Five Ways to Experience Machu Picchu: Tours, Treks, and Trains

Machu Picchu, or Machupicchu to use the authentic Quechua phrasing, is Peru’s most famous and visited Inca site. Around 1.5 million people flock to witness the “lost city” every year. The heavy footfall and concern over preserving the Unesco-listed Historic Sanctuary have led to stronger access restrictions in recent years.

New requirements and limits, including a daily visitors cap and timed access, the necessity to visit with a licensed guide (though, in reality, it isn’t always enforced), and new, defined walking routes determined by your pre-booked ticket type, all aim to help manage visitor numbers. Having experienced firsthand the old, less-restrictive system, I can see why something needed to be done.

Still, it’s fair to say that while the chance to witness the secret citadel that eluded the eyes of colonial invaders for centuries is truly unforgettable, a visit can feel slightly more like a “crowded museum” than a “cultural experience” these days. That’s why you shouldn’t head straight to Machupicchu.

Joining one of the world-famous, multi-day hikes through the nearby valleys, communities and high or low altitude peaks, or at least spending two days exploring the Incan history on a trip from Cusco, is practically mandatory. I doubt I’d have learned anywhere near as much without embarking on my pre-Machupucchu hike. Here are five ways to elevate your Machupicchu and Inca learning experience, whether you prefer treks, trains, or shorter tours. 

The Lares (or Salkantay) Trek and Machu Picchu

Best for those looking for a last-minute and lesser-known trek

First things first, before considering alternative treks, the Inca Trail (more on that below) is the only real multi-day hike that actually ends directly at Machupicchu, entering via the site’s Inti Punku (Sun Gate). While there are alternative, nearby hikes, they require a transfer at the end, no matter what the AI might tell you.

That said, they shouldn’t be considered “lesser” than the Inca Trail, nor should they be discounted. Even before the Inca Trail imposed so many limits and restrictions, the other routes offered many benefits, including camping with fewer crowds, cultural interaction, and taking the strain off such a well-worn trail. 

Still, the most appealing reason to tackle another trek is that you don’t need to book permits months or longer ahead, as you do for the Inca Trail. This makes the likes of the Lares or Salkantay Trek an excellent option for those planning a last-minute visit or who missed out on securing their desired departure dates on the Inca Trail.

I am one of those unorganised people, so I joined the Lares Trek with G Adventures. The two-to-three-day high-altitude trek covers 33 kilometres and reaches a high of 4550 meters. Even as a relatively novice hiker, I absolutely loved it.

Camping under the Milky Way and meeting a couple of local communities along the way, who offered coca leaves, was indelible. I especially appreciated that this particular trail is more for learning about the culture and ways of life nowadays, paired with some phenomenal Andes panoramas, than for historical sites. At the end, we were transferred to the Machupicchu train. The Salkantay Trek is slightly longer, loftier, and more popular, and is more focused on the dramatic nature than the cultural side. 

Machu Picchu with Maras Moray or Local Cultural Experiences

Best for those short on time and seeking a more local experience

Many of the international operators in and around the Sacred Valley understandably focus solely on longer, multi-day tours. For a shorter, or indeed, longer but likely more immersive experience, you’ll want to choose a local Peruvian operator such as Guru Explorers.

Knowing a guide was mandatory and necessary for these long-distance treks, and all that entails, such as porters and camping support, I’d opted to book with an international operator like G. But next time, I’d do it differently. Instead, I’d get there on my own steam and join one or more of these local tours. 

Why? Well, the chances are high that any locally-led operators are more invested in the local community. This is their home and their people, so not only will they potentially have better connections and understanding on the ground, but more of the money should end up in local projects.

Guru’s team, for example, is nearly all local Peruvians, and they invest part of their profits in education programmes in the Andes through the NGO Añañau. Not only that, but if you see their Machupicchu tours, they cover all the great and mighty treks and trains, alongside shorter, people-focused tours such as meeting the Quechua-speaking Misminay community in the Sacred Valley, or learning how to make uchucuta sauce in Ollantaytambo. 

