The Salkantay Trek
14 Days Starting and ending in Cuzco
Visiting: Cusco, Tambomachay, Tarawasi, Mollepata, Salcantay, La Pampa, Peru, Huayllabamba, Machu Picchu, Puyupatamarca, Vilcabamba, Ollantaytambo, Pisac
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TPS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Physical rating:
Challenging
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$4048
$3749 (USD)
Operator discount: -$193
The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$106
Tour Overview
This trek spends a few days deep in the bewildering majesty of the Cordillera Vilcabamba before joining the classic Inca Trail for the approach to Machu Picchu. This high route skirts many of the great peaks and passes close to Mt. Salkantay (6271m) and its creaking glaciers. The trek continues through remote villages and crosses the spectacular Inca Chiriasqa Pass and finishes by exploring the Inca temples and fortresses of Cuzco and the Sacred Valley.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Cuzco (3400M); Afternoon City Tour.
Location: Cusco
Accommodation Name: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)
The trip starts in Cuzco (3400m) today. The group flights usually arrive late morning. The Inca capital - though small enough to be easily manageable - is among the most attractive cities in South America, with much of the centre comprising colonial-era buildings with Inca foundations, and it is full of interesting museums, churches and pre-Columbian sites. We will have a short walking tour of the city including a visit to the Qoricancha Sun Temple.
It is recommended to take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and to drink plenty of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude (3,400m).
There will be a welcome briefing in the hotel lobby this evening.
Hotel Koyllur / Warari (or similar)
Day 2 : Full Day Walking Tour Of Nearby Ruins Including Tambomachay And Sacsayhuaman.
Location: Tambomachay, Cusco
Accommodation Name: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfastlunch
The hills above Cuzco city are dotted with some of the most interesting Inca ruins. We drive to the highest, Tambomachay, and return on foot to Cuzco via Puca Pucara, Qenco and Sacsayhuaman: an easy acclimatisation walk to get used to the altitude. An open-air picnic lunch is included during the hike near the spectacular ruins.
Hotel Koyllur / Warari (or similar)
Day 3 : Free Day In Cuzco.
Location: Cusco
Accommodation Name: Mamasara Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
Free day in Cuzco to relax and further acclimatise before starting the tour. A range of optional activities and sightseeing excursions can be arranged, including visits to Inca and pre-Inca sites south of Cuzco, or walks in the hills surrounding the city but we recommend taking it relatively easy in preparation for the start of the trek tomorrow.
Hotel Koyllur / Warari (or similar)
Day 4 : Drive To Marcocasa; Trek To Camp At Soraypampa.
Location: Tarawasi, Mollepata
Accommodation Name: Soraypampa Camp (full-service camping)
Meals Included: breakfastlunchdinner
A few hours drive via the interesting Inca remains of Tarawasi (optional) takes us high to the hill town of Mollepata (2980m) where we make a brief stop, before continuing on to Marcocsa (3515m), where we will start our trek. We trek from here to our campsite near of Soraypampa (3910m) where we spend our first night under canvas. The total driving time is approx. 4 hours, and the walk will take around 5-6 hours of uphill and steady climbing along well-made tracks.
Full-service Camping
Day 5 : Optional Walk To Humantay Lagoon And Climb Up To Base Of Salkantay.
Location: Salcantay
Accommodation Name: Salkantay Camp (full-service camping)
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Start your day with an optional 3 hour (return) walk to Humantay Lagoon to see the magnificent water mirror in the middle of the Andes. Return for an early lunch at the campsite of Soraypampa (3910m), and then continue our ascent towards the massive bulk of Salkantay (6271m) which soon dominates our view. We camp at around 4400m in the high grassy meadow of Ichu Pata, below the south face and glaciers of the impressive peak.
Full-service Camping
Day 6 : Cross Inca Chiriasqa Pass And Follow Glaciated Valley To Pampa Cahuana.
Location: La Pampa, Peru
Accommodation Name: Pampa Cahuana Camp (full-service camping)
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
The high point of the trek and this morning's goal is the Inca Chiriasqa pass at almost 5000m. Climbing more steeply now we walk close to the spectacular glaciers and ice walls of Nevado Salcantay. Passing through Pampa Japonesa, base camp for a Japanese mountaineering expedition, we finally top the pass and gain some excellent 360° panoramic views. Inca Chirisaqa means ‘the Inca fell ill from cold', and the exposed situation makes it easy to see why. Descending from the pass, we drop down into the upper reaches of a broad valley where Salcantay reappears in a new profile. After passing a huge ridge of terminal moraine, once the snout of the East Salcantay Glacier, the river suddenly becomes dead straight, canalised by the Incas centuries ago. We camp alongside the canal close to the hamlet of Pampa Cahuana (3870m).Full-service Camping
Day 7 : Follow River To Camp At Huayllabamba.
