JOIN A TRIP OF A LIFETIME: 

Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu was rated in the list of the best hikes in the world by National Geographic traveller.  This epic trek includes a portion of the historic Inca Trail, but gives a unique opportunity to hike without crowds and enjoy the Andean wilderness 

This trek rewards you with variety of stunning mountain landscapes, glaciers and lakes, cascades, wildlife and tropical cloud-forest. We will follow the Inca steps through the ancient archeological sites. 

- See the sunrise at the Lost City of Machu Picchu

- Visit the most significant Inca temples and ruins in Cusco and Sacred Valley

- A day-hIke to astonishing natural wonder - RAINBOW MOUNTAIN. Away from the beaten path and hard to reach, Rainbow mountain was ranked by National geographic as one of the 100 unique places on Earth! 

- Travel in our small group up to 12 hiking fellows assisted by professional Peruvian team-leader and mountain guide, porters and professional chef.

- Our trip will be organized in the PREMIUM category, it means that we will be traveling as a PRIVATE GROUP without mixing up with others. We will have our personal reserved camping locations, with the best views and facilities. Our porters will carry our personal luggage and set up the campsites for us. We will have the best delicious food cooked from scratch by professional local chef.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPANTS: 

Salkantay trek is a moderate difficulty with some challenging parts.

Previous hiking/camping experience and being in a good physical shape is required from all participants. You must be able to walk ~12-14mi/day at the high altitude up/downhill and keep up with the group.

You don't need professional climbing skills. No glacier/snow hiking planned. 

Kids 12+ are allowed for this hike assisted by their parents.

Total hiking days: 3 days Salkantay trek + 1 day Rainbow Mt hike (day-hike from Cusco)

Walking Distance (Salkantay trek): 47km (31miles)

Elevation on arrival to Cusco: 3399m (11000")

Elevation at the Salkantay trailhead: 3400m (11000')

Salkantay Pass: 4650m (15255')

Rainbow Mt: 5020 m (16470")

Lodging on a trek: 2 nights in double-sharing tents

Assistance: Mountain guide, assistants/porters

Meals: All included on trek (meals cooked by chef)

Camping gear:  tents, mats, kitchen, dishes are provided and carried by porters as well as your personal luggage up to 7kg/14lbs

You carry: only your light personal day-pack with essentials for the day hike (water, extra layer, sunscreen, snack, photo-camera..)

Gear you can rent: sleeping bags, mattress, trekking poles

How to REGISTER:

$600 non-refundable deposit for each traveler is required to keep your spot in a group

Trip price is based on double-sharing accommodations in hotels and camping tents

Single accommodation is possible on request, with extra-charge (pls see below).

EXTRA-BENEFITS INCLUDED:

- We provide personal equipment to each trekker at no additional cost: a duffel bag (for luggage), rain poncho, basic mat, insulated pillow, daypack cover protection, small hand towel & sanitizer.

- Clean drinking water at each campsite will be provided for your bottle/hydration pack

- Porters carry up to 7kg/14lbs of your personal belongings (duffel bag)

- Our tents are spacious, clean and of high quality. Eureka Timberline 4 person tents will be provided for 2 persons sharing

- Best local experience guaranteed. Best dining experience. Plenty of homemade hot food cooked every time from scratch by our chef. We don't use preserved or dry food.

- We stay overnight at privately owned campgrounds separately from other hiking groups. Our campsites are clean and stay away from noise. We have private toilets there. No need to wait in line with other hikers (public toilets are normally badly maintained and far away from campsites).

Arrival to Lima from United States (approx. 1PM) Take an ongoing domestic flight to Cusco in the late afternoon. On arrival to Cusco meet at airport with our local english-speaking representative and drive to hotel in the Old Town. 

Altitude of Cusco:  11200" /3400m

Full day acclimatizing in Cusco. No activities planned, relaxing day to explore Cusco on your own. Optional tours are possible to arrange on request (chocolate-making workshop, and visit to Awanakancha llama farm).

Meet with trekking guide at hotel lobby at 6PM. Team briefing about the upcoming trek (every traveler receives a personal duffel bag). Overnight in hotel.

