There used to be just “one” trek from Cusco, the 4 day "Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu", which ends at sunrise over Machu Picchu. Now, due to a permit system that protects the stones of the ancient Inca Trail and ruins along the way, the trail is booked out months in advance and visitors who miss out on a ticket ask themselves, “which of the alternative treks best suit me?”

The Salkantay trek, which features fantastic alpine scenery but no local culture, is now the second most popular route in the region. Salkantay is normally done in five days, but can be done in a 4 day ‘Express’ version is showing the effects of the lack of regulation and is not recommended for those looking for a wilderness camping and hiking experience.

The Vilcabamba to Machu Picchu trek is a 6 day trek that begins at one of the “Last Bastion of the Incas”, in Vilcabamba. Though it’s a long drive to the trailhead its well worth it for the opportunity to have stunning high mountain scenery, Inca and ruins, the chance to walk along Inca roads, plus an untouristed atmosphere. Despite its many attributes, very few tourists know about or hike this trek

There are about 25 different routes through the Lares region, so when booking your Lares trek, you need to be clear with your travel agent about which trek its difficulty, number of days, and scenery along the way. Lares can be structured for the complete trekking novice with just 1 or 2 nights of camping and short and relatively easy days. However, a Lares trek can also be designed for the experienced wilderness hiker and has dramatic, moon-like scenery, and exceptional interaction with the weaving communities that are amongst the most traditional people you can find in Peru today. They continue to live an isolated, remote and ‘authentic’ lifestyle.

The “ace” of trekking around Cusco and also the toughest is the combined Choquequirao to Machu Picchu route, done in 9 days, linking the spectacularly situated Choququirao ruins to the much more famous city of Machu Picchu.

The hiker passes through a breathtaking, snow capped mountain range, remote and traditional villages, before joining with the Salkantay route to hike into Machu Picchu. If people have one complaint about this trek, its when they join with the Salkantay route it pales in comparison with the rest of the hike.

For this reason, you can also do the 8 day Choquequirao to Vilcabamba hike that is stunning, untouristed and truly adventurous. If you link your tour into a visit to Machu Picchu, your trek will feature three great ruins, and gives you a strong feeling of affinity for the Incas.