Want to get to Machu Picchu through an alternative and majestic route? The Salkantay Trek offers a 74 km hike across diverse Andean landscapes in Peru. You will start at a lower altitude and gradually ascend to higher, colder, and snow-covered areas surrounded by snow-capped mountains before going down again toward the warmer cloud forest and eventually the Peruvian jungle near the Inca citadel. You…
Want to get to Machu Picchu through an alternative and majestic route? The Salkantay Trek offers a 74 km hike across diverse Andean landscapes in Peru. You will start at a lower altitude and gradually ascend to higher, colder, and snow-covered areas surrounded by snow-capped mountains before going down again toward the warmer cloud forest and eventually the Peruvian jungle near the Inca citadel.
You will pass through three of the most beautiful spots in the Andes, including Humantay Lake, the impressive Salkantay Mountain at the highest point of the trek, and the Llactapata archaeological site, where you may enjoy breathtaking views of Machu Picchu Mountain and even glimpse the front of Machu Picchu in the distance.
Our expert tour guide, with in-depth knowledge of the area?s history, culture, and geology, will provide a meaningful guided tour experience and offer you a profound understanding of the spiritual significance of the landscapes. After a day Salkantay adventure, our chefs will prepare delicious and refilling Peruvian meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, served in scenic lunch spots with panoramic views.
Every detail of your experience is carefully designed to ensure comfort, safety, and fun from quality camping equipment and a warm sleeping bag for the cold altitude nights to walking sticks for added stability on the trail. Depending on your preference, you may also request a single room or accommodations with a private bathroom, including our exclusive jungle domes in the lower jungle camps.
It is the ideal choice for those seeking the perfect balance between physical challenge and epic landscapes. In a single journey, you transition from the majesty of turquoise lagoons and glacial peaks to the warmth of the tropical jungle. It…
It is the ideal choice for those seeking the perfect balance between physical challenge and epic landscapes. In a single journey, you transition from the majesty of turquoise lagoons and glacial peaks to the warmth of the tropical jungle. It is a more flexible and less crowded route than the Inca Trail, allowing for a more authentic and personal experience with the Andes.
Southern Peru Explorers, with more than 12 years of experience,take care of everything, including your entrance to Machu Picchu, as well as your return journey from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo and back to Cusco. We dedicate ourselves to organizing tours that combine nature, adventure, and culture, creating an unforgettable experience at one of the true wonders of the world.
Daily trail breakdown, key milestones, altitudes, and campsites.
Itinerary to be confirmed
Please contact us for the itinerary and logistics of this tour.
Complete transparency for all equipment, meals, transport, and admissions.
All of our guides are native to the Cusco region and have a deep passion for sharing their culture, traditions, and knowledge of the Andes. They are professionally trained, fluent in English (and other languages), and highly experienced in leading the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu and other high-altitude expeditions.
Throughout this challenging journey around the majestic Salkantay Mountain, your guide will ensure your safety, provide detailed historical and cultural insights, and motivate you every step of the way until you reach Machu Picchu.
We are a fully authorized tour operator for the Salkantay Trek, and all necessary permits and entrance tickets are included in this unforgettable 5-day adventure.
Your package includes:
We take care of every detail so you can focus entirely on enjoying the trek.
Our highly trained trekking chefs prepare delicious, energy-rich meals designed specifically for high-altitude hiking. We accommodate dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.) while offering a creative mix of Peruvian and international cuisine.
Your meals will be served family-style in our cozy dining tent three times a day. You will have healthy food with fresh products, hot drinks, and hearty dishes which will keep you energized during the trek.
Unlike the Classic Inca Trail, the Salkantay Trek includes horses and professional wranglers to carry your duffel bag. There is no additional cost for this service.
Each hiker is permitted to carry up to 7 kg / 14 lbs (including a sleeping bag). We take into account our weight restrictions and adhere to ethical animal treatment guidelines for the sake of our horses. We would like to inform you that you will have access to your duffel bag as soon as you reach each campsite.
