Full Itinerary of Salkantay Trek  8 days

Day 1: Arrival at the airport – Cusco City Tour

Our team will pick you up from the airport of Cusco upon your arrival and transfer you to a centrally located hotel, where you will check in and have free time to relax in the morning (recommended to book early flights to Cusco). In the afternoon, you will start a walking tour with your tour guide, visiting the most remarkable places in Cusco city: Explore the plaza de Armas, see the 12-angled stone street, and discover the temple of the sun at Coricancha. The second part is by car, a 10-minute drive to Sacsayhuaman, enjoying the upper of Cusco’s views, then visiting the labyrinth of Qenqo, the temple of the water Tambomachay and the red fortress at Puka Pukara. On the way back to your hotel, if you still have time, visit the large white statue of Christ perched up the hill overlooking the city of Cusco. 

• Duration: Half-day
• Meals: Not Included
• Entrance Ticket: Included
• Accommodation: Casa Andina Standard or Similar

Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour: Pisac, Moray, Salineras of Maras, Ollantaytambo.

After breakfast in your hotel, The tour guide will collect you from the hotel at 7:30 am and drive across the Sacred Valley mountains. On the way, you will stop at Mirador of Taray, a lookout point with spectacular views of the Sacred Valley, the Andes’ eastern mountain range, and the Urubamba River. Later, you will head to Pisac to explore the archaeological site on the mountaintop and bargain at the famous handicraft market, where the local artisans produce textiles and sell them directly to tourists. After the market, you will drive for 1 hour to lunch at a local restaurant in Urubamba. You will have a variety of dishes prepared with fresh products from the area. After enjoying a delicious lunch, you will drive to the circular terraces of Moray, and Salineras of Maras, discover Ollantaytambo’s fortress, walk along the narrow Inca streets in the town, and head back to Cusco. Drop off at your hotel around 6.00 pm.

• Duration: Full-day
• Meals: Buffet Lunch
• Entrance Ticket: Included
• Accommodation: Casa Andina Standard or Similar

Day 3: Cusco – Humantay Lake – Salkantay Basecamp (12km, 6hrs)

We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco around 4:30 am in our exclusive van and drive for 3 hours to the trailhead – arriving approximately at 7:30 am. After breakfast, you will start the trek To Machu Picchu. First, you will hike for 3 hours to Soraypampa, where our chef waits for a delicious lunch prepared with fresh local products. 

After lunch, you will hike for 2 hours to Humantay Lake at 4200 meters. Hundreds of visitors visit this turquoise water lagoon every day; arriving in the late afternoon will allow you to enjoy this fantastic place with fewer people. Then, continue along the Salkantay Valley, following the meandering streams up to Salkantaypampa, the first campsite at Salkantay Mountain base located at 3900 meters. Upon arrival, you will find the tents ready, warm water to wash, tea time, dinner, and sleep in the comfortable tents under a million stars.

• Campsite Altitude: 3900 m - 12795 ft
• Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
• Duration: 7 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea time, and dinner
• Accommodation: Camping under million stars
• Considered: Moderate

Day 4: Salkantay Basecamp – Wayracmachay – Collpapampa (18km, 9hrs)

Wake in your tent with a hot cup of coffee or tea and a spectacular view of the mountains. You will have time to pack and get ready for the day. After breakfast, start with the most challenging part of the trek, a 2-hour ascent to the Salkantay Trek 8 days highest point, The Salkantay Pass ( 4630 m / 15190 ft). Once reaching the top, take some time to explore and enjoy the snow-capped peak with fantastic views. Then, continue a 2-hour descent to Wayracmachay, where your outstanding chef will wait for another excellent meal. After enjoying the well-earned lunch, continue dropping for 3 hours until arriving at the second campsite near the village of Collpapampa, located at 2770m (9087ft). Along the way, you will see a variety of flora and fauna and experience the fastest change in temperature that causes a drastic change in the landscape from cold, snowy peaks to green tropical areas.

• Campsite Altitude: 2770 mt / 9087 ft
• Highest altitude: 4630 m /15190 ft
• Distance: 18 km/ 11.1 miles
• Duration: 9 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, snacks, lunch, tea, and dinner
• Accommodation: Camping next to a village
• Considered: Challenging

Day 5: Collpapampa – Lucmabamba – Llactapata (16km, 8hrs)

After breakfast, around 7:00 am, start the 3-hour trek along the Salkantay Valley, following the white water river from the high mountains of Salkantay, a verdant area home to several waterfalls, orchids, flowers, coffee farms, and small villages. Lunch is among avocado trees at Lucmabamba. You will arrive right on time to participate in a Pachamanca, a traditional underground barbecue with hot stones; we put all kinds of meat, vegetables, and even fruits and bury them underground. While waiting for the special meal, you will visit Wilbert’s organic coffee farm, learn the harvesting process, and make your espresso cup. After the Pachamanca feast, you will continue the second part of the day, following an ancient Inca Trail for 3 hours up to Llactapata archeological site. This unique Inca site is right in front of Machu Picchu, where you will catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu. Spend the night with your tents overlooking the citadel.

• Campsite Altitude: 2,750 m / 9022ft
• Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
• Duration of hike:  8 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: Camping in front of Machu Picchu
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 6: Llactapata – Hydroelectric – Aguas Calientes (14km, 6hrs)

Wake up early, open your tent, and you will see Machu Picchu. If the weather allows, you will have the most beautiful sunrise over Machu Picchu, relax, and get ready for the final and last day of hiking to Aguas Calientes. The first part is a 2 hour downhill to Hidroelectrica Station, where you will get lunch to reenergize and say goodbye to our trekking team. Then, you will continue to Intiwatana (sundial rock). Visited by Hiram Bingham during the 1911 expeditions, this carefully carved rock perfectly aligns with the Sundial at Machu Picchu during the winter solstice.

