Yes! There is only one trail that literally takes hikers in to Machu Picchu on foot. That's the famous Inca Trail. The only other way to get to Machu Picchu is to take the train to Aguas Calientes and from there you ride the shuttle bus to the main gate. 

Hikers can choose from several versions of the one and only Inca Trail which I listed below. Other trails, often referred to as alternative hikes, DO NOT take hikers in to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail, or on foot. But most alternative hikes include tickets to enter Machu Picchu through the main gate. It's important to understand that although the alternative hikes may include a visit to Machu Picchu, it doesn't mean you're hiking in to Machu Picchu. Alternative hikes can be arranged without entry tickets to Machu Picchu. But it's likely to be a private hike, since most hikers want to see Machu Picchu after they complete their hikes. 

Just to be clear, technically speaking, entering through the main gate at Machu Picchu, is "on foot." But what I intend to explain here, is what trails lead to Machu Picchu and allow people to hike in to the national park without trains, buses or going through the main gate. Got it? Stay with me!

Here's the list of trails that people can hike to get to Machu Picchu

  • THE Inca Trail - there is only one official path. (below I will list the various hikes you can choose on this path.) Read my lips: every single hike on the Inca Trail requires buying a permit through a licensed tour operator. A hiking permit and a Machu Picchu entry ticket are not the same thing. A permit includes 1 entry ticket to Machu Picchu. But the entry tickets that people buy on the official Machu Picchu government website does not include a hiking permit for the Inca Trail. 
  • There are short hikes inside Machu Picchu national park that should not be confused with THE hike on THE one and only Inca Trail. The short hikes begin from various spots inside the park after you enter the main gate. Those tickets can be purchased by anyone on the official Machu Picchu government website.

Here's the list of alternative hikes that may include a visit to Machu Picchu entering through the main gate

  • Quarry Hike (aka Cachiccata Trek) Usually 2 -4  days. May include 1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Salkantay Trek - usually 4-5 days including 1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes
  • Lares Valley Trek - Usually 3-4  days including 1 night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes

What is an "alternative" hike to Machu Picchu?

An alternative hike is a 1-day or multi-day trek that does not require a permit. None of the alternative trails go in to Machu Picchu. However a visit to Machu Picchu may be included in your alternative hike package. Or not. It's up to the tour operator to design the itinerary as they choose. Tour operators are essentially combining an alternative hike with a visit to Machu Picchu after the hike. None of the alternative hikes has to include Machu Picchu. 

What's the most important thing to know about booking an alternative hike to Machu Picchu?

Make sure you read the full itinerary and the fine print regarding everything that is included. Is a visit to Machu Picchu included? Are entry tickets to Machu Picchu included? If tickets to Machu Picchu are sold out on the official website when you book your hike, no one can buy an entry ticket to Machu Picchu! Tour operators can't "store" blank Machu Picchu tickets. I'm not saying you can't or shouldn't do these hikes without visiting Machu Picchu. Just make sure that's what you want. 

What's the difference between a permit and a ticket to Machu Picchu?

A permit is required for all the official Inca Trail hikes leading into Machu Picchu, and must be acquired in advance through a licensed tour operator who has authority to reserve permits for hikers. (that would be us folks!) Each permit comes with 1 entry ticket on a specific date to Machu Picchu circuit #3. Permits take several days to process. Hikes cannot be booked less than 5 days from the beginning of the hike. All permits comes with 1 entry ticket to Machu Picchu regardless of the status of entry ticket availability on the official Machu Picchu government website.

A ticket is admission to enter Machu Picchu main gate at a specific date and time for a specific circuit. Visitors arrive by train to the village of Aguas Calientes and from there they take the shuttle bus for 30 minutes. (or you are allowed to walk up. Estimated 2 hours up). Tickets must be purchased online or in person in Cusco, (unless you're booking a tour or trip that includes tickets)  After the transaction is complete, tickets can be downloaded instantly. 

Can entry tickets to Machu Picchu be included with any alternative hike?

Yes. However there may be situations where the location of your hike is so far from Machu Picchu that it's not feasible to just tack on an entry ticket to Machu Picchu. You could organize your trip to Machu Picchu as a separate activity. For instance, hikes in Ausangate begin and end in Cusco. After you return to Cusco from your hike, you could continue on a 1 or 2-day trip to Machu Picchu. We would organize both of these activities separately back to back or with a rest day in Cusco between them. But Machu Picchu trips can be added to any outdoor excursion. Just ask if you need help putting different hikes and activities together with your trip to Machu Picchu. 

Why are people confused about which hikes go to Machu Picchu?

It's not your fault that you're confused. I read stories in high profile travel magazines and other publications who lure readers with recommendations telling them how to beat the crowds, or how to find the best trail to get to Machu Picchu. Not to mention that Peru doesn't make it easy to understand all the variables that affect hiking' trips to Machu Picchu. And then there's the journalists who take one trip to Machu Picchu, then write up articles with limited or misleading information, it's no wonder people are so bewildered!

