By Advice Peru – May 2025

While millions of tourists arrive at Machu Picchu each year following conventional routes, there exists a fascinating world of alternative paths that remain relatively unknown to the average traveler. These secret trails not only offer a more authentic and less crowded experience but also the opportunity to contemplate spectacular landscapes and connect with the Inca legacy in a more intimate way.

At Advice Peru, we’ve explored these less-traveled routes to offer you options that go beyond the typical tourist circuit. Get ready to discover the secret paths that will lead you to Machu Picchu through unique and memorable journeys.

The Hydroelectric Route: The Best-Kept Secret
Without a doubt, the most accessible and economical alternative route to reach Machu Picchu is the Hydroelectric route. Unlike the expensive train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo, this alternative allows you to experience a more authentic adventure for a fraction of the price.

How to do it:
The route begins in Cusco, where you’ll take transportation to Santa María (approximately 5-6 hours). You’ll continue to Santa Teresa and finally arrive at the Hydroelectric station, from which you’ll begin a 10-kilometer hike (approximately 2-3 hours) following the train tracks and the Vilcanota River to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo).

What makes this route special:

• You cross diverse ecosystems from the Andes to the high jungle
• You experience the gradual change in landscape and vegetation
• You follow paths partially used by the Incas themselves
• You avoid the crowds on the conventional train
• You enjoy unique views of the Vilcanota River canyon
• You have the option to relax in the Cocalmayo hot springs in Santa Teresa

 

Secret tip: Halfway between Hydroelectric and Aguas Calientes, approximately after a 1-hour hike, there’s a little-known natural viewpoint from where you can observe Machu Picchu in the distance. Ask locals about “the path viewpoint” to find it.

Inca Jungle: The Multi-Sport Adventure Route
For travelers seeking adrenaline and a diversity of activities, the Inca Jungle offers one of the most complete and exciting experiences to reach Machu Picchu. This route combines various adventure sports with hikes through the lush high jungle.

The journey begins with an exhilarating mountain bike descent from Abra Málaga (4,350 masl) to the high jungle area, dropping more than 2,000 meters in altitude in just a few hours. The following days include rafting on the Vilcanota River, zip-lining (canopy), hikes through jungle trails teeming with biodiversity, and culminates by connecting with the Hydroelectric route to Aguas Calientes.

Why choose the Inca Jungle?

• You experience up to four different activities: mountain biking, rafting, hiking, and zip-lining
• You discover the abrupt transition between the Andes and the Amazon in a single trip
• You visit coffee, cocoa, and tropical fruit plantations with the possibility of tasting local products
• You refresh yourself in the Cocalmayo hot springs in Santa Teresa
• You enjoy diverse microclimates that host unique flora and fauna

 

Little-known fact: In some variants of the Inca Jungle, local guides take you to hidden small waterfalls where you can do water jumps in the middle of the jungle, a refreshing experience that is not included in standard itineraries.

The Salkantay Trek: The Route of the Sacred Apus
If you have more time and an adventurous spirit, the majestic Salkantay trek offers one of the most complete and spiritual experiences to reach Machu Picchu. This journey connects you with the sacred mountains (Apus) that the Incas worshipped as deities.

The route begins in the town of Mollepata, from where you’ll gradually ascend to the Salkantay pass (4,650 masl), a point where you’ll contemplate the imposing snow-capped Salkantay (6,271 masl), considered one of the most powerful deities in the Andean worldview. After this summit, the path dramatically descends toward high jungle ecosystems, passing through coffee growing areas, banana plantations, and fruit trees, until connecting with Llactapata and eventually the Hydroelectric route.

What makes this experience unique:

• You observe the snow-capped Salkantay and Humantay mountains, sacred to the Incas
• You visit the impressive turquoise waters of Lake Humantay at the foot of the glacier
• You cross five different ecosystems: puna, Andean forest, cloud forest, high jungle edge, and high jungle
• You experience dramatic changes in temperature and landscape in a single day
• You visit Llactapata, lesser-known Inca ruins with direct views of Machu Picchu
• You stay in remote camps or transparent domes to contemplate the starry Andean sky

 

Revealed secret: Few tourists know that from the ruins of Llactapata, there’s a unique angle to photograph Machu Picchu together with Huayna Picchu in the background, a view impossible to get from within the citadel itself. Additionally, the route contains small waterfalls and natural pools where it’s possible to refresh yourself after the strenuous hike on the second day.

The Great Vilcabamba-Choquequirao-Machu Picchu Route: Following the Last Steps of the Incas
For true adventurers, the epic Vilcabamba-Choquequirao-Machu Picchu trek represents the ultimate trekking experience in Peru. This impressive 8-9 day journey connects the last Inca citadels through remote and spectacular trails that will transport you to the final era of the empire.

The route begins in Cachora, from where you’ll descend into the deep Apurímac River canyon (almost 1,500 meters of elevation change) and then ascend toward Choquequirao, known as “the twin sister of Machu Picchu” and which receives barely 1% of the visitors that reach Machu Picchu. The journey continues to the archaeological remains of Pinchaunuyoc and Yanama, then crosses the Vilcabamba mountain range, the last refuge of the Incas after the Spanish conquest and where the Neo-Inca kingdom was established. Finally, the path connects with Aguas Calientes through the La Playa region and the Hydroelectric route.

