How to Get to Machu Picchu from Cusco: The Best Routes
Getting to Machu Picchu is not just about finding the easiest path. It’s about choosing the route that suits you best, so you can enjoy every stop along the way before reaching the Inca citadel itself.
In this guide, we outline the five best routes to reach Machu Picchu from Cusco.
Multi-day treks are the most rewarding option for adventurous travelers. The most popular include the 5-day Salkantay Trek, the 4-day Inca Trail, the 5-day Lares Trek and the 5-day Ausangate Trek, among others.
Tour packages are ideal if you prefer comfort and convenience. You can choose from Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu packages, or combine the Cusco City Tour, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain in a single itinerary.
1. 5-Day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is one of the best routes available, second only to the Classic Inca Trail. It is perfect for travelers who love challenge, adventure, nature and mountains, and who want to feel the pure essence of Pachamama (Mother Earth).
Today, the 5-day Salkantay Trek has become a top choice not only for its challenging hike but also for its luxury accommodations. In the past, travelers relied on tents for overnight stays, exposing them to freezing temperatures and, often, dangerous altitude sickness. To address these challenges, the modern Salkantay tour now offers incredibly comfortable, warm accommodations adapted to the mountain climate, making the experience better than ever.
The Salkantay Trek offers more than just nature and great lodging. It also gives you the chance to interact with local residents who tend fruit orchards. A highlight is witnessing the production and processing of the organic Peruvian coffee enjoyed around the world.
The trek also includes the Cocalmayo Hot Springs, where you can enjoy well-deserved relaxation in crystal-clear waters after a long day of hiking to Machu Picchu.
2. 4-Day Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
The classic 4-day Inca Trail is one of the best hikes in Peru, and in the world. It offers one of the most direct routes to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). It is considered a challenging trek because it follows original Inca paths and pure stone stairways.
Along the way, we pass through archaeological sites, including religious centers, tambos (resting place) and former Inca military and administrative hubs. Each location holds its own Inca history, preserved intact, and offers breathtaking panoramic views of mountains and streams of fresh, natural water.
Luxury accommodations are not permitted on the Inca Trail. Instead, we use the most organic methods possible to honor our culture and history. Overnight stays are in camping tents, and since there is no vehicle access, porters carry all our belongings and food to the campsites, a task requiring immense effort.
For all these reasons, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is considered one of the premier hiking experiences in the world.
3. 5-Day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu with Short Inca Trail
The Lares Trek to Machu Picchu is a more cultural experience and sees less traveler traffic during the first three days. Although Lares is a less-visited destination, it offers a fantastic adventure, perfect for those who wish to interact with local residents, who share their way of life and showcase the agricultural products for which they excel.
Lares is considered a journey of cultural and historical discovery, featuring impressive mountains and lakes, surrounded by native potato crops and South American camelids (llamas and alpacas). The route connects the Lares region with the Sacred Valley of the Incas before reaching Machu Picchu via the Short Inca Trail.
Accommodations range from mid-range to luxury. We spend the first two nights camping and the final two nights in hotels. The Lares trek is relatively easy in terms of hiking conditions and does not require strenuous physical effort. In short, it is one of the easiest and most diverse treks to Machu Picchu.
4. 5-Day Ausangate Trek to Machu Picchu
Over the years, the Ausangate Trek to Machu Picchu has gained renown for its snow-capped peaks, glaciers, multicolored lakes, vibrant mountains and the stunning Red Valley. The journey presents a significant challenge due to the high altitude of the destinations along the route.
Ausangate sees fewer travelers, and some hikers use it as training for high-altitude summit climbs, such as those in Huaraz.
Accommodations on the Ausangate trek are more rugged. There is no luxury lodging here: we camp throughout the trek, staying in a hotel only on the final night in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).
5. 5-Day Machu Picchu Package
(City Tour, Immersive Cultural Experience in Willoq-Patacancha, Machu Picchu, Maras Salt Mines, Moray and Rainbow Mountain)
This 5-day Machu Picchu package is one of the easiest and, above all, most relaxing tours for travelers who prefer not to hike but still wish to enjoy incredible views of Cusco, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, while taking part in an immersive cultural experience in Willoq-Patacancha.
This package is truly special because it goes beyond the standard tours. It begins with acclimatization in Cusco, followed by a visit to the Willoq-Patacancha community before heading to Machu Picchu. There, we interact with locals and learn about their daily lives, including guinea pig farming, agriculture, weaving and traditional cuisine.
Accommodation is comfortable, with hotel stays every night.
The cost of visiting Machu Picchu varies depending on the chosen itinerary; for example:
- Salkantay Trek: $650 per traveler
- Inca Trail: $950 per traveler
- Lares with Short Inca Trail: $990 per traveler
- Ausangate with Machu Picchu: $950 per traveler
- 5-Day Machu Picchu Package: $750 per traveler
Prices vary based on quality and comfort; always ensure the provider is reliable and safe, as low prices can often indicate scams or a failure to deliver on agreed-upon services.
Today, Machu Picchu stands as one of the world’s greatest wonders, visited by people of all ages—from children to seniors. No matter where you come from, there is always a great way to reach this incredible destination: Machu Picchu.
