At Bamba, we are the experts in offering adventurers the most amazing treks to Machu Picchu. We specialise in classic as well as alternative trekking routes like the Inca Trail, Salkantay, Lares, Inca Jungle and Inca Quarry.
When embarking on a Machu Picchu expedition, bear in mind the trek is a hike across the Andes. This means there will be plenty of walking. The standard trek isn’t too difficult and, with the right mind-set, it is something everyone can do!
The surroundings are absolutely beautiful and stunning, as good as trekking gets. The landscape of Peru has many sides to it. From grassy plains to steep mountainsides with historic ruins, lovers of nature and raw beauty will find plenty to enjoy.
Even if trekking isn’t quite your thing, then you can opt for a train ride to Machu Picchu instead, without the need of any trail trekking. In this way, you can tailor your experience to your needs, by choosing for the type of transportation you prefer!
History
The Inca have a prosperous and intriguing history that is considered to have emerged in the 1200’s. The Inca Empire then grew to become the most significant in pre-Columbian America. Machu Picchu itself was constructed around 1450. It was abandoned for a long time because of the Spanish conquest.
Nowadays, trekking Machu Picchu really is one of the world’s top adventure trips. Centuries of history combined with lovely landscapes make for highlights pleasing all people who decide take on the adventure.
A quick travel tip: in order to conserve the The Lost City of the Incas, the authorities in Peru restrict the number of trekkers. Plan in advance. Do not turn up and just expect to get going on your trek, since you will probably end up disappointed.
Inca Trail
The classic and popular Inca Trail Trek is a spectacularly rich experience through the Andean Mountains. It is the only trek that takes you along the legendary Inca Trail. You generally arrive in the early morning light to Machu Picchu and enjoy the sunrise. As you hike 43 kilometers through the heart of the beautiful Andes, you’ll come across plenty of hidden Inca ruins.
Alternative Treks
Salkantay Trek
The Salkantay Trek is the most challenging of all the treks. It’s considered very tough, as it requires many hours of uphill trekking. As a result, there are important temperature changes too, associated with altitude changes, from some 4000 meters to 2000 meters. It’s a trek for real nature lovers as you will have little contact with civilisation. You will get spectacular views along the way of snowy mountains and amazing landscapes such as rivers, lakes and forests.
Lares Trek
The Lares Trek is mainly a cultural experience. There is still a decent amount of hiking done (though less than on the Salkantay trek) and some amazing views of mountains. The main draw here, however, is hiking to remote Quechua villages, where most people still speak Quechua as their daily language, and men and women are dressed in their traditional clothes. You will see how people live their traditional lives and how not much has changed in hundreds of years. This is a truly amazing and eye-opening cultural experience.
Jungle Adventure
The Machu Picchu Jungle Adventure is less hiking and more walking. You will walk through the jungle, in the lowlands, where there will be much less mountain views. It’s also mainly an adrenaline-filled trek as you will be descending 3,000 meters via mountain bike. You will also have the chance to do an optional zip-line or white water raft along your way.
Quarry Trek
Finally, the Quarry Trek is a very unique, awesome alternative to the Inca Trail. Considered by locals as the most beautiful trek, this is a more newly discovered and less crowded route. This off the beaten track is a combination of awesome views, including waterfalls and ruins as well as cultural experiences, including the Cachicata Quarry.
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