14 days tour

The Salkantay Trek

$ 3,900 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $3,900.00

The Salkantay Trek

This tour includes:

Others

All transport and listed activities Arrival and departure transfers

Guide

We have a local tour leader and may have an assistant guide for the trek depending on group size. While trekking, we have a cook and assistant cook for the duration, mule/horse wranglers for the first half (to Huayllabamba) and human porters for the Inca Trail itself.

Meals

All breakfasts, eight lunches and six dinners are included in the tour price. Peruvian cuisine is loved for its flavours and originality; itโ€™s well worth digging into the local delicacies. Among these are ceviche (seafood or fish marinated in lime juice), lomo saltado (a Peruvian take on a beef stir-fry), and various hearty soups including the delicious quinoa soup. Other dishes include roasted cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca steak. To drink, thereโ€™s pisco sour, the national beverage. Drinking water is provided as tap water in Peru is not safe to drink; boiled and filtered drinking water is provided on the trek and elsewhere your leader buys large water containers from which you can refill your bottle. Hotel breakfasts are normally simple buffets, usually including bread/toast and jam, cereal, sometimes eggs or a cooked dish, sometimes fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice. We cannot guarantee that wheat-/gluten-free products are available for breakfast in all locations โ€“ if you have an intolerance you may wish to bring your own breakfast food. Where lunch and dinner are not included in Cuzco/Aguas Calientes, we visit a variety of cafes and restaurants. During the trek, hearty breakfasts are served and good quality cooked lunches and dinners are provided. These usually consist of soup or a starter, a main course with meat/fish and some form of carbohydrates, followed by a dessert. Snacks are also provided. Tea/coffee is brought to your tent each morning and juice or hot drinks are provided with all meals during the trek.

Transport

A variety of transport is used during this tour and vehicle types may vary depending on group size: travel is by bus and by train. Airport transfers are by private car or minibus. All main road journeys are by private minibus or coach with heating/air-conditioning. We travel by train (with Peru Rail/Inca Rail) between Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes (the town below Machu Picchu) in expedition/executive class. Seating is four seats to a table and the carriages have panoramic windows and there is air conditioning/heating. On Day 11 (for the guided tour of Machu Picchu), we take the public bus for the short journey between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu โ€“ this is the only transport option available on this route as private vehicles are not permitted. Queues can be very long first thing in the morning, especially during the peak summer months.

Accommodation

On this Peruvian adventure, we stay in three-star hotels for seven nights and spend six nights camping. The selected hotels have an excellent blend of quality and comfort and are within an easy walk of city and town attractions. Our camping is full service with porterage, meaning our camp staff put up and take down the tents, cook, and do all the camp chores. You need only carry your backpack for the day and enjoy your time on trek. Below are the accommodations we typically use. Cuzco: MamaSara (nights 1-3 and 12-13) Just a few blocks from the historic centre, MamaSara is well located for our adventures in the one-time Inca capital of Cuzco. The design of the rooms pays homage to the city with locally sourced furniture and artwork, while the restaurant serves Peruvian Andean cuisine. Salkantay and Inca Trail: Full-service camping (nights 4-9) For six nights, we sleep among Andean peaks and wake to mountain views. Itโ€™ll be the adventure of a lifetime for some, but not one without comforts. We sleep and dine in good-quality four-season tents and we have a toilet tent set up both in camp and during lunch stops. While on trek, a bowl of warm water is provided for washing each morning and evening. Camp staff will set up, break down and transport all camp equipment necessary on the trek, providing you with more time and energy to take in these magnificent routes. Aguas Calientes: Inti Punku Machu Picchu Hotel (night 10) The Inti Punku Machu Picchu hotel is centrally located in the small town of Aguas Calientes, which sits alongside the Urubamba River. It has clean, contemporary rooms with private baths and hot water, making it a perfect place to relax and take in this unique setting far below the ruins of Machu Picchu. Ollantaytambo: Tunupa Lodge (night 11) Tunupa Lodge is in Ollantaytambo, a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It has a bar and restaurant that serves delicious local and international cuisine, plus a variety of drinks. It also has a lovely garden and is a great place to relax and reflect on your amazing trek to Machu Picchu. Worth knowing Camping: Boiled and filtered drinking water is provided in the mornings, at lunch and dinner times so we can refill our water bottles. Single accommodation (including tents) can be arranged, subject to availability. Please request this at the time of booking.

