Not nearly the best hike in Peru, none-the-less, everyone still wants to do the famous walk to Machu Picchu.
… the trek is full up until September. Restrictions imposed by the Peruvian government on the number of people allowed to hike the trail haven’t diminished its popularity and this year’s peak season sold out with unprecedented speed.
… in 2005, the government acted to limit those trekking the “classic” four-day route to 500 a day as the rapidly growing number of walkers threatened to overwhelm the route’s infrastructure and damage Inca ruins. In reality, only around 200 people can now set out every day on what was previously a virtual free-for-all because the necessary expedition support staff are included in the permitted total. These include guides, cooks and the legendary local porters, whose ability to trot around the trail carrying three times their own body weight with only sandals on their feet never ceases to amaze trekkers struggling to carry a water bottle while clad in state-of-the art hiking gear. …
A Guardian article suggests some of the standard guided alternative treks:
Salkantay Trail Lares Valley Colca Canyon Cordillera Huayhuash
They recommend some Trekking and volunteering itineraries, as well.
Here’s our own list of best hikes in Peru:
Ausangate Circuit TOP 10
Huayhuash Circuit Alpamayo Santa Cruz Trek Inca Trail Salcantay to Machu Picchu Choquiquirao to Machu Picchu Ticlla Circuit Colca Canyon Misti Gran Vilaya (Kuelap)
Peru is one of the best destinations in the world for hikers. There are MANY wonderful choices.
Huayhuash Circuit – original – flickr
besthike.com 
Boy, that was on my “to do” list….too many people for moi! Thanks for the alternative list
The strategy for Peru, I think, is to fly into Lima. Connect to Cuzco. Visit Machu Picchu by train. Or on foot via Choquiquirao.
Then, acclimatized, head for the HIGHER elevations of Ausangate Circuit or even Bolivia.
OR, easier, backtrack to Huaraz and do any of those great treks: Huayhuash Circuit, Alpamayo, etc.
HAVE FUN.
Give me a more scenic, less crowded trail, over what the Inca has become as well. There was a time when I wanted to do the IT, but now I’d rather head to lesser traveled trails.