8 Day Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu
Adventure
Difficult
Cultural, Geographical, Trekking, Archaeology
per adult
Is this tour for me? | ||
Accommodation: | Not included | |
Included meals: | Not included |

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Trip Overview
Of all the various treks to Machu Picchu, none can compete with the Salkantay Trek in terms of scenery. It’s a spectacular route, passing through jungles and mountain passes, and dotted with azure lagoons. And at the heart of the trek is Salkantay Mountain, which at 6,271 m (20,574 ft.) is the highest peak in the Vilcabamba mountain range and the twelfth-highest in Peru.
Our trek traverses the flank of this sacred mountain, offering some of the most awe-inspiring views in Peru. It’s one of the more challenging alternative routes to Machu Picchu, simply because of the high altitude. But it also receives far fewer trekkers than the classic Inca Trail, so you can walk through this natural and remote paradise comparatively free from fellow humans – but you might have to share the stunning scenery with Andean condors and other local wildlife. Why don’t you try off season? March, April, September and October are particularly good months, either side of high season, the weather is still decent and there are fewer people!
Special features of our Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu:
- Type of Tourism: Hiking, Cultural, Nature and Ecotourism
- Places To Visit: Cusco, Salkantay, & Machu Picchu
- Duration: 8 Days and 7 Nights
- Type of Service: some tours are small group service tours and other tours are private
- Accommodation: 4 star hotels at every destination that you will visit. These hotels had been carefully chosen and we can guarantee that you will feel comfortable and pampered

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Day by day schedule
Day 01-Arrival to Cusco
Arrival to Cusco with a transfer to your hotel; a welcome meeting will be organized by your guide for a quick briefing of the tour. The rest of the day can be spent exploring Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, set in the Andes Mountains. Discover Spanish churches and mansions that sit alongside Inca remains, visit the local market of San Pedro and their array of products from handicrafts to vegetable products, fresh juices and items for traditional Andean ceremonies. In the evening, enjoy the eclectic restaurant options available and try some traditional or fusion dishes. We recommend local restaurants that use local organic products from the region and will be happy to give you some recommendations.
- Meals: Not Included
- Hotels: Jose Antonio Hotel in Standard Room with private bath.
Day 02 -Cusco Open Day
After breakfast, enjoy a free day to explore Cusco at your ease. The capital city of the Inca Empire is now the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas, as well as the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city. You may visit the local archaeological sites of Saqsaywaman, Tambomachay and Qenqo or you can take part in a Peruvian cooking class or chocolate making class, depending on how you want to spend your free day. We can help arrange and suggest all activities available in this incredible imperial City.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Hotels: Jose Antonio Hotel in Standard Room with private bath.
Day 03 -Salkantay Trek to Soraypampa Camp
Our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu begins when we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco at around 5 a.m. We’ll then travel in our private bus to Mollepata, which takes about four hours. It’s a lengthy trip, but it’s needed to get out to this relatively remote region. On the way, you’ll be able to enjoy the wonderful scenery, including views of the Izcuchaca and Limatambo mountain ranges.
Eventually we’ll arrive at the colorful Andean village of Mollepata, where the trailhead for our Salkantay trek begins. Here we’ll met our horsemen, porters and cooks. Setting off, we’ll trek for about three hours until we reach Cruzpata, where we will have lunch with panoramic views of the beautiful snow-capped mountains of Humantay and Salkantay, and can visit Humantay Lake. Our specialized chefs not only produce the most delicious food but also use locally sourced ingredients from the nearby villages so that we are directly contributing to the areas where we trek. Heading onwards, we’ll trek until we reach our first campsite at Soraypampa, taking in the beautiful landscape along the way. We’ll set up camp and later have dinner, surrounded by mesmerizing scenery.
- Hiking Time: .4-5 hours approx.
- Hiking Distance: 7 Km / 4.35 miles
- Lowest Point: 9,906 m / 10,521 ft.
- Highest Point: 4,220 m / 13,845 ft.
- Meals: All Included
- Camp site: Soraypampa
Day 04 -Salkantay Trek Through the Mountains
We will wake early and have breakfast around 5:30 a.m. We have a long day of trekking ahead of us, through some of the most incredible scenery in Peru. This will be our most challenging day, as we ascend to the highest point on the trail.
We first make the climb to a mountain pass at 4,650 m (15,200 ft) – the highest location on the trek. From here, we’ll have sublime views of two huge snow-capped mountains: Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. After a rest and time to enjoy the views, we will continue our walk downhill through a dramatic cloud forest towards Huayracpunku, also known as Huayracmachay, where we will have lunch. We’ll then set off again, trekking for about three hours through jungle-like scenery until we reach our second campsite, Colcapampa, at 3,000 m (9,800 ft). If our group has made good progress, we might have time to push on to alternative campsites at Challway or Andenes. Wherever we decide to stop, we’ll set up the camp and prepare a big meal, a well-deserved reward after a hard day of trekking.
- Hiking Time: 8 hours approx.
- Hiking Distance: 16 Km / 9.94 miles
- Lowest Point: 3,000 m / 9,800 ft.
- Highest Point: 4,650 m / 15,200 ft.