Continue a pleasant 3-hour hike along the train tracks to Aguas Calientes. This part of the hike is full of history, not only because you will be walking around Machu Picchu but also because the American Explorer Hiram Bingham III used it during the 1911 expedition that led to the discovery of Machu Picchu. You will be able to visit the Mandor gardens. This is where Hiram Bingham arrived in 1911; he met a farmer named Arteaga and eventually discovered Machu Picchu, thanks to this farmer. Due to the rich flora and fauna, you will see different species of birds and flowers. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, check in at a hotel and enjoy a relaxing shower—dinner at a local restaurant.

• Aguas Calientes: 2,000 m/ 6561 ft
• Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles
• Duration: 6 hours
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel
• Difficulty: Moderate

Day 7: Discover Machu Picchu (Lost City of the Incas) – Cusco

On the last and most important day, wake up early, have breakfast in the hotel, and catch the first bus to Machu Picchu. The hotel will store the heavy bags for you, and you will go very light to get the best of the day. Upon arrival at the checkpoint, you must show the original passport and the entrance ticket we will provide. Once inside, you will explore the most important places with your tour guide, plazas, temples, and palaces, and learn about this fantastic place’s history. Afterward, you will have time to explore or climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (optional and different from Machu Picchu citadel).

Once you finish visiting Machu Picchu, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, have lunch (not included), and take the Vistadome panoramic train back to Ollantaytambo and then a private van back to Cusco. Drop off at your hotel around 7.30 pm.

• Duration of the tour: 3 – 4 hours
• Meals: Breakfast (hotel), others not included.
• Difficulty: Easy

Day 8: Depart Cusco

After breakfast, transfer to the airport or bus terminal according to your schedule.

Packing list for the Salkantay Trek 8 days

The Salkantay Trek 8 days package includes tours in Cusco, Sacred Valley, a multiday hiking trip to Machu Picchu, and exclusive hotels in Cusco city and Aguas Calientes. The packing list for each tour is different: 

What to pack for the city tour in Cusco?

On the first day, we will pick you up from the airport, bus station, or hotel if you are already in Cusco and transfer you to a hotel near the center of Cusco. You will have time to unpack and rest. You will be in the same hotel for 2 nights. 

For the city tour, you only need a small backpack: make sure you have all essentials for the tour. 

• Small backpack
• Warm clothes, appropriate for short hikes
• Rain gear all the time in your backpack
• Sun protection
• Water
• Snack
• Extra Money in Cash and Soles

What to pack for the Sacred Valley tour?

On the second day, you will explore the best of the Sacred in a full-day tour. You will travel in a small backpack, and your suitcase must stay in the Cusco hotel. Make sure you have all the necessary stuff with you.

• Small and comfortable backpack
• Comfortable clothes for the day tour
• Warm Clothes
• Rain gear
• Shoes for walking
• Extra money for souvenirs

What to Pack for the Salkantay Trek?

Essentials for Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu:

• Original Passport valid at least six months after travel date (a copy will not be accepted)
• Valid Student Card, you need to send a copy of the ID for verification (if you booked as a student)
• Comfortable hiking boots (light, comfortable, and broken in)
• A good quality daypack for hiking  (light, small and comfortable)
• Water storage for at least 2 liters; either a camel bag or aluminum canteens

What to put on the daypack every day:

Your daypack will always be with you during the day; it’s essential to know that cargo mules will carry the duffle bags, and we can only find them at the campsites but not during the day or lunch. Everything you might need during the day must be in your daypack. For Machu Picchu, the backpack for regulation must be smaller than 25 liters. If you have a bigger one, fear not; don't hesitate to get in touch with us to see if possible.

• Warm clothes for the mornings
• Rain gear is always with you
• Sun protection (sun cream, hats, sunglasses)
• Insect repellent
• Hand sanitizer, toilet paper, wet wipes
• Personal medication, band-aids, moleskin
• Camera, extra batteries, head torch
• Extra snacks, power bars, chocolate
• Extra money for souvenirs, drinks, and tips (small change is useful)

Other stuff goes to the duffle bag provided by TreXperience:

TreXperience will give you, during the briefing, one duffle bag to each trekker; here, you can put up to 8 kilos of your stuff, including sleeping bags and air mattresses. If you rent equipment from us, the sleeping bags weigh 2 kilos, and the air mattress weighs 1 kilo. Remember not to put breakable items.

• Sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
• Air mattress (can be rented from us)
• Comfortable shoes for the camp after hiking
• Warm jacket, hat, and gloves to stay warm at night
• 5 sets of t-shirts
• 3 comfortable hiking trousers
• 5 sets of undergarments
• 1 Fleece or a down jacket for the coldest nights
• Quick-dry towels, toiletries
• Powerbank/battery charger
• Plastic bags to keep wet or muddy clothes separate

Special Price Per Person 980.USD     

Book Now

To book the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, you need to make an initial payment of 400.USD per person, the remaining balance can be paid online, in installments, or Cusco with any credit card at no booking fees at all.

Student Discount:
All travelers under 17 will have a $40. If you are 25 years old or under at the time of traveling, you can get the 40$ discount with your student ID. Please advise by email to give you a code for the discount.

Valid Student ID for Machu Picchu

To get the student discount, travelers should have a Valid ID with the following:

• 25 years or less at the time of entering Machu Picchu. Older than 25 can not enter as a student
• The ID must have the Name of the university, name, and photo of the student
• The ID must have a valid expiration date

Invalid Student IDs

Student IDs are not eligible for a discount when:

• Traveler is older than 25
• Expired ID
• Student Id without expiration date
• ISIC cards are not valid. 

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