Activity Level: Challenging 

Embark on the journey of a lifetime trekking the 46-mile Salkantay Trail in Peru, where you’ll explore ancient cultural heritage sites near Cusco, traverse mesmerizing landscapes, and end at Machu Picchu – one of the 7 wonders of the World! National Geographic rated the Salkantay trek as one of the 25 Best Treks in the World for a reason. On this trekking adventure, you’ll begin in lowland jungle, which eventually gives way to highland alpine settings and glaciated mountains. You’ll be surrounded by breathtaking snow-capped mountains, lush valleys, crystal-clear streams, and a starry night sky. This trip is planned from start to finish – all you need to do is show up!

An unforgettable adventure blending culture, nature, and adventure awaits!

Cancellation Policy: 

1. The 25% deposit is non-refundable (view our FAQ for what to do if you need to cancel your booking)
2. Full payment is due by 60 days before departure
3. Between 31 and 59 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 30% of the total booking cost;
4. Between 30 and 15 days prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 60% of the total booking cost; or
5. 14 days or fewer prior to departure, we charge a cancellation fee of 100% of the booking cost

Travel Insurance: 

Travel insurance is required for this trip. Please view the FAQ for information about what travel insurance is required. 

Arrive in Cusco, historic heartland and former capital of the Incan Empire. Your driver will meet you at the airport and will transfer to your hotel. Once you have checked into the hotel, the remainder of your first day will be free.

At 6:00pm, the Tour Leader will meet you at the hotel’s reception for a welcome briefing. 

Welcome dinner will be included at Mama Seledonia (set menu), a restaurant that helps and supports young single mothers and teenagers in rural areas with talent and passion for cooking. If available, you’ll have the opportunity to meet Mrs. Seledonia, the owner of this restaurant and project.

Meals Included: Dinner 

In the morning, you’ll visit the 4 Inca ruins located just outside the center of Cusco. Start your exploration by visiting the huge “Inca Ceremonial Center of Sacsayhuaman”. This enormous structure overlooks the city of Cusco. Its constructions are amazing, with huge rocks perfectly fitted. It is said that it took over 10,000 workers 50 years to build it. The origin of the temple of Sacsayhuaman is still today unknown. The archaeologist attributed its construction to the Period of the Inca Pachacutec. Later, you continue visiting another important Inca site known as “Qenqo”. This is a place with subterranean passages and carved stone channels in a zigzag pattern. In its inner part there is a carved stone table where it is said the Incas mummified their dead. Afterwards you will do a short visit to the archaeological Inca sites of “Tambomachay” a temple dedicated to the God of Water and “PucaPucará”. After this visit, you’ll take a downhill walk back to the center of Cusco, in preparation for your tomorrow’s trek.

In the afternoon, you’ll have an orientation walk around the center of Cusco. On the way you’ll see the Stone of Twelve Angles at the Inca Roca Palace, on Hatun Rumilloc Street and the façade of the Qoricancha temple, considered the most sacred Inca building. Then, head to the heart of the city, “the Plaza de Armas”, surrounded by colonial arcades and four churches. Here, you’ll find the beautiful “Cathedral” of Cusco, built in the XVI. Finally, you’ll explore the traditional and picturesque neighbourhood of San Blas. To arrive to this place, you must take a short but increasingly steep walk from the Plaza de Armas. Here, you can find art studios, artisan workshops, many of the best bars and restaurants. It's a great area to wander around.

Meals Included: Breakfast 

You will get picked up at your hotel (3,450 meters high) around 05:00AM for your Salkantay trek of 5 days. We proceed to drive nearly 3 hours to Anta – Mollepata. During the bus ride, you can observe the white snowcapped mountains of Salcantay and Veronica: The Holy Gods of the Incas. Also, you will glimpse the spectacular views of the upper part and lower valleys with colorful landscapes. After 3 hours and half of driving, we will make the first stop in Soraypampa town (the starting point of our hike – 3,900 meters high), where there are toilet facilities and breakfast prepared by our chef. There we will meet with our support staff, organize all the equipment, horses and mules and we will have an introductory meeting.

At approximately 9:00AM we will start our trek to Humantay Lake (4200 meters high).  The first part of the path is flat then uphill all the way to the lake. We will explore it for about 30 minutes then hike back to Soraypampa where you will have your lunch. After lunch, we will continue hiking up to the Salkantaypampa (4150 meters high). Salkantaypampa is located in the middle of the glacier valleys where at night it is so dark with no ambient light making it a perfect spot to appreciate the constellations in 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Early wake-up call at 5:00am with coca tea brought to your tent. Afterward, we pack up quickly, enjoy breakfast and immediately begin hiking up to the highest point of the Salkantay trail (4,620 meters high).  The distance is 5 km we should complete in 3 hours. During the ascent through the rocky valley, we can observe the magnificent Salcantay peak (6,217 meters high) and may even see chinchillas on the trail (Once we reach the top of the trail, we will enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of the Salcantay.

