THE ANDES ARE NOT ONE TRAIL
Find the trek that moves you.
Eight distinct route families, from high mountain treks to shorter hikes and archaeological journeys. Compare the character of each, then open the exact tour for its itinerary and inclusions.
8 route families17 curated journeysChoose your route
BEYOND THE CLASSIC TRAIL
Different terrain. Different stories.
Choose by the kind of route you want, the time you have and the places you hope to experience. The Classic Inca Trail has its own dedicated home.
Looking for the Classic Inca Trail?CHOOSE YOUR DIRECTION
Eight ways into the Andes.
Begin with an experience. Each tour page has its own itinerary, inclusions and booking details.
01 / HIGH MOUNTAINSalkantayMountain landscapes and distinct journeys toward Machu Picchu.Explore family ↗
02 / COLOR & ALTITUDERainbow MountainCompare day hikes and a longer Ausangate-area trek.Explore family ↗
03 / HIDDEN ROUTESOther TreksA varied set of trails, quarries and lesser-known places.Explore family ↗
04 / MULTISPORTInca JungleAn active journey with a changing mix of landscapes and activities.Explore family ↗
05 / LAKE LANDSCAPEHumantay LakeA lake-focused experience with more than one way to travel.Explore family ↗
06 / COMMUNITY & TRAILLaresExplore the dedicated Lares route and its published journey.Explore family ↗
07 / REMOTE ARCHAEOLOGYChoquequiraoA more remote trek centered on an archaeological destination.Explore family ↗
08 / SACRED VALLEYHuchuy QosqoFollow the longer published route toward Machu Picchu.Explore family ↗
COMPARE YOUR PATH
Compare the route, not just the days.
Each family has its own terrain and itinerary. Start with the experience, then check the current tour page for the specifics.
A BETTER WAY TO CHOOSE
Which trek fits you?
Use these starting points to find a journey, then check the tour you prefer for the details.
01 / HIGH MOUNTAIN
Salkantay
Mountain landscapes and distinct journeys toward Machu Picchu.
Explore SalkantayPublished journeys3 curated tours
02 / COLOR & ALTITUDE
Rainbow Mountain
Compare day hikes and a longer Ausangate-area trek.
Explore Rainbow Mountain
03 / HIDDEN ROUTES
Other Treks
A varied set of trails, quarries and lesser-known places.
Explore Other Treks
04 / MULTISPORT
Inca Jungle
An active journey with a changing mix of landscapes and activities.
Explore Inca JunglePublished journeys2 curated tours
05 / LAKE LANDSCAPE
Humantay Lake
A lake-focused experience with more than one way to travel.
Explore Humantay LakePublished journeys2 curated tours
06 / COMMUNITY & TRAIL
Lares
Explore the dedicated Lares route and its published journey.
Explore LaresPublished journeys1 curated tour
07 / REMOTE ARCHAEOLOGY
Choquequirao
A more remote trek centered on an archaeological destination.
Explore ChoquequiraoPublished journeys1 curated tour
08 / SACRED VALLEY
Huchuy Qosqo
Follow the longer published route toward Machu Picchu.
Explore Huchuy QosqoPublished journeys1 curated tour
TIME TO EXPLORE
Choose a duration that works for you.
Shown where a tour lists its duration. Always confirm its full itinerary and service details.
1–2 days
3–5 days
- 05 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu – Group Service ↗
- 05 Day Salkantay Trekking to Machu Picchu – Private Service ↗
- 04 Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu ↗
- 04 Day Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu ↗
- 04 Day Hidden Inca Trail to Machu Picchu ↗
- 04 Day Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu – Group Service ↗
- 03 Day Inca Jungle Trail to Machu Picchu ↗
- 04 Day – Lares Trek to Machu Picchu ↗
- 05 Day Choquequirao Trek – Private Service ↗
- 03 Day – Huchuy Qosqo Trek to Machu Picchu ↗
PLAN WITH CLARITY
Prepare for your chosen route.
Altitude, weather, packing and travel flow vary by family. Use the child hub for route context and the exact tour for current inclusions.
Time and pace
Compare a day hike with a longer route before choosing.
Terrain and preparation
Check the published route and ask about preparation for the journey you select.
What is included
Tours differ. Review the specific product and confirm any detail that matters to you.
BEFORE YOU GO
Good questions deserve clear answers.
Are all Alternative Treks routes to Machu Picchu?
No. These families cover different destinations and route types. Open the relevant family hub and exact tour for its itinerary.
How is this different from the Classic Inca Trail?
The Classic Inca Trail has a dedicated owner and published tours. This page helps you compare other trekking families without treating them as one route.
Where can I confirm distance, altitude and inclusions?
The selected tour page owns its current day-by-day itinerary, practical details and inclusions.
THE JOURNEY STARTS HERE
Find your way through the Andes.
Choose a family first. The right published journey will follow.
Explore the families
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VIEW OPERATING LICENSE
VIEW INCA TRAIL PERMIT