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There is a huge variety of alternative treks available through Orange Nation Peru to meet the needs, abilities and desires of most hikers. The type of trail, level of difficulty and number of days varies. There are also alternative treks combined with the Classic or Short Inca Trail, where the trekker gets the best of both worlds, a chance to walk on the Inca Trail and the beauty and or culture of an alternative trek. Some of our most popular alternatives treks are the Lares Trek, Salkantay Trek, Wilderness Salkantay Trek and the Choquequirao.
Some treks are very scenic such as the Salkantay Trek and others like the Lares Trek are both scenic and cultural. The Orange Nation website has detail descriptions of each of the treks. Please feel free to consult with our expert staff.
Please note purchasing the tickets and or permits for the Short Inca Trail (if a combo trek) required for your desired trek dates need to be purchased as early as possible. Entrance tickets are now being sold on a limited basis and for a shorter time to protect Machu Picchu Citadel site and the Inca Trail from potential damage.
This is an alternative route to the Classic Inca Trail, which will take you through incredible landscape and natural beauty with exotic flora and fauna endemic of the region. The trek will involve hiking through valleys and mountains before arriving to the “Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu. A unique and specially designed 5 day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, with incomparable views of the snow-capped mountains of Humantay and Salkantay, sacred mountains for the Incas.
Trek off the beaten track, following our unique route where you visit two incredible crystal clear glacial lakes, Humantay and Salkantay. Hike through the Andes Mountains and camp at our private sites which are more remote, less crowded and off the typical path. Hike through the extraordinary Peruvian cloud forest, and take the opportunity to try the fresh fruit grown there such as bananas, oranges, avocados, pineapple and much more. Take the opportunity to tour a coffee plantation next to your campsite! Explore the fields and learn about the different varieties of beans, pick, roast, and grind your beans. Then enjoy brewing your own coffee, a very unique experience! You will have the opportunity to visit the Hot Springs of Cocalmayo, where you can relax your fatigued muscles after the long hike in a bit of utopia! Hike up to LLACTAPATA Inca ruins, and explore the ancient Inca city, which was once coated with vegetation. This is the best viewpoint to have a glimpse of the Majestic Machu Picchu. Following in the footsteps of the Incas, explore the crevices and and niches of the “Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World, with our expert guide.
ORANGE NATION Peru is your best choice if you truly want to enjoy your Salkantay trek in Peru. We specialize in creating unique trekking routes, with our customized treks to Machu Picchu like the Salkantay trek which other tour operators are not offering. What that means for our clients is more unique, enjoyable and exciting treks, personalized service, and small groups, typically 2 – 6 trekkers with a maximum of 8 people in the group.
The Huchuy Qosqo trek takes you to a combination of amazing Inca ruins, secluded indigenous villages, incredible snow-capped mountains and exotic vegetation of different types and varieties. The trail goes off the beaten track, over high Andean passes, through the Sacred Valley of the Incas with its unforgettable scenic views, and visits both Moray and the Maras Salt Mines. It ends at the destination you have been anticipating, The New 7 Wonder of the World Machu Picchu! It is believed that the archeological site of Huchuy Qosqo was built during the reign of the eighth Inca Ruler, Wiracocha. Inca rulers acquired large royal estates to increase their power and wealth and that of their descendants who inherited the estates. Royal estates served also as elegant country palaces and, at times, fortresses to fend off rivals for power. Thus, the name Huchuy Qosqo, “Little Cusco”, was for a royal estate or government center modeled on the Inca capital.
The Ancascocha Trek to Machu Picchu is an incredible trail! This adventure is for people who really want to experience nature and the Andes at its best: snow-capped mountains, deep valleys, pristine lakes, animals such llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and encounters with local people such as herders. This trek takes you to the most wild parts of the Andes, then to the UNESCO World Heritage site and New 7 Wonder of the World: Machu Picchu!
Our specialization is in trekking, “off the beaten track.” Inca Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu Trek is a personally designed and unique trek taking you to remote and rarely visited Inca ruins. You’ll trek by beautiful waterfalls, view wild panoramic landscapes, ancient Inca aqueducts, and take yourself back in time to the Inca stonemason’s unmatched masterpieces. You will visit the old Inca quarry from where the Incas carved the rocks to build the important Ollantaytambo Inca city, the impressive gate to Machu Picchu. Take time to explore the living Inca city of Ollantaytambo and hike up to the dusted remnants of the old Inca hillside storehouses. Then enjoy true luxury at the exclusive Veronica View Hotel! On your final day, will be the long awaited tour to explore and experience the magical UNESCO World Heritage site: Machu Picchu!
The Incas left some fascinating archaeological sites in and around Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire, the Sacred Valley with all of its treasures and ancient ruins to discover which all lead up to the Wonder of the World, Machu Picchu, the ultimate destination at the end of this particular adventure. Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire called Tawantinsuyo and is a living museum with lively streets full of culture and tradition. You can see the different stages of development from ancient times to the Conquest until modern times, all in one place! In Cusco, there are many archeological sites, 15th Century Cathedrals, museums, and traditional shops to visit and explore. This tour package also takes us to the hotspots of the entire Sacred Valley with all of its ancient treasures and Inca sites, not to mention the world famous Machu Picchu! The Sacred Valley stretches from Pisac to Ollantaytambo with many small indigenous towns, secluded weaving villages, outdoor handicraft markets and 10th and 11th century Inca Ruins including Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray, Maras Salt Mines and Urubamba. Explore amazing ruins and sites, active Cathedrals and the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
See all the detailed itinerary and information below about the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu Tour!
