Are you having a hard time deciding which routes to take on your trip to Cusco?
Probably before starting your trip to the Inca City, you are wondering which routes to explore, since Cusco offers an impressive variety of options and limiting yourself to only two would be a waste of an opportunity.
If you have come to this blog, it is because you are definitely looking for our recommendations to make your trip a memorable experience. Here, I will invite you to explore alternative routes, some of which are slightly less crowded such as: Choquequirao, Ausangate and Lares. Others are less crowded such as: Ancascocha, Inca Quarry or Huchuy Qosqo.
If you enjoy hiking and discovering nature at its best, with few travel companions on the route, then these options will be ideal to meet your expectations.
In Cusco you will discover even more than you expected to find!
Choquequirao Trek
Trail Description
This city was hidden from man for almost 4 centuries and is located at the convergence between the Andes and the Peruvian Amazon, specifically in the ramifications of the snowy Salkantay. It is a mysterious place for archeologists and researchers, as well as for thousands of tourists who visit this imposing site built under the rule of the Inca Empire.
Choquequirao is a place of not so easy access but with an undeniably impressive view, where every moment of the way connects you completely with nature, inviting you to reconnect with yourself from beginning to end.
To reach the Choquequirao Archaeological Site, there are several options ranging from 4 to 9 days. In these alternatives, you can choose to visit only Choquequirao or complement it with a visit to Machu Picchu. Your choice will depend on the challenge you are looking for and the time you have available in Cusco. It is worth mentioning that, among the different routes available to reach Choquequirao, two options are the most recommended for travelers: the Short Route with a duration of 4 days and the Classic Route of 5 days. It is important to mention that in any of the options you choose, the tour will be done only on foot. So, if adventure is your thing, you are on the right path to live this exciting experience.
We invite you to learn a little more about the Classic Trail:
Choquequirao Classic
Length
On this route, the average daily walking distance is approximately 8.8 km (5.46 miles) per day. However, there are days when the hike is longer, reaching 11 km or 6.83 miles, while other days are more leisurely, with hikes of up to 6 km or 3.72 miles.
Difficulty
This trail is presented as being of ”Moderate – Challenging” difficulty. However, the third day is considered ”Easy” level. This is because a large part of this day will be spent touring the Choquequirao Archaeological Site.
Day Highlights
- Day 1: Contemplate the impressive views of the Salkantay and Humantay glaciers while enjoying the fresh Andean air.
- Day 2: Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Andes, contemplate the majestic Apurimac Canyon and dive into the crystal clear waters of Rosalinas Beach.
- Day 3: Discover the secrets of the amazing Choquequirao Archaeological Complex.
- Day 4 : Visit the Andean Community and discover its rich culture.
- Day 5: Visit the Saywite Monolith and relax in the warm waters of the Conoc hot springs.
Choquequirao Archaeological Site
This impressive and little visited site, whose name in Quechua means ”Cradle of Gold”, was one of the last Inca refuges that tried to resist the Spanish invasion and is three times bigger than Machu Picchu. This place stands out for its great mystery, since, after being abandoned, the forest vegetation covered it and hid the civilization for a long time. Here you can marvel at various Inca constructions such as the Main Plaza, Terraces, Colcas, Andenes, Kallankas, Ushnu and the Inca Cemetery.
Ausangate Trek
Trail Description
Ausangate is one of the most imposing, sacred and high mountains in the Cusco region. To reach its summit, it is necessary to travel an altitude of 6,385 masl (20,948 ft). During the trek you will experience a deep connection with nature, while enjoying the wonderful views that surround it, accompanied by a great diversity of flora and fauna. Here you will have the chance to observe some species of Andean animals such as llamas and alpacas. In addition, being a sacred mountain, Andean communities have made annual pilgrimages for centuries.
To access Ausangate, one of the most emblematic mountains in the Cusco region, there are several routes available, each offering a unique and exciting experience that varies in time and level of difficulty. These options provide the opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region and explore its rich history and culture.