Salcantay Mountain is considered the second-highest mountain of the Cusco region and one of the main Inca Gods known as “Apu Salkantay”. Hiking to the top is the most difficult part of the entire trek.  You will feel so accomplished!  The next 3 hours are spent heading downhill on the serpent trail along gravel and rocky path to reach Huayracmachay, our lunch spot. In the afternoon we will arrive at the upper part of the rain forest, also called a “cloud forest”. We will cover 9 km in 3 hours until to get Chaullay (2,900 meters high) our base campsite. In the second half of the day during the descent, we will observe the thick forest which is decorated with colorful orchids and native plants. The majority of the year the weather is warm and pleasant.

Maximum Altitude : 4,650 meters high (15,256 ft)

Minimum Altitude : 2,900 meters high (9,515 ft)

Hiking distance  : 21 Kilometers approx. (13.04 miles)

Elevation Gain  : 500 meters (1,641 ft)

Difficulty  : Challenging.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Around 5:30AM wake-up call with coca tea!  Next, we have breakfast and afterward start hiking straight to la Playa, walking through the thick jungle and following the riverbank of the Salcantay River on a gradual trail. On the route, we stop at several family hamlets to enjoy the local fruit and vegetables (passion fruit, banana, coffee, avocado, mango, orange, and papaya).  If we are lucky, we will be able to observe the famous bird called “the Cock of the Rocks”.

The trail distance is 16 kilometers, and the hiking time is 7 hours until we reach Lucmabamba, our base camp (2,100 meters high). Lucmabamba is a small town surrounded by coffee trees and can provide the basic facilities (toilet, electricity, shopping, and souvenirs) and serves as our lunch point. In the afternoon, you will go to harvest the coffee then peel it.  In the evening, you will grab coffee to roast then grind it and at the end you will prepare your own coffee espresso.

Maximum Altitude : 2,900 meters high (9,515 ft)

Minimum Altitude : 2,100 meters high (6,890 ft)

Hiking distance  : 16 Kilometres approx. (9.95 miles)

Elevation Gain  : - 800 meters (2,625 ft)

Difficulty  : Moderate

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Today we need to start early to avoid the midday heat. While hiking, we will pass through coffee plantations and an artisan coffee mill on the route to Llactapata (2,700 meters high). Here we follow a wide, well-preserved, and original Inca trail which once ran to Quito. Following the trail up the side of the ridge, we can see a multitude of butterflies, citronella, orchids, rocky streams, and stunning views of the Santa Teresa Valley. From the pass, we can see Machu Picchu just as fabulous as that from Intipunku, the famed Sungate. From the pass, it is a short walk to Llactapata.  Still covered under vines, jungle vegetation, and trees, we will explore the site before descending to the Rio Aobamba and on to the Hidroelectrica where we have our last lunch with our amazing cook. From there, we will take a train until we reach Aguas Calientes town (2,040 meters high). 

The rest of the afternoon/evening will be free to explore this beautiful town, visit the open-air market, filled with displays of local Andean curios and clothing. Dinner is NOT included this night, but you’ll have plenty of restaurants where you can choose from. Our Tour Leader will recommend the best ones.

Tonight, you’ll spend the night in a comfortable hotel.

Maximum Altitude : 2,700 meters high (8,858 ft)

Minimum Altitude : 2,040 meters high (6,693 ft)

Hiking distance  : 24 kilometers approx. (15 miles)

Elevation Gain  : - 660 meters (2,166 ft)

Difficulty  : Challenging.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you will head to Machu Picchu ruins starting with a short bus ride up the steep, zigzagging road to the impressive Lost City of the Incas.

This is one of those genuinely magical places, and your first glimpse of these ruins in the mist is something to remember. The site is perched high in the Andes, surrounded by verdant cloud forest, with the river Urubamba running through the gorge far below. Hidden away on a ridge, Machu Picchu is invisible from below, so it's no surprise it remained a secret for so many years (until 1911). 

Explore the upper terrace with your guide first, making sure to get that great portrait! You will then take a guided tour of the ruins, learning more about these 200 or so houses and temples. It's fascinating to be able to gaze down on the city from above and imagine how it would have looked during the height of the Inca empire. Catch the bus back into town to enjoy a delicious lunch at Indio Feliz restaurant. 

In the afternoon, take the tourist train back to Ollantaytambo and make the rest of the journey to Cusco by private vehicle (2 hours). You’ll be arriving in Cusco at around 6:00PM approx.

At 08:00PM, enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant, facing the beautiful Cusco main square.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Your tour comes to an end today and there are no activities planned. If you want to spend more time in Cusco you can book you own accommodation. 

Make sure to get your new outdoorsy gals contact info to stay in touch and we hope you had an EPIC adventure. 

Thank you for joining us! 

Note: Check-out at hotel – 09h00

Meals Included: Breakfast