Classic Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 4D/3N

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:30 and 4:45am and drive you to the trailhead for 3.5 hours, where the chef will prepare the first breakfast. After breakfast, we will start on a 3-hour trek to Soraypampa (3600 m) through an ancient aqueduct that provides water to the farmers in the lower regions. Your trekking chef will be waiting for lunch in the village of Soraypampa. After a well-earned lunch, we will begin a 2-hour ascent to Humantay Lake (4200 m/13779 ft). Along the way, you will observe a variety of flora and fauna, including the Andean geese (the love bird), deer, and vizcachas (which look a lot like rabbits). Afterward, we will continue ascending for another 2 hours to reach Salkantay Pampa basecamp (3900 m/12795 ft). Once at the campsite, we will set up the tents, have tea-time and dinner, and then admire the night sky before going to sleep.

• Campsite Altitude: 3,900 m -/12795 ft

• Highest altitude: 4200 m / 13779 ft

• Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles

• Duration: 7 hours

• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, and dinner

• Accommodation: Camping

• Difficulty: Moderate

You will wake up with a hot cup of coffee or coca tea andspectacular views of immense plains and snow-capped mountain peaks. After breakfast, we will begin a 2-hour ascent to the highest point of our hike, the Salkantay pass (4630 m/15190 ft). We will spend time at the summit exploring the spectacular landscapes, including a stunning lake at the base of this majestic mountain. Next, for lunch, it will be a 3-hour downhill from the peak to Wayracmachay (3800 m/12467 ft). After lunch, we’ll begin another 3 hour’s descent from the highlands into the cloud forest, experiencing one of the most rapid temperatures and weather changes. On the way, we will enjoy a variety of flowers, hummingbirds, and orchids until we reach Colpapampa, located at 2770 meters. We’ll spend the night close to a little village.

• Campsite Altitude: 2770 m/ 9087 ft

• Highest altitude: 4630 m/ 15190 ft

• Distance: 18 km/ 14.91 miles

• Duration: 9 hours

• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, and dinner

• Accommodation: Camping

• Difficulty: Challenging

Day 3 is arguably the most beautiful day of your Salkantay Trek. After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we hike for about 3 hours to Lucmabamba (2000 m/6600 ft), where we prepare a unique Pachamanca Barbecue with vegetables, fruits, and all kinds of meat that is buried with hot stones. You will participate actively in preparing this special delicacy. After lunch, you will visit an organic coffee farm and learn the process of harvesting and how to prepare your espresso. Next, drive for one hour to Hidroelectica and hike for 3 hours to Aguas Calientes, arriving at around 5 p.m. We will have dinner at a local restaurant and stay in a hotel.

• Campsite Altitude: 2,000 m / 6561 ft

• Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles

• Duration: 6 hours

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Accommodation: Hotel

• Difficulty: Moderate

On our final day, we will wake up early to prepare for the highlight of your Trek a journey to Machu Picchu, the Incas’ Lost City. At 5:30am we will head directly to the queue to wait for the first buses to Machu Picchu. We will arrive at the gate as the sky brightens and ascend to the upper part of Machu Picchu while taking in the breathtaking views of the city. On a clear morning, the sunrise over Machu Picchu is magnificent; this moment is unforgettable. Your guide will take you on a 2–3-hour tour of the citadel 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 return from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included) and then return to Cusco via the panoramic train and bus. The trek team will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel.

• Highest altitude: 2700m / 8858ft

• Distance: 6km / 3 miles

• Duration: 2 – 3 hours

• Meals: Breakfast (hotel)

• Difficulty: Easy

• Pre-departure briefing at 6:00 p.m. the day before the tour

• Pick up from your hotel on the morning of the trek.