The Ausangate experience has different trails from 2 to 7 days, offering different itineraries according to preferences and time availability. Some of these allow you to tour Ausangate alone, while others combine the visit to this majestic peak with other nearby tourist destinations. In addition, we can also find 1-day tours to explore the Ausangate lakes.
While there are different variants to discover Ausangate, two of the most popular trails at present are the Classic Ausangate Trail, with a duration of 5 days and the Trend Trails, which offer two variants of routes: Ausangate + Rainbow Mountain + Red Valley with a 2-day time and the Ausangate + Rainbow Mountain 3-day option.
It is essential to keep in mind that no matter which trek you choose, it will be done exclusively on foot. Therefore, if you are an adventure lover and enjoy outdoor challenges, the route you select will make you live a truly exciting and enriching experience.
Read on to immerse yourself in the amazing Ausangate Classic Trail:
Ausangate Classic
Length
On this route you will experience treks averaging 11.1 km or 6.89 miles. Throughout the 5-day trek, there will be long and short hikes, with the longest being 16.5 km or 10.25 miles, and the shortest being 7 km or 4.35 miles.
Difficulty
This trail presents a difficulty of ”Moderate – Challenging” for the most part. However, on the fifth and final day, the difficulty decreases considerably to ”Easy” level. On this day, the hike lasts only 3 hours, during which you will visit the home of an Andean family, enjoy a delicious lunch and a private transport will take you back to the city of Cusco.
Day Highlights
- Day 1: Enjoy the first views of the Vilcanota mountain range.
- Day 2: Hike through incredible landscapes and enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Yanacocha and Hatun Pucacocha lagoons.
- Day 3: Hike through majestic landscapes and continue to marvel at beautiful lagoons such as Ausangate Cocha. Also, learn about the ancestral traditions of the inhabitants of Huchuy Phinaya.
- Day 4: Explore impressive mystical lagoons such as Qomercocha, Orco Otorongo or China Otorongo and participate in a small ceremony in honor of Pachamama and the majestic surrounding mountains, especially the Ausangate glacier.
- Day 5: Enjoy a moment of relaxation in the thermal baths and learn about the traditions of the Andean families of the Tinke community.
Ausangate Mountain
This mountain is one of the most sacred in the entire Cusco region and is highly respected, which is why it has received many pilgrimages and offerings from the Andean communities every year for centuries. Ausangate, with its majesty, reaches 6,372 masl (20,905 ft) high, and is the fifth highest mountain in Peru. If you are passionate about trekking in the mountains, learning about local customs and seeking intense experiences in remote areas of Peru, this trail is perfect for you.
Lares Trek
Description of the trail
The Lares trek is one of the least traveled trails in Cusco, yet one of the best experiences to be had. It is a perfect excursion that presents paradisiacal Andean landscapes with breathtaking views of rivers, waterfalls, lagoons and snow-capped mountain peaks. On the other hand, the Lares experience will give you the opportunity to get to know the native communities and learn about their customs, such as shepherding techniques and the making of their colorful textiles.
To get to Lares there are several options with different lengths of time. There are two popular treks among travelers: the four-day Classic Lares Trek + Machu Picchu and the five-day Classic Lares Trek + Short Inca Trail. Both options are highly recommended, because if you are an adventure enthusiast, both trails will give you endless breathtaking landscapes and a lot of adrenaline. Your choice will depend on the time you have in Cusco and the challenge you are looking for.
For more information about the Classic Lares Trail and Machu Picchu, continue reading the following lines.
Lares Classic and Machu Picchu Trail
Length
This trail will take you through treks of about 9 km or 5.59 miles on average during the 4 days of trekking. Some days there will be longer hikes reaching 11 km or 6.84 miles, but there will also be one day when the trail will be lighter, with a 7 km or 4.35 mile hike.
