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.
Exceptionnal!! 🤩
Aug 2026 • with my daugther
Even if the Inca trail was closed, Alpaca Expédition handled and super organised an alternative trek that was incredible, including the short Inca trail. I was very lucky to be with Ivan and Carlos, they made sure we were always well. And Ivan is so knowledgeable and passionate with his profession and Inca history, I recommanded this guide 100%. Every single meal on this trek was delicious, I wonder how the chef can prepared such meal in camping! I recommended Alpaca expédition with Ivan and Carlos for sure.
A great hike to Machu Picchu!
Due to land slides before our trip we had to do a slightly different hike to the traditional Inka Trek, this left from Cusco, over the mountains to Huchuy Cusco then meeting up with the Inka trail on day 3 and 4, although originally disappointed with the change, we know this was outwith alpaca’s control and they did everything in their power to ensure an excellent trip… the porters were incredible, their strength and enthusiasm was inspiring, the food incredible considering where they have to cook. One of our group had a birthday and we celebrated with cake made fresh for the occasion. This is a tough trek but worth it when you see the incredible views, hear the history behind the people and places and it would not have been possible without this excellent team, lead by Rolando our super friendly and funny guide and his assistant Guide Daniel who was always on hand to help, both worked incredibly hard showing us their beautiful country with knowledge and humour. The whole trip including transport, train return, hotel transfer and luggage storage went without a hitch, and the fact this is a locally owned company built buy a man who was a porter himself and who care for their people and Pachamama meant lots to us when deciding who to travel with…. Go Green Machine
Great experience with great people
We booked the 4-day Inkatrail with Alpaca Expeditions as it is an experienced company owned locally (later we heard that they also support local communities/ people).
Unfortunately parts of the Inka Trail was closed after heavy rainfalls (El Niño). While disappointing, Alpaca did the best to adjust and we combined a two day walk from Cusco to the Sacred Valley with the 2-day Inka Trail, going from km104 through the Sun Gate to Machu Picchu.
The whole Alpaca team on the hike was fantastic, friendly and efficient porters, a great chef, Sebastien, who cooked unbelievable meals in his cooking tent incl. a birthday cake for one of our fellow hikers. This is not to mention our two guides, Rolando and Daniel, who looked after us with compassion and professionalism (altitude sickness, diarrhea) and Rolando was also very knowledgeable and entertaining when he told us about the history of the Inkas, the discovery of Machu Picchu or about how indigenous traditions transcend from 3000BC to today.
Our group of travelers was also great - not sure whether this was accident or not!
Altogether a fantastic experience!
Fantastic, Insightful Experience with Great Guide
Amazing! Rony our was very nice and funny. He was super knowledgeable on the history too. Would recommend tour to any friends coming here
Wonderful experience with knowledgeable tour guide
Absolutely fantastic experience. Good transportation. We had Rony as a tour guide and he was wonderful, extremely knowledgeable about the history of the Inca civilization and the area as a whole. 10/10 would recommend.