Inca Trail unavailable for your dates?
Every one of these routes still ends at Machu Picchu. Some travellers say they're even better.
Only one trail sells out
The Classic Inca Trail permit is government-capped, name-locked, and sells out 4 to 6 months ahead in peak season. Every other route to Machu Picchu has no permit cap, runs year-round including February, and ends at the same destination.
The bucket-list moment is standing at Machu Picchu — not the specific path that gets you there.
No permit cap
Arrives at Machu Picchu
Open in February
Year-round availability
Compare all 7 routes to Machu Picchu
Five of these routes need no permit — all of them end at Machu Picchu.
Classic Inca Trail
Arrives via Sun Gate
Duration
4 days
Difficulty
Challenging
Permit
Yes — sells out
Price from
from €640
Short Inca Trail
Arrives via Sun Gate
Duration
2 days
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Permit
Yes — fewer limits
Price from
from €430
Salkantay Trek
Most popular alternative
Arrives via Aguas Calientes
Duration
5 days
Difficulty
Challenging
Permit
No permit needed
Price from
from €520
Lares Trek
Arrives via Ollantaytambo
Duration
3–4 days
Difficulty
Moderate
Permit
No permit needed
Price from
from €480
Quarry Trail
Arrives via Ollantaytambo
Duration
3 days
Difficulty
Moderate
Permit
No permit needed
Price from
from €520
Inca Jungle Trek
Arrives via Aguas Calientes
Duration
4 days
Difficulty
Moderate+
Permit
No permit needed
Price from
from €350
Choquequirao Trek
Arrives via remote route
Duration
4–9 days
Difficulty
Very hard
Permit
No permit needed
Price from
from €620
Find your trek
Start with what matters most to you — the right route will reveal itself.
I want incredible scenery
Salkantay Trek
The Salkantay pass at 4,630m delivers glacier views that stop you in your tracks. This is the most photographed alternative for a reason.
I want to meet local people and culture
Lares Trek
Winds through Quechua weaving villages where life has changed little in centuries. The human side of the Andes, at its most authentic.
I'm short on time or fitness
Short Inca Trail
Two days, the iconic Sun Gate entry into Machu Picchu, and a permit that's far easier to secure than the classic. The condensed version of the legend.
I want real Inca history without the crowds
Quarry Trail
Named after the quarries that supplied Machu Picchu's stone, this trail passes ruins virtually untouched by tourist footfall. History in the raw.
I want adventure and adrenaline
Inca Jungle Trek
Mountain biking, white-water rafting, and zip-lining combined with trekking through cloud forest. The most action-packed route to Machu Picchu by far.
I want somewhere truly remote
Choquequirao Trek
Choquequirao is often called 'the other Machu Picchu' — a vast Inca citadel visited by only a handful of trekkers per day. Serious, rewarding, unforgettable.
Explore all routes and book your trek
Read the full guide or jump straight to bookable tours — your choice.
Salkantay Trek
5 days · Challenging · No permit
Lares Trek
3–4 days · Moderate · No permit
Quarry Trail
3 days · Moderate · No permit
Inca Jungle Trek
4 days · Moderate+ · No permit
Choquequirao Trek
4–9 days · Very hard · No permit
Classic & Short Inca Trail
2 or 4 days · Permit required
Not sure which trek is right for you?
Answer three quick questions and we'll match you to the perfect route.
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Bookable tours available right now
No permit hassle, no waiting lists. These alternatives are open today.
Real travellers, real routes
Photos and moments from travellers who've made it to Machu Picchu via the Salkantay, Lares, Inca Jungle, and Classic routes.
All prices are indicative 'from' figures across operators and move with season and availability. Always confirm on the live listing before booking.