Difficulty
Of the 4 days of hiking, most present a difficulty level ranging from “Moderate” to “Challenging”. However, on the fourth day, the difficulty is considerably reduced to an “Easy” level. On this final day, participants will enjoy a guided tour of approximately 2 hours during which they will be able to marvel at the impressive architectural feats of the Incas. After this fascinating excursion, travelers will board a train to Ollantaytambo from where they will be transferred back to the city of Cusco in private transportation.
Day Highlights
- Day 1: Relax in the hot springs and visit local families in Quiswarani.
- Day 2: Discover the breathtaking scenery with views of the Qoyalay lagoon and the Qanchispaccha waterfall. Also learn about the customs of the local families of Cancha Cancha.
- Day 3: Descend from the cold altitude to the warm Sacred Valley and visit the salt mines of Maras.
- Day 4: Witness the marvelous Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
Ancascocha Trek
Trail Description
This trail is one of the least traveled to reach Machu Picchu. However, its charm and the pleasant sense of adventure it provides attract travelers who enjoy less traveled trails. The magic of the place is such that it was highlighted by National Geographic as one of the 20 dream hikes to do in the world.
On this trek you will immerse yourself in wonderful landscapes never seen before and explore some rarely visited Inca archaeological sites, as well as extensive fields where farmers have worked the land for generations. Along the way, you will be accompanied by imposing mountains, beautiful crystalline lagoons and waterfalls.
There are two variants of routes to reach Ancascocha, both leading to Machu Picchu and have a travel time of five days. These two alternatives are known as: Ancascocha + Machu Picchu Classic and Ancascocha + Short Inca Trail.
In the next lines we will inform you in detail about Ancascocha and Short Inca Trail:
Ancascocha and Short Inca Trail
Length
This trail covers mainly long days, reaching up to 18 km or 11.18 miles in a single day. Throughout the five-day hike, you will also find intermediate sections reaching up to 15 km or 9.32 miles. The penultimate day of the hike stands out for being considerably shorter, with a distance of only 9 km or 5.59 miles.
Difficulty
In principle, the Ancascocha Trail is known for its difficulty level of ”Moderate – Challenging”. However, on the fifth day the difficulty is reduced to ”Easy”. In this last stretch, the trek concludes with the long-awaited visit to Machu Picchu, where the tour guides offer a guided tour of an hour and a half.
Day Highlights
- Day 1: Refresh yourself at the Perolniyoc waterfall and visit ancient Inca sites.
- Day 2: Enjoy breathtaking views of the Andes and valleys.
- Day 3: Walk the Original Inca Trail.
- Day 4: Visit the most important site of the Inca Trail: Wiñay Wayna.
- Day 5: Explore the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
Inca Quarry Trek
Trail Description
This trail is ideal for those who wish to explore Inca history and experience life in the Andes. During the tour you will have the opportunity to interact with small communities and learn about their daily routines. You will also discover extraordinary archaeological sites, even if they are little known to the residents of Cusco.
Recently, the Inca Quarry was recognized as one of the six best Alternative Routes to Machu Picchu, which makes it an even more special choice to include in your trip to Cusco.
To make this tour there is only one variant that has a duration of four days and has as its final destination the imposing Inca city, Machu Picchu. Learn more about this route below.
Inca Quarry to Machu Picchu
Length
This trail covers mainly long days, reaching up to 18 km or 11.18 miles in a single day. Throughout the five-day hike, we will also find intermediate sections reaching up to 15 km or 9.32 miles and considerably shorter parts, with a distance of only 9 km or 5.59 miles.
Difficulty
The first and third day the route is at a ”Moderate” level, the second day is a little heavier with a ”Moderate to Challenging” level of difficulty, while the fourth day the trail becomes lighter with an ”Easy” level of difficulty.
Day Highlights
- Day 1: Refresh yourself at the Perolniyoc waterfalls and visit the Racaypata archaeological site.
