The Most Amazing Routes To Machu Picchu
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Last Updated on September 19, 2022 by James Bustamante
There are many great hiking routes to Machu Picchu. However, a handful can be considered extraordinary due to a beautiful backdrop, including mountains, glaciers, native flora, and fauna, with Incan ruins along the way.
Travelers may have different ideas on an excellent route to Machu Picchu, so we have an ample selection to choose from. From multi-day hiking routes to single-day trekking and train rides to Aguas Calientes, let’s go over the details of each one.
The Classic 4 Day Inca Trail To Machu Picchu
The classic Inca trail route to Machu Picchu is the most popular trek to the citadel. For many travelers, it is the best and only way they want to get to Machu Picchu. In addition, the impressive classic Inca trail route is considered one of the most beautiful trails on the planet, thanks to the picturesque landscapes and mystical Incan ruins found along the way.
The trail features a cobblestone route for most of the trip, and its purpose was to connect Cusco to Machu Picchu. While taking the Inca trail, travelers will also have a chance to see Incan fortresses and ruins such as Phuyupatamarca, Sayacmarca, and Runkurakay, among others.
Throughout the trip, travelers will cover close to 24 miles (39 km) during four full days of hiking and three nights camping in the Andes. This beautiful hike is not for the faint of heart. Visitors will have a peak elevation of up to 13,779 feet above sea level (4,200 meters) on day two of the route to Machu Picchu.
After trekking through the mountains and down to the cloud forest, travelers will finally walk through the Sungate on the morning of day four of the Inca Trail route.
The traditional Inca trail route offers spectacular views, but travelers must make reservations at least four to six months in advance to secure spaces.
Route Lenght: 4 Days 3 Nights
Route Difficulty: Light to Moderate
The Lares Route To Machu Picchu
The Lares trek route to Machu Picchu is one of the unknown paths hikers can take to the Incan sanctuary. Most visitors in Peru mostly hear about the Sacred Valley and the hikes that cross it until reaching the cloud forest and Machu Picchu. The road begins at the town of Lares, located in the Lares Valley. The Lares hike embodies the true spirit of an “off the beaten path” route through the Andes. It is also known for its less traveled roads, gorgeous highland setting, and local communities living along the way.
Traditions are heavily emphasized in the Lares Valley and throughout the Lates route. As a result, communities maintain a way of life that is not much different from what their ancestors did. Across the Lares Valley, we’ll find villages full of locals using traditional garments, raising llamas and alpacas, planting potatoes, and weaving their clothing.
In fact, over the Lares route, hikers might only see small villages, farmers, and artisans, as well as children running up and down the sides of hills. One of the biggest draws to the Lares Valley is the large hot spring hikers experience while on the hike. There are also beautiful peaks to photograph, like Mount Veronica, found over 18,000 feet above sea level.
The Lares route ends near the town of Ollantaytambo, and travelers will get a chance to visit the ruins of this Incan site before boarding the train to Aguas Calientes. The following morning, members of the Lares trek will head to Machu Picchu for the guided tour.
Route Length: 3 to 5 Days – 2 to 4 nights
Route Difficulty: Moderate
The One Day Inca Trek Route To Machu Picchu
There is a shorter version o the classic four-day Inca trail called the one-day route or the express trail to Machu Picchu. The shorter version of the Inca trail route is directed at travelers who have limited time to spend in the highlands but want to take a short hike.
The express route starts at Km 104 on the way to Machu Picchu and includes a 4-hour climb through the valley towards the Winay Wayna ruins. This unique site of Inca ruins is situated in the cloud forest. There are also terraces carved into the hills for agricultural purposes. When hikers look below, they’ll get glimpses of the Urubamba river.
There are two ways to finish the One day Inca trail. The first is to continue the route through the Sungate and then onwards to Machu Picchu. The second option is to spend the night camping by the Winay Wayna ruins and walk past the “Intipunku” before entering Machu Picchu the following morning at 6:00 am.
The one-day Inca Route to Machu Picchu requires travelers to book a few months ahead of time since it has a limit of 500 permits per day.
