If the Salkantay Trek is not enough for you, this 8-day trip offers the ultimate adventure through the best of Cuzco in a single excursion. Before starting the trek, you will have a few days to explore the most emblematic places in the city of Cuzco, visit the Inca wonders of the Sacred Valley and immerse yourself in its extraordinary history and local culture.
Once acclimatized to the altitude, you can tackle Peru’s most impressive trail: The Salkantay Trail. Get ready to challenge your limits as you approach the imposing Salkantay mountain and the Humantay glacier lake, both on the way to the impressive wonder of Machu Picchu. It’s an authentic expedition that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
The Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu begins in the heart of the Inca empire, Cusco; from here, the magical Andean energy will prepare you to embark on the ultimate adventure. This trip includes day hikes, exclusive accommodations and the spectacular 5-day Salkantay trek to the legendary Lost City of Machu Picchu.
Highlights of this trip include:
Welcome to Cusco! We will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel in the city center. If you arrive early in the morning, you will have free time to rest (we recommend booking flights in the morning).
Our tour begins at 1:30 pm with a walking tour of Cusco’s most emblematic sites: we will visit the Plaza de Armas, admire the famous Twelve Angles Stone and explore the Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha, which was once covered in gold.
The second part of the tour will be by car; we will drive just 10 minutes to Sacsayhuaman, an impressive Inca monument with huge rock walls.
From the top, you will enjoy panoramic views before visiting the labyrinth of Qenqo, the water temple of Tambomachay and the red fort of Pucapucara.
On the way back to the hotel, if we still have time, we will stop to visit the famous statue of the White Christ, located on the hill overlooking the city of Cusco.
Today we start our journey at 7:30 am after breakfast, departing towards the mountains of the Sacred Valley. Our first stop will be at the Taray viewpoint, from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the valley, the eastern Andean mountain range and the Urubamba River.
We will continue our journey to Pisac, known for its vibrant handicraft market, a reflection of a rich artistic tradition. Before exploring the ruins, you will have the opportunity to stroll through the craft galleries, capture souvenirs in photographs or try on an alpaca garment.
Then we will head to the archaeological site of Pisac, located on top of a mountain. This impressive place has impressive agricultural terraces, numerous tombs, palaces and dwellings surrounded by imposing walls, being an Inca control center of great importance.
After enjoying the views from Pisac, we will continue our journey for about an hour until we reach Urubamba. Here you will enjoy a local style lunch, with fresh ingredients grown in the area. We will then head to the west side of the valley to visit two must-see sites: the circular terraces of Moray and the salt mines of Maras.
Our last stop will be in the charming village of Ollantaytambo, which retains its narrow Inca streets. Here we will take a walk and explore the archaeological site before heading back to Cusco. Finally, you will arrive at your hotel around 6:00 pm.
Today we will start our journey very early, at 4:30 am to be exact. You will leave the hotel in Cusco and we will travel for 3 hours until we reach the start of the Salkantay Trek. We will be arriving around 7:30 am to enjoy our first breakfast in the mountains.
From this point, we will begin the hike; it will take 3 hours to reach Soraypampa, where you will be able to acclimatize your body for the following days.
During the ride, you will admire the breathtaking views of the valley and have your first glimpse of the Humantay Mountain. Once in Soraypampa, you will enjoy a nutritious lunch in the middle of an enchanting landscape.
After lunch, we will ascend for 2 hours to reach the Humantay Lagoon (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). Despite being a very visited lagoon by tourists, we will arrive in the afternoon so you can enjoy the fantastic views with few people.
After exploring the lagoon, we will continue ascending the Salkantay valley, following small streams until we reach Salkantaypampa, where we will camp near the imposing Salkantay mountain at 4,225 m (13,615 ft).
Upon arrival, you will find the tents ready, hot water and tea time. Finally, you will be able to have dinner and rest comfortably in your tent while contemplating the stars.
What better way to start the day than with a hot cup of coffee in your tent? After taking in the spectacular mountain views, you will have plenty of time to pack up and prepare for the most challenging day of the trek.
Two hours of ascent await us until we reach the highest point of the Salkantay Trail: the famous Salkantay Pass, located at 4,630 m (15,190 ft) above sea level.
Once at the top, you will be able to rest and marvel at the panoramic views of the mountains, which include the snow-capped Pumasillo in the distance and a beautiful stone forest. Afterwards, we will descend for 2 hours until we reach Wayracmachay, where our chef will be waiting to prepare another delicious meal.
