The traditional 'Inca Trail' has become crowded and is highly regulated. Only 200 people can start out on the trail each day.

To walk the route in peak season, from June to August, visitors need to book up to three months in advance. Consequently, there is much demand for similar walks in the area between Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Alexander Stewart has updated the Trailblazer Guide The Inca Trail - Cusco and Machu Picchu to include

• The Santa Teresa Trek - This six day trek joins the Inca Trail on day two. It has become the back-door route to Machu Picchu.
• The Choquequirao Trek - A four-day trek (as yet unregulated) to visit Inca ruins.
• The Vilcabamba Trail - A four-day trek (as yet unregulated). Stewart says you can do this independently, but advises that you take a local guide. There are lots of sights of historical interest and it may take longer than expected as much is off the beaten track.

Though alternative routes are not as spectacular as the 'Inca Trail', says Stewart, now is a good time to walk them before they too become overcrowded.

He adds that taking an alternative route gives you a better opportunity to meet people in local communities.