Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu

Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu
Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu
Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu
Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu
Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu
Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu

Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu

Duration

8 Days / 7 Nights

Package Type

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Adventure

Activity Level

Activity Level

Moderate

Travel specialist

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Travel specialist

Carla Esquivel
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Trip Overview

Of all the various treks to Machu Picchu, none can compete with the Salkantay trekking tour 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 Machu Picchu mountain hike 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 8 day Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu hiking tour 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!


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Day by day schedule

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. ...

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  • Meals Included: Not Included
  • Accommodations: Jose Antonio Hotel in Standard Room with private bath.

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 Included: Breakfast
  • Accommodations: Jose Antonio Hotel in Standard Room with private bath.

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 ...

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  • Meals Included: All Included
  • Camps: Soraypampa

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. A...

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  • Meals Included: All Included
  • Camps: Challay or Andenes

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 bi...

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  • Meals Included: All Included
  • Camps: La Playa

On our final day of trekking, 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 o...

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  • Meals Included: All Included
  • Accommodations: Hatun Inti Boutique in Suite Room with private bath.

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 e...

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  • Meals Included: Breakfast
  • Accommodations: Jose Antonio Hotel in Standard Room with private bath.

After breakfast, enjoy your last day at leisure before your transfer to the airport for your return flight home, via Lima.

  • Meals Included: Breakfast

What's included

Accommodation

3 Nights in Cusco. Alternatives: 

1 Night in Aguas Calientes. Alternatives:  

3 nights Camping:

  • Soraypampa Camp (1night), Challway or Andenes Camp (1 night), La Playa Camp (1night).

 

Meals

  • Day 1: Not Included
  • Day 2: Breakfast 
  • Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 5: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 7: Breakfast
  • Day 8: Breakfast 

     *If you would like vegetarian meals or require a special diet, please let us know in advance.

Services

  • 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 English-speaking guide service
  • 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 

OPTIONAL FOR RENTING

Details:

Now featuring our exclusive Atmos Foam to further reduce weight and boost compressibility, the ProLite is the lightest and most compact three-season mattress available. Self-inflation keeps set-up super-easy and its die-cut foam packs small, easily fitting inside the most ultralight packs. It's ideal for high-mileage, high-speed journeys where every gram counts. Stuff sack included.

Specifications:

  • Lightweight: The lightest self-inflating mattress available.
  • Compact Warmth: Diagonal-cut foam and tapered shape provides efficient warmth withlimited bulk.
  • Highly Packable: Our exclusive Atmos Foam and a tapered shape keep the ProLite mattressextremely pack friendly.
  • Self-Inflating: Expanding foam core self-inflates; top off with just a few breaths forpersonalized firmness.
  • Lightweight: The lightest self-inflating mattress available
  • Compact Warmth: Diagonal-cut foam and tapered shape provides efficient warmth with

Dimensions:

  • 20 x 72 x 1.5 in

Packed Size:

  • 11 x 4.8 in

Claimed Weight:

  • 1 lb 4 oz

Specifications:

  • Size: LZ to RZ
  • Total Weight: 1,8kg/65oz
  • Fill Weight: 280g/10oz
  • Packed Size: 16cm x 25cm

Temperature Specifications:

  • Extreme: -15°C/5°F
  • Comfort Limit: 2°C/36°F
  • Comfort: 6°C/43°F
  • Good Nights Sleep: 0°C/-5&32;F

Important Note:

Note that our sleeping bags are feather for those that are allergic

 

These poles are designed to help you endure long treks into rugged, remote areas with a heavy pack. If you need a little extra support when walking, an adjustable folding walking stick is ideal. It has an aluminium body with plastic handles and base, it folds away neatly for easy storage when not in use.

Features:

  • Material: Aluminium
  • Length: 67–135cm
  • Shaft diameter: 16/14/12mm
  • SpeedLock Adjustment System
  • Flextip with interchangeable basket
  • Weight: 528g-650g (Pair)
 

Are you planning to hike the Salkantay Trek but worried about carrying too much weight? Renting horses can be a convenient option to lighten your load and make your trekking experience stress-free. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Extra Horses for Belongings:

If you want to rent extra horses to carry your belongings, it’s important to plan ahead and book them in advance, especially during peak trekking season when demand is high. Each horse can carry up to 14 kg (30 lbs) of gear, so make sure to pack carefully and within the weight limit to avoid overloading the horse.

If you are an experienced rider and want to explore the Lares / Salkantay Trek on horseback, renting a personal horse can be a great option. However, there are a few things to consider before booking:

Availability: Just like with extra horses for belongings, it’s important to book personal horses in advance to ensure availability.

Weight Limits: Each personal horse can carry up to 110 kg (242 lbs) of weight, including your own weight and any gear you carry. Make sure you don’t exceed the weight limit to ensure the horse’s safety.

Riding Experience: The trails on the Lares / Salkantay Trek can be steep and challenging, so it’s important to have some horse riding experience and feel confident on a horse before renting a personal horse. Your safety and the horse’s well-being should always come first.

Local Culture: Horses are an important part of local Andean culture, and it’s essential to respect and care for them. Follow any instructions provided by your guide or local hosts and treat your horse with kindness and respect.


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