classic Inca Trail, this is the most well-known alternative tour. The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu will be a challenge to complete, but you will be rewarded with spectacular views of Salkantay mountain and Humantay lake. This tour is open to all travel enthusiasts without restrictions.
Lares Trek If you enjoy culture, this journey is for you. During your tour, you will be able to interact with native Andean villages, which keep their traditions and have not altered much in the last 500 years.
Choquequirao Trek Choquequirao, considered the most difficult excursion in the Cusco region, is an excellent choice for those interested in cloud forests, vegetation, and fauna. The Choquequirao complex is located at 3,050 meters above sea level and provides an alternative for people who have already visited Machu Picchu.
Additional option: Add a 2-Day Inca Trail Hike to Your Alternative Trek
You can choose an Alternative Trek and ALSO add on 2 additional days of hiking the classic Inca Trail. This means you’ll hike gorgeous and less crowded alternative trek trails while STILL getting to walk through the Sun Gate into Machu Picchu early on your final hiking day! These optional treks are denoted by “Trek Name + Inca Trail.”
If you have any questions, please contact us via our live chat so that we can assist you in planning your dream vacation.
The Salkantay Trek is a favorite among hikers for the Humantay Blue Lagoon, glamping at our glass cabanas overlooking the snowcapped Salkantay mounta...
Humantay Lake: The Salkantay Trek to Humantay Lake Peru (or the Blue Lagoon) is a one-day hike to visit the beautiful turquoise lake at the base of th...
Don’t want to choose between Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain? This Ausangate trek is for you! Alpaca Expedition created the Ausangate + Machu Picc...
The Ausangate Trek is one of the most rewarding experiences guests can include in their trip to Peru. This 3-day adventure will guide you through towe...
See Rainbow Mountain on a 1-day trip from Cusco! The rich colors of this unique mountain make the Rainbow Mountain hike truly one-of-a-kind. Quickly g...
Experience the 7 Lakes of Ausangate Peru, including Pariacaca, Otorongo, and the Pucacocha in The Cordillera Negra! This is an excellent option for a ...
Lares Trek to Machu Picchu: A particularly special adventure, the Lares trail takes the road less traveled to Machu Picchu. The Lares Trek offers a un...
Our Lares and Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu fuses two memorable Andean trails into one unforgettable trip. Start your adventure on the Lares Trail, ...
Nestled in the Vilcabamba mountain range in the Andes, you’ll find the historic Choquequirao Incan ruins. The Choquequirao Trek (also spelled Choque...
With the Choquequirao Trek and Machu Picchu Tour, you can see two breathtaking historic ruins on one trip! Choquequirao Peru reveals lesser known, his...
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Our top goal is your safety, so we’ve invested in dependable satellite phones, which are one of the most vital instruments for any operator running treks into the Andes. This means that every guide on one of our treks will have a fully charged satellite phone, which our clients can use at any time.
Medical Procedures and First Aid
Every Alpaca Expeditions guide is equipped with an oximeter and will monitor your condition as you ascend in elevation.
Emergency Horse
Our trek will always have one emergency horse in case you get out of breath or tired.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY
The comments of our satisfied customers are the best way to determine the quality of our service. They tell us about their experiences.
ALTERNATIVE TREKS TRAVEL GUIDE
Highlights
Stellar scenery,
Coffee farm,
Glass cabanas,
Stunning lakes,
Beautiful Hobbit House.
Campsite overlooking Machu Picchu.
What to expect on the Alternative treks to Machu Picchu
Prepare everything you need for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure so that you can enjoy every location you visit on your journey through the various mountains, trails, lakes, wildlife, and more.
Under an incredibly clear sky
Life experience in the Andes
Spectacular views
Flora and Fauna
Difficulty Level
A moderately difficult hike, when planning to trek these alternative treks, it is best to plan your excursion by staying in Cusco to acclimate before beginning the hike. Regardless of fitness level, altitude is a serious issue that must be considered. A multi-day hike with varying walking hours per day.
Packing List
FOR YOUR DUFFEL
2-3 wicking t-shirts
2-3 hiking pants
4 sets of undergarments.
4 sets of hiking socks
1 Fleece
1 Warm, down jacket: gets very cold at night
1 Rain jacket and pants
1 sun hat
1 wool hat
Headlamp: essential
Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
Comfortable shoes for camp
Walking boots
Waterproof jacket/rain poncho
Quickdry towel. We provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger.
Small bottle of soap: we provide warm water each day to clean – might make you feel fresh if you had a little soap.
Battery Charger: There is no place to plug in while trekking!
Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean from dirty.
Sleeping bag: Recommend down bags for -10C at least
TOILETRIES
Sunscreen
Face moisturizer
Bug spray
Hand Sanitizer
Wet wipes
Toothbrush and paste
Toiletpaper
Personal medication
First aid kit: band aids, moleskin, etc.
