Alternative Inca Trail Treks, advice?

Hello!
I am a student and my friend and I are currently traveling down the west coast of South America. We are planning to arrive in Cusco in late February and staying until probably the 4th or 5th of March. As the inca trail is not open in February and is long (and treks are much more expensive than a college student budget) we are looking to potentially trek to machu pichu on one of the alternative routes. We have heard about the Salkantay trek from another traveller we met who did it on her own with friends, but no guide and said it only took four nights. I also have looked a little into the Lares trek which is very appealing to our time frame. However I haven't found any information on doing it without a guide / without booking through a travel agency.

Has anyone done either of these treks either without booking through an agency at all, or by booking with one that is trusted and low budget? Any information about either would be greatly appreciated as well! Thanks!

Yes, you can do all those treks on your own but you need to carry camping equipment and food.
BUT it will be the rain season for any trek in Peru !

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