Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu - 8 days
Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu - 8 days
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Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day adventure through Peru with the Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu tour. Begin your journey in the ancient Incan capital of Cusco, where you can explore its charming streets and vibrant culture. The highlight of your trip is the breathtaking Salkantay Trail, a picturesque trek through jungles and high mountain passes, offering stunning views of azure lagoons. Discover the Llactapata Ruins and enjoy a sneak peek of the iconic Machu Picchu. Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the world-famous Inca citadel, set high in the Andes Mountains. With comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and expert local guides, this small group tour promises an enriching and memorable experience. Enjoy the convenience of included transfers, a scenic train journey, and a guided tour of Machu Picchu, making this an ideal adventure for those seeking both challenge and cultural immersion. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco
Location: Cusco
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Welcome to Cusco, upon arrival at the airport you are met and transferred to your hotel in the heart of this beautiful city. The rest of the day is at leisure for you to walk the stunning cobbled streets, discover Spanish colonial churches and enjoy the vibrant nightlife. A short welcome meeting will be held with your guide today to give you a briefing on the tour.
Please note: You may wish to arrive a day or two earlier in order to adjust to the altitude. Pre tour accommodation can be booked upon request. ...more ...less
Day 2: Cusco
Location: Cusco
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you have a free day to explore Cusco at your own pace. Cusco was once the capital of the Incan Empire and is now a top spot for archaeology in the Americas. It's also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on the continent. You can check out local archaeological sites like Saqsaywaman, Tambomachay, and Qenqo, or perhaps take part in a Peruvian cooking class or a chocolate-making class. You get to choose how you want to spend your free day, and we're here to help you plan and suggest activities in this amazing city.
Day 3: Salkantay Trek
Location: Soraypampa
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Salkantay Trek - camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 of the tour marks the beginning of the exhilarating Salkantay Trek. We have an early start this morning for the scenic drive to the Andean village of Mollepata, which takes approximately 4 hours. Here we meet our horsemen, porters and cooks and set out on the first leg of our trek. It takes around 3 hours for us to reach Cruzpata, where we stop for lunch with stunning panoramic views of the Humantay and Salkantay mountains in the distance. After lunch the trek continues through stunning mountainous scenery until we reach our first campsite at Soraypampa. We set up camp and later have dinner, surrounded by mesmerising scenery.
Day 4: Salkantay Trek
Location: Salkantay
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Salkantay Trek - camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We wake early for breakfast before setting out on the most challenging day of our trek, as we ascend to the highest point on the trail, at 4,650 m (15,200 ft). From here we can admire the incredible views of two huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. After reaching our peak we head downhill through the dramatic landscape of the cloud forests, reaching Huayrachmachay where we stop for lunch. Our trek continues after lunch as we head towards the jungle and our campsite for the night, Colcapampa.
Day 5: Trekking Through The Jungle
Location: Ceja de Selva
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Salkantay Trek - camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We rise early and have a hearty breakfast before setting out on our trek through a region of jungle known as the “Ceja de selva” , which lies between the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. Crossing the Lluskamayo River our route takes us through valleys with breathtaking waterfalls, tropical fruits and colourful birds. If we’re lucky, we might even see a cock of the rock, Peru’s national bird. We stop for lunch and then continue trekking until we reach our last campsite at the village of La Playa. Here you'll have time to relax and perhaps visit the nearby hot springs, where you can enjoy a well deserved soak after another long day of rewarding hiking.
Day 6: Salkantay Trek
Location: Aguas Calientes
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today marks the final day of the Salkantay Trek, another early start sees a steady climb as we make our way to Llactapata. At Llactapata we find an incredible Incan fort, whilst beautiful and enchanting in it's own right it also offers distant views across to Machu Picchu, a little teaser of what's to come. After a rest stop we continue on a two hour downhill hike which will take us past plantations growing things such as coca and bananas. Reaching the hydroelectric dam we stop for a lunch break before making our final stretch of the trek, arriving into Aguas Calientes this afternoon.
With time to explore the area you might wish to visit the hot springs located close to your hotel.
Day 7: Aguas Calientes
Location: Machu Picchu
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After 4 days of fulfilling trekking, we set off early this morning to the world famous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. Arriving in time for sunrise, we then enjoy a guided tour of this incredible Citadel. Learn all about the history of this magical place and how it lay almost totally undisturbed for hundreds of years. After our guided tour you have some free time to explore this legendary area.
This afternoon we head back to Aguas Calientes to board the Expedition Train for a scenic journey to Poroy where we disembark and complete our journey back to Cusco by road. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore Cusco at your own pace.
Day 8: Cusco
Location: Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today marks the end of our fantastic trip through the Salkantay and Cusco region. A transfer will be provided to take you to the airport for you onward flight.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3 nights 4 star hotel in Cusco, 1 night 3 star hotel in Aguas Calientes and 3 nights camping in 2-man tents on the Salkantay Trek.
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 afternoon snacks, 4 dinners and various snacks to be eaten throughout the day.
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Transfers
Cusco airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 and day 8.
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Salkantay Trek
4-day Salkantay Trek - all camping and cooking equipment is provided apart from your sleeping bag, which can be hired locally.
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Guides and Support
Escorted by a bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) specialist local guide on the trek, with a cook and horsemen.
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Transportation
All relevant transfers and transportation.
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Train Journey
Expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Poray.
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Bus Ticket
Round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
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Machu Picchu Entrance
Entrance fee to Machu Picchu and guided tour with a bi-lingual (English & Spanish speaking) local guide.
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First Aid
First aid kit is provided.
What's Not Included
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International Flights and Visas
International flights and visas are not included.
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Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bag is not included but can be hired locally.
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Evacuation
In the event of a serious medical injury, evacuation will be coordinated with your travel insurance company.
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Tipping
Tipping is not included. Refer to the Tipping paragraph in the Trip Notes for further information.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes airport transfers, all relevant transfers and transportation, an expedition train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy, and a round trip bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu.
Accommodation
Enjoy 3 nights in a 4-star hotel in Cusco, 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, and 3 nights camping in 2-man tents on the Salkantay Trek, providing a mix of comfort and adventure.
Age Policy
Minimum age is 7 years old but not recommended for under 10s.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the Salkantay Trek?
During the Salkantay Trek, you will be camping in 2-man tents for three nights.
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Are meals included during the trek?
Yes, meals are included during the trek. You will have 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 afternoon snacks, 4 dinners, and various snacks throughout the day.
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Is there a guide provided during the trek?
Yes, the trek is escorted by a bilingual (English & Spanish speaking) specialist local guide, along with a cook and horsemen.
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What is the highest point reached during the Salkantay Trek?
The highest point reached during the Salkantay Trek is 4,650 meters (15,200 feet).
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Is there an option to hire a sleeping bag locally?
Yes, sleeping bags can be hired locally for the trek.
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What is the minimum age requirement for this tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 7 years old, but it is not recommended for children under 10.
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What happens if there is a serious medical injury during the trek?
In the event of a serious medical injury, the tour operator will coordinate with your travel insurance company to arrange evacuation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Salkantay Trek & Machu Picchu - 8 days
8 Days Starting and ending in Cusco, Peru
Visiting: Cusco, Soraypampa, Salkantay, Ceja de Selva, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
7-