Plan Your Trip
An alternative to the traditional Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the classic Salkantay Trek affords you more privacy and authenticity, as well as views that are even more spectacular. This 7-day/6-night Salkantay Trek will take you through the Salkantay Pass via a remote route that will expose the region’s jaw-dropping beauty when towering peaks and incredible glaciers are revealed as you approach the Machu Picchu citadel. Skilled guides will exceed your expectations on this Inca adventure as you trek back in time to discover these hidden treasures of Peru. The trip begins and ends in vibrant Cusco, Peru where you can enjoy the intriguing blend of Spanish and Inca culture. The expedition itself is one of pristine natural beauty that envelops you throughout the seven days of the trip. Your trek will take you through 15 unique ecosystems, changing altitudes, varied terrain and picturesque hamlets populated by Andean families who maintain centuries-old traditions. At the same time, you will be introduced to local environmental and social initiatives created to maintain the integrity of the culture and improve the quality of the local people’s lives. Once reaching the town of Aguas Calientes, a short snaking bus ride will take you up to Machu Picchu, the 15th-century citadel that sits high on a hillside amongst rising Andean peaks. Handpicked certified multilingual guides will point out the highlights of Machu Picchu and ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable adventure.
“Everything about Surtrek was amazing. The hotels, the food, the tours. Everything exceeded our expectations. I cannot recommend Surtrek highly enough!”
AM: Following an early breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel in Cusco by your guide and driver. The first stop will be a visit to the Inca ruins of Tarawasi, near the city of Limatambo. This will be followed by a stop in the small mountain town of Mollepata, where we will take a short break before climbing a winding mountain on the way to Marcoccasa. Proceeding along a picturesque path called Camino Real (“The Royal Path”),” this will officially begin our trek to Soraypampa Valley. This will also be an excellent opportunity to acclimatize yourself to the higher altitude.
PM: As we reach the end of Camino Real, the Salkantay Lodge (situated at an altitude of 12,690 ft. / 3,869 m) will appear in plain sight. In the background, standing like a sentinel, you will see the summit of the Salkantay Glacier, considered one of the sacred icons in Inca mythology. It is the highest mountain in the region (20,600 ft. / 6,270 m). After receiving a warm welcome from the lodge’s staff in Soraypampa, you can settle into your room and “recharge” your energy before meeting with your guide in the lounge for a snack and a briefing on activities for the next day.
Accommodations: Salkantay Lodge
AM: After breakfast, you will begin a half-day hike to Lake Humantay by ascending the slopes that border the plateau behind the Salkantay Lodge. An hour and a half later, after making your way over the final hill, you will be stunned by the sight of the lake’s turquoise water, made even more spectacular by the sight of the Humantay Glacier looming behind it. Here you will have a chance to relax, enjoy a snack, meditate in the tranquility of this magical spot, admire a traditional offering to Mother Earth or immerse yourself in a kayak ride on Lake Humantay, getting a chance to experience the majestic glacier up-close.
PM: After your descent back to the lodge, the staff will be waiting with a hot lunch. The second half of your day will be spent at your leisure, as you can opt to soak in the lodge’s outdoor Jacuzzi, indulge in a relaxing massage or even take a long nap.
Accommodations: Salkantay Lodge
AM: While today is the longest and most strenuous trek, it is also the most magical. We will start early, walking through the Río Blanco Valley and rounding the Humantay peak. As we gradually ascend the mountain trails, we will find several plateaus in the middle of the remains of a valley that was once was crossed by a fast-flowing river. The final and most challenging part of the ascent will be to conquer the mountain slopes that will take us to the Salkantay Pass, the highest point of the trek (15,213 ft. / 4636 m). What follows is a demanding descent through often fog-shrouded fields of giant boulders.
PM: After enjoying a hot picnic lunch, we will continue descending rolling hills and swampy plateaus as we make our way to the Wayra Lodge, in Wayraccmachay. The most remote of our lodgings, Wayra is located on an outcrop that offers a spectacular view of the other side of the mountain. This demanding 6-8 hour walk reaches an altitude of 15,213 ft. / 4636 meters.
