The Back Door to Machu Picchu

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As the most famous peak in Peru celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, about 1,000,000 visitors are expected to come hike the well worn trail to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. The estimated traffic of 1,000,000 represents a significant increase up from 700,000 last year, and would be the most people ever to have visited the site in recorded history. But for all the wonder and amazement that is contained on the Peruvian mountaintop, the wider surrounding Inca Land, which contains almost as many square miles as the country of Los Angeles, is rich with Incan ruins and staggering topography to navigate through varied weather and climate patterns, making for one unique and exciting adventure.

By taking the Backdoor Route to Machu Picchu, one can avoid the notorious crowds that will be flocking in greater numbers than ever before, and experience much more than they dreamed they would have by taking the traditions route to the mountaintop. The Backdoor Route starts by taking a three day hike to Choquequirao, the ancient city ruins spread out over nearly 100 acres in the Andes mountains, with stone terraces, grassy plazas, and thoughtfully arranged buildings and patterns with unexpectedly intricate detail. While all of Choquequirao’s sweeping sprawl hasn’t been excavated and restored yet, they’re continuing to find unique and spectacular finds in the 100 acre site, like agricultural terraces with llama carvings and design motifs, making Choquequirao like a much larger Machu Picchu was 50 years ago, and therefore possibly having much more archeological potential (and increasing the longevity of the tourism in Peru).

But if one is thinking of getting ready for such an adventure, be aware of the rigorous terrain ready to test the legs limits, as a 25 mile distance as the crow flies equals a roughly 40 mile hike in the region of the Andes mountains that makes up the Backdoor Route to Machu Picchu. In addition to the challenging terrain, which includes a mountain pass at 15,200 feet on the way to Vitcos from Choquequirao, nighttime temperatures in the mountains, as it is when camping in most high elevation spots, drop drastically as soon as the sun sets. Hikes in between destinations may include 1+ mile drops in less than a few hours, drops that include a 40-50 degree increase in temperature, so come prepared with a wide variety of equipment and clothing options.

From ancient jungle cities and Incan palaces to rapidly changing weather and more than challenging terrain, the risk is worth the reward if you come well prepared and are actively interested in your destination and wanting to avoid crowds. With more climbing and descending than one would have to do if they were climbing Everest, and geological features like snow capped mountain passes over 15,000 feet, passing through glaciers, and much more, the casual traveler is diverted from this route. At the end of the 2.5 week Backdoor Route, you arrive at the most famous Peruvian dig, Machu Picchu, your well-worn journey having earned you this beautiful destination.