The Salkantay Trek

The Salkantay Trek

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14 Days From

$3900

$3120

The Salkantay Trek

14 Days Starting and ending in Cuzco

Visiting: Peru

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

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:

English
From: $3900 $3120 Operator discount: -$780 -20%

NB: Prices correct on 22-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

This ultimate Inca Trail trek spends four days trekking deep in the majestic Vilcabamba mountain range 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 Mount Salkantay (20,574ft/6,271m) and its creaking glaciers. The trek continues through remote villages and crosses the spectacular Inca Chiriasqa Pass to finally join the classic Inca Trail before finishing at the famous Inti Punku (Sun Gate).  This trek also allows plenty of time to explore the Inca temples and fortresses of Cuzco and the Sacred Valley.



Our classic Inca Trail trip is designed to give you more time to enjoy the trail by arriving to Machu Picchu in the afternoon for iconic photos and overnight in Aguas Calientes.  We return the next morning, fresh and well rested, for our in-depth tour of Machu Picchu and train back to Cuzco.

Highlights

  • Connect the Salkantay Trail and classic Inca Trail for the ultimate South America trek

  • Enjoy camp life in the Andes - our expert staff take care of all the chores!

  • Explore Inca ruins as our knowledgeable tour leader brings them to life

  • Arrive at the famed Sun Gate at the ideal time to see Machu Picchu

  • Refresh after your trek with a stay in charming Aguas Calientes

  • Tour Machu Picchu, your experience enhanced after a restful hotel stay

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Start Cuzco; Afternoon City Tour

The trip starts in Cuzco. The Inca capital, 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. It is also full of interesting museums, churches and pre-Columbian sites. We have a short walking tour of the city, including a visit to the Qoricancha Sun Temple.



Take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and drink plenty of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude (11,155ft/3,400m).



There is a welcome briefing in the hotel lobby this evening.



Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 : Full-Day Walking Tour Of Nearby Ruins Including Tambomachay And Sacsayhuaman

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

The hills above Cuzco are dotted with interesting Inca ruins. We drive to the highest, Tambomachay, and return on foot to Cuzco via Puca Pucara, Qenco and Sacsayhuaman: an easy walk to aid acclimatisation. An open-air picnic lunch is included during the hike near the spectacular ruins.



Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 : Free Day In Cuzco

Meals Included: Breakfast

We have a 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.



Accommodation: Mamasara Hotel (or similar)

Day 4 : Drive To Marcocasa; Trek To Camp At Soraypampa

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A few hours’ drive, via the interesting Inca remains of Tarawasi (optional), takes us to the hill town of Mollepata where we make a brief stop, before continuing to Marcocasa, where we start our trek. We trek from here to our campsite near Soraypampa (12,830ft/3,910m) where we spend our first night under canvas. The total driving time is approximately four hours, and the walk takes around five to six hours of uphill and steady climbing along well-made tracks.



Accommodation: Soraypampa Camp (full-service camping)

Day 5 : Optional Walk To Humantay Lagoon And Climb Up To Base Of Salkantay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The morning begins, as all do on our Inca Trail trek, with a hot drink delivered to your tent. Start your day with an optional three-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 and then continue our ascent towards Salkantay, the "Savage Mountain" in local Quechua language, which soon dominates our view. We camp at around 14,435ft (4,400m) in the high grassy meadow of Ichu Pata, below the south face and glaciers of the impressive peak.



Accommodation: Salkantay Camp (full-service camping)

Day 6 : Cross Inca Chiriasqa Pass And Follow Glaciated Valley To Pampa Cahuana

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The high point of the trek, and the goal this morning, is the Inca Chiriasqa pass at almost 16,400ft (5,000m). Climbing more steeply now, we walk close to the spectacular glaciers and ice walls of Nevado Salkantay. Passing through Pampa Japonesa, basecamp for a Japanese mountaineering expedition, we finally top the pass and gain excellent 360-degree 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 Salkantay reappears in a new profile. After passing a huge ridge of terminal moraine, once the snout of the East Salcantay Glacier, the river suddenly straightens, canalised by the Incas centuries ago. We camp alongside the canal close to the hamlet of Pampa Cahuana (12,695ft/3,870m).



Accommodation: Pampa Cahuana Camp (full-service camping)

Day 7 : Follow River To Camp At Huayllabamba

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 (10,170ft/3,100m) where we camp for the night.



