If the Salkantay trek isn’t enough for you, this 8-day trip is the ultimate adventure if you want to experience the best of Cusco in one tour. Before embarking on the hike of a lifetime, take a few days to explore the most famous sites in the city of Cusco, immerse yourself in the Incan wonders of the Sacred Valley, and immerse yourself in the extraordinary local history and culture.
Once you get used to the altitude, you’ll be ready to conquer Peru’s most impressive hiking route: the Salkantay hike. Prepare to exceed your limits as you approach the imposing Salkantay Mountain and the glacial lake Humantay, in both directions towards the stunning wonder of Machu Picchu: a truly stunning expedition!
This complete 8-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu starts right in the Inca capital, Cusco. From there, the magical atmosphere of the Andes prepares you to embark on the real adventure. This trip includes day excursions, exclusive hotels and the most incredible trek to Machu Picchu.
To begin your adventure, our team will pick you up at the airport and take you to a central hotel. Arriving early will give you some time to relax in the city before the tour (we recommend booking early morning flights to Cusco).
Our tour begins in the afternoon at 1:00 p.m. You will have time to visit some tourist sites of Cusco, if you wish you can do it with one of our tour guides, you will be able to explore the Plaza de Armas, visit the 12-sided stone street and see the once golden Temple of the Sun in Qoricancha .
10 minutes from the city of Cusco you will visit the Sacsayhuamán fortress, an extraordinary Inca environment with enormous rock walls. After enjoying the views of Upper Cusco, visit the Qenqo Labyrinth, the Tambomachay Water Temple, and the Puka Pukara Red Fort. Return to your hotel and if you still have time, we will visit the large white statue of Christ the Redeemer perched on the hill overlooking the city of Cusco.
Today we will leave after breakfast at 7:30 am and drive through the rolling mountains of the Sacred Valley. Our first stop will be the Mirador de Taray, a viewpoint that offers spectacular views of the Sacred Valley, the eastern mountain range of the Andes and the Urubamba River.
We then headed to Pisac, famous for its craft market and impressive archaeological site. Before exploring the site, you can explore the craft shops to better understand the Andean culture.
We will make an ascent to the site of Pisaq itself. This extraordinary place, which was once a checkpoint, has incredible and spectacular vertical terraces that make it even more surreal.
After enjoying the view, we drive an hour to Urubamba and have lunch in traditional Cuco style. We will be able to taste different dishes prepared with fresh ingredients and local products from the Sacred Valley.
Then we head west to visit two unmissable stops on the tour: the circular terraces of Moray and the salt mines of Maras. Our last stop will be the charming town of Ollantaytambo, where we will walk through the last Inca streets and visit the impressive site. Then we will return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel around 6:00 pm
This day begins when we pick you up from your hotel in Cusco around 4:30 am and we will drive 3 hours to the starting point of the Salkantay Trek . We will arrive early enough, around 7:30 am, to enjoy your first breakfast on the mountain. l
The first easy walk will take us 3 hours to reach Soraypampa where we will make preparations for the next few days. Along the way, you will experience spectacular views of the mountains and valleys that surround us. Once you arrive in Soraypampa, a hearty and delicious lunch awaits you in the middle of the most beautiful mountain landscape.
After lunch, we will make an ascent until we reach Humantay Lake at 4,200 m (13,780 feet). Hundreds of visitors visit this turquoise Lake every day, but you’ll arrive in the late afternoon, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy this incredible place with fewer crowds. From there we continue through the Salkantay Valley and follow the winding streams to Salkantaypampa.
Here we will set up our first camp near the Salkantay mountain at 4,150 m (13,615). Here we will have hot water to wash clothes and tea time. Finally, after dinner we will sleep in our comfortable tents under the beautiful starry sky of the Andes.
Walking distance: 12 km
We will start the day with a hot coffee and a spectacular mountain view! We will have time to prepare our things for this day of walking.
After breakfast, you will begin the most difficult part of the Salkantay Trail, a two-hour climb to the highest point, the Salkantay Pass (4,630 m/15,190 ft). Once you reach the summit, take time to explore and enjoy the snow-capped peak. It offers fantastic views, including Pumasillo Peak and an incredible rock forest. Then continue downhill for 2 hours to Wayracmachay where your chef awaits for another great meal.
After enjoying a well-deserved lunch, we will continue our 3-hour descent until we reach the second camp near the town of Collpapampa at 2,770 m (9,087 feet).