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Best for those who forward-plan, and only the “original” will do

If you want a multi-day trek that ends directly at Machupicchu, and which traverses through elements of Inca civilization on the way, the original Inca Trail is your best bet. That said, remember you’ll need to be rather organised and book well in advance to secure one of the 500 daily trekking permits, as well as your guides and support.

There’s a lot already written about this famous trek, and, given I didn’t personally experience it for the reasons listed above, I won’t add more comments. What I will say is that it’s worth considering ethical and sustainable factors when hiking the Inca Trail. It’s also worth knowing that you don’t need to complete the full hike, and it can actually be joined at a couple of different points. For those who are particularly time-pressed, there’s even a one-day option starting at Kilometer 104, which, at a push, can be done as a day trip from Cusco.

The Ollantaytambo (or Cusco) to Machu Picchu train

Best for those who love scenic trains and DIY planning

While I was initially disappointed that the Lares Trek didn’t arrive at Machupicchu on foot, I was thrilled that instead we would ride the scenic train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu, or rather Aguas Calientes, where it terminates. The ride takes a little under two hours, and there’s also a more extended route from Cusco, the once hub of the Inca Empire and the region’s main tourism gateway.

There are a few different rail options available these days, including more luxurious or scenic carriages. This is a great option for those who don’t want to trek or prefer a DIY visit, buying their train tickets from IncaRail or PeruRail and booking their Machupicchu ticket on the official government booking platform.

The journey is a spectacle. Winding along sometimes single-track rails and largely tracking the river’s valley, the views from the wide windows are epic. I travelled in the “Tourist Class” carriage, where the tables were adorned with vivid, locally crafted textiles, and we were served Chicha Morada, a sweet drink made from purple corn. In these carriages, thanks to the large windows, even the aisle seats have decent views. It’s not a cheap journey, but I’d argue it’s a good investment over taking a bus transfer. 

If you’re travelling DIY from Cusco, I’d suggest stopping for at least one night in Ollantaytambo. Not only will it break up the long journey, but the village’s cobblestone streets, tiny local bars branching off from the main square, and impressive mountain backdrop made it one of my favourite stops on our tour.

The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

If you have more time to spare when travelling between Cusco and Machupicchu – and you really should try to make time for it –  plan to spend a couple of days in the Sacred Valley. Here you’ll find villages, towns and archaeological sites, including Ollantaytambo, steeped in Inca and Quechua history and culture.

If I’m honest, I enjoyed visiting some of these archaeological sites more than Machupicchu. While the landmark is undoubtedly the most impressive, both visually and from a construction standpoint, the sheer number of visitors at Machupicchu can make some of these lesser-visited (though certainly still popular) sites a much more educational and calm experience. Still, expect that to change in the years to come, as a new, controversial airport is set to open in Chinchero by 2028.

It’s easy to visit the Sacred Valley either on standalone day trips from Cusco or as part of a larger tour that continues to Machupicchu or the trails. My Lares Trek trip included a couple of days of seeing the Sacred Valley’s main sights before we transferred to the trek’s starting point. 

The verdant, agricultural valley, framed by lofty peaks, was once the property of the Incan Emperor. Fertile farmlands meet Inca archaeological ruins, and overall, thanks to the chance for real interactions, it was my favourite part of the trip. Písac, along the Urubamba River, is arguably a must-visit for its tiered fortress ruins and popular market. Just be warned, the crowds here – as it sits on a main tour bus route – can feel almost as heavy as Machupicchu. That’s why I’d suggest spending a night or two, perhaps in Maras, where the ancient salt ponds are located, rather than rushing through, so you can enjoy it all with time and serenity. 

Whichever way you plan to visit, Peru’s sacred valley is photogenic at every turn. Just don’t be afraid to stray away from the most famous hiking routes and sights. This might be one of the country’s most famous landmarks, but it’s far from the only way to immerse yourself in Inca history and culture.