Accommodation: Huayllabamba Camp (full-service camping)

Day 8 : Join Inca Trail And Summit Dead Woman's Pass

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we join the main Inca Trail, the iconic trek to Machu Picchu. Today’s journey is both challenging and rewarding, marking the most demanding and best-known stretch of the trail. A slow and steady climb takes us through a cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then we summit Dead Woman’s (Warmihuañusca) Pass, the highest point on the trek at 13,829ft (4,215m). After a well-deserved round of high fives and photos at the summit, we begin our steep descent on original Inca steps to reach our campsite in the scenic valley of the Pacaymayu River (11,811ft/3,600m). Warm up in the dining tent with a hot, fresh meal followed by a well-deserved sleep under the Andean night sky.



Accommodation: Pacaymayu Camp (full-service camping)

Day 9 : Over Runquracay Pass To The Ruins Of Sayacmarca And Phuyupatamarca

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, we start the day with a climb, which takes us past the ruins of Runquracay and over the Runquracay Pass (12,894ft/3,930m), our second and final pass. From here, the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined rolling path of flat boulders, providing access to sites only available to those on foot. One of the standout archeological sites we visit is Sayacmarca (11,893/3,625m), perched high above the green cloud forest. From here, we enjoy views of Salkantay mountain as we hike to our spectacular campsite on the ridge above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (12,073ft/3,680m), where we can enjoy the sunset and sunrise.



 Accommodation: Phuyupatamarca Camp (full-service camping)

Day 10 : Walk Down Inca Steps To Wiñay Wayna And Machu Picchu Via The Sun Gate

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

From Phuyupatamarca, we take the famous Inca steps: a 1.2mi (2km) stone staircase that rapidly descends into an immense panorama, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above and the Vilcanota River far below.



Reaching Wiñay Wayna, we have plenty of time to explore these beautiful ruins and eat lunch before continuing along a relatively flat section of the trail (by Inca standards, through cloud forest and wild orchids to finally reach Inti Punku (the Sun Gate).



From here, we get our first full sight of Machu Picchu, with the Huayna Picchu mountain rising behind… congratulations, you made it!



Inti Punku is traditionally busy with photo-taking trekkers in the morning, so our late afternoon arrival affords us unobstructed views of the magnificent ruins. We also get a chance to snap some classic photos of Machu Picchu before we take the 30-minute bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes for a shower and comfortable bed for the night.



Accommodation: Terraza de Luna (or similar)

Day 11 : Guided Tour Of Machu Picchu; Train To Sacred Valley

Meals Included: Breakfast

We start early to beat the day-trippers from Cuzco and reach the ruins as early as possible; buses return us up the winding road to the Machu Picchu entrance. During high season (May to October), there may be a bit of a wait.



Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world and, what makes it all the more dramatic, is the staggering mountain backdrop. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas left no records of it, and so it remained an enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Your guided tour highlights the history, culture, architecture and mysteries that Machu Picchu holds to this day.



We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30min) where we stay for the night.



Accommodation: Tunupa Lodge (or similar)

Day 12 : Explore Ollantaytambo And Pisac; Return To Cuzco

Meals Included: Breakfast

We spend a day exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting the Inca fortress ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac, which tower over the villages of the same name. We also have time to look around Pisac Market, known for handicrafts, before returning by road to Cuzco.



Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

Day 13 : Free Day In Cuzco

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today has been left free to relax or explore Cuzco further. There are several optional excursions available, which your tour leader can arrange for you. If you still have the energy, you could choose to mountain bike in the Sacred Valley taking a 18mi-22mi (30km-35km) ride through Moray, Maras and then down to Sacred Valley through ancient communities, farming fields and amazing Andean landscape. Alternatively, you could paddleboard on Lake Piuray near the town of Chinchero. Or, if feeling more subdued, take it easy and watch the world pass in Cuzco’s Plaza de Armas.



Accommodation: MamaSara Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 : End Cuzco

Meals Included: Breakfast

Begin your return journey home after breakfast. But if you’re not ready for the adventure to end, you can always book onto our Lake Titicaca extension, where you explore the sky-high waters by boat, visit an indigenous community and explore the pre‐Incan site of Sillustani. Alternatively, journey into the wilds on our Amazon Rainforest extension and explore lakes, rivers and jungle trails in search of the abundant wildlife that lives there.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts, eight lunches and six dinners

  • Seven nights in hotels and six nights of full-service camping

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leader throughout

  • Arrival and departure transfers

  • Full porterage throughout trek

  • Exodus kitbag

  • Inflatable sleeping mat while camping

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Sleeping bag (hire locally from US$35)

Food

All breakfasts, eight lunches and six dinners are included in the tour price.



