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Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu: A 5 Day Adventure Through Stunning Andean Landscapes
Embark on a 5-day adventure through the stunning Andean landscapes of the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Experience breathtaking views, diverse landscapes, and unique cultural experiences along the way.
Duration:
5 days
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
Humantay Lake - We will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning and have a beautiful scenic drive of 3 hours duration to Mollepata. At Mollepata we will have breakfast at one of the local houses. After breakfast we will get back on the road for 1 hour and 45 minutes until we reach Soraypampa, the start of the trek. During this portion of the drive we will see our first views of Salkantay and Humantay Mountains.
At Soraypampa (12,467 ft) we will meet our support staff, who will pack everything for the trek and load the equipment onto horses. We begin our hike with a visit to Humantay lake. This is a 2 hour excursion.
After that expedition, we return to the trailhead and begin the hike to Salkantaypampa. We begin with a gentle 2 hour climb to Salkantaypampa, our lunch spot for the day. After lunch we ascend for 2 hours to Soyrococha (14,332 ft), our camp for the night.
What's Included
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- Lunch and dinner daily
- Breakfast included each morning
- Spacious four-person tent for every two travelers
- Toilet tent with portable toilet
- Expert bilingual English-speaking tour guide
- Expedition train from Aguas Calientes
- Comfortable mattress and pillow
- Hot water for washing
- Convenient hotel pickup and transport to Soraypampa
- Informative pre-departure briefing at your hotel
- Emergency oxygen bottle and medical kit available
- Support from wranglers and horses for equipment carriage
- Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Daily provision of boiled and cold water for hydration
- Backup emergency horse
- Engaging coffee plantation tour on day 3
- Well-equipped kitchen tent
- Horse service to carry personal gear (up to 8 kg)
- Skilled chef and assistant chef service
- Complimentary duffle bag for personal items
- Accommodation in Aguas Calientes on the fourth night (double occupancy)
What's Not Included
- Sleeping bag
- Day 5 lunch in Aguas Calientes
- Tips for the crew (muleteers, chef and guide)
- Hiking poles
- Round trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu
Additional Information
This journey takes place beneath the spectacular Salkantay mountain (20,569ft), one of the most majestic and towering peaks in the Andes. The Salkantay Trek has recently been named on the National Geographic Ultimate Adventure bucket list, labeled as “The 20 most daring, thrilling, legendary adventures globally.” It’s a trek that’s accessible to everyone and serves as the most preferred alternative to the Inca Trail trek.
This adventure includes 4 days of trekking through a variety of sceneries such as highlands, cloud forest, rain forest, and dry mountain. On this journey, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Apu Salkantay, Pumasillo Mountain, and Humantay Mountain, three of the most impressive peaks of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range.
Our trek package encompasses accommodation in a luxurious hotel on the fourth night, an exclusive coffee plantation tour on the third day afternoon, and dinner at a wonderful local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
- What to bring:
- Original passport (if you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both)
- Down or synthetic feather sleeping bag (can be rented from us)
- Clothes (trekking boots, warm fleece jacket, a few t-shirts, socks, sun hat, warm underwear, light long pants, gloves, rain jacket)
- Toiletries (toilet paper, wet wipes, personal towel)
- Sunscreen SPF 35+ recommended
- Head lamp
- Sunglasses
- Camera with spare batteries (batteries run down faster at high altitudes)
- Binoculars
- Book to read (you will have some spare time at every camp to read your favorite book)
- Trekking poles (recommended especially for the steep descents, can be rented from us)
- Insect repellent
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(40 Ratings)
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Daydream27795468074
Jul 13, 2024
Probably the best guide you could get in South America - You can't get a better guide than Christian. He has literally guided documentary crews on expeditions across South America (and is featured in multiple nature documentaries). Throughout the trip, we stopped to discuss various plants - not only did Christian know the Latin names and scientific uses for them but also explained the Incan mythology and stories surrounding the plants. He was able to answer every possible question about both the environment, Incan history, modern culture of Incan descendants, etc.
I'm sure there are plenty of guides that will keep you safe and ensure everything is well organized for your trip, and Christian did that excellently, but it's hard to believe any match his knowledge and willingness to share.
He's fluent in English, Spanish, and Quechua and makes everything easy to understand for everyone. In addition, I will add that in past experiences, many male guides or other workers in the tourism industry tend to behave at least passively sexist. Christian was not this way at all and me and my wife discussed how much we appreciated that he didn't defer to me ever but treated us both equally.
Note, however, that Action Peru employs more guides than just Christian. If I were you I would plan my trip around what he's guiding. We did the Salkantay trek with him, but he guides the Inca trail as well and a ton of other things in the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Valonap
Jun 28, 2024
Awesome!! - Had An AMAZING time in Peru!! I highly recommend this company.
My friends and I were very satisfied with their service , the meals were incredible and delicious, our guide Hipo was lovely, knowledgeable, and very helpful to us!!. Also, the rest of the crew were really good people and very nice!! I believe they’re more ethical than other companies as well. It was absolutely worth it and I had a great experience!