Tour operators who sell Inca Trail hikes know that when the permits are sold out, That's it, There's no back door or waiting list to join the hike. So. They offer other "alternative" hikes, which usually include a visit to Machu Picchu. Here's the thing. These hikes include a visit to Machu Picchu after your "alternative" hike is completed. As I explained earlier, none of the alternative hikes allow hikers to literally hike into Machu Picchu. For the Quarry hike and Lares Valley Trek you complete your hike in the village of Ollantaytambo and from there you take a train to Aguas Calientes, which is the little gateway town to Machu Picchu. There are a limited number of hotels, restaurants and a market for souvenirs, all within walking distance of each other. You take the shuttle bus and ride 30 minutes up to the main gate to enter Machu Picchu National Park. 

When Inca Trail permits sell out, and they do every year, tour operators want to keep selling hikes.right? Makes sense. So they sell the alternative hikes which don't require permits. So these hikes have few restrictions and can be sold just days before the hike begins..All those hikers want to see Machu Picchu. So these hikes may include entrance to Machu Picchu. But it's not always clearly indicated and those tickets can be sold out. Some operators are telling hikers that after the hike os over, it's on them to stay a day or two in the village of Aguas Calientes where you can stand in line and hopefully buy one of the 1000 tickets available each day in the village tourism office. It's first come, first serve. Tickets are only sold in person. It's been reported that you spend one day in line, to get your tickets for entry the next day. 

Things to be on the lookout for when booking alternative hikes to Machu Picchu:

  • No permits are required. Hikes can be booked just days from departure. Hikes may or may not include entry tickets to Machu Picchu after the hike.
  • Alternative hikes may include entry tickets to Machu Picchu. But if you book a hike last minute and all the entry tickets to Machu Picchu are sold out, tour operators can't buy your ticket to Machu Picchu. Always ask first.
  • If all entry tickets to Machu Picchu are sold out, there is no way to gain entry unless you have time to stand in line in the village of Aguas Calientes and buy a ticket in person. It's been reported that this process may take 2 days. 
  • You don't have to go to Machu Picchu. It's possible to set up hikes without a visit to Machu Picchu. Most likely these will be private hikes since most travelers coming to Peru want to see Machu Picchu. Just ask. 

Is there only one Intipunku Sungate?

No. The term Intipunku (Sungate) is not unique to Machu Picchu. There are Intipunku "doorways" located in several places in the Andes Mts, including the Quarry (Cachiccata) hike..I read an article where a journalist wrote that people could avoid crowds at Machu Picchu by booking the Quarry hike which includes access to the Intipunku. What the journalist didn't realize is that the Intipunku on the Quarry hike is not the same as the Intipunku at Machu Picchu! I followed the link to a well-known travel website and that hike did not include a trip to Machu Picchu. The journalist just didn't understand.. Machu Picchu has only 1 Intipunku (Sungate) which is the final step on the Inca Trail before entering the upper terraces of the ancient Inca city. The Intipunku entrance is where hikers get their first glimpse of Machu Picchu. And the Inca Trail is the only hike that takes people on foot to the Intipunku Sungate at Machu Picchu.

Note: just to be clear. Anyone can go online and buy an entry ticket to Machu Picchu for Panoramic circuit #1 with a hike from the main gate of Machu Picchu up to the Intipunku Sungate. This hike is open during the high season from June 1-Oct 15. 

Is there more than one Inca Trail?

No. Think of the famous Inca Trail like the well-known Appalachian Trail in the US. There's only one official Appalachian Trail, but there are several points where you can access the trail and eventually end up at Mt Katahdin in Maine. Or not. It's the same thing with the famous Inca Trail, only it's shorter and there are only 2 offficial spots for entering the trail. (There are a couple of other entry points, but they're not relevant to this topic) Ultimately, everyone crosses the Intipunku and ends up at Machu Picchu

Note: technically, the answer could be "Yes.". But. Unmarked Inca paths span the valleys and peaks of the Andes Mountains surrounding the Sacred Valley where native descendents of the Inca live, work and recreate. 

Do all the official Inca Trail hikes allow hikers to walk in to Machu Picchu? YES!

  • Classic 4-day Inca Trail is the most well known and popular version of the Inca Trail hike. Best to reserve your hike several months in advance
  • 5-day Inca Trail hike. This is literally the 4-day Inca Trail hike with 1 entra day tacked on at the end to stay in a hotel in Aguas Calientes and visit the ancient Inca city the day after you finish the hike. And then return to Cusco.
  • There is a "fast" 3-day Inca Trail hike which is the 4-day hike compressed into 3 days. Best suited for fit, experienced hikers.
  • The "easy" 2-day Inca Trail hike is the shortest. It's a 2-day trip to Machu Picchu with 1 day of hiking on the lest segment of the famed Inca Trail. With 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes.

All Inca Trail hikes share these same aspects:

  • hikes must be booked in advance through a licensed tour operator who is responsible for providing your permit to hike and a licensed tour guide. (and additional gear/services if you're camping)
  • permits cannot be cancelled, transferred, refunded or changed. If you don't show up, your spot goes empty. It's paid for!

I hope this has helped you understand the terms used to describe the various hikes and treks on your way to Machu Picchu. If you need any assistance with choosing the best hike for your family or group, just give me a holler over in Virginia!