No list of the great hikes of the world is without the Inca Trail. It may well be the single best known trek in the world.
But serious hikers are advised to take a close look at alternative routes to Machu Picchu. We much prefer Choquequirao and Salcantay.
Choquequirao is the better of these options — but longer. You need 7 nights minimum to visit both the Choquequirao ruins and Machu Picchu on one trek.
If you want to hike independently without pack animals, Salcantay is the best choice.
Get an overview of your options on this site. But wait until you get to Cuzco in Peru to book any specific trek. Do not hand over any deposit money until you are very confident in the agency. A personal, recent recommendation is best.
If you insist on hiking the Inca Trail, get the up-to-date details on besthike.com Inca Trail.
Machu Picchu
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