Alternative treks to Machu Picchu

In my opinion the most beautiful trek is Ausangate, in a typical Andean environment. But it is not near MP.
There are different Lares treks, some of them pass through more untouched villages.

The Ausangate trek is to the Rainbow mountains, right? I am hoping to trek to the Rainbow mountains too, so I will definitely look into that. Would you advise booking ahead for that?

2) I have also seen that combo treks are available, where for example the Salkantay and Inca treks have been combined - would I need to have a Inca permit to do these treks?

No. The trekking company is responsible for permits.

3) I like the sound of the seeing more nature on the Salkantay trek and witnessing more culture on the Lares trek - but, how accurate are these descriptions of the treks, i.e. do you actually meet indigenous people on the Lares trek?

There's no possible way you can avoid encountering indigenous people on any of these treks. Almost certainly your trekking guide will be an indigenous Peruvian.

Thank you for your response, mstep!

No. The trekking company is responsible for permits.

Okay, I understand that the tour operators are responsible for sorting out the permits. What I meant was would I actually need an Inca trail to do a combo trek that includes a part of the Inca trail?

There's no possible way you can avoid encountering indigenous people on any of these treks. Almost certainly your trekking guide will be an indigenous Peruvian.

That's great to hear - I do not want to avoid indigenous people at all, it's quite the opposite!

If by indigenous you mean Peruvians you will find them everywhere (this would kind of go without saying). If you mean some undiscovered tribe that worship Mayan gods, send smoke signals etc. you are completely off.

IMO salkantay is a nice trek. Beautiful high mountain pass at the start but after that a little average. Can't compete with the trekking around huaraz (which is the place to hike in Peru if that's what you are looking for).

Salkantay trek goes all the way to aguas calientes so you don't need to take a bus/train to get to MP.

Thank you for your response, james2020! Which tour operator did you go with when you completed the Salkantay trek?

If by indigenous you mean Peruvians you will find them everywhere (this would kind of go without saying). If you mean some undiscovered tribe that worship Mayan gods, send smoke signals etc. you are completely off.

Oh, I now realise how stupid my comment was - I actually meant Peruvians in remote villages and farms.

Can't compete with the trekking around huaraz (which is the place to hike in Peru if that's what you are looking for).

My main reason for wanting to trek to MP is to see MP. I am looking to do a trek at least once during my trip, it does not necessarily need to be to MP. Which trek around Huaraz would you recommend, james2020?

I did salkantay on my own. Its easy enough to book through one of the many travel agents in Cusco and costs far less than booking in advance online.

You can see rural/traditional Peru in plenty of places without trekking. Leimabamba, Ayacucho, andahuaylas spring to mind, but really any small town/village will do.

You don't have to hike into MP. You can take the train which is very expensive but convenient as it gets you into aguas calientes. Cheaper option is to take a bus to hidroelectrica and hike (about 2 hours) along the train track to aguas calientes.

If you only want to do 1 trek and plan to go into north peru I would skip hiking around MP and do Santa Cruz trek from huaraz. If you are not planning to travel further north than Lima it may not be worth the travel time. (Personally I think it is but I love hikes and mountains).

Okay, I understand that the tour operators are responsible for sorting out the permits. What I meant was would I actually need an Inca trail to do a combo trek that includes a part of the Inca trail?

No, you do not.