So you’ve got Machu Picchu on your mind. Fair enough—it’s one of those places you hear about all your life and then one day you actually get to go, and it sort of messes with your sense of reality a bit. I mean, the photos are amazing, yeah, but nothing really prepares you for that feeling when you’re finally standing there, looking out over those stone terraces and jagged peaks in the clouds. But here’s the thing: getting there? That’s a trip all by itself.

First, it’s not like you just hop in a taxi and show up. Nope. You’ve got a few options, and which one you go for kinda depends on what you’re into. Some people want to hike for days. Others want the most comfy train seat available. And then there’s everyone in between.

Hiking the Inca Trail: The Classic Adventure

If you’re the adventurous type, the Inca Trail is probably already on your radar. That’s the classic one—four days walking on actual ancient paths through forests and ruins and finally reaching Machu Picchu at sunrise. Sounds magical, and yeah, it is. But you need to book way in advance. Like, sometimes six months ahead, no joke.

When it comes to who to go with, some names keep coming up again and again:

• Llama Path: Super reliable, and people like that they treat their porters well, which matters, cause these folks are carrying your tents and gear and food while you’re struggling to breathe at altitude.
• Alpaca Expeditions: Another one people rave about—great food, comfy tents, they even bring a portable toilet which, trust me, becomes a big deal by day two.
• G Adventures: More international and often has other stuff in the package, like stops at the Sacred Valley or Lake Titicaca.

Alternative Treks to Machu Picchu

Now, let’s say you missed the Inca Trail permits (happens a lot), or you’re like, “Nah, I don’t need four days of sore legs.”

Salkantay Trek: Higher Altitudes, No Permit Needed

There’s the Salkantay Trek. This one’s no joke—it goes higher than the Inca Trail, like snow-capped-mountains kind of high—but you don’t need a permit, and it’s stunning. A local company called Salkantay Trekking does this route really well—they’ve got glamping-style lodges along the way if you’re not into tents, and their guides really know the terrain.

Lares Trek: Culture and Community Immersion

Then there’s the Lares Trek, which is less about ruins and more about culture. You pass through Andean villages where people still speak Quechua, wear traditional clothes, and kind of just live how their grandparents did. Not many tourists take this route, which honestly makes it feel more special. Apus Peru is a company that focuses on this kind of travel—they’re big on sustainability and actually work with the communities.

Traveling by Train: Scenic and Comfortable

But not everyone wants to hike. And that’s totally fine. There’s no rule that says suffering through blisters is the only way to see Machu Picchu. With the train, you get these incredible views—valleys, rivers, clouds rolling through the trees.

Navigating Machu Picchu Site

Once you’re there, it’s a short but kind of steep bus ride up the mountain (unless you feel like hiking up an hour and a half). You also need your ticket to Machu Picchu itself, and lately, there’s this whole thing with different “circuits” inside the site—some take you around the main ruins, others include hikes like Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. These sell out too, especially in high season (June to August), so yeah, some planning is necessary. For more detailed information on planning your visit, including different circuits and what to expect on-site, check out Machu Picchu Maps.

All-Inclusive vs. Independent Travel

Now, if you like things simple and all-inclusive, there are agencies that’ll sort it all for you. Train, bus, guide, entrance ticket, hotel, sometimes even lunch. Tierras Vivas, Sam Travel, Exploor Peru—those names pop up a lot. What you want to look for is clear communication, good reviews, and guides who actually care—not someone just reciting facts like a robot. The good ones tell stories, they make it fun, they help you take better photos, they even carry band-aids when your shoes betray you.

There’s also something to be said for going independent—buy your own tickets, take the public bus, hire a guide at the gate. That works too, especially if you like winging it. But in high season it gets risky—things book out, prices go up, and you end up paying more just to piece it all together last minute.