Trekking never felt so good 🌱💥
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adriatikgacaferi
Jun 24, 2024
Salkanty to Machu Pichu - As a tour leader I work with many tour operators around the world but this one was the best that I have worked so far, also the guides, chefs and other staff where amazing and did a great job.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Georgef623
May 25, 2024
Excellent tour and guides - This trek is amazing! The views are stunning! The first couple days, the hiking is difficult due to the altitude but then it backs off after the pass. Get acclimatized and its fine.
The food was really outstanding. Action Peru chefs (locals to the valley guys) prepared 3 meals a day, buffet style, and I was really impressed (I work in a high end resturaunt). They really were wonderful people and cared about their work!
Tents were good, pads were think and held air, and the rented sleeping bag was plenty warm and smelled like they had just laundered it between trips. Rented poles (black diamond adjustable) were perfect. Horse packing guys (also locals) were also pros.
The guides, Christian and Eddie (locals) were really amazing guys (chicos)! They're patient and I almost never felt rushed to go go go. And when they do need you to pick up the pace a bit (maybe on train day), they're kind and patient and told us why so that you understand why you need to get on with it (we had a train to catch). But when we all wanted to chill at the top of something and soak in the views, they never rushed us out (this is important to me in a group thing which is why I mention it).
I highly recommend this tour provider and I would use them again in the future no doubt.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chrysoulat2024
Jan 20, 2024
Great experience in Salkantay trek - The trip was amazing and everything was very well organised! People were super friendly and the food was great! The first two days of the trek require some good physical status but the rest of the trek is of medium difficulty. Highly recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cerys_s00
Nov 1, 2023
A Perfect Experience on the Machu Picchu Salkantay Trek - Action Peru Treks is a company that offers trekking tours to Machu Picchu and other Andean destinations from Cusco. My wife and I, along with our two children, recently participated in the 5-day Machu Picchu Salkantay Trek.
The trek was a comprehensive package that included hotel accommodation, guiding, food, and transportation. Our guide, Pedro, was very knowledgeable and experienced. He taught us a lot about the history and culture of the Andes along the way. The trek was challenging but rewarding. We saw stunning scenery along the way and experienced the natural beauty of the Andes firsthand. When we arrived at Machu Picchu, we realized that all of the challenges were worth it. I highly recommend Action Peru Treks if you are planning a trekking tour to Machu Picchu or other Andean destinations. The company offers quality service and a great experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonathonc204
Oct 10, 2023
Good trip, excellent team. - Firstly, Christian (tour guide) was fantastic! Christian was a key part to making this a real experience, he was knowledgeable of the local wildlife and flora and the history. Christian was caring for each and every person within the group, much appreciated.
The support team who helped with luggage, tent set up etc were great. They were also great cooks and ensured we were well fed - more than you could actually eat. Much appreciated.
Other than that what to say, the walk was great, views were amazing and weather was good.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rrachel212
Sep 30, 2023
Transformative Adventure - Just finished my 4 night/5 day Salkantay trek with Action Peru Treks. It’s really hard to put the experience into words. I’ve travelled extensively and with lots of different groups. I’ve never had a better experience than I did on this trip. I booked this trip on a whim after a very transformative few years. I wanted to challenge myself and challenge myself I did!
I’ll be honest, there are some really high points and some steep drop offs where you’re fairly close to the edge — this made me a bit nervous as I thought I was slightly out of my depth. HOWEVER, our amazing guide Christian was with me every step of the way. He supported me and when I decided to skip a hike he ensured alternative accommodations were made so that I was happy and enjoying myself.
I do reccomend researching this trek thoroughly and being physically AND mentally prepared. Ensure you ask questions and feel extremely confident— I will be doing this for all future treks.
Christian and his team embraced us with such warmth and kindness. You can tell how proud they are of Peru and that they can share it with others. They honestly feel like family.
My fellow travelers were some of the best people I’ve ever met. I’ll miss everyone terribly, but it’s not goodbye, just see you later! Cannot wait for my next adventure with Action Treks Peru!
Ps- all photos shown were taken by our guide, Christian! Such incredible pics
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jasjotk771
Sep 30, 2023
Amazing experience - Amazing hiking experience, was super well organised. Our guide Christian was super knowledgeable, friendly and took such good care of everyone. The cooking and porter team were top notch, serving excellent 3 course meals. The tents and sleeping bags were all of excellent quality. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Global53093962158
Sep 29, 2023
Amazing trek with the best team - Mu husband and I had an amazing time at the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu! Our trip leader Christian was absolutely amazing, with so much knowledge about the surrounding and its history, and pride for Peru. His personable approach and constant humour kept us going through the hard parts (and there were a few haha). The chef and team were also outstanding, preparing three course meals thrice a day at extremely high altitudes while catering to everyone’s allergies at all times. We had a truly memorable experience topped by the stunning views of Machu Picchu - would highly recommend Christian and team!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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