- Day 2: Delight yourself with the beautiful views from the Sun Gate.
- Day 3: Explore the incredible Cachicata Quarry and discover the fantastic craftsmanship of the Incas.
- Day 4: Enjoy and explore one of the 7 wonders of the world, Machu Picchu.
Inca Jungle Trek
Trail Description
This trail is the perfect excursion for adventure fanatics. Along the way you will enjoy a bike ride and other adventure sports that will take you through some of the most beautiful scenery Cusco has to offer, as well as trails similar to the Inca Trail.
In addition, you will feel the variability of the climate as you bike down from an altitude of over 4000 m (13,123 ft) in the Abra Malaga to the starting point of the Amazon jungle in Cusco. Finally, you will culminate your exciting journey at one of the 7 wonders of the world, Machu Picchu.
There are two options for the Inca Jungle and both are four days long: the Classic Inca Jungle and the Imperial Inca Jungle.
Below you will learn a little more about the Classic Inca Jungle.
Inca Jungle Classic
Length
On the first day of the tour you will engage in adventure sports activities such as biking and rafting. You will start the day with a 44 km or 34.18 miles downhill bike ride. In the afternoon, you will do 9 km or 5.99 miles of rafting. The second day will be for hiking only and you will reach 7 km or 4.35 miles, likewise, the third day will also be on foot, with a longer distance of 25 km or 15.53 miles, while the last and fourth day you will visit the wonderful Inca citadel, Machu Picchu, in a guided tour of approximately two hours.
Difficulty
The hike is generally of “Moderate – Challenging” difficulty. During the first two days, the level remains at ”Moderate”. On the third day, the level increases to ”Challenging”. Finally, on the fourth day, the intensity of the trail decreases considerably to ”Easy”, this is because on that day you will visit the wonderful Inca city, Machu Picchu, followed by the return to Cusco by transport.
Day Highlights
- Day 1: Cycling from the cold mountain tops to the warm jungle.
- Day 2: Long day of hiking with a close at the relaxing hot springs of Cocalmayo.
- Day 3: Visit Llactapata and see Machu Picchu in the distance.
- Day 4: Explore the Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu.
Huchuy Qosqo Trek
Trail Description
Huchuy Qosqo, whose meaning in Quechua is ”Little Cusco”, is an archaeological site located north of Cusco. In Inca times, this place was considered an important military and administrative point. The Spanish called it ”Huchuy Qosqo” because of its similarities to the Imperial City. During the visit, you will be able to explore this intriguing place, enjoying a spectacular view of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you will also be amazed by the beautiful landscapes along the way and you will have the opportunity to experience Andean life in the mountains.
To get to Huchuy Qosqo, there are two trail options: Huchuy Qosqo one day and Huchuy Qosqo to Machu Picchu three days.
Huchuy Qosqo to Machu Picchu
Length
The first day of trekking will take you through an extensive 18 km or 11.18 miles. On the second day, the trail will be shortened to 3 km or 1.86 miles, while the last day will be even shorter, as you will explore Machu Picchu for 2 to 5 hours.
Difficulty
In this tour you will find a relatively light route. On the first day of hiking the difficulty will be ”Easy – Moderate”, the second day will be presented with a ”Moderate” level and to conclude the route, on the third day, the difficulty will reduce to ”Easy”.
Day Highlights
- Day 1: Walk through the impressive Andean landscape.
- Day 2: Walk through the unique complex of Huchuy Qosqo and learn all its secrets.
- Day 3: Enjoy the amazing Inca experience at Machu Picchu.
After having presented our Alternative Routes in Salkantay Trekking, it is important to highlight that in the city of Cusco there are many other beautiful places with breathtaking scenery. Despite this, we invite you to explore our Alternative Routes with the Salkantay Trekking team, who will offer you a comfortable, bearable and unforgettable trip. For more information about our different routes, please visit our website.
You may also be interested in:
Leave A Reply