Peruvian cuisine is loved for its flavours and originality; it’s well worth digging into the local delicacies. Among these are ceviche (seafood or fish marinated in lime juice), lomo saltado (a Peruvian take on a beef stir-fry), and various hearty soups including the delicious quinoa soup. Other dishes include roasted cuy (guinea pig) and alpaca steak. To drink, there’s pisco sour, the national beverage.



Drinking water is provided as tap water in Peru is not safe to drink; boiled and filtered drinking water is provided on the trek and elsewhere your leader buys large water containers from which you can refill your bottle.



Hotel breakfasts are normally simple buffets, usually including bread/toast and jam, cereal, sometimes eggs or a cooked dish, sometimes fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice. We cannot guarantee that wheat-/gluten-free products are available for breakfast in all locations – if you have an intolerance you may wish to bring your own breakfast food.



Where lunch and dinner are not included in Cuzco/Aguas Calientes, we visit a variety of cafes and restaurants.



During the trek, hearty breakfasts are served and good quality cooked lunches and dinners are provided. These usually consist of soup or a starter, a main course with meat/fish and some form of carbohydrates, followed by a dessert. Snacks are also provided. 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: 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: 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. It 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: 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

Magical Machu Picchu

Amazing hiking over the Salcantay pass to the magical Machu Picchu.

Excellent Trek to one of the 7 wonders of the modern world!

Truly an excellent 2 week holiday! 7 days spent in the Peruvian Andes- 4 days trekking around Salcantay, 3 on the Inca trail, ending at the Sun Gate and that picture postcard view of Machu Picchu. If you have entertained the idea of doing this holiday, or a shorter version of the trek, I'd just book it! You will certainly not be disappointed.

High Inca Trail - Salcantay

This was an amazing trip that was everything I hoped it would be and more. The scenery was amazing, the guides and porters were fabulous and someone organised perfect weather. Every detail was perfectly organised, and any hiccups were quickly smoothed. From pre-trip support from exodus, through to the day to day experience of the trek I can't say enough good things.

Amazing trip !

Well, what a trip that was ! An amazing experience made all the better by excellent organisation by Exodus.

The High Inca Trail

The High Inca Trail was more challenging than expected albeit very rewarding. Trip starts at high altitude and within a few days, there are a couple of long climbs that would not be a problem if it were not for the altitude. That said, I believe it was extremely beneficial doing The High Inca Trail (as opposed to just the Inca Trail) (which includes the Salkantay pass) as this most definitely prepares you for the part of the walk on the Inca Trail which climbs to 4,125 making this walk more enjoyable.

The High Inca Trail - 7 day hike

Overall the trip was fantastic and surpassed our expectations. During the acclimatization, we explored Cusco and found it a wonderful and vibrant place, full of culture and life. The hike was amazing! Each day presented breathtaking scenery, from glacial mountains and lakes and fertile forest valleys. The food was way above what we expected. As a group we sat down to 3 courses each mealtime. With vegetarian and gluten options being prepared by the chefs at each meal. There was never any complaints about the food. We could not have asked for a better group to travel with, they certainly helped make the trip as good as it was.

Wonderful Salkantay and Inca Trail

The Salkantay Trek gives you both remoteness, superb mountain and glacier views along with the Inca Trail and the reward of the inspirational Machu Picchu at the end. It’s definitely worth the extra days of walking and camping. We didn’t see any other groups for the first three days! There was high level of support provided by the leader, chef and porters. The food on the trek was exceptional - nutritionally balanced, plentiful and varied. The days in Cusco before the trek provided good acclimatisation as well as familiarising ourselves with Inca history. The Machu Picchu Museum was well worth a visit in advance of the trek.

THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

This trip encompasses both the wilds of trekking right in the mountains without seeing anyone the whole time and also the experience of walking the 'classic Inca trail'. Yes, you will see other people but you are walking in the footsteps of history and heritage! I was really pleased to have done it like this as I can say i walked the trail of the incas and arrived through sungate - it  may be a cliche but hey youre only going to do it once so i am pleased to be able to say I did it this way.

High Inca trail as must do trip

High Inca trail was brilliant. Fantastic trekking, amazing trails and beautiful scenery. If things couldn't get any better, to top it off we had a really fantastic leader in Tomas Llancay and also a brilliant second leader in Sebastian. I would highly recommend the high Inca trail as you get to see a small part of Peru that not many other do and we had the trails mostly to our selves.

THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

This was my first trip with Exodus and I'm booking my next one soon! A fantastic experience, I especially enjoyed camping in the wild. The only people we saw for days were our group, our porters and a few locals. We had a great group, and I really enjoyed the company of the others.

Read all 47 reviews

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