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Salkantay Trek
9 Days
Cuzco to Cuzco
Tour Code: TMST
9 Days
Cuzco to Cuzco
Tour Code: TMST
From US$ 6,299
Reviews
Tour Overview
Perfect if you don't want to camp, the Salkantay Trek is the ultimate journey to Machu Picchu. Hike past the breath-taking Mount Salkantay, staying in comfortable mountain lodges along way. You will take challenging ascents and trek past Inca ruins before spending the evenings relaxing, making the most of the outdoor jacuzzis provided.
Please note: This is a sample itinerary and can be tailored to suit your own personal needs and budget. Click here for more information on our Tailor-made Tours.
About this tour
- Physical Rating:
- Accommodation:3 night(s) in hotels, 5 night(s) in lodges
- Transportation:Private Vehicle,
- Meals:8 Breakfast(s), 7 Lunch(es), 7 Dinner(s)
- Country:Peru
Included Activities
- Arrival Transfer
- Mollepata mountain village stop
- Coffee plantation tour
- Entry & guided tour of Machu Picchu
- Departure Transfer
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Cusco
Welcome to Peru! Your adventure starts in Cusco, a city of beautiful Spanish colonial architecture and the once capital of the Inca Empire. While the city is usually seen as the gateway to the iconic Machu Picchu, Cusco is well worth exploring in itself.
Discover the Plaza de Armas, the cultural centre of the city and where you can find many bars, restaurants and local coffee shops. Visit the Cathedral, which was built with blocks from the nearby Inca site of Sacsaywam?n and took almost a century to complete.
Tonight you will meet the rest of your group and have a briefing session with your guide about the next few days ahead.
Included Excursions
Arrival Transfer
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels 
Day 2 - Mollepata & Salkantay Lodge
After an early breakfast, your guide will collect you from your hotel in Cuzco. You will stop at the Inca ruins of Tarawasi, a small archaeological site in the Limatambo district before continuing on to Mollepata a charming mountain village where you will have a short break.
Your hike begins at Marcoccasa, along a scenic path known as the 'Camino Real. This hike will start to acclimatise you to the high altitude, and is of a moderate level. You will be hiking for approximately six hours before arriving at the Salkantay Lodge. In the distance you will be able to see the glacier peak of Mount Salkantay. Settle into your room or make the most of the outdoor jacuzzi before enjoying dinner and a briefing of the next day ahead.
Included Excursions
Mollepata mountain village stop
Accommodation
1 night(s) in lodges
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 3 - Lake Humantay
Today you will have another opportunity to acclimatize with a half-day hike to Lake Humantay. Ascend the slopes behind the lodge, hiking for an hour and a half before reaching the spectacular Humanity glacier. Lake Humanity will dazzle you with its stunning blue water and pristine landscapes. Relax at the lake and enjoy the tranquillity before hiking back to the lodge. After lunch the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Soak in the jacuzzi, treat yourself to a relaxing massage (at an extra cost) or sit back and enjoy your beautiful surroundings.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in lodges
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 4 - Salkantay Pass & Wayra Lodge
This is the most challenging day yet as you trek in total for approximately six to eight hours. After an early start you will hike up the Rio Blanco Valley. You will ascend to the highest point on the Salkantay Pass which is 4,638 metres above sea level. Admire views of the the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range and the glacier face of Mount Salkantay above, before descending through giant mountain boulders. Tonight you can enjoy a well-earned rest at Wayra Lodge, our most remote lodge on the trek.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in lodges
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 5 - Salkantay River & Colpa Lodge
After a leisurely breakfast, descend along the banks of the Salkantay River into a cloud forest. Feel the warm air and spot colourful butterflies and beautiful orchids along the way. You will see some of the villagers as the hike takes you past their rural homes. Arrive at Colpa Lodge where you can enjoy Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian meal. It is a tasty dish of seasoned meat baked in a earthen cooking pot. This afternoon you can do an optional bike ride to Collpapampa.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in lodges
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 6 - Santa Teresa River Valley & Lucma Lodge
Hike through Santa Teresa valley, home to some of the more populated areas of this rural region. You will pass banana, granadilla and avocado orchards before stopping to enjoy a hot picnic lunch by the river. This afternoon you will tour a coffee plantation that produces some of the best organic coffee in the world. You will notice a shift in the climate, as the air becomes more tropical due to the proximity to the Amazon Jungle. Tonight you will stay at Lucma Lodge.
Instead of this trek you have the option to take a zip-line in Santa Teresa at an extra cost. It is one of the highest in South America comprising of seven cables over two vast jungle valleys. This is a full day activity and you will be transferred to Lucma Lodge later in the evening.
Included Excursions
Coffee plantation tour
Accommodation
1 night(s) in lodges
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 7 - Llactapata Pass & Aguas Calientes
This will be your last day of trekking. You will take a two to three hour climb up a path, comprised of original Inca steps. You will feel like you are hiking through a rainforest, as the lush vegetation and the sounds of rushing water fill the air. Arrive at the ruins of Llactapata at the Llactapata Pass and be rewarded with a view of the back of Machu Picchu, a sight that not many travellers get to see.
Explore the ruins at Llactapata before settling down for lunch in a beautiful meadow, showcasing panoramic views. You will descend towards the rushing Aobamba River, passing bamboo forests and more fruit orchards before you arrive at Hidroelectrica train station. Take a one hour scenic train journey to the town of Aguas Calientes. Tonight you can relax in a comfortable hotel.
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 8 - Machu Picchu & Cusco
Waking early, you will take the bus to Machu Picchu, arriving as the sun rises over the iconic Sun Gate. Upon arrival your private guide will be there to meet you and take you on the shuttle bus up to the archaeological complex. Soak up the atmosphere as our guide brings the site to life with tales of Machu Picchu in its heyday. Later, there will be enough time to explore it at your own pace.
The lost city of Machu Picchu (Old Mountain) was originally completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces to feed the population and watered by natural springs. While the ruins were only discovered by the outside world in 1911, the site was never really lost and has been continually used for farming by the local people. Located high above the fast flowing Urubamba River, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all so remarkably preserved that it will take your breath away.
As you will have return bus tickets, you can make your own way down to Aguas Calientes in time for your train back to Cusco where you will be collected on arrival and taken back to your hotel by private vehicle. The evening is then at your leisure.
Included Excursions
Entry & guided tour of Machu Picchu
Accommodation
1 night(s) in hotels
Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(es), 1 Dinner(s)
Day 9 - Depart Cusco
Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.
Included Excursions
Departure Transfer
Meals
1 Breakfast(s)
Essential Information
What's Not Included
- Visas and travel insurance
- International flights to/from the start/end of your tour and departure taxes
- Spending money – budget for meals, snacks, drinks, limited souvenirs, laundry, tips and any extras
Enquiry
Prefer to speak to a specialist?
0800 804 8435
Tailor-made Operations Manager
Melita
Why I love this trip
A brilliant alternative to the Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek leads hikers past mountain ranges and local villages before arriving at the incredible Machu Picchu. Contact me to learn about personalising your trek to the incredible ancient city.