Accommodations: Wayra Lodge (situated at an altitude of 12 812 ft. / 3,906 m)
AM: After a breakfast at the Wayra Lodge, we will continue our descent along the banks of the Salkantay River through increasingly green landscapes. You will begin to feel the warm air and see colorful butterflies and striking orchids as we approach the jungle. This will be a chance to meet and interact with local people as we come upon their simple houses and makeshift fences.
PM: At lunchtime, we will arrive at Colpa Lodge via an amazing zip-line located on a high outcrop at the confluence of three rivers. You will be greeted by the lodge’s staff with a “Pachamanca lunch,” which is a traditional Peruvian meal cooked in the earth by hot stones that create a natural underground oven. After lunch, spend the afternoon lounging in the sun or relaxing in the outdoor Jacuzzi while you take in the panoramic views of the lush green mountains that surround you
Optional activity available: Departure by bicycle in the afternoon, riding from Manchayhuaycco to Collpapampa. Descend through a beautiful valley, where you can admire the vegetation of the cloud forest on the slopes of the valley.Accommodations: Colpa Lodge
AM: Today we will hike in the Santa Teresa River Valley, where you will hop over small streams fed by waterfalls descending from the glaciers and cross through fruit orchards.
PM: After breaking for a hot picnic lunch by the river, you will walk for one hour before we meet a Mountain Lodges of Peru (MLP) vehicle for a short drive to the beginning of the “Llactapata Inca Trail” that leads us to Lucma Lodge. On the way, you will visit an organic coffee plantation, one of many in that area that produces some of the best organic coffee in the world. As we proceed, you will begin to notice another shift in the climate. Here in Lucmabamba, the hot air and increased humidity signal that you are even closer to the edge of the Amazon Jungle.
Optional activities (extra costs) include a full day of ziplining in Santa Teresa and mountain biking downhill for almost 8,000 feet along a dirt road possessing breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.Accommodations: Lucma Lodge
AM: On a 2-3 hour climb up a path comprised mostly of original Inca steps, you will get a sense of what hiking through the rainforest is like. The lush tree line creates green canopies overhead and the constant sound of rushing water suggests that the river is still nearby. Your first milestone for today will be the top of the peak, the last one before you will reach in the Aobamaba River valley, which connects you to Machu Picchu. When you arrive at the ruins of Llactapata at the Llactapata Pass (8,974 ft. / 2,736 m), you will be delighted to find the southeast view of the “back” of the Machu Picchu ruins, a sight few travelers ever get a chance to witness. At this point, you will also take a short break to explore Llactapata.
PM: After having lunch a bit farther down the trail in a meadow with panoramic views, our final descent will take us toward the roaring Aobamba River. This will take us through lush bamboo forests, as well as through more fruit orchards and coffee plantations until we end the day’s hike at the hydroelectric train station. A one-hour scenic train ride will take us to our final stop: the town of Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu.
Accommodations: Hotel in Aguas Calientes (at 1,900 m / 6,232 feet)
AM: At dawn, you begin your journey to Machu Picchu with a short and rollicking uphill bus ride. As you enter the “Sanctuary” (as locals refer to it), the morning sun rises over the iconic Sun Gate and washes the structures and terraces with resplendent light. Prepare to be awed by the imposing and skillful architecture of the guard tower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences, among many others. Take a moment to quietly sit and listen to the wind or to meditate and absorb the mystical energy that envelops you. Your imagination will soar as you contemplate the history of Machu Picchu and its mysterious origins. Some may even choose a hike to Huayna Picchu, the iconic towering mountain often seen in photographs, for dramatic views that stretch from the Urubamba River valley to the edge of the Amazon Jungle.
PM: After the visit, you will have lunch in Aguas Calientes before your train/transfer back to Cusco. As night falls and you arrive at your hotel amidst and hustle and bustle of Cusco, you will be touched by a feeling of peace and rejuvenation that will linger even as you journey back home.
Note: Tickets for the Huayna Picchu Mountain are subject to availability. Peru Rail is the railway company used for the Salkantay Trek. If a special train service is required, inform your travel specialist.
Accommodations: Hotel in Cusco
| Room | Double |
| 7 Days | US$ 4,125 PP |
Interested in more information about any particular South American destination or trip?
Simply let us know your interests or question, and one of our travel experts will be more than happy to assist you -- at no charge, of course!
“My husband, daughter and I want to thank you again for making our trip to the Galapagos extremely awesome!”