INSIDE YOUR DAYPACKS
Water: we supply clean water at each meal. You are responsible for your first morning of water only as we won’t have time to filter water until your first lunch.
Sunhat
Rain gear
Fleece
Camera
Music (IPhone)
Toilet paper and small plastic bag for waste
Extra Money for Souvenirs, Drinks & Tips
Earplugs
Recommendations
Consider the following Alpaca Expeditions recommendations to make your trip memorable.
First Aid: You must be honest with your guide about any health concerns you may suffer from. While guides are not medical professionals, they’re trained in First Aid. Alpaca Expeditions also works with a clinic in Cusco that can help assist our team.
Weather is unpredictable. Typically, the dry season in Cusco is from April through October. However, this doesn’t stop rain from falling in June or the sun from coming out in December. The best plan is to just be prepared. No matter what month you’re doing the trek please be sure that you have rain gear that includes a waterproof jacket, pants, poncho, and waterproof gloves. Many people forget about gloves but being cold and wet makes hiking very unpleasant.
Altitude sickness: we always recommend spending at least two days in Cusco before beginning any trek. If you have more time that’s even better. Cusco is an amazing city with a lot to do so you won’t be bored.
FAQs
The Salkantay route presents a severe level of difficulty. You will require a good degree of fitness to finish this climb due to the high altitude of the Salkantay pass, which is the highest peak.
The most popular route is the Classic Inca Trail, this trail is part of the system of roads that connected the Inca Empire. The Salkantay trek is a more strenuous tour for its high mountains and is famous for its mountain and snowy landscapes.
The temperature on this tour is above 20°C (70/80°F) during the day, but it is cold at night and early in the morning, dropping to 0°C and below.
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the most popular trekking routes in Cusco, but you can do it on your own without hiring a guide and carrying your tent and food.
To do this tour on your own, pack the following items in your backpack. It is recommended that you bring first aid supplies and acclimate for a few days in Cusco before embarking on the tour.
The Salkantay trek is around 30 miles (48 km) long. It rises to a height of 4,635 meters (15,200 ft) from the ground. To prepare for the high altitude, those who are considering this walk should spend at least two days in Cusco before beginning the hike. This gives you adequate time to adjust to the altitude without experiencing any problems with altitude sickness.
Contact Us
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Alpaca Expeditions Recognitions
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
In the pursuit to stand out from the rest, Alpaca Expeditions has obtained four ISOs plus our carbon footprint certificate to date. These achievements result from our efforts to implement the internationally-recognized integrated management system. They also represent our commitment to all of our clients and staff of operating sustainability and responsibility in every way possible.
World Travel Awards
Alpaca Expeditions is internationally recognized as a leading tourism company in Peru. As proof, we have been awarded the World Travel Award for Peru´s Best Tour Operator 2021 for the second time.
TRIPADVISOR RECOGNITIONS
Our goal at Alpaca Expeditions is to create the best experience for all of our clients. We create journeys that are to be remembered for a lifetime. Journeys you can be proud of and can share with everybody around you.
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Hotel to Hotel service
Regarding the transportation provided by Alpaca Expeditions, we are committed to delivering a quality service. We strive to ensure that passengers feel supported throughout their journey. To achieve this, we coordinate closely with our guides and representatives to ensure timely pick-up at the start of their tours. Additionally, we have representatives responsible for escorting our passengers to their hotels at the conclusion of any tour.
Our drivers are not only trained in customer service but also come properly uniformed, and many are fluent in English.
Typically, all transportation types are included in each of our services. For instance, if you have booked a trekking tour, we will pick you up early, typically between 4 AM and 5 AM.
When visiting Cusco, it's important to note that traffic here is generally moderate. However, there are peak traffic times, such as between 7 AM and 8 AM, which coincide with school hours, and in the evening between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Therefore, if you have a flight during these times, it's crucial to be at the airport at least 2 hours in advance. The drivers of Alpaca Expeditions ensure their vehicles are prepared with all necessities before each service. They are acutely aware that delays can lead to missed trains, flights, or other connections. Consequently, they are always more than punctual, arriving at least 10 minutes before the scheduled time for any service, understanding the responsibility they carry in executing these tasks.
Personal Porter of 7KG
Remember that Alpaca Expeditions offers an extra 7 kg allowance for your personal belongings on any of our tours. We include a personal porter who is responsible for carrying your duffel bag without any additional fee. You will not have access to your duffel bag until you reach your evening campsite. The bag should not exceed 7 kg, which includes 4 kg for clothes and 3 kg for your sleeping bag and sleeping mat.
