Highlights

The Salkantay Trek is the second most popular route to Machu Picchu after the Inca Trail and one of the most amazing destinations in Peru. You will cross a great variety of landscapes; not only through Cusco’s highest mountains, such as the Salkantay, but also two impressive Inca sites: Llaqtapata and Machu Picchu. This combination makes this experience unique.

During the trek, you will visit the famous Humantay Lagoon, camp at an altitude of over 4,000 meters and sleep where few others venture! Then you will test your limits by climbing up to the Salkantay Pass at more than 4,600 meters, where a magnificent glacial landscape awaits you. Later, you will make the radical transition to the warm climate of the Cloud Forest. Here, you will visit an organic farm and delight in the best Peruvian coffee. In addition, you can prepare your own Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian dish in union with mother earth.

On the 4th day, you will arrive at the impressive site of Llaqtapata, where you will camp and get your first glimpse of Machu Picchu in the distance. After a last night at the hotel, you will finish the tour with a guided visit to the world wonder: Machu Picchu and return to Cusco aboard the panoramic trains.

Highlights:

• Travel the best and most complete trekking route in Peru.
• Enjoy an authentic camping experience in the middle of spectacular sacred mountains.
• Prepare your own Pachamanca, the most representative Andean dish.
• Explore the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu first thing in the morning.
• Travel back aboard the panoramic train (Vistadome or 360°).
• Book with confidence and flexibility.

Trip Details

• Tipo de tour: Group Tour
• Duración: 5 Días 4 Noches
• Actividades: Caminata, Aventura
• Tamaño promedio del grupo: 12 personas
• Dificultad: Moderada a desafiante
• Alojamiento: Campamento, hotel
• Idioma del Tour: Inglés, Español
• Distancia de caminata: [Falta completar]

Inclusions

Included

• Safety briefing the day before the tour
• Pick up and return to your hotel
• All transportation during tour
• Professional mountain guide
• Return on the panoramic train Vistadome or 360°.
• Roundtrip bus to Machu Picchu
• Entrance fees to the Salkantay and Machu Picchu Trail
• All camping equipment carried by horses
• Experienced chef to prepare meals
• 3 nights of camping in comfortable tents
• 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes.
• All meals, except the last lunch
• Water and snacks every day
• Pachamanca and coffee tour
• Duffel bag to carry up to 8 kg (17 lb) of your personal belongings
• First aid kit, satellite phones, oxygen, oxygen, etc.
• All taxes and booking fees

No Included

• Sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, trekking poles, trekking sticks
• Lunch on the last day
• Entrance to Huayna Picchu.
• Entrance to the Machu Picchu Mountain.
• Travel insurance
• Gratuities for staff

What to Bring

It’s important to note that you won’t be bringing all your stuff on this hike; You will only take the essentials for the trek to the Salkantay Trek and leave the rest of your luggage in Cusco. We will provide you with a canvas bag to put 7 kilos of your things; This should include your sleeping bag and air mattress. The mules carry the canvas bags for the first 2 days, and then our porters will transfer to the hotel in Aguas Calientes.

You will also have a backpack; This should be with you at all times when you go hiking with all the essentials for the day. We recommend having a maximum of about 5 to 8 kilos.

What to carry in your backpack?

• Original passport: you should always carry it with you in your backpack and keep it in a secure pocket, and it’s best to keep it dry inside a plastic bag or something waterproof; rain can happen at any time, even in the driest months. Ziploc bags will help you keep everything organized.
• Plastic ponchos: TreXperience will provide you with plastic ponchos. Remember that you will still need your rain jackets, as the ponchos are used when the rain is heavy. We reuse the ponchos; return them along with the duffel bag after the hike.
• Sunscreen: you will be walking in the open space with direct sun; make sure you bring the right sunscreen for you or buy it in Cusco before leaving for the trek. Also bring some lip protectors.
• Toilet paper: you will find toilets from the locals; they usually charge one sol, you should always carry toilet paper in your backpack.
• Insect repellent: you will be walking in the jungle after the second day. You need insect repellent with you at all times and always wear long sleeves.
• 1 rain jacket, 1 warm jacket / winter jacket: jackets should always be with you in your pack, the first 2 mornings the temperatures will be cold and you will start walking with all layers, then as you warm up you will start to take off and put on your pack.
• Snacks: the average duration of the daily hike is about 8 hours, and you will be burning a lot of energy; in addition to the meals and snacks we provide, we recommend bringing energy bars, granola bars, chocolate and candy.
• Water container: you must bring water for the first half day, then we will provide water after the first lunch; however, you must have a container of at least 2 liters. Reusable bottles.
• Flashlight: should always be in your backpack if necessary during the trek, and at night, you should walk around the camp and use the restrooms. Flashlights work best hands-free.
• Hat: it is necessary to bring a hut for the sun during the day and for the night we recommend bringing something warm. In addition, gloves are recommended for the night and early morning hours.
• Sunglasses: to protect your eyes from the intense Salkantay sun.
• Extra cash: we recommend bringing to the Salkantay Trek around 600 soles (US$ 200); make sure you have some small change, this is emergency money and you will not spend it all. You will need to use the restrooms, buy souvenirs, buy drinks or snacks and tip if you consider it convenient for your staff.
• Personal medication: it is also necessary to bring Band-Aids, Diamox, Pepto, Ibuprofen, Imodium, motion sickness pills, feminine products.
• Devices: cameras, cell phones for photos.

What to carry in the duffel bag?

• Sleeping bag: the first night, during the Salkantay, it will be freezing, below 0 degrees Celsius; you will need a suitable sleeping bag that can withstand -10 degrees Celsius. Bring your own or you can also rent one from us.
• Mountaineering boots: light and waterproof, we strongly recommend wearing hiking boots instead of sneakers; also, be sure to wear them beforehand to avoid blisters.
• Sandals: after the long hours of hiking, you will need to wear something light at the campsite, and for this we recommend sandals.
• Six pairs of wool mountain socks: are very comfortable when walking in boots.
• 4 pairs of light socks: also, you will wear them at night or walk in the camp with sandals.
• 6+ pairs of underwear: just in case, bring extra in case they get wet.
• 2 or 3 hiking pants: breathable, they are better. Ladies’ coveralls also work.
• 1 pair of sweatpants: for evenings and mornings
• 5 sets of shirts: long sleeve shirts work best,
• Wipes or wet wipes: to refresh after a long walk before going to bed.
• Bathing suit: optional since you can visit the hot springs of Aguas Calientes.
• Trekking poles: it is strongly recommended that you bring your own or you can rent them from us.
• Inflatable mats: we provide foam mats; however, you want more comfort by bringing or renting an air mattress.