Location: Huayllabamba
Accommodation Name: Huayllabamba Camp (full-service camping)
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Setting off from camp this morning, we follow the canal, which soon drops into a steep-sided valley. The path follows the side of this valley all the way to Paucarcancha, an Inca watchtower which guarded the Pampa Cahuana valley. We have time to explore this small site before continuing to the village of Huayllabamba (3100m) where we camp for the night.Full-service Camping
Day 8 : Join Inca Trail And Cross Dead Woman's Pass (4215M).
Location: Machu Picchu
Accommodation Name: Pacaymayu Camp (full-service camping)
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Today we join the main Inca Trail, the iconic trek to Machu Picchu. From the village of Huayllabamba, a long and steady climb takes us first through an area of cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then over the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman) Pass at 4215m. After quite a long, steep descent we camp in the scenic Pacaymayo valley (3600m).Full-service Camping
Day 9 : Over Runkuracay Pass (3800M) To Ruins Of Sayacmarca And Phuyupatamarca.
Location: Puyupatamarca
Accommodation Name: Phuyupatamarca Camp (full-service camping)
Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
We start today with an easier climb, past the small ruins of Runkuracay , which takes us over the Runkuracay Pass (3800m), and from now on the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined path made of flat boulders. We pass the ruins of Sayacmarca and suddenly enter cloud forest. At one point the trail passes through a short Inca tunnel before crossing onto the Amazon side of the continental divide. We normally camp on the ridge above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (3650m) to benefit from the views of sunset and sunrise, and to avoid the crowded Wiñay Wayna campsite.
Full-service Camping
Day 10 : Down Inca Steps To Wiñay Wayna And Machu Picchu Via The Sun Gate.
Location: Vilcabamba, Machu Picchu
Accommodation Name: Terraza de Luna (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfastlunch
From the ridge, we embark on the infamous Inca steps: a two kilometre stone staircase taking us rapidly downhill amid a panorama of overwhelming immensity, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above, and the river thousands of metres below. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay Wayna, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From here we get our first full sight of Machu Picchu itself, with Huayna Picchu rising behind.
Traditionally busy with groups of trekkers clamouring for photos, we plan our arrival at Inti Punku later in the day so we can enjoy unobstructed views of the magnificent ruins. Passing around the edge of the ruins, we exit the site and descend to Aguas Calientes for a well-earned rest, a shower and a comfortable bed for the night. Our trekking permits allow us one entry into the site, which we use for our tour tomorrow.
There is usually time for an optional visit to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes, however, in recent years they have become over-crowded and the water quality can suffer as a result.
Hotel Inti Punku El Tambo (or similar)
Day 11 : Guided Tour Of Machu Picchu; Train To Sacred Valley.
Location: Ollantaytambo
Meals Included: breakfast
In order to beat the day-trippers arriving from Cuzco and reach the ruins as early as possible, a very early start is required to queue for Machu Picchu; only government-registered buses can make the 30-minute drive up the winding road to the site entrance and during high season (May-October) queues can be long.
Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world and what makes it all the more dramatic is its mountain backdrop of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained a great enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham.
New regulations for visiting Machu Picchu are now fully enforced; of the three possible visiting slots, Exodus will purchase the morning slot from 06:00 until 12:00 (unless unavailable), you will be limited to a maximum of four hours within the site and must be accompanied by a guide. There will also be three set routes to follow around Machu Picchu; Exodus selects the most comprehensive route.
We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30 mins) where we stay for the night.
Tunupa Lodge (or similar)
Day 12 : Explore Ollantaytambo And Pisac; Return To Cuzco.
Location: Ollantaytambo, Pisac
Accommodation Name: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
A day exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting the famous Inca fortress ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac which tower over the villages below them of the same name. We will also have time to look around Pisac Market, famous for its handicrafts, before returning by road to Cuzco.
Hotel Koyllur / Warari (or similar)
Day 13 : Free Day Cuzco.
Location: Cusco
Accommodation Name: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)
Meals Included: breakfast
Today has been left free to relax or explore Cuzco further. There are a number of optional excursions available which your tour leader can arrange for you. If you still have the energy you could chose to mountain bike in the Sacred Valley taking in a 30-35km ride through Moray, Maras and then down to Sacred Valley through ancient communities, farming fields and amazing Andean landscape. Alternatively, you could try your hand at paddle boarding on Lake Piuray near the town of Chinchero. Or, if feeling more subdued, take it easy and watch the world go by in Cuzco’s Plaza de Armas.