Altitude of Cusco: 11200"/3400m

Explore old town Cusco with local guide, visiting Cusco Cathedral, Qorikancha temple, Saksayuwaman fortress and Inca ruins near Cusco, enjoy panoramic views of the city. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Altitude of Cusco:  11200" /3400m

Pick up from hotel and departure from Cusco around 4am, 3.5h drive to the trailhead with a stop for breakfast in the local village on the way. Arrive to the trailhead, start hiking to the Campsite-1 (4-5h). After having a hot delicious lunch cooked by our chef, take an acclimatizing radial hike uphill to Humantay glacier lagoon (3h round trip). Back to Campsite-1, dinner & overnight in tents. 

Total walking distance of this day: 12 mi/ 18km / 7-8h total

Trailhead altitude (starting point): 3380m/ 11200"

Humantay lagoon altitude: 4200m/ 13800"

Campsite-1 altitude (overnight): 3800m/ 12460"

Weather: Chilly

Trail condition: mixed, can be rocky and muddy

Early wake up, hot coca tea and breakfast will be served. Get ready for a long and difficult hiking day. At ~7am leave Campsite-1, and after 3-4h of gradual uphill hike reach the Salkantay pass. Take memorable pictures with your hiking team. Start descending 2-2.5h to the lunch spot, where hot meal will be served. After lunch, 4h more downhill on a mud trail to the Campsite-2,. Dinner and second night in tents.

Total walking distance of this day: ~12 mi/ 18Km /10-11h

Campsite-1 altitude (starting point): 3800m / 12450"

Salkantay Pass altitude (highest point): 4650m / 15255"

Campsite-2 altitude (overnight): 2900m/9500"

Trail Condition: Rocky and slippery

Weather: Chilly

Early wake up and breakfast at Campsite-2. Drive in a private vehicle to the next trailhead. Visit small family owned coffee farm on the way. Coffee break. Learn how to grind and brew your own cup of Peruvian coffee. Fully recharged, start uphill hike though tropical vegetation cloud-forest and taking old Inca steps to historic Llactapata Ruins. See the first glimpse of Machu Picchu far at a distance. After having some rest, take a downhill trail to the railway station. After lunch, take a 45min train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes. Check in at basic hotel. This town is known for its hot springs open to public till the late evening. Last dinner with your hiking crew at local restaurant will be served. Overnight in hotel.

Total walking Distance for this day: ~ 8mi/ 12 km /6-7h

Altitude of Aguas Calientes (overnight): 2000m / 6500"

Weather: Tropical - Warm to Hot 

Trail conditions: some downhill sections are wet and slippery

Early breakfast at hotel at 5AM. Take one of the first shuttle busses to Machu Picchu (25 min ride). Gate opens at 6AM. Guided 2h tour around archeological site. You will be given enough time to explore Machu Picchu on your own. A hike to the Sun Gate offers spectacular views. In the afternoon take a shuttle bus ride back to Aguas Calientes. Proceed to railway station and take an afternoon train to Ollanta, where you will be met on arrival by our representatives and taken to hotel in Sacred Valley for overnight.

Machu Picchu altitude: 2400m/7900".

Sacred Valley of Incas altitude (overnight): 2870m/9420"

Relaxing day to get recharged. Breakfast at hotel. Around 10AM pick up from hotel, guided tour to explore most impressive Inca sites of Sacred Valley: Maras Salt Mines, thousands of individual salt pools on a hillside, dating back to Incan times.  agricultural Inca terraces of Moray, and white colonial village of Chincheros with its fortress, market and wonderful views of the Urubamba mountain range. Arrive to Cusco in the late afternoon.

Sacred Valley altitude: up to 3800m/ 12450"

Cusco altitude 3400m /11200"

Early wake up. Pick-up from hotel ~4AM, 3.5h drive to the trailhead, where you start gradual uphill hike to the colorful Vinicunca Mountain, known as Rainbow Mt. Spectacular views of Ausangate mountain massif and Cordillera Vilcanota will impress you on the way. You can rent a horse from locals (90-120 Peruvian Soles for round trip). On return to the trailhead, hot lunch will be waiting for you. Drive back to Cusco, arrive by ~6-7PM. Overnight in hotel.

Total walking distance : 15 km /9.5 mi, `~6h

Trailhead altitude (starting point): 4326m/14189"

Rainbow Mt altitude (highest point): 5020m/16466'

Cusco altitude (overnight): 3400m / 11200"

Transfer to the airport of Cusco, departure to Lima in time for check-in for international flight back to United States.