You may be wondering if the classic Inca Trail is the best route for trekking to Machu Picchu, or if other routes unveil a more remote and less traveled side of the area.
As Peru specialists, we can help you decide which is the best trek for you!
Below is a comparison of the Inca Trail with our favorite alternate trek.
| The Inca Trail (10-day) | Urubamba Weaver’s Trek (11-day) |
| Requires a hiking permit | Does not require a hiking permit |
| Plan 4-5 months or more in advance | Can be arranged as little as 2 months |
| Best time to go: April – November | Best time to go: April – November |
| Historical Incan stonework & ruins near each campsite | Cultural, with rural village visits and interaction with weavers & shepherds |
| 2 high passes, up to 13,780 ft altitude | 2 high passes, up to 14,764 ft altitude |
| 3 nights of tent camping | 2 nights of tent camping |
| Length: 24.5 miles | Length: 21 miles |
| More social, with up to 500 hikers & staff on the trail each day | More private, with few groups, if any, on the trail each day |
| Arrival to Machu Picchu on foot | Arrival to Machu Picchu via scenic train |
We invite you to join us on an upcoming departure, or arrange your own dates and customize your itinerary with a private trip.
Villages and cross-cultural encounters are highlights of the Urubamba Weaver’s Trek
How else to get to Machu Picchu?
A several-day trek with tent camping might not be everyone’s idea of a great adventure. For those who are looking for the scenery, culture and wonder of Machu Picchu with a lighter activity level, Southwind’s iconic World of the Incas itinerary allows for day hiking and exploration, with the comforts of boutique lodging every night. This journey was named an Iconic Itinerary by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. Find out more about World of the Incas and the upgraded World of the Incas Iconic Itinerary.
A moment of serenity along the Urubamba Weaver’s Trek