Not included:

Insurance

Others

โ€” Travel insurance โ€” Single accommodation (available on request) โ€” Visas or vaccinations โ€” Sleeping bag (hire locally from US$35)

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip The Salkantay Trek

  • Day 1 Day 1: Start Cuzco; Afternoon City Tour
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Start Cuzco; Afternoon City Tour

      The trip starts in Cuzco. The Inca capital, small enough to be easily manageable, is among the most attractive cities in South America, with much of the centre comprising Colonial-era buildings with Inca foundations. It is also full of interesting museums, churches and pre-Columbian sites. We have a short walking tour of the city, including a visit to the Qoricancha Sun Temple. Take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and drink plenty of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude (11,155ft/3,400m). There is a welcome briefing in the hotel lobby this evening. Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 2 Day 2: Full-Day Walking Tour Of Nearby Ruins Including Tambomachay And Sacsayhuaman (Breakfast,Lunch)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Full-Day Walking Tour Of Nearby Ruins Including Tambomachay And Sacsayhuaman (Breakfast,Lunch)

      The hills above Cuzco are dotted with interesting Inca ruins. We drive to the highest, Tambomachay, and return on foot to Cuzco via Puca Pucara, Qenco and Sacsayhuaman: an easy walk to aid acclimatisation. An open-air picnic lunch is included during the hike near the spectacular ruins. Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 3 Day 3: Free Day In Cuzco (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Free Day In Cuzco (Breakfast)

      We have a free day in Cuzco to relax and further acclimatise before starting the tour. A range of optional activities and sightseeing excursions can be arranged, including visits to Inca and pre-Inca sites south of Cuzco, or walks in the hills surrounding the city but we recommend taking it relatively easy in preparation for the start of the trek tomorrow. Accommodation: Mamasara Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 4 Day 4: Drive To Marcocasa; Trek To Camp At Soraypampa (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Drive To Marcocasa; Trek To Camp At Soraypampa (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      A few hoursโ€™ drive, via the interesting Inca remains of Tarawasi (optional), takes us to the hill town of Mollepata where we make a brief stop, before continuing to Marcocasa, where we start our trek. We trek from here to our campsite near Soraypampa (12,830ft/3,910m) where we spend our first night under canvas. The total driving time is approximately four hours, and the walk takes around five to six hours of uphill and steady climbing along well-made tracks. Accommodation: Soraypampa Camp (full-service camping)

  • Day 5 Day 5: Optional Walk To Humantay Lagoon And Climb Up To Base Of Salkantay (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Optional Walk To Humantay Lagoon And Climb Up To Base Of Salkantay (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      The morning begins, as all do on our Inca Trail trek, with a hot drink delivered to your tent. Start your day with an optional three-hour return walk to Humantay Lagoon to see the magnificent water mirror in the middle of the Andes. Return for an early lunch at the campsite of Soraypampa and then continue our ascent towards Salkantay, the "Savage Mountain" in local Quechua language, which soon dominates our view. We camp at around 14,435ft (4,400m) in the high grassy meadow of Ichu Pata, below the south face and glaciers of the impressive peak. Accommodation: Salkantay Camp (full-service camping)

  • Day 6 Day 6: Cross Inca Chiriasqa Pass And Follow Glaciated Valley To Pampa Cahuana (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Cross Inca Chiriasqa Pass And Follow Glaciated Valley To Pampa Cahuana (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      The high point of the trek, and the goal this morning, is the Inca Chiriasqa pass at almost 16,400ft (5,000m). Climbing more steeply now, we walk close to the spectacular glaciers and ice walls of Nevado Salkantay. Passing through Pampa Japonesa, basecamp for a Japanese mountaineering expedition, we finally top the pass and gain excellent 360-degree views. Inca Chirisaqa means โ€˜the Inca fell ill from coldโ€™ and the exposed situation makes it easy to see why. Descending from the pass, we drop down into the upper reaches of a broad valley where Salkantay reappears in a new profile. After passing a huge ridge of terminal moraine, once the snout of the East Salcantay Glacier, the river suddenly straightens, canalised by the Incas centuries ago. We camp alongside the canal close to the hamlet of Pampa Cahuana (12,695ft/3,870m). Accommodation: Pampa Cahuana Camp (full-service camping)

  • Day 7 Day 7: Follow River To Camp At Huayllabamba (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Follow River To Camp At Huayllabamba (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Setting off from camp this morning, we follow the canal, which soon drops into a steep-sided valley. The path follows the side of this valley all the way to Paucarcancha, an Inca watchtower which guarded the Pampa Cahuana valley. We have time to explore this small site before continuing to the village of Huayllabamba (10,170ft/3,100m) where we camp for the night. Accommodation: Huayllabamba Camp (full-service camping)

