Ultimate Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu with Native Guides

The Trexperience team will pick you up from your hotel between 4:30-6:30am (depending on your location) and drive you to Soraypampa (3900 m) – arriving approximately at 8:30 am. After a delicious breakfast we will start your Salkantay Trexperience! It’s a 4 hour walk up to Soyrococha (4400 m / 14430 ft) where our chef will be waiting to serve you the highest lunch in the area. Along the way you will see a variety of flora and fauna such as the Andean goose (the love birds), deer and vizcachas (which look a lot like a rabbit). After lunch, we will continue climbing for one more hour to reach Salkantay Pass (4650 m/ 15255 ft). Once at the summit we will take time to explore the amazing landscape including a beautiful lake at the base of this majestic mountain. From the top it will be another 3 hour downhill hike to the campsite at Wayracmachay (3800 m/ 12467 ft). Your tent, a snack and a hot drink will be waiting for you. You will then have some time to rest and have dinner before a well-earned nights sleep.

• Campsite Altitude: 3.800 m -/12467 ft

• Highest altitude: 4,650 m / 15255 ft

• Distance: 15 km / 9.32 miles

• Duration: 8 hours

• Accommodation: Camping

We will wake you up bright and early with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa tea. When exiting your tent a beautiful scenery consisting of huge plains and snow capped mountain peaks is waiting for you. We will enjoy the breathtaking views throughout an energizing yoga and meditation session. After breakfast we will start descending from the highlands to the cloud forest. Today we will experience the fastest change in the temperature; from the cold weather of the Andes to the warm tropical forest. Along the way we will see an abundance of different types of flowers, hummingbirds and orchids before we arrive at Colpapampa located at 2770 meters. Here we will take a break to have lunch and also say goodbye to our horsemen. The second part of your Trexperience starts with a 4 hour gradual up and downhill until we get to La Playa located at 2070 meters. Along the way we will pass by a very beautiful waterfall, as well as coffee, avocado and banana plantations

• Campsite Altitude: 2,400 m/ 7874 ft

• Highest altitude: 3.800 m/ 12467 ft

• Distance: 24 km/ 14.91 miles

• Duration: 9 hours

• Accommodation: Camping

Day 3 is arguably the most beautiful of your Salkantay Trexperience! After enjoying a delicious breakfast we will make our way to Lucmabamba (2000 m / 6600 ft) where we will join an original Inca trail, built in the 15th century. We will walk along part of the ancient, lost Inca trail that was only rediscovered a few years ago. We will hike uphill for approximately 3 hours until we reach Llaqtapata; another extraordinary Inca ruin located right in front of Machu Picchu. Here we will take some time to explore, learn about the history of the Incas, and enjoy the beauty of the site during another meditation session. We will reach the campsite at approximately 1:00pm to have lunch. Then you can enjoy some free time to relax and unwind. Later in the afternoon your guide will organse an activity to keep you busy. We will then return to the campsite for tea and dinner and a special surprise!

• Campsite Altitude: 2,000 m / 6560 ft

• Highest altitude: 2600 m / 8528 ft

• Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles

• Duration: 9 hours

• Accommodation: Camping

Camping at Llactapata is particularly special as this is very unique and isolated site that overlooks Machu Picchu. Here its worth getting up early to sit and watch the sun reveal the outstanding beauty of your surroundings with a hot cup of coffee of coca tea. After breakfast it is a relatively easy 2 hour downhill trek to the hydroelectric satiation where we have a brunch and re-energize for the last stretch of our Trexperience. It is then a 3 hour walk along the railway to Aguas Calientes – a picturesque town located just below Machu Picchu. This section of the trek is steeped in history as it was used by the American professor, Hiram Bingham, to discoverer Machu Picchu in 1911. It is also extremely beautiful and is home to a variety of endemic birds such us the Rupicola Peruviana (locally known as the cock-of-the-rock), parrots, toucans, hummingbirds and orchids. Once in Aguas Calientes your tour guide will take you to your hotel where you will have some time to rest and freshen up. In the evening we will enjoy a final dinner together with our chef and porters before spending the night in the hotel.

• Campsite Altitude: 2,000 m/ 6560 ft

• Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles

• Duration: 6 hours

• Accommodation: Hotel

On our final day we have to get up very early to prepare for the highlight of your Trexperience; visiting Machu Picchu – the Lost City of the Incas. We will go straight to the line to wait for the first bus going up to Machu Picchu at 5:30 am. Arriving as the sky brightens, we will walk for an hour  up to the Sun Gate, with incredible views of the city along the way. On a clear day you can watch the spectacular sun rise over Machu Picchu. This is truly an unforgettable sight. Your guide will take you on a 2 to 3 hour comprehensive tour of the city before leaving you in Machu Picchu to explore on your own or climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (tickets must be booked as far in advance as possible). Your guide will explain how to take the bus from Machu Picchu back to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and then take the train and bus back to Cusco. The Trexperience Team will meet you off the train and return you safely to your hotel.

• Highest altitude: 2700m / 8858ft

• Distance: 6km / 3 miles

• Duration: 2 – 3 hours

• Accommodation: none

INCLUDED

Pre-departure briefing

Trexperience welcome you to our Cusco offices on the evening prior to your trek for a pre-departure briefing. The briefings take place at approximately 6:00pm. Trexperience understand that many hikers may be nervous or inexperienced and so the briefing is an opportunity to meet your guide(s) who will talk you through what to expect over the coming days. Our guides are very approachable and experienced so feel free to use this opportunity to ask them any questions you may have.

Permits

All admission permits are included. In order to obtain all relevant permits for your hike we will require a photocopy of your passport. We kindly request you share this with the team as soon as you book your trek.

Transportation

Trexperience offer a door to door service; we will pick up from your hotel on the morning of the trek and drop off back at your hotel on the last day. All required transportation throughout the trek is included, as well as the train back from Aguas Calientes. The train is Expedition class but can be upgraded to the Vistadome train for $55 per person. In addition Trexperience offer a complementary transfer service to and from the airport and your hotel.

Experienced tour guides

The Trexperience team are fluent English speakers and are extremely experienced professional tour guides from the local area. We provide a single guide for groups smaller than 8 people and a second guide for groups with 8 people or more. We very much enjoy sharing our extensive knowledge of local history and culture with you along the trek. All guides are proficiently trained in high mountain rescue, as well as yoga and meditation. We are committed to ensuring all clients have the best possible Trexperience!

Camping equipment

Trexperience provide the best possible equipment to all clients, as well as staff, to maximise your experience. These include; extra warm sleeping bags, thermarest camping mats, Eureka tents (4 man tents are provided for every 2 people), black diamond trekking poles and more.

Porters

Our porters carry all belongings that you don’t need in your daypack up to a maximum weight of 7 kg. Additionally our porters carry all food and equipment. You will find your tents and the campsite prepared for you on arrival so all you need to do is worry about enjoying the hike!

Food

Trexperience are proud of their highly talented chefs who never fail to cook up a delightful feast despite being in the middle of the Andean Mountains! We guarantee the biggest foodies among you wont fail to be impressed. All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are provided each day (except lunch on the final day) and the food is both delicious and plentiful. We cater for all dietary requirements so please let us know of your needs. We will keep those energy levels high with snacks each day and we make sure you have a tea / coffee every morning to wake up and every afternoon to unwind.

Water

All drinkable water – from your first lunch to your last breakfast – will be provided (you need to supply your own water bottles / camel back and we recommend carrying at least 2L). The water is boiled, filtered and cooled before it is distributed.

Medical kit

All Trexperience guides have received training in first aid and high mountain rescue.  In the event a guest requires medical attention while on the trek our staff will be able to assist you.  A medical kit is kept with the team at all times. In extremely rare case of a serious medical emergency you will be evacuated to the nearest medical centre.

Extras

We are committed to ensuring your trip is as comfortable as possible. We therefore provide hand towels, pillows, hand sanitizer, hot water for washing, drinkable water, snacks, daypack covers and rain ponchos. All these additional comforts are included in the price of your trek.

Satellite phones

To ensure your safety and in case of an emergency we are the first trekking company to introducing satellite phone technology.

Taxes and fees

All taxes and permit fees associated with this trek are included in the listed price.

NOT INCLUDED

• Sleeping bag: $20 to rent

• Inflatable air mattress: $15 to rent

• Trekking poles (pair): $15 to rent

• Tips for our staff: Trexperience ensures all staff are fairly paid and therefore tipping is optional and at your own discretion

• Travel Insurance: Highly recommended for all hikers

• Lunch on the last day

All hikers need a warm sleeping bag for camping during the trek. We recommend a sleeping bag that keeps you warm during temperatures as low as -10C. Air mattresses and trekking poles are optional, but recommended. If you don’t want to bring all these bulky items from home, you can rent them from us.

ADDITONAL EXTRAS 

If you are interested in any of the additional extras listed below and would like further guidance or information then please contact the Trexperience Team. We will be happy to arrange any of the below extras for you.

• Huayna Picchu Mountain: Tickets need to be booked in advance and cost an additional $35 per person

• Machu Picchu Mountain: Tickets need to be booked in advance and cost an additional $35 per person

• Additional Night in Aguas Calientes: $55

• Vistadome Train Upgrade: $5