Inca Trail for different types of people

The Inca Trail is, for many, the best hiking route in Peru. However, few are the lucky ones who make this adventure. The main reason is the low availability for this trek. For this reason, it is necessary to purchase the tour 6 or 7 months in advance. So what to do if there are no spaces available for the Inca Trail? The best solution is to choose another multi-day hiking route to Machu Picchu. Meet some adventurous options.

What type of walk to choose?

• The Classic Inca Trail (4 days route) It is considered the best hiking route in Peru. Nevertheless, is not the only one. Cusco offers many other great value treks. These are:
  • Classic Inca Trail of 4 days.
  • Short Inca Trail of 2 days.
  • Salkantay trek of 5 days.
  • Lares trek of 4 days.
  • Huchuy Qosqo trek of 3 days.
  • Inca Jungle 4 days.

Ideal route for adults

• Adults (people over 18 years old) can choose to do the best hiking trails such as:
  • Classic Inca Trail of 4 days.
  • Salkantay trek of 5 days.
• These hiking trails are demanding. The first crosses approximately 39 kilometers. The second, 70 kilometers on average.
• The Classic Inca Trail is considered the best. Afterwards, the second place goes to the Salkantay Trek.
• Of course, adults can also practice other hiking trails without distinction such as: the Inca Jungle, the Lares trek, the Huchuy Qosqo trek, etc.

Ideal route for families with children

• If you come to Cusco as a family (adults with children), the best option is to choose an easy hiking route that offers beautiful landscapes and activities that the little ones like, such as:
  • Huchuy Qosqo trek of 3 days.
  • Short Inca Trail of 2 days.
• The Huchuy Qosqo trek is a short route (only 17 kilometers on easy roads). You only camp one night. The second night is in a tourist lodge in the town of Aguas Calientes. The third day Machu Picchu is visited and the train returns to Cusco.
• The Short Inca Trail runs only 11 kilometers from km 104 of the train track to Machu Picchu. The night is spent in a tourist lodge in Aguas Calientes.

Ideal route for young people

• Young people (and people with a young spirit) can choose a challenging and adventurous route. Of course the Inca Trail and the Salkantay trek are the best routes to Machu Picchu. However, if you are looking for something different to bring out your young spirit, you can choose:
  • The Inca Jungle of 4 days.
• The Inca Jungle runs through the jungle part of Cusco until reaching Machu Picchu along the Hydroelectric route. On the way there is biking, hiking, canoeing (optional), zipline (optional) and an afternoon of rest in thermal baths.
• The Inca Jungle mainly brings together young adventurers from all over the world. You can get a tour online or in the city of Cusco.

Ideal route for couples

• If you come with your wife, girlfriend or girlfriend, these are the routes you should choose:
  • Classic Inca Trail of 4 days.
  • The Lares trek.
• The Classic Inca Trail will always be the best option for most people. Couples will enjoy this route that offers walks surrounded by beautiful landscapes and, as a grand finale, the spectacular view of Machu Picchu.
• However, to do the Inca Trail it is necessary to purchase a tour online approximately 6 or 7 months in advance.
• If you do not get availability for the Inca Trail, an excellent option is to do the 4-day Lares trek.
• The Lares trek is recognized as the ‘cultural trek’ to Machu Picchu. Along the way, several towns with many customs are visited.
• In addition, the walk is not that difficult (it covers 34 kilometers) and includes an afternoon of relaxation in the thermal baths of the town of Lares.

Ideal route for older adults

• Older adults can also be encouraged to take hiking trails in Cusco. Of course it is necessary that he or she is in good health. It is best to consult a doctor before deciding.
• If the state of health is good, definitely one of the best options is:
  • The Short Inca Trail of 2 days.
  • The Huchuy Qosqo trek of 3 days.
• The 2-day Short Inca Trail covers only 11 kilometers in one day. The second, only Machu Picchu is visited. It is a good way to feel the emotion of the Inca Trail but without trying too hard.
• The 3-day Huchuy Qosqo trek is recommended for older adults because it is a simple route that only crosses 17 kilometers.
• Like the other adventures, it ends in Machu Picchu.

Ideal route for people with different abilities

• People with different abilities can choose an adventure according to their needs.
  • Inca Trail 2 days.
  • Huchuy Qosqo trek, easy routes.
• People who do not have a physical disability can choose:
• However, people with a physical disability can choose:
  • The trip to Machu Picchu for 1 day.
• Machu Picchu is a difficult place to visit because it is on top of a mountain. It takes a lot of help to get there in a wheelchair, for example.
• But there are tours for people with different abilities specialized in taking these people to the top of Machu Picchu.
• Unfortunately, hiking in a wheelchair or with a physical disability is very difficult.

By Inca Trail Machu Picchu - Last updated, 11-02-2022

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