Route Length: 1 day (2 days if camping overnight)
Route Difficulty: Light to Moderate
The Salkantay Route To Machu Picchu
The Salkantay is one of the most beautifully appealing routes to Machu Picchu. In many aspects, it’s more impressive than the classic Inca trail or the Lares trek. For starters, the Salkantay route has the 20,000-foot peak of Mount Salkantay to look forward to during the tour. This view alone makes this hike unique compared to other routes to the Incan sanctuary.
The Salkantay route will take travelers past the Mollepata valley towards the Salkantay pass at a whopping 15,000 feet (4,600 meters) above sea level. At around the halfway point of day three of the Salkantay, the trekking group will descend into the subtropical cloud forest. The surroundings change from rocky highlands to lush greenery and more humid climates. At this point, the route leads to the Capac Ñan, a network of roads used by the Incas that connected their empire.
Once hikers reach Llactapaca, if the weather is good, they should get a nice side view of Machu Picchu. From this point, Salkantay trekkers will descend to a small train station and board the train to reach Aguas Calientes town, a few minutes away.
After the group arrives in Aguas Calientes, they will check in to a hotel for an overnight stay. The following morning, the route continues to Machu Picchu for the guided tour.
Route Length: 4-5 days
Route Difficulty: Moderate
The 2-Day Inca Trail Route To Machu Picchu
The two-day route to Machu Picchu is a favorite among travelers who want a trekking experience but prefer to spend the night in a hotel instead of roughing it by camping.
In a similar fashion to the one-day trail, the two-day Inca trail route begins in km 104. The group continues on the path by hiking for approximately 4 hours before reaching the Winay Wayna Ruins. At around 1:00 pm, there is a scheduled lunch break by the ruins, and travelers can take this time to explore their surroundings and visit the Incan ruins.
After lunch and exploring the campsite, the group continues until we reach Machu Picchu Pueblo, also known as Aguas Calientes town. Hikers will enjoy an overnights stay in a hotel of their choosing. Exploring the city and having a nice dinner in a restaurant by the river is a great way to spend the evening.
The following day the group gets together at 5:25 am to board the shuttle that will take them to the Machu Picchu entrance. After the 2-hour Machu Picchu hike, the party returns to Aguas Calientes and boards the train to Cusco.
Route Length: 2 days
Route Difficulty: Light to Moderate
Taking The Train Route
The easiest of all the routes to Machu Picchu is also the quickest and most convenient. Taking the train to the Machu Picchu sanctuary is the preferred option for most travelers. The train option is usually part of a Peru package that includes different destinations, guided tours, entrance tickets, domestic flights, accommodations, and other services.
The train departs the Poroy station in Cusco or the Ollantaytambo station in the Urubamba valley. Travel times can vary from 90 minutes to 3 hours depending on which station travelers boarded.
Two lines have access to the railway to Machu Picchu, PeruRail and IncaRail. In this case, we’ll go over the PeruRail services and trains. For starters, there are three levels travelers can choose from, depending on comfort and price point.
The Expedition train has comfortable seating and lovely big windows to view the surroundings as we travel to the cloud forest. Snacks are served during the two-hour ride.
The second option is the Vistadome which offers more leg room, 180-degree views of the Sacred Valley, and has a lunch and dinner service. The Vistadome also has a live show on return train rides featuring local music and dancing.
The final option is the Hiram Bingham train, a luxury-oriented experience across the Andes. On the Hiram Bingham, travelers can access a fully stocked bar, comfortable seating, and a dining cart. In addition, live music, dancing shows during the train ride, and gourmet cuisine for travelers to enjoy as they luxuriously travel from down the picturesque Peruvian highlands.
Route Length: Can be done in one day or several, depending on the itinerary
Route Difficulty: Light
Conclusion
There are various routes to Machu Picchu for hikers, adventure travelers, and comfort travelers. From the famous Inca Trail to the off-the-beaten-path Salkantay trek or the enjoyable train ride to the Inca citadel. One thing is for sure, the sights will be beautiful, and the adventure will be waiting.