  • Day 8 Day 8: Join Inca Trail And Summit Dead Womanโ€™S Pass (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Join Inca Trail And Summit Dead Womanโ€™S Pass (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      Today we join the main Inca Trail, the iconic trek to Machu Picchu. Todayโ€™s journey is both challenging and rewarding, marking the most demanding and best-known stretch of the trail. A slow and steady climb takes us through a cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then we summit Dead Womanโ€™s (Warmihuaรฑusca) Pass, the highest point on the trek at 13,829ft (4,215m). After a well-deserved round of high fives and photos at the summit, we begin our steep descent on original Inca steps to reach our campsite in the scenic valley of the Pacaymayu River (11,811ft/3,600m). Warm up in the dining tent with a hot, fresh meal followed by a well-deserved sleep under the Andean night sky. Accommodation: Pacaymayu Camp (full-service camping)

  • Day 9 Day 9: Over Runquracay Pass To The Ruins Of Sayacmarca And Phuyupatamarca (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Over Runquracay Pass To The Ruins Of Sayacmarca And Phuyupatamarca (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

      After a hearty breakfast, we start the day with a climb, which takes us past the ruins of Runquracay and over the Runquracay Pass (12,894ft/3,930m), our second and final pass. From here, the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined rolling path of flat boulders, providing access to sites only available to those on foot. One of the standout archeological sites we visit is Sayacmarca (11,893/3,625m), perched high above the green cloud forest. From here, we enjoy views of Salkantay mountain as we hike to our spectacular campsite on the ridge above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (12,073ft/3,680m), where we can enjoy the sunset and sunrise. Accommodation: Phuyupatamarca Camp (full-service camping)

  • Day 10 Day 10: Walk Down Inca Steps To Wiรฑay Wayna And Machu Picchu Via The Sun Gate (Breakfast,Lunch)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Walk Down Inca Steps To Wiรฑay Wayna And Machu Picchu Via The Sun Gate (Breakfast,Lunch)

      From Phuyupatamarca, we take the famous Inca steps: a 1.2mi (2km) stone staircase that rapidly descends into an immense panorama, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above and the Vilcanota River far below. Reaching Wiรฑay Wayna, we have plenty of time to explore these beautiful ruins and eat lunch before continuing along a relatively flat section of the trail (by Inca standards, through cloud forest and wild orchids to finally reach Inti Punku (the Sun Gate). From here, we get our first full sight of Machu Picchu, with the Huayna Picchu mountain rising behindโ€ฆ congratulations, you made it! Inti Punku is traditionally busy with photo-taking trekkers in the morning, so our late afternoon arrival affords us unobstructed views of the magnificent ruins. We also get a chance to snap some classic photos of Machu Picchu before we take the 30-minute bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes for a shower and comfortable bed for the night. Accommodation: Terraza de Luna (or similar)

  • Day 11 Day 11: Guided Tour Of Machu Picchu; Train To Sacred Valley (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Guided Tour Of Machu Picchu; Train To Sacred Valley (Breakfast)

      We start early to beat the day-trippers from Cuzco and reach the ruins as early as possible; buses return us up the winding road to the Machu Picchu entrance. During high season (May to October), there may be a bit of a wait. Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world and, what makes it all the more dramatic, is the staggering mountain backdrop. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas left no records of it, and so it remained an enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Your guided tour highlights the history, culture, architecture and mysteries that Machu Picchu holds to this day. We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30min) where we stay for the night. Accommodation: Tunupa Lodge (or similar)

  • Day 12 Day 12: Explore Ollantaytambo And Pisac; Return To Cuzco (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Explore Ollantaytambo And Pisac; Return To Cuzco (Breakfast)

      We spend a day exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting the Inca fortress ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac, which tower over the villages of the same name. We also have time to look around Pisac Market, known for handicrafts, before returning by road to Cuzco. Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 13 Day 13: Free Day In Cuzco (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Free Day In Cuzco (Breakfast)

      Today has been left free to relax or explore Cuzco further. There are several optional excursions available, which your tour leader can arrange for you. If you still have the energy, you could choose to mountain bike in the Sacred Valley taking a 18mi-22mi (30km-35km) ride through Moray, Maras and then down to Sacred Valley through ancient communities, farming fields and amazing Andean landscape. Alternatively, you could paddleboard on Lake Piuray near the town of Chinchero. Or, if feeling more subdued, take it easy and watch the world pass in Cuzcoโ€™s Plaza de Armas. Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

  • Day 14 Day 14: End Cuzco (Breakfast)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: End Cuzco (Breakfast)

      Begin your return journey home after breakfast. But if youโ€™re not ready for the adventure to end, you can always book onto our Lake Titicaca extension, where you explore the sky-high waters by boat, visit an indigenous community and explore the preโ€Incan site of Sillustani. Alternatively, journey into the wilds on our Amazon Rainforest extension and explore lakes, rivers and jungle trails in search of the abundant wildlife that lives there.

+11
Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Challenging

Long and challenging experience. Youโ€™ll be required to have good physical fitness to go on it. In some of these activities you'll need previous experience on similar activities.

Age range

Age range

Min: 16 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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