- Meals: All Included
- Camp site: Challay or Andenes
Day 05 -Salkantay Trek Through the Cloud Forest
Waking at 6: 30 a.m., we’ll have a hearty breakfast before setting off. Today, much of our trekking takes us through a region of jungle known as the “ceja de selva” or eyebrow of the jungle: the swathe of jungle that lies between the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. We’ll cross the Lluskamayo River and find ourselves in a world of waterfalls, tropical fruits and colorful birds. If we’re lucky, we might even see a cock of the rock, Peru’s national bird. The temperature will be much warmer here, and the various waterfalls and creeks provide plenty of opportunities to cool down with a refreshing splash in their crystalline waters.
We’ll stop for lunch and then continue trekking for three more hours, until we reach our last campsite at the village of La Playa, at 2,500 m (8,202 ft). At La Playa you’ll have plenty of free time to relax and enjoy the nearby hot springs: the perfect way to soothe those aching muscles! Later we’ll have dinner and then turn in for the night, relaxed and ready for our final day of trekking.
- Hiking Time: 6 hours approx.
- Hiking Distance: 15 Km / 9.32 miles
- Lowest Point: 2,500 m / 8,202 ft.
- Highest Point: 3,000 m / 9,800 ft.
- Meals: All Included
- Camp site: La Playa
Day 06 -Salkantay Trek to Llactapata and onto Aguas Calientes
On our final trekking day, we’ll have breakfast at 6:30 a.m. before setting off towards Llactapata. It will be a steady three-hour climb, and as we ascend we’ll have wonderful views of the Santa Teresa Valley below us. Eventually we’ll reach Llactapata, an impressive Inca ruin that may have served as an important resting place and roadside shrine on the journey to Machu Picchu, which it is connected to, via the Inca Trail. From here we get our very first glimpse of our final destination: Machu Picchu in the distance, an inspiring sight indeed!
After a rest and time to take photos, we will continue along a downhill trail for about two hours, passing plantations of coffee cocoa, bananas and other native crops are grown. Eventually we’ll reach the Hydroelectric Station, a well-known point along various routes to Machu Picchu, where we’ll have lunch. Then we will walk for a couple more hours until we reach Aguas Calientes, the lively town that sits below Machu Picchu.
After checking in to your hotel you’ll have some free time, so you can explore the town and, if you like, visit the nearby hot springs. We’ll have dinner in one of the many great, local restaurants in Aguas Calientes, and then you can return to your hotel for an early night before our final day -- and our tour of the magnificent Machu Picchu.
- Hiking Time: 6 hours approx.
- Hiking Distance: 12 Km / 7.45 miles
- Lowest Point: 2, 040 m / 6,692 ft.
- Highest Point: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft.
- Meals: All Included
- Hotels: Hatun Inti Boutique in Suite Room with private bath.
Day 07 -Machu Picchu in all its Glory (and Return to Cusco)
To best appreciated Machu Picchu, we’ll wake up early in the morning so we can get to the citadel in good time. You’ll have time for breakfast first, and then your guide will pick you up from the hotel at around 5:40 a.m. We’ll then walk to the bus departure point for the short but zigzagging ascent up the road to Machu Picchu. We’ll then pass through the gates into the Machu Picchu archaeological site. Here you’ll begin your guided walking tour with an experienced and highly knowledgeable guide. Our tour of Machu Picchu will last about two hours, and will take you to all the most famous and most spectacular parts of the extensive archaeological complex. These include the House of the Guardian, the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza and other key locations. And as we walk around, we’ll have spectacular views of the agriculture terraces of Machu Picchu and across to the surrounding mountains and plunging gorges. After the guided tour you’ll have time to explore Machu Picchu as you please, perhaps walking to some less visited parts such as the Inca Bridge.
Once we’ve finished our tour of Machu Picchu, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes where you can relax and have lunch (not included) before we board the train back to Poroy and Cusco. Upon arrival at the station, we’ll be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Cusco, where you’ll end your incredible Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu.
- Meals: Breakfast
- Hotels: Jose Antonio Hotel in Standard Room with private bath.
Day 08 -Cusco Airport
After breakfast, enjoy your last day at leisure before your transfer to the airport for your return flight home, via Lima.
- Meals: Breakfast
Dates & Prices
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Inclusions:
What's included
- Accommodation: A *star hotel is specially chosen by us for you throughout the itinerary
- Meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunch, 4 dinner
- Transport: Private or share
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Salkantay Trail and Machupicchu
- Arrival and departure transfer
- Briefing to the tour one day before the trek at 19h00.
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Professional guide who speaks English
- Salkantay and Machupicchu entrance fee
- Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
- First aid kit
- Round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back on the second day
- 24/7 support and emergency line available throughout the itinerary
What's not included
- Airfare to and from destination
- Minimum medical and emergency evacuation insurance
- Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
- Evacuation: in the event of a serious medical injury, we will coordinate with your travel insurance company to arrange Evacuation
- Visas
- Any activity not described in What's Included
- Meals on your own
- Gratuities
- Optional excursions
- Personal equipment such as trekking equipment
- Camping equipment such as sleeping bag or walking stick
- Damages caused by the client to the bus or to the camping equipment
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