When you visit our Alpaca Expeditions office, you will receive your duffel bags at your briefing. The porters will carry them and return them to you at each campsite. The bags measure 66 cm in length and 36 cm in width (approximately 2 ft long by 1 ft wide). Porters will carry up to 7 kg of your personal items, which must include your sleeping bag and air mat (if you bring or rent one). From us, these two items weigh a combined total of 3.5 kg.
Each Alpaca Expeditions porter is paid directly after each trek, allowing them to return home more quickly. They receive better wages than our competitors, health insurance, and all their equipment free of charge, including hiking boots, pants, jerseys, fleeces, jackets, hats, flashlights, sleeping bags, and high-quality food. We ensure each of our porters has a comfortable bed in a pleasant room to sleep in before and after each trek. We also visit the communities they live in, providing toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, and other necessary supplies to their families, along with books for their children.
This is just the beginning for us, and we are always looking for ways to do more.
While the government allows each porter to carry up to 25 kg, we limit this to 20 kg to prioritize their health and safety. Each porter carries up to 15 kg of company equipment and 5 kg of personal items. This is why it is crucial to keep your personal duffel bag weight under our 7 kg limit. You might see other companies allowing their porters to carry more than the allotted weight, but at Alpaca Expeditions, we strictly adhere to these limits to ensure our porters' well-being.
Clases de Cocina
Alpaca Expeditions offers its passengers the chance to experience local cooking. We aim to immerse trekkers in Inca life by walking them through the original Inca paths and teaching them about Inca culture. Food is a significant part of Inca life, making it a special element in any tour or trek with Alpaca Expeditions.
In 2022, Alpaca Expeditions introduced a cooking class as part of each of our treks, conducted by our amazing trekking chefs and interpreted by our guides.
We will transform your dining tent into a makeshift kitchen, providing all the necessary supplies to prepare a Peruvian specialty. Your chef will guide you step by step through the process of making a traditional Peruvian meal, such as Lomo Saltado, and share some essential mountain cooking tips.
Peru is recognized as a top culinary destination, largely thanks to the popularity of our renowned beef dish, Lomo Saltado. This is most often the meal you will learn to cook, but there is also the opportunity to learn how to prepare other dishes like traditional Peruvian ceviche or even our signature drink, the pisco sour.
Cooking Class on the Inca Trail: These classes are voluntary and designed to be a fun, educational experience. Our clients consistently marvel at the amazing ability of our chefs to create culinary magic on a mountaintop. As you learn to prepare and cook Peruvian specialties, you will also see firsthand how such elaborate meals can be created on a small campsite stove.
Enjoy a cooking class in the mountains and be sure to take plenty of photos, just in case your friends won't believe your incredible experience.
Satellite Phones
The best way to hike in the mountains of Peru is to completely disconnect from technology, especially the internet and cell phones. The most impressive and exciting aspect is the opportunity to experience the true and wonderful nature that we often miss when we are at home, watching TV or absorbed in our cell phones during our leisure time. The feeling of being disconnected from work and the daily routine left at home is incredible.
However, this remoteness means limited access to emergency resources. That's why Alpaca Expeditions has invested in satellite phones for every trek.
We are prepared to assist you in case of any emergency, particularly health-related issues. For this reason, Alpaca Expeditions has invested in satellite phones, as they are one of the most crucial tools for any operator trekking in remote areas where telephone or television signals are absent. This means that every guide on our treks will be equipped with a fully charged satellite phone as well as radios. While these are primarily for emergencies, we allow our clients to use them at any time.
We ask that you cover the cost, which is $2.50 per minute. This fee can be paid in cash at our office or via PayPal once you have completed the trek.
Being just a phone call away from any doctor, hospital, or friend helps everyone feel assured of their safety. Radios, which all our guides carry, have limited reach, so Alpaca Expeditions includes satellite phones to ensure that we can connect no matter where we are on the mountain.
Portable private toilet
We understand that our clients will need restroom facilities at various times and locations during their journey. Along the Inca Trail, there are restrooms available, particularly those belonging to the communities near the trail. Alpaca Expeditions provides portable toilets to enhance this service, which will be set up at each meal site or campsite.
As with any mountain trip where we are exposed to nature, it is possible to use natural areas as restrooms. However, it is crucial to be mindful of the waste we generate, such as toilet paper or wet wipes used for cleaning. These should be carried with us and not discarded on the ground or left along the trail. Remember, the Inca Trail is a protected area overseen by a government institution. In places where garbage bins are unavailable, particularly at our camps, we provide special plastic bags for waste. Our porter team will be responsible for carrying out our waste.
Please be aware that although there are designated bathrooms for men and women, in practice, both genders often use the same facilities. Functionally, there is no significant difference between men's and women's bathrooms. Therefore, it is common for people of all genders to use whichever bathroom is available.