Alternative Inca Trail
To Machu Picchu
Tour Offered By: Southern Explorations

Trek Duration: 4 days
Trip Total Duration: 11 days

The Alternative Inca Trail is the least traveled path to Peru's most popular attraction, The Hidden City of Machu Picchu. The path traces traditions of the Inca culture and is filled with Inca ruins and engineering feats of a past civilization. This trek takes you through the Sacred Valley where the ancient Incas worked and worshipped. Our expert local guides will lead you through awe-inspiring views as you have the opportunity to meet and mingle with the indigenous people that make their home in the Inca heartland. This undiscovered Alternative to the much traveled classic Inca Trail is one of the most informative of all Peru tours and features an unforgettable learning experience into ancient history.

This Trek along the Alternative Inca Trail is offered by Southern Explorations. Visit its web page for more information including prices, scheduled departure dates, description of accommodations, physical requirements and details of what is included in the trek.

Alternative Inca Trail Itinerary:

Day 1 (Thursday) Lima
Arrive in Lima and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early, city tours, museum visits or sightseeing excursions tailored to your interests may be arranged. Overnight in Lima.

Day 2 (Friday) Lima-Cusco
Morning departure for flight to Cusco, the colonial jewel and center of the Inca Empire. Southern Explorations' guides pick you up at the Cusco airport followed by a quick tour around the beautiful Plaza de Armas along the way to your hotel. You are free for the rest of the day to relax and acclimatize to the high altitude (10,856 ft). Overnight in a charming hotel in Cusco. (B)

Day 3 (Saturday) Cusco
Begin the day with a morning guided walking tour of Cusco's markets, the colonial cathedral and the city's major Inca ruins, the Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After lunch, tour Cusco's temples and visit several nearby distinctive Inca sights, including the fortress of Sacsayhuaman with its megalithic terraces; Kenko's stone surfaces and subterranean alters, Puka Pukara, the small terrace that protected the royal capital from attacks, and the water temple site, Tambo Machay. An evening briefing session orients you to the upcoming trek. Overnight in a charming hotel in Cusco. (B)

Day 4 (Sunday) Cusco - Sacred Valley
A day-long excursion through snowcapped mountains begins our exploration of the Incas' legendary Sacred Valley, as majestic today as it was during their reign. Along the way, Inca agricultural terracing on the steep valley walls and the ruined temples of Pisac set off panoramic views of the jagged granite mountains. Pisac is home to one of the most important textile markets in the Andes where you'll be able to test your bargaining skills and enjoy the local culture. After lunch, we head to Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft.), a small town with an impressive Inca fortress. Overnight at a charming hotel in Ollantaytambo. (B)

Day 5 (Monday) Sacred Valley- Charkahuilla
This begins a series of camp days with hiking at high elevations. The day's trek begins early, crossing the picturesque Urubamba river and continuing along a gradually ascending trail with stunning views of the Ollantaytambo valley below, the Vilcanota Mountain range and Mount Veronica (18,745 ft.) After 3-4 hours, we come to the ancient quarry of Cachicata where the Incas chiseled and formed the huge boulders for their palaces, such as the Ollantaytambo fortress. After lunch in a spectacular setting, reach the small indigenous farming community of Charkahuilla (12,435 ft.), where 5 types of Peruvian potatoes, cilantro and oregano are grown. We'll visit with the villagers and enjoy a traditional Peruvian lamb barbecue prepared, especially for us in the ancient method called, Pachamanca. Vegetarian options are available. (B,L,D)

Day 6 (Tuesday) Charkahuilla - Canchacanchayok
Today is filled with more spectacular views from where we climb to where we camp. After a hearty breakfast, we'll hike a winding ascending trail to reach 13,910ft Charcahuylla pass, surrounded by mountains with Mount Veronica rising above all peaks. On the descent, we pass through a tiny Peruvian village and drop into a beautiful valley to reach the mountain village of Canchacanchayok where we will camp and have a chance to visit with the villagers. (B,L,D)

Day 7 (Wednesday) Canchacanchayok - Qhesqa
Today's trek connects us with an ancient Inca road that gains altitude and eventually affords views of the stunning Anccascocha alpine lake where we'll stop for a quick picnic snack for energy before continuing our ascent to the second and final high alpine pass, Huayanay at 14,320ft with views of the mountains and lake. From here we hike down into a valley with views of the famous Salkantay Mountain, stopping to camp near a small village where we will be able to meet the local families. (B,L,D)

Day 8 (Thursday) Qhesqa - Quente - KM 88
Today, we continue along the Old Inca Trail, stopping to visit with students of the small school of Qhesqa before reaching our lunch destination, the Inca ruins of Paucarcancha. Our next destination is the town of Huayllabamba where we join the throngs of visitors on the popular classic Inca Trail and hike along the beautiful Urubamba river, stopping at the Inca ceremonial and work site, Llactapacta, with great views of elaborate Incan aqueducts. From there we walk to our nearby campsite of Machu Quente for a last night of camping under the stars. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 (Friday) KM 88 - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu
The day begins with a short early morning walk KM 88 to connect with the Vista Dome train for our picturesque ride beside the Urubamba River and through a magnificent cloud forest to Aguas Calientes where a bus deposits us at our ultimate destination, the sacred city of Machu Picchu (7,800 ft.). Take the entire day to explore the famous ruins before returning to nearby Aguas Calientes for a late afternoon soak in the hot springs and a dinner of Peruvian cuisine. Overnight at a charming hotel.

Day 10 (Saturday) Machu Picchu - Cusco
A second awe-inspiring day at Machu Picchu featuring a climb to the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu for a perfect view of the entire complex spread out below like a map or walk through a lush cloud forest to the Temple of the Moon. An afternoon train takes you back to Cusco where you are transferred to your hotel. (B)

Day 11 (Sunday) Cusco - Lima - Return Home
Morning transfer to the Cusco airport for your return flight to Lima and your connecting international flight. This marks the end of your Southern Exploration services. Trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima or Cusco may be arranged. (B)

*Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner

For More Information
Visit Southern Explorations to reserve this Peru tour. Southern Explorations offers many tour packages to Peru, Costa Rica, the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Bolivia, Agentina, Chile, Patagonia and Panama.