Our high-end 4-season tents are made to survive in harsh Andean weather conditions (including cool nights in the Salkantay Pass area which stands 4,650 meters / 15,255 feet above sea level).
For your comfort, we offer large four-person tents for two hikers. In case you prefer privacy, you can consider our premium service with single-tent option.
We offer clean filtered drinking water all the way through your trek both at every mealtime and refill place. Our water is taken from fresh mountain streams and is properly filtered prior to consumption.
In order to preserve the fragile nature of Andes mountains, we kindly ask you to bring your own water bottle or Camelbak. We discourage you from using plastic bottles.
All transportation is included.
We guarantee smooth coordination from beginning to end.
Our guests' safety comes first. The guides are all first aid trained and will have a full medical kit including oxygen in case of problems due to altitude, minor injuries or other trekking diseases.
If an accident occurs, the guides will be equipped with a satellite communicator to organize the immediate evacuation if needed.
The day before you embark on your Trek, there will be a comprehensive briefing at our office or hotel in Cusco.
During the briefing you:
So you are ready for the adventure.
Recommended gear and apparel checklist from our mountain guides.
Purification Tablets: Optional, although we will give you boiled and filtered water after breakfast every day.
Water Bottle or Camelbak: Minimum 2-liter capacity.
6 photos from this tour.
Our first day, we leave Cusco at 5 am in a private bus and start our scenic four-hour morning ride to our starting point at Soraypampa, the beginning of the 5-day Salkantay Trek and one of the best tours for those seeking a true hike to Machu Picchu.
take the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo followed by private transport back to Cusco
The day before you embark on your Trek, there will be a comprehensive briefing at our office or hotel in Cusco.
During the briefing you:
So you are ready for the adventure.
Our high-end 4-season tents are made to survive in harsh Andean weather conditions (including cool nights in the Salkantay Pass area which stands 4,650 meters / 15,255 feet above sea level).
For your comfort, we offer large four-person tents for two hikers. In case you prefer privacy, you can consider our premium service with single-tent option.
Your health and safety are of utmost importance to us during this journey up into the Andes. In case you have some restrictions regarding what you can eat or have some food allergies, such as being a vegetarian, a vegan, gluten free, or lactose intolerant, we would like to know about that beforehand.
Our trekking chefs will be more than happy to prepare your meals so that you could feel completely comfortable eating the food during your journey.
Booking information for this tour.
Your booking of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu is an easy, quick and completely safe process. To verify your booking, kindly provide us with the following information:
It is extremely important that all personal information is provided exactly as stated in your passport since this information is required by the Peruvian government for issuing your official entrance permit to Machu Picchu and train reservation.
Kindly provide us with the following information for each traveler:
Complete information is necessary for us to process your permits and tickets without any delay.
In order to organize the logistics in a well-coordinated manner, kindly inform us about the hotels where you will be staying before and after your Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu:
It will help us arrange the pick up of your hotel, transportation to Mollepata/Soraypampa and return transportation from train station to your hotel in Cusco.
Your health and safety are of utmost importance to us during this journey up into the Andes. In case you have some restrictions regarding what you can eat or have some food allergies, such as being a vegetarian, a vegan, gluten free, or lactose intolerant, we would like to know about that beforehand.
Our trekking chefs will be more than happy to prepare your meals so that you could feel completely comfortable eating the food during your journey.
Our payment method is 100% secure and encrypted. In order to confirm your booking, please make your deposit or full payment by using the secure link below with your credit/debit card:
[PAYMENT LINK]
As soon as your payment is confirmed, we'll start to arrange all the services included in your Salkantay Trek package, which are:
Tickets for entry to Machu Picchu and trains are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Salkantay Trek is one of the most popular alternative treks to Machu Picchu especially during high season.
Therefore, we highly recommend you to make your payment as soon as possible in order to ensure your place in the tour.
After your booking is confirmed, you will receive an email containing the following information:
In case of any questions during the whole booking process, our staff will help you with pleasure.
We'll be glad to help you explore Machu Picchu by Salkantay route!
Answers to the most common questions regarding trail preparation and logistics.
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