What makes this journey unforgettable:

• You explore Choquequirao, an archaeological complex equal to or larger than Machu Picchu but with only 20-30 daily visitors
• You walk on authentic Inca trails barely modified since their construction
• You visit remote archaeological sites that very few tourists know: Pinchaunuyoc, Río Blanco, Victoria, and Yanama
• You cross the historic Vilcabamba region, where the last Inca rulers resisted until 1572
• You traverse different ecological zones from 1,500 to 4,800 meters above sea level
• You experience solitude and a deep connection with nature in areas where it’s possible not to encounter any other tourist for days

 

The best-kept secrets:

• In Choquequirao, look for the terraces in the western sector where you’ll find llama representations made with white stones embedded in the walls, a unique artistic detail among all Inca constructions.
• In Pinchaunuyoc, few know about the small ceremonial spring hidden among the vegetation, where the Incas performed purification rituals.
• Near Yanama, there’s a cave with pre-Inca rock paintings that are rarely mentioned in tourist guides.

 

The Qhapaq Ñan: The Royal Inca Road
The Qhapaq Ñan, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2014, represents the impressive road system that the Incas built over thousands of kilometers to connect their vast empire. While the traditional Inca Trail is just a small fragment of this network, there are lesser-known sections of the Qhapaq Ñan that offer authentic and almost solitary experiences to reach Machu Picchu.

Among the less-traveled options of the Qhapaq Ñan that connect with Machu Picchu, the following stand out:

1. The Vilcabamba Qhapaq Ñan Route: This trail crosses the last region where the Incas resisted the Spanish conquest. It begins in the town of Huancacalle, where Vitcos-Rosaspata (an important Inca city) and the sacred sanctuary of Ñusta Hispana are located. The 4-5 day journey follows ancient stone-paved roads through high moorlands and cloud forests, eventually connecting with the Hydroelectric area.
2. The Antisuyo Qhapaq Ñan: This lesser-known section departs from Cusco toward the Antisuyo (the Amazonian region of the Inca empire). The trail passes through the archaeological site of Tambomachay, continues through Paucarpata, and crosses traditional communities such as Q’enqo Grande and Yuncaypata before descending toward the jungle and connecting with routes leading to Machu Picchu. This path allows you to experience how the Incas mastered various altitudes and ecosystems.
3. The Sacred Valley Qhapaq Ñan: This variant begins at the Maras salt mines and the archaeological complex of Moray, crosses traditional agricultural communities in the Sacred Valley, and eventually joins the classic path to Machu Picchu. The peculiarity of this route is that it’s dotted with small, rarely visited archaeological sites and agricultural terraces still in use.

 

What’s extraordinary about the Qhapaq Ñan:

• You literally walk on the original stones placed by Inca engineers more than 500 years ago
• You discover small tambos (Inca rest stations), bridges, canals, and staircases rarely visited
• You experience the genius of Inca engineering that allowed them to connect diverse and distant regions
• You understand the true reach of the Inca empire and its administrative system through its roads
• You visit communities that maintain traditions directly inherited from Incan times

 

Ancestral secret: At various points along the Qhapaq Ñan, there are small apachetas (piles of stones) where Inca travelers deposited offerings to the mountain gods. The tradition lives on among local travelers; if you find an apacheta, you can leave a small stone as an offering to ensure a good journey.

Recommendations for Secret Route Explorers
Whichever alternative route you choose to reach Machu Picchu, we offer these tips to maximize your experience:

• Hire local guides: Beyond conventional tour agencies, look for guides native to the communities you’ll pass through. Their knowledge of the terrain and local traditions is invaluable.
• Travel in the shoulder season: April-May or September-October offer a perfect balance between good weather and fewer tourists.
• Proper acclimatization: Many of these routes cross high mountain passes. Spend at least 2-3 days in Cusco before starting any trek to acclimatize to the altitude.
• Learn some Quechua phrases: Local communities will greatly appreciate this gesture of respect toward their culture.
• Carry enough cash: In many remote areas, there are no ATMs or credit cards accepted.
• Respect sacred sites: Many of the places you’ll pass through have spiritual significance for local communities. Act with respect and ask permission before photographing ceremonies or people.
• Pack out what you pack in: These alternative routes don’t always have waste management systems. Contribute to their preservation by taking all your trash back with you.

 

Conclusion: The True Treasure of Secret Routes
The secret routes to Machu Picchu offer much more than simply saving money or avoiding crowds. They represent an opportunity to connect with the true spirit of the Inca world, understand their relationship with nature, and experience the majesty of the Andes in a way that conventional circuits simply cannot offer.

As responsible travelers, we have the privilege and responsibility to preserve these less-traveled paths. By choosing these alternative routes, we not only enrich our own experience but also contribute to a more equitable distribution of tourism benefits among local communities.

Machu Picchu will always be a world wonder, but the true treasure lies in the path you choose to reach it. Do you dare to explore these secret routes?

Have you traveled any of these alternative routes to Machu Picchu?