Although it’s true, there are many treks you can choose in your stay in Cusco. Each has a special charm, but there are things to consider.
Depending on the trek you choose, you should keep in mind that most of them require that you get acclimatized 2 or 3 days before the trek, you’ll need it more if you come from a low-altitude area. For example, if you are going to take the Salkantay Trek 5 Days, you will need a total of seven days.
In case you want to make the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you need to book your trip 3 or 4 months in advance. There are only 500 spaces available.
Each trek has its own characteristics. There are some treks that represent a great challenge on the physical level and a greater degree of difficulty such as the snowy mountain of Salkantay. However, the Lares trek will allow you to be more in touch with the local people, with their way of living and with their ancestral customs.
On the other hand, the trek along the Inca Trail is more traveled and it offers fewer moments of true tranquility (If that’s what you are looking for) since is the favorite for most people who seek to enter the citadel of Machu Picchu by the Intipunku or Door of the Sun.
Apu Salkantay
The Inca Trail is characterized by several archaeological sites distributed along the road and accompanied by beautiful landscapes.
The Salkantay trek represents a challenge for many due to the physical effort that is carried out on the second day. This route has beautiful landscapes and high Andean jungle eyebrow.
The Lares trek is more experiential because you will be able to share moments with the inhabitants of the area and contemplate its way of life. In the route you will be able to watch a variety of ecological floors from the puna to the jungle eyebrow.
The Huchuy Qosqo trek is the less demanding, it lasts only 2 days.
Some treks have everything but some others have pros and cons.
Both are directly related. If you do not have a good physical condition, the trek to Choquequirao may be more difficult than normal. The Choquequirao Trek is suitable for people with a good physical condition and with previous trekking experience. But the trek you choose will depend on what you consider difficult and, of course, it will depend on your physical condition. You are going to be the person who will make the trek so you should try to be really realistic about your physical and health status.
Choquequirao arqueological site
The alternate routes used by the Incas to reach the Sacred City of Machu Picchu are called in this way. The entrance to the Inca Trail must be booked months in advance so if you did not found the ticket for the Inca Trail in the dates you have available, then, you will need to do an “alternative trek”.