A Unique and specially designed 4 day Wilderness Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, which takes you around the stunning spectacular peak of Mount Salkantay while “trekking off the beaten track.” It is the second tallest mountain in the Cusco region (6,277m / 20,577ft). The trek then explores a gorgeous turquoise glacial lake, waterfalls, and hike through the unforgettable Peruvian cloud forest, and take the opportunity to taste the fresh fruit grown there such as bananas, oranges, avocados, pineapple and much more.
The Inca Jungle Trek to Machu Picchu is a truly unique adventure with Mountain Bike, Rafting, Zip Line & Trekking that goes off the beaten track! You travel through several micro-climates in the Andes Mountains through the beginning of the cloud forest, the rainforest, and along the Urubamba River, ending at one of the world’s 7 wonders: the Citadel of Machu Picchu.
Orange Nation highly recommends that if you have specific dates you need for your trek to book as early as possible. Otherwise you may not get all the options you would like to have as a part of your tour. The demand for treks to Machu Picchu has increased over the past couple of years. Alternative treks can be booked closer to your departure date unlike the Inca Trail that has to have a permit which may sell out. If you are booking an alternative trek combo with the Inca trail included. You do need to book as early as possible to be sure you get your Inca Trail permit.
Please be aware that even with alternative treks that include Machu Picchu Citadel and the train there can be issues to get the entrance tickets you may desire. The government has added more restrictions and changes in scheduling and options. For example, permits for the Inca Trail, tickets for Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, and train tickets that will coordinate with the time table of your trek, now are selling out much earlier than before.
Booking ahead of time allows Orange Nation Peru to be able to purchase tickets for the entrance times and or trains required to coordinate time wise all the parts of your tour for a relaxing trek and tour to Machu Picchu. Orange Nation wants your trek to be the vacation that you have been dreaming about. By booking early, you ensure that Orange Nation will be able to fulfill all your desires and hopes for every aspect of your trek to Machu Picchu.
It may be possible to book at the last minute in the low tourist season but in high season you will likely not get all the options you would like as a part of your trek, such as the Circuit you prefer to enter Machu Picchu, or tickets for Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain are sold out for your specific date. You may have to take a very early or late train because the best train times are already gone.
If you want to trek the Short Inca Trail as a part of your combo trek, it is possible the permits may not be available. Book last minute you must be very flexible with your dates and times and in addition you may not get all your chosen options. Feel free to talk with our expert staff and they can let you know what is possible at the time you wish to tour.
Orange Nation needs your personal details and they must match your passport. What is required is your full name as written in your passport, passport number, date of birth, nationality and gender. Once again, it must match exactly your passport! After booking, please send us a copy of your current passport or driver’s license if you are booking with that.
If you are renewing your passport, Orange Nation can book with your old passport number (or your driver’s license number) and we will update once your new passport arrives. Further details are written below.
If you are still in the process of obtaining your passport, you can still book with your driver’s license information and when you obtain your new passport then simply email Orange Nation a photo of both your new passport and your driver’s license and we will update your permit information at the government office. Please bring your drivers license and new passport when you come to Peru.
If your passport will expire before you trek, you can book the tour with your current passport and when you obtain your new passport take photos of both your old and new passports. Then email Orange Nation those photos and they will update your information. It is also wise to bring both your old passport/drivers license if you booked with that and your new passport to Peru when you come.
Yes, it is possible to do some alternative treks if the Inca Trail is not included without a tour provider. Hiking in the wilderness of the Andes Mountains without an experience guide is dangerous, accidents happen and the chance of getting lost is very possible. Orange Nation does not recommend this for your own safety and enjoyment. SAM Travel has highly train guides in 1st aid and altitude sickness, satellite phones for emergencies, and guides that are knowledgeable of the Andes trails, people and culture.
That said, purchasing tickets and entrances have become much more complicated due to new regulations for Machu Picchu Citadel and the increased tourist traffic. It has become very complicated to coordinate all the entrance times, trains, and transfers required to be able to experience a hazzle free trek. If you wish to trek the short Inca Trail as a part of your trek, please note that the government of Peru strictly controls the Inca Trail. This hike can only be booked by a fully licensed tour operator. Orange Nation is a 100% licensed Inca Trail tour operator by the government here in Cusco, Peru. (Not all tour operators can do the Inca Trail).
Please read above all the reasons under why booking early is important to fully understand why it is difficult to be able to do a coordinated tour to Machu Picchu without a knowledgeable tour operator.
Orange Nation specializes in small intimate groups of 2 to 10 persons! We want to guarantee the best possible experience for all our clients who choose to trek with us. Small groups allow you to get to know better the individuals trekking with you and to receive lots of individual attention from your guide. We want you enjoy your hiking experience and make memories that will last a life time. Also, unlike other tour companies, if 2 persons book we guarantee you go even if no other people book. You book, pay your deposit, you go!
YES, you absolutely can book a private trek at an additional cost! The cost varies depending on the size of your private group. A private tour means that you will have your own personal guide, chef, horsemen, and only the members of your group will be part of the entire trek group. Of course, there will be other tour groups from SAM Travel and other travel agencies at the sites you visit or on the Inca Trail except for the Lares Trek which has its own campsites.
Booking with Orange Nation is easy. All you need to do is click on the BOOK NOW link and follow the instructions. If you have questions, please chat with us or give us a call using the phone numbers on the top of the main page for the Peru office or the USA office.
Please be sure you have all your passport information ready when you book and send us a copy of your passport via email afterwards. (see earlier instructions if you do not yet have a passport or it will expire before the trek begins. It is still possible to book now!
As soon as we receive your completed booking form and your $200 deposit per person, we will email you a confirmation.