After enjoying a well-deserved lunch, we will continue descending for 3 hours until we reach the second camp, near the village of Collpapampa (2,770 m / 9,087 ft) in the valley.
Along the way, you will observe a wide variety of flora and fauna as you experience the drastic transition from the cold mountains to the lush tropical forests, along with the change in temperature. We will arrive just in time to set up camp, have dinner and enjoy the rest of the day.
After enjoying breakfast around 7:00 am, we will begin our hike through the impressive Santa Teresa valley. For approximately 3 hours, we will follow the course of the river that descends from the heights of the Salkantay mountain.
This lush section of the valley is dotted with waterfalls, orchids, flowers, coffee plantations and picturesque villages.
We will arrive just in time in Lucmabamba to participate in the famous Pachamanca, a traditional Andean feast. This dish is prepared by placing hot stones on the ground and burying a variety of meats, vegetables and even fruits. While waiting for the meal to be ready, we will visit Wilbert’s organic coffee farm, where you will learn about the cultivation process and have the opportunity to prepare your own handcrafted espresso.
After satisfying our appetite, we will continue our journey through an ancient Inca trail for approximately 3 hours. This trail will take us to the impressive archaeological site of Llaqtapata, which is located right in front of Machu Picchu.
From this point, you will enjoy the first views of the ruins of Machu Picchu and spend the night amidst the majesty of the mountains.
Wake up early, open the door of your tent and contemplate Machu Picchu for the second time. Weather permitting, you will be able to witness a spectacular sunrise over the citadel as you prepare for the last day of the trek to Aguas Calientes.
The first section will consist of a 2-hour descent to the hydroelectric station, where you will receive a box lunch and say goodbye to our trekking team. Then, we will continue to Intiwatana, the sundial rock.
This rock, visited by Hiram Bingham during his 1911 expeditions, aligns perfectly with the sundial at Machu Picchu during the winter solstice.
We will then enjoy a pleasant 3-hour ride along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. This route is historic, as it was used by the American explorer Hiram Bingham III during his expedition in 1911, which eventually led to the discovery of Machu Picchu.
You will have the opportunity to visit the Mandor Gardens, where Bingham met a farmer named Arteaga, who was instrumental in the discovery of the wonder. Here, you will enjoy the abundant flora and fauna, observing different species of birds and flowers, including orchids and other endemic species.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you can relax with a comforting shower and then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Today is the most awaited day! Get ready early, have breakfast and board the first buses to Machu Picchu. The hotel will take care of your luggage so you can move freely and enjoy your day to the fullest. When you arrive at the checkpoint, make sure you have your original passport and entrance ticket with you.
The guided tour is scheduled for approximately 3 hours; together with the guide, you will explore the most emblematic places of Machu Picchu, including squares, temples and palaces. This will be a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the history of this amazing place and discover its most recent secrets.
After the visit, we will return to the starting point. If you have tickets and enough time, why not consider the option of climbing the famous Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain? This experience is optional and offers a different perspective of the citadel of Machu Picchu.
Once the tour is over, you will take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you can have lunch (not included) and then board the Vistadome panoramic train to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transportation will take you back to Cusco, and you are expected to arrive at the hotel around 7:30 pm.
The package Salkantay Trek 8 days includes excursions in Cusco, the Sacred Valley and a multi-day trek to Machu Picchu, which means you will need equipment suitable for all types of weather and temperature. The packing list for each excursion is different:
On the first day, we will pick you up at the airport, bus station or hotel if you are already in Cusco. We will transfer you to a hotel near the center of Cusco and you will have time to unpack and rest. You will spend 2 nights at the same hotel.
For the city tour, you only need a small backpack: make sure you have all the essentials for the tour.
On the second day, you will explore the Sacred Valley in a full day. You will travel with a small backpack, and your suitcase should stay at the hotel. Be sure to bring everything you need with you:
Essential for the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu:
You will need to carry your backpack with you at all times, so you will need to pack personal and handy items for each day of the trek. For Machu Picchu, the backpack regulations only allow small backpacks of less than 25 liters. If you have a larger one, please contact us to see if it is possible to carry it.
On the day of the briefing, we will provide you with a duffel bag to pack up to 8 kg (17.6 lb) of your gear, including sleeping bags and sleeping mats. If you rent equipment from us, sleeping bags weigh 2 kg (6.5 lb), and the mattress weighs up to 1 kg (1 lb). Be sure not to place fragile objects.
You will not have to worry about carrying the duffel bags during the trek. The pack mules and muleteers will carry them for you. However, please note that you will not have access to your items until you arrive at each camp.
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