I'm planning a trip to Macchu Picchu this year in October.?

I'm planning a trip to Macchu Picchu this year in October.?
I'm trying to save as much as possible on the hike up the Inca Trail (4-day hike) but so far all the registered tour guides seem to be $500 or more. Is it possible to hike WITHOUT any tour guides? If not, can anyone recommend a cheaper tour operator? In addition, I'm looking forward to making my way down to Argentina so I need to think conservatively with my money. Thanks!
Peru - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You have to have a guide, that's the only way to do it. And reserve as soon as possible, because only so many groups are allowed at one time. It's worth it though. It will be your biggest expense in South America but you will never, ever forget it.
2 :
I just booked my hike for May. You MUST go with a guide and there are NO cheap ways to do it. I searched many many different companies and the cheapest one I found was $1400. This includes a few nights in Lima and Cuzco, the hike, the entrance to Machu Picchu, the 3 hour train back to Cuzco, the food. Mine is through GAP tours and trust me, my mother is a travel agent. She worked on this trip for 3 months for me and this was the cheapest one. But It will be so amazing, I can't wait.
3 :
You need a guide and I would recommend setting it up before you get there - $500 is a decent price.
4 :
Yes you definitely need a guide. Having been all over South America, my recommendation is skip Peru altogether and spend time in Chile and Argentina. Maybe Brazil. Peru's all hype.

• How can I teach English in Latin America?
• Moving overseas to work...?
• College grad finding work outside of U.S.?
• Have I been Wasting my Time Learning Foreign Langu..