Along the way, you’ll see a wide variety of flora and fauna, the result of the landscape’s most rapid and dramatic temperature changes, from cold, snowy peaks to tropical green spaces. We will camp and have dinner before enjoying the rest of the night.
This day of walking begins at 7:00 am, after tasting breakfast we will make a 3-hour trip until we reach the Santa Teresa Valley enjoying the company of the Salkantay mountains, where we will also enjoy the company of the flora and fauna. fauna of the area.
We will arrive in Lucmabamba just in time to participate in a pachamanca, a traditional underground barbecue .
This unique banquet is prepared with hotel stones and is accompanied by all kinds of meats, vegetables and even fruits buried underground.
While we wait for our food we will tour Wilbert’s organic coffee farm, learn about the harvesting process and prepare your own cup of espresso directly from the beans.
Here we will make a small pachamanca, which is a meal that is prepared and cooked inside the earth, for three hours in the second part of the day. This trail takes you to the magnificent archaeological site of Llactapata, located right in front of Machu Picchu. Here we will enjoy the first impressive views of the ruins of Machu Picchu and spend the night in our tents overlooking the immensity of the mountains.
This day begins very early with a spectacular view of Machu Picchu for the second time.
If the weather permits, you will appreciate the most beautiful sunrise over the citadel. The first part is a two-hour descent to the hydroelectric plant, where you will have lunch to recharge your batteries and say goodbye to our trekking team. Then we continue to Intiwatana (Sundial Rock).
This carefully carved rock was visited by Hiram Bingham during the 1911 expeditions and coincides perfectly with Machu Picchu’s sundial during the winter solstice.
We will walk for 3 hours following the train tracks towards Aguas Calientes. This part of the hike is steeped in history, not only because it crosses Machu Picchu, but also because American explorer Hiram Bingham III used it during the 1911 expedition that led to the discovery of Machu Picchu.
In this part you can visit the Mandor Gardens, where Hiram Bingham met a farmer named Arteaga and thanks to him he finally discovered Machu Picchu. Due to the richness of flora and fauna, it is possible to observe various species of birds and flowers, including orchids and other endemic species. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, enjoy a relaxing shower and dinner at a local restaurant.
This is the best day of the walk, we will visit Machu Picchu, and this day begins with breakfast at the hotel and then take the first bus to Machu Picchu.
You can leave your suitcases at the Hotel, and enjoy the day better; Upon arrival at the checkpoint, you must present your original passport and immigration card. During this 3-hour tour, you’ll explore important sites of Machu Picchu, such as plazas, temples, and palaces, with your guide. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the history of this incredible place and learn more about the untold stories with up-to-date information.
At this point, if you purchased the visit to Huayna Picchu, you can climb the famous Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu (optional and different from the Machu Picchu Citadel). After your tour, take the bus to Aguas Calientes, we will have lunch (NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOUR) and take the Vistadome panoramic train to Ollantaytambo. From there our private van will take you back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel around 7:30 pm.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport or bus station, depending on your schedule.
The 8-day Salkantay Trek package includes a city tour of Cusco and the Sacred Valley and a multi-day trek to Machu Picchu, meaning you’ll need the right equipment for any climate and temperature. The packing list for each visit is different:
On the first day we will pick you up from the airport, bus station or hotel if you are already in Cusco. We will take you to a hotel near the center of Cusco and we will have time to unpack our luggage and rest. You stay in the same hotel for 2 nights.
All you need for the city tour is a small backpack – make sure you have everything you need for the tour.
This day we will have the whole day to visit the Sacred Valley, bring a small backpack with you and your suitcase must remain at the hotel. Make sure you have everything you need:
Below, we present the essentials of the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu:
Since you always carry your backpack with you, you should bring personal and useful things for each day of hiking. For Machu Picchu, the backpack regulations only allow backpacks of less than 25 liters. If you have a larger specimen, please contact us to see if it is possible to bring it with you.
On the day of your informational talk, we will provide you with a canvas bag in which you can pack up to 8 kg of your belongings, including sleeping bags and mattresses. If you rent the equipment from us, the sleeping bags weigh 2 kg and the mattress up to 1 kg. Be careful not to carry any fragile items.
You don’t have to worry about carrying your duffel bags while walking. The mules and muleteers carry them for you. However, please note that you will only have access to your items once they have arrived at the respective warehouse.
Plastic bags to separate wet or dirty clothes
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