Hotel Koyllur / Warari (or similar)
Day 14 : End Cuzco.
Location: Cusco
Meals Included: breakfast
For land only travellers, the trip ends in Cuzco after breakfast today. Those who are travelling on the group flights will be taken to Cuzco airport for your overnight international flight to London.
What's Included
-
Tour leader throughout
-
Inflatable sleeping mat while camping
-
Exodus kitbagÂ
-
Full porterage throughout trekÂ
-
Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
-
All breakfasts, 8 lunches and 6 dinners
-
7 nights en suite hotels and 6 nights full-service camping
-
All transport and listed activities
-
Arrival and departure transfers
-
Meals
13 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners.
What's Not Included
-
Sleeping bag (hire locally from US$35)
-
Travel insurance
-
Single accommodation (available on request)Â
-
Visas or vaccinations
-
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request)Â Visas or vaccinationsSleeping bag (hire locally from US$35)
-
— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations — Sleeping bag (hire locally from US$35)
Food
All breakfasts, 8 lunches and 6 dinners are included in the price of the tour. Peruvian cuisine has developed a reputation for its flavours and originality and it’s well worth trying out a few of the local delicacies. Amongst these are ceviche (a spicy dish of seafood or fish marinated in lime juice), lomo saltado (a Peruvian take on a beef stir-fry) and various hearty soups such as the delicious quinoa soup. Other dishes include roasted cuy (guinea pig), alpaca steak, and to drink, the national beverage: Pisco Sour. Drinking water is provided. The tap water in Peru is not safe to drink; boiled and filtered drinking water is provided on the trek and elsewhere your leader will buy large water containers for you to refill your bottle from. Hotel breakfasts are normally simple buffet-style affairs, usually including bread/toast and jam, cereal, sometimes eggs or a cooked dish, sometimes fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice. Regrettably, we can not guarantee that wheat/gluten-free products will be available for breakfast in all locations - if you have an intolerance you may wish to bring your own breakfast food. Where lunch and dinner is not included in Cuzco/Aguas Calientes we'll visit a variety of cafes and restaurants. During the trek, hearty breakfasts are served and good quality cooked lunches and dinners are provided, and usually consist of soup or a starter, a main course with meat/fish and some form of carbohydrates, followed by a dessert. Some snacks between meals are also provided. Bed tea/coffee is brought to your tent each morning and juice or hot drinks are provided with all meals during the trek.
Accommodation
On this Peruvian adventure, we stay in three-star hotels for seven nights and spend six nights camping. The selected hotels have an excellent blend of quality and comfort and are within an easy walk of city and town attractions. Our camping is full service with porterage, meaning our camp staff put up and take down the tents, cook, and do all the camp chores. You need only carry your backpack for the day and enjoy your time on trek. Below are the accommodations we typically use.
Cuzco:Â MamaSara (nights 1-3 and 12-13)
Just a few blocks from the historic centre, MamaSara is well located for our adventures in the one-time Inca capital of Cuzco. The design of the rooms pays homage to the city with locally sourced furniture and artwork, while the restaurant serves Peruvian Andean cuisine.
Salkantay and Inca Trail: Full-service camping (nights 4-9)
For six nights, we sleep among Andean peaks and wake to mountain views. It'll be the adventure of a lifetime for some, but not one without comforts. We sleep and dine in good-quality four-season tents and we have a toilet tent set up both in camp and during lunch stops. While on trek, a bowl of warm water is provided for washing each morning and evening. Camp staff will set up, break down and transport all camp equipment necessary on the trek, providing you with more time and energy to take in these magnificent routes.
Aguas Calientes:Â Inti Punku Machu Picchu Hotel (night 10)
The Inti Punku Machu Picchu hotel is centrally located in the small town of Aguas Calientes, which sits alongside the Urubamba River. This comfortable hotel has clean, contemporary rooms with private baths and hot water, making it a perfect place to relax and take in this unique setting far below the ruins of Machu Picchu.
Ollantaytambo:Â Tunupa Lodge (night 11)
Tunupa Lodge is in Ollantaytambo, a town in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It has a bar and restaurant that serves delicious local and international cuisine, plus a variety of drinks. It also has a lovely garden and is a great place to relax and reflect on your amazing trek to Machu Picchu.
Worth knowing
Camping: Boiled and filtered drinking water is provided in the mornings, at lunch and dinner times so we can refill our water bottles.
Single accommodation (including tents) can be arranged, subject to availability. Please request this at the time of booking.
Check out our Q&As
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
tourhub Discount Available - Sign In
Sunday - Saturday
Aug 18, 2024 - Aug 31, 2024Sunday - Saturday
Sep 15, 2024 - Sep 28, 2024Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."