• Experienced English-speaking Tour Guide

• 2 Nights camping in comfortable tents

• 1 Night 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes

• Camping equipment: tents, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment

• Entrance ticket to Salkantay and Machu Picchu

• Duffle Bag for up to 8 kgs (17 lbs) for your stuff carried by our horses

• Cargo Mules to carry food, equipment, and personal stuff

• Trekking chef to prepare meals (B, L, D)

• All meals Included except last day lunch (Veg, vegan, GF meals available)

• Snacks, drinkable water, and warm water to wash.

• Pachamanca Barbecue, cooking class, organic coffee tour

• First Aid Kit, Satellite Phones, Oxygen tank

• Panoramic trains to return (Vistadome or 360°)

• All taxes and booking fees

• Sleeping bags, air mattresses, or trekking poles (Can be rented )

• Last day Lunch in Aguas Calientes

• Tips for porters, chefs, guides

• Travel Insurance (Highly recommended)

There is a $200 non-refundable and non-transferable fee; however, in case of travel restrictions that might prevent you from traveling, you will be able to transfer those funds to a future date with no fees. All date changes or cancellations must be requested until 48 hours before the tour departure date without fees.

Please note that this benefit is only applicable when travel restrictions related to Covid 19 or similar force majeure events prevent you from traveling to Peru.

Our flexibility policy allows all bookings to cancel and change the departure dates with no added costs for tours scheduled at any time in the future. Please note that with this policy, $200 is non-refundable; however, you can change the travel dates and even pass this credit on to a friend or relatives when travel restrictions exist. This wayyou don't lose your deposit.

To benefit from this policy, you must change your departure dates or advice the cancellation 48 hours before the tour departure date. After 48 hours, the full payment is non-refundable.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:

All rooms are standard twin (two single beds) rooms with private facilities. We can arrange double-bed rooms on request. Hotel upgrades are available. Please let us know in advance of any upgrades / special requests so we can arrange this for you. A single supplement is applicable for single occupancy. 

GROUP SIZE.

For group tours, we have 8 travelers with 1 tour guide; if there are 9 travelers or more, we will assign a second tour guide. The maximum group size is 16 people per group on the Inca Trail. We require a minimum of 2 travelers to depart. We can accommodate the group size as per guest requirements for private tours.

TIPPING:

Tipping in Peru is entirely voluntary. Tipping guidelines are provided with your final travel documents during your tour briefing, held the day before your tour.

OUR GUESTS DURING THE TOURS

• Return Train tickets from Machu Picchu are subject to availability. After the tour, the arrival time back to your hotel depends on train availability. We reserve the right to book the most convenient trains for the group. If you must take earlier or later specific trains, please advise via email in advance, and extra charges might apply.

• While on the tours, you must strictly follow the tour guides' instructions. All Inca sites and places we visit have restrictions and need to be followed. If you have issues with the tours, please report to your guide or office staff to solve any problems.

• If you cannot continue your trekking trips due to illness or injuries, we will help you return to the nearest medical center or your hotel. The traveler must cover helicopter airlifts, transportation, and medical expenses. However, we will provide you with a certificate to help you with your insurance company. Travel insurance is not mandatory, but we recommend buying one for your trip.

• We reserve the right to cancel, modify or reschedule the tour in case of bad weather conditions, catastrophes, strikes, or injuries during the trips. In this case, the standard terms and conditions will apply.

• Our Group tours start with 2 people and a maximum of 16 people with 2 tour guides. A third guide will be provided if the groups are bigger than 16. Group tours are open to everybody. By booking a group tour, you agree to travel with other travelers of different ages, countries, and speeds. Tours can be canceled if the minimum of 2 is not met.

• All our tour guides are fluent in English and native Spanish speakers. All our tours are done in English unless special requests are in advance.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK:

Embarking on an adventure, such as the tours we offer, may involve the risk of illness or injury caused by forces of nature, animals, insects, and flora. By booking your trip, you acknowledge these risks and apply to participate voluntarily.

LIABILITY:

Liability to the Guests is limited to the guest's total amount of money paid. We will be in no way liable for any direct or indirect loss or damage suffered by the